Nature & Wildlife in Las Vegas

Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area is well-known as a place for hikers, climbers, and bikers. It's a terrific place to spot wildlife, but many desert animals are masters of camouflage and/or are nocturnal. Creatures are usually out at sunset or sunrise and gather near water sources. Animals you might see include several species of birds (quail, hawks, road runners, and chuker, for example), burros, rabbits, desert bighorn sheep, coyotes, tarantulas, and bats. Mountain lions live in Red Rock, although they are rarely spotted. Desert tortoises are also infrequently seen--and they are a protected animal, which means people are not allowed to touch them or bother them in any way. Visitors should be on the lookout for venomous animals like rattlesnakes, black widow spiders, and scorpions. Do not stick your hands or feet into crevices or under bushes, or anywhere where you can't see what may be resting there.

Visitors will find these same animals throughout Southern Nevada, at the Valley of Fire and the Desert National Wildlife Refuge. At Corn Creek, which is at the Ranger's Station for DNWR, you'll find the endangered Pahrump Poolfish, which was relocated here after its original habitat was pumped dry.

On the outskirts of Las Vegas, you'll find Floyd Lamb Park, a historic site filled with springs and wandering peacocks. Near Floyd Lamb (referred to as Tule Springs by many locals), the Gilcrease Nature Sanctuary is a small, privately-owned preserve that is home to all types of animals, but has a large population of birds.

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