Optima National Wildlife Refuge

Ecosystem Overview

The Optima National Wildlife Refuge ecosystem supports 24 documented wildlife species across 21 taxonomic genera. Located in Texas County, Oklahoma, this area provides critical habitat with diverse natural communities. The location hosts 5 frequently observed species and 4 occasionally documented species, creating a balanced ecosystem with both resident and visiting wildlife. While Texas County nearby has 68% more documented species, Optima National Wildlife Refuge offers unique wildlife observation opportunities. This location ranks #4 for species diversity among 100 Texas County County natural areas, placing it in the 96th 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 100 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common5 species

Common8 species

Occasional7 species

Rare4 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#4 of 100 locations

96th percentile for diversity

vs. Texas County

-68% species diversity

Ecosystem Overview

‌
‌
‌
‌

Biodiversity Highlights

‌

Species Distribution

Very Common‌

Common‌

Occasional‌

Rare‌

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

‌

Most Common Species

Showing 20 most frequently observed species out of 24 total documented species.

Melanoplus differentialis

Differential Grasshopper

Very Common0.24 obs.

Euphorbia prostrata

Prostrate Sandmat

Very Common0.24 obs.

Euphorbia marginata

Ghostweed

Very Common0.18 obs.

Panicum capillare

Witchgrass

Very Common0.18 obs.

Asclepias latifolia

Broadleaf Milkweed

Very Common0.18 obs.

Lepomis aquilensis

Common0.14 obs.

Gambusia affinis

Mosquito Fish

Common0.14 obs.

Fundulus kansae

Northern Plains Killifish

Common0.14 obs.

Micropterus salmoides

Bass

Common0.14 obs.

Lepomis cyanellus

Green Sunfish

Common0.14 obs.

Pimephales promelas

Rosey Reds

Common0.14 obs.

Eragrostis cilianensis

Stinkgrass

Occasional0.12 obs.

Euphorbia glyptosperma

Ribseed Sandmat

Occasional0.08 obs.

Bothriochloa torreyana

Occasional0.06 obs.

Elymus smithii

Occasional0.06 obs.

Lactuca serriola

Scarole

Occasional0.06 obs.

Amaranthus palmeri

Palmer'S Pigweed

Occasional0.06 obs.

Passer domesticus

House Sparrow

Rare0.06 obs.

Streptopelia decaocto

Collared Dove

Rare0.05 obs.

Calosoma marginale

Rare0.04 obs.

Want the Complete Field Guide?

Get all 24 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.

Most Common Species

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

Want the Complete Field Guide?

‌
‌

‌

Get Your Personalized Field Guide

Download a professional PDF field guide featuring all the species found in Optima National Wildlife Refuge. Perfect for outdoor adventures, education, and nature exploration.

Email Address (for delivery)

Your field guide will be delivered to this email address. Please double-check for accuracy.

$6.99

Regional Comparison

Regional Ranking

Species Count

+26%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in Texas County County, Oklahoma

Nearby Natural Areas

Texas County

Importance: 0.80

76 species

-68% vs. current

Optima State Wildlife Management Area

Importance: 0.70

17 species

+41% vs. current

Guymon

Importance: 0.70

16 species

+50% vs. current

Hooker

Importance: 0.70

11 species

+118% vs. current

Goodwell

Importance: 0.70

8 species

+200% vs. current

Texhoma, Ok

Importance: 0.70

6 species

+300% vs. current

Hooker

Importance: 0.60

11 species

+118% vs. current

Guymon

Importance: 0.60

9 species

+167% 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 Texas County County.

Regional Comparison

‌

Regional Ranking

‌

Species Count

‌

vs. Regional Average

‌

Nearby Natural Areas

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

About This Comparison

‌
‌
‌

Most Common Species

Showing 20 most frequently observed species out of 24 total documented species.

Melanoplus differentialis

Differential Grasshopper

Very Common0.24 obs.

Euphorbia prostrata

Prostrate Sandmat

Very Common0.24 obs.

Euphorbia marginata

Ghostweed

Very Common0.18 obs.

Panicum capillare

Witchgrass

Very Common0.18 obs.

Asclepias latifolia

Broadleaf Milkweed

Very Common0.18 obs.

Lepomis aquilensis

Common0.14 obs.

Gambusia affinis

Mosquito Fish

Common0.14 obs.

Fundulus kansae

Northern Plains Killifish

Common0.14 obs.

Micropterus salmoides

Bass

Common0.14 obs.

Lepomis cyanellus

Green Sunfish

Common0.14 obs.

Pimephales promelas

Rosey Reds

Common0.14 obs.

Eragrostis cilianensis

Stinkgrass

Occasional0.12 obs.

Euphorbia glyptosperma

Ribseed Sandmat

Occasional0.08 obs.

Bothriochloa torreyana

Occasional0.06 obs.

Elymus smithii

Occasional0.06 obs.

Lactuca serriola

Scarole

Occasional0.06 obs.

Amaranthus palmeri

Palmer'S Pigweed

Occasional0.06 obs.

Passer domesticus

House Sparrow

Rare0.06 obs.

Streptopelia decaocto

Collared Dove

Rare0.05 obs.

Calosoma marginale

Rare0.04 obs.

Want the Complete Field Guide?

Get all 24 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.

Regional Comparison

Regional Ranking

Species Count

+26%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 8 nearby locations in Texas County County, Oklahoma

Nearby Natural Areas

Texas County

Importance: 0.80

76 species

-68% vs. current

Optima State Wildlife Management Area

Importance: 0.70

17 species

+41% vs. current

Guymon

Importance: 0.70

16 species

+50% vs. current

Hooker

Importance: 0.70

11 species

+118% vs. current

Goodwell

Importance: 0.70

8 species

+200% vs. current

Texhoma, Ok

Importance: 0.70

6 species

+300% vs. current

Hooker

Importance: 0.60

11 species

+118% vs. current

Guymon

Importance: 0.60

9 species

+167% 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 100 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common5 species

Common8 species

Occasional7 species

Rare4 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#4 of 100 locations

96th percentile for diversity

vs. Texas County

-68% species diversity