Rodeo, NM
(Chiricahua Mtns)

Above Photo courtesy of Caballos de Las Estrellas

The  Chiricahua Mountain Desert Region ( 325,000 acres which includes National Forest, Wilderness, and the Chiricahua National Monument and once home of the Chiricahua Apache Indians) has a mix of landscape types, encompassing shrub covered desert, vast grasslands, riparian areas, oak, juniper, and pinyon woodlands, and even sheltered Ponderosa Pine forests. Cacti, yucca, and agave are common plants of the region. In fact, this desert is especially known for having high cacti diversity and endemism.

Similarly, grasses, euphorbs, asters, and legumes also demonstrate this same trait. The plant diversity of this region in turn supports a high variety of invertebrate and reptile species. Mammals in the area include pronghorn, deer, javelina, bobcat, and coyotes, as well as some rare species such as desert bighorn sheep and prairie dogs.

Javelina Hog spotted in Rodeo

Above Photo courtesy of Caballos de Las Estrellas

Close-up. The Chiricahua Mountains which are
actually in Arizona (Rodeo, NM is right on the
Arizona Border, and very near the
Mexico border.)