Plants and Animals
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| The Swainson's hawk is |
Three rare plant species - grama grass cactus, Knight’s milkvetch, and Townsend’s aster are found here. New Mexico’s lowest elevation stands of Ponderosa pines are in Ojito, far below where pines usually grow. The area provides nesting habitat for birds of prey, swifts and swallows. Other wildlife species that call Ojito home include various reptiles, mule deer, elk, American antelope, and the mountain lion.
Paleontological sites have been found in Ojito including one of the largest dinosaur skeletons ever discovered – that of a Seismasaurus. The New Mexico Museum of Natural History has a new exhibit that includes a full-size replica of the Seismasaurus that was found here.
The Ojito Wilderness Area makes an ideal outdoor classroom for students of all ages.
More photos of animals can be seen in the animal
photo gallery.
© Copyright 2007 Martin Heinrich
This site is made possible by:
The Coalition for New Mexico Wilderness,
The Sierra Club,
The Wilderness Society,
and the New Mexico Wilderness Alliance
For More Information on Ojito, contact the
New Mexico Wilderness Alliance
or the Rio Puerco Bureau of Land Management