BLM New Mexico manages public lands to provide suitable habitat for fish, wildlife, and special status species of plants and animals. Our state boasts a broad diversity of wildlife with 479 bird species and 147 mammal species verified or reliably recorded in the state. Reptiles (91 species), fish (69 species), and amphibians (25 species) also abound along with thousands of species of invertebrates, including mollusks and crustaceans.

When it comes to watching wildlife, New Mexico is famous not only for the world-renowned bat flights at Carlsbad Caverns, but also big horned sheep and pronghorn antelope that like to race alongside vehicles on dusty backcountry roads, and the specially adapted neo-tropical animals living in the very southern regions of the state. We also have an occasional moose drifting down from Colorado visiting the northern part of areas of the state.

Mexican gray wolves have recently been introduced back into southwest New Mexico. Their numbers are quite small now, but will increase in the future adding to the animal diversity in New Mexico. These are a protected species, so please do not harass them in any way.

Also don’t be surprised if you are driving around New Mexico and see some very odd looking animals grazing off the side of the road. Many non-native, exotic species -- such as Barbary sheep, Oryx, and Ibex of the Saharan regions areas of North Africa -- have been introduced into the state and are thriving in this part of the world. Another introduced species, and symbol of the old West, also is thriving in New Mexico – wild horses, which can be seen on public lands east of Socorro and other remote areas of the state.

Bird watching? There are at 479 species living in New Mexico, many of them are neo-tropical species migrating up from Mexico and South America. We have a bird checklist you can download to keep tract of all the different species you might find around the state.

For more information on Watchable Wildlife, please visit our Field Office sites or visit some of the web links below.

• “Watchable Wildlife” Website: http://www.watchablewildlife.org/
• NM Game and Fish: http://www.wildlife.state.nm.us/index.htm
• NM Game and Fish “Birding in New Mexico:” http://www.wildlife.state.nm.us/recreation/birding/index.htm
• “Where to go birding in New Mexico:” http://www.camacdonald.com/birding/usnewmexico.htm
• NMSU “Animal Wildlife Habitats:” http://www.nmsu.edu/~redtt/Resources/html/AgWildlife.html
• “Coexisting With Wildlife:” http://wildlife.state.co.us/Education/CoExisting_with_wildlife

Watchable Wildlife Etiquette

Wildlife viewing is a favorite recreational activity of many who live or visit the West. And nearly all wildlife is "watchable wildlife," if you have the patience.

• Observe animals from a safe distance. Get close by using binoculars, a spotting scope or a camera with a telephoto lens. You probably are too close if animals are looking at you with head up and ears pointed toward you or are "jumpy" when you move or make a noise. If you see these signs, sit quietly or move slowly away until the behavior changes. Be especially sensitive to adults with young.
• Move slowly, quietly, and casually, not directly at wildlife. Allow animals to keep you in view; do not surprise them.
• Never chase or harass wildlife; harassment of wildlife is against the law.
• Leave pets at home. At best they hinder wildlife watching; at worst they can chase, injure or kill wildlife; or they can become prey themselves.
• Using the animals’ behavior as a guide, limit the time you spend watching if animals appear to be stressed.
• Respect others who are viewing the same animals.
• Do not feed wild mammals; keep them wild.
• Respect private property rights; ask first to watch on private land.
• Resting is critical behavior for many animals; don’t encourage them to "do something or act up" for you or your camera.
• Avoid animals that behave strangely or aggressively. They may be ill. Don’t pick them up, and report your sighting to the New Mexico Game and Fish or other government agency.

Watchable Wildlife Carlsbad Field Office   Black River Recreation Area   Guadalupe Backcountry Byway   La Cueva Non-Motorized Trail System Farmington Field Office   Angel Peak Scenic Area   Bisti/De-Na-Zin Wilderness   Simon Canyon Area of Critical Environmental Concern Las Cruces District Office   Aguirre Spring Campground   Continental Divide National Scenic Trail   Dripping Springs Natural Area   Gila Lower Box Canyon   Granite Gap   Lake Valley Backcountry Byway   Lake Valley Historic Townsite   Prehistoric Trackways National Monument   Sierra Vista Trail   Soledad Canyon Day Use Area Rio Puerco Field Office   Cabezon Peak Wilderness Study Area   Cebolla Wilderness   Chain of Craters Backcountry Byway   Continental Divide National Scenic Trail   El Malpais National Conservation Area   Ignacio Chavez Special Management Area   Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument   Perea Nature Trail   West Malpais Wilderness Roswell Field Office   Fort Stanton-Snowy River Cave National Conservation Area   Valley of Fires Recreation Area Socorro Field Office   Continental Divide National Scenic Trail   Datil Well Recreation Area Campground   Quebradas Backcountry Byway   San Lorenzo Canyon Recreation Area   Socorro Nature Area Taos Field Office   Rio Chama Wild and Scenic River   Rio Grande Wild and Scenic River   Wild Rivers Backcountry Byway   Wild Rivers Recreation Area   Orilla Verde Recreation Area   Sabinoso Wilderness