Ruidoso Downs

Ecosystem Overview

The Ruidoso Downs ecosystem supports 20 documented wildlife species across 20 taxonomic genera. Located in Lincoln County, New Mexico, this area provides critical habitat with diverse natural communities. The location hosts 5 frequently observed species and 3 occasionally documented species, creating a balanced ecosystem with both resident and visiting wildlife. While Lincoln County nearby has 80% more documented species, Ruidoso Downs offers unique wildlife observation opportunities. This location ranks #4 for species diversity among 8 Lincoln County County natural areas, placing it in the 50th percentile for biodiversity.

Biodiversity Highlights

Total Species

Documented wildlife species

Genus Diversity

Taxonomic genera represented

Common Species

Frequently observed species

Rare Species

Occasionally documented species

Regional Rank

Out of 8 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common5 species

Common6 species

Occasional6 species

Rare3 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#4 of 8 locations

50th percentile for diversity

vs. Lincoln County

-80% species diversity

Ecosystem Overview

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Biodiversity Highlights

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Species Distribution

Very Common‌

Common‌

Occasional‌

Rare‌

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

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Most Common Species

Showing 20 most frequently observed species out of 20 total documented species.

Cornu aspersum

Brown garden snail

Very Common6 obs.

Coccinella septempunctata

7-spot ladybird

Very Common4 obs.

Medicago sativa

lucerne

Very Common3 obs.

Sayornis saya

Say's phoebe

Very Common2 obs.

Hordeum jubatum

foxtail barley

Very Common2 obs.

Gaillardia pulchella

firewheel

Common2 obs.

Erodium cicutarium

Common Stork'S-Bill

Common2 obs.

Armadillidium vulgare

common pill woodlouse

Common1 obs.

Cathartes aura

Turkey Vulture

Common1 obs.

Corvus corax

common raven

Common1 obs.

Zenaida macroura

Mourning Dove

Common1 obs.

Juniperus monosperma

Cherrystone Juniper

Occasional1 obs.

Gleditsia triacanthos

Honey Locust

Occasional1 obs.

Malva parviflora

least mallow

Occasional1 obs.

Sphaeralcea coccinea

red false mallow

Occasional1 obs.

Oenothera suffrutescens

scarlet beeblossom

Occasional1 obs.

Corydalis aurea

Pale Corydalis

Occasional1 obs.

Taraxacum officinale

common dandelion

Rare1 obs.

Sceloporus cowlesi

White Sands Prairie Lizard

Rare1 obs.

Eleodes tricostata

Rare1 obs.

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Most Common Species

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Get Your Personalized Field Guide

Download a professional PDF field guide featuring all the species found in Ruidoso Downs. Perfect for outdoor adventures, education, and nature exploration.

$6.99

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Regional Comparison

Regional Ranking

Species Count

-44%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 7 nearby locations in Lincoln County County, New Mexico

Nearby Natural Areas

Lincoln County

Importance: 0.38

100 species

-80% vs. current

Ruidoso

Importance: 0.38

100 species

-80% vs. current

Carrizozo

Importance: 0.32

27 species

-26% vs. current

Capitan

Importance: 0.28

7 species

+186% vs. current

Alto Reservoir

in Ruidoso

Importance: 0.20

12 species

+67% vs. current

Alto Reservoir

Importance: 0.20

5 species

+300% vs. current

Grindstone Lake

in Ruidoso

Importance: 0.20

3 species

+567% vs. current

About This Comparison

These comparisons are based on documented wildlife observations from citizen science data. Locations with higher species counts may have more observation activity, different habitat types, or larger coverage areas. Regional rankings help identify biodiversity hotspots and unique natural areas within Lincoln County County.

Regional Comparison

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Regional Ranking

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Species Count

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vs. Regional Average

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Nearby Natural Areas

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About This Comparison

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Regional Comparison

Regional Ranking

Species Count

-44%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 7 nearby locations in Lincoln County County, New Mexico

Nearby Natural Areas

Lincoln County

Importance: 0.38

100 species

-80% vs. current

Ruidoso

Importance: 0.38

100 species

-80% vs. current

Carrizozo

Importance: 0.32

27 species

-26% vs. current

Capitan

Importance: 0.28

7 species

+186% vs. current

Alto Reservoir

in Ruidoso

Importance: 0.20

12 species

+67% vs. current

Alto Reservoir

Importance: 0.20

5 species

+300% vs. current

Grindstone Lake

in Ruidoso

Importance: 0.20

3 species

+567% vs. current

About This Comparison

Ecosystem Overview

Biodiversity Highlights

Total Species

Documented wildlife species

Genus Diversity

Taxonomic genera represented

Common Species

Frequently observed species

Rare Species

Occasionally documented species

Regional Rank

Out of 8 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common5 species

Common6 species

Occasional6 species

Rare3 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#4 of 8 locations

50th percentile for diversity

vs. Lincoln County

-80% species diversity

Most Common Species

Showing 20 most frequently observed species out of 20 total documented species.

Cornu aspersum

Brown garden snail

Very Common6 obs.

Coccinella septempunctata

7-spot ladybird

Very Common4 obs.

Medicago sativa

lucerne

Very Common3 obs.

Sayornis saya

Say's phoebe

Very Common2 obs.

Hordeum jubatum

foxtail barley

Very Common2 obs.

Gaillardia pulchella

firewheel

Common2 obs.

Erodium cicutarium

Common Stork'S-Bill

Common2 obs.

Armadillidium vulgare

common pill woodlouse

Common1 obs.

Cathartes aura

Turkey Vulture

Common1 obs.

Corvus corax

common raven

Common1 obs.

Zenaida macroura

Mourning Dove

Common1 obs.

Juniperus monosperma

Cherrystone Juniper

Occasional1 obs.

Gleditsia triacanthos

Honey Locust

Occasional1 obs.

Malva parviflora

least mallow

Occasional1 obs.

Sphaeralcea coccinea

red false mallow

Occasional1 obs.

Oenothera suffrutescens

scarlet beeblossom

Occasional1 obs.

Corydalis aurea

Pale Corydalis

Occasional1 obs.

Taraxacum officinale

common dandelion

Rare1 obs.

Sceloporus cowlesi

White Sands Prairie Lizard

Rare1 obs.

Eleodes tricostata

Rare1 obs.

Want the Complete Field Guide?

Get all 20 species with 3-4 high-quality images each, detailed descriptions, and a downloadable PDF for offline use.

Premium field guide includes identification tips, seasonal patterns, and professional layout optimized for field use.