Las Cruces

Ecosystem Overview

The Las Cruces ecosystem supports 100 documented wildlife species across 88 taxonomic genera. Located in Doña Ana County, New Mexico, this area provides critical habitat with diverse natural communities. The location hosts 21 frequently observed species and 19 occasionally documented species, creating a balanced ecosystem with both resident and visiting wildlife. Compared to nearby Sunland Park, Las Cruces hosts 1150% more species diversity. This location ranks #1 for species diversity among 13 Doña Ana County County natural areas, placing it in the 92th percentile for biodiversity.

Biodiversity Highlights

100

Total Species

Documented wildlife species

Genus Diversity

Taxonomic genera represented

Common Species

Frequently observed species

Rare Species

Occasionally documented species

Regional Rank

Out of 13 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common21 species

Common30 species

Occasional30 species

Rare19 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#1 of 13 locations

92th percentile for diversity

vs. Sunland Park

+1150% 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 100 total documented species.

Larrea tridentata

Very Common269 obs.

Yucca elata

soaptree yucca

Very Common115 obs.

Chilopsis linearis

desert-willow

Very Common37 obs.

Zenaida asiatica

White-winged Dove

Very Common24 obs.

Quiscalus mexicanus

Great-tailed Grackle

Very Common15 obs.

Ephedra trifurca

longleaf joint-fir

Common12 obs.

Zenaida macroura

Mourning Dove

Common12 obs.

Atriplex canescens

Fourwing saltbush

Common12 obs.

Haemorhous mexicanus

House Finch

Common10 obs.

Fouquieria splendens

vine-cactus

Common8 obs.

Toxostoma curvirostre

curve-billed thrasher

Common6 obs.

Dasyochloa pulchella

Occasional6 obs.

Parkinsonia aculeata

Jerusalem thorn

Occasional6 obs.

Vachellia constricta

whitethorn acacia

Occasional5 obs.

Yucca treculiana

Occasional5 obs.

Asphondylia auripila

Occasional5 obs.

Dryobates scalaris

Ladder-backed Woodpecker

Occasional4 obs.

Tribulus terrestris

Puncturevine

Rare4 obs.

Opuntia macrocentra

Purple Prickly-pear

Rare4 obs.

Cathartes aura

Turkey Vulture

Rare4 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 Las Cruces. Perfect for outdoor adventures, education, and nature exploration.

$6.99

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Regional Comparison

Regional Ranking

100

Species Count

+257%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in Doña Ana County County, New Mexico

Nearby Natural Areas

Sunland Park

Importance: 0.38

8 species

+1150% vs. current

Doña Ana County

Importance: 0.37

100 species

0% vs. current

Mesilla

Importance: 0.33

41 species

+144% vs. current

White Sands

Importance: 0.31

12 species

+733% vs. current

Hatch

Importance: 0.28

17 species

+488% vs. current

Santa Teresa

Importance: 0.27

3 species

+3233% vs. current

Vado

Importance: 0.27

2 species

+4900% vs. current

Chaparral

Importance: 0.26

39 species

+156% 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 Doña Ana 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

100

Species Count

+257%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in Doña Ana County County, New Mexico

Nearby Natural Areas

Sunland Park

Importance: 0.38

8 species

+1150% vs. current

Doña Ana County

Importance: 0.37

100 species

0% vs. current

Mesilla

Importance: 0.33

41 species

+144% vs. current

White Sands

Importance: 0.31

12 species

+733% vs. current

Hatch

Importance: 0.28

17 species

+488% vs. current

Santa Teresa

Importance: 0.27

3 species

+3233% vs. current

Vado

Importance: 0.27

2 species

+4900% vs. current

Chaparral

Importance: 0.26

39 species

+156% vs. current

About This Comparison

Ecosystem Overview

Biodiversity Highlights

100

Total Species

Documented wildlife species

Genus Diversity

Taxonomic genera represented

Common Species

Frequently observed species

Rare Species

Occasionally documented species

Regional Rank

Out of 13 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common21 species

Common30 species

Occasional30 species

Rare19 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#1 of 13 locations

92th percentile for diversity

vs. Sunland Park

+1150% species diversity

Most Common Species

Showing 20 most frequently observed species out of 100 total documented species.

Larrea tridentata

Very Common269 obs.

Yucca elata

soaptree yucca

Very Common115 obs.

Chilopsis linearis

desert-willow

Very Common37 obs.

Zenaida asiatica

White-winged Dove

Very Common24 obs.

Quiscalus mexicanus

Great-tailed Grackle

Very Common15 obs.

Ephedra trifurca

longleaf joint-fir

Common12 obs.

Zenaida macroura

Mourning Dove

Common12 obs.

Atriplex canescens

Fourwing saltbush

Common12 obs.

Haemorhous mexicanus

House Finch

Common10 obs.

Fouquieria splendens

vine-cactus

Common8 obs.

Toxostoma curvirostre

curve-billed thrasher

Common6 obs.

Dasyochloa pulchella

Occasional6 obs.

Parkinsonia aculeata

Jerusalem thorn

Occasional6 obs.

Vachellia constricta

whitethorn acacia

Occasional5 obs.

Yucca treculiana

Occasional5 obs.

Asphondylia auripila

Occasional5 obs.

Dryobates scalaris

Ladder-backed Woodpecker

Occasional4 obs.

Tribulus terrestris

Puncturevine

Rare4 obs.

Opuntia macrocentra

Purple Prickly-pear

Rare4 obs.

Cathartes aura

Turkey Vulture

Rare4 obs.

Want the Complete Field Guide?

Get all 100 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.