NATURE & SCIENCE

In the far southeastern corner of Arizona are the beautiful Chiricahua Mountains, one of several “sky island” mountain ranges surrounded by expansive desert grasslands. The Chiricahua Mountain Range is an inactive volcanic range twenty miles wide and forty miles long. It forms part of the Mexican Highland section of the Basin and Range Biogeographical Province and rises up dramatically from the valley floor to over nine thousand feet, cresting in a series of uneven, volcanic looking peaks. At the northern end of the range is an extraordinary area of striking geological features and enormous biodiversity. Tucked deep into these steep, forested valleys and beneath the craggy peaks are the remains of violent geological activity that continued for many millions of years—the pinnacles, columns, spires and balanced rocks of Chiricahua National Monument. The Apaches called this place 'The Land of Standing-Up Rocks', a fitting name for an extraordinary rock wonderland. Early pioneers in the late 1800s sensed the unique beauty and singularity of the rock formations in the area. They were instrumental in persuading Congress to protect this ‘Wonderland of Rocks’, so much so that in 1924 the Chiricahua National Monument was created.

There are approximately twelve thousand acres of wild, rugged terrain within which the rock formations and a great ecological diversity are protected. In 1976, Congress decided to further preserve the land, designating 87% of the monument as Wilderness. This precludes any development and human intervention, thus ensuring the preservation of the geological formations for future generations and the continuation of undisturbed space and habitat for the many unique plants and animals that are found in this special region. As well as the exceptional geological aspects of this park, the monument hosts a biological crossroads, a meeting-place of four different ecological regions. In the Chiricahua Mountains, the Sonoran and Chihuahuan deserts, and the Rocky Mountain and Sierra Madre ranges all meet. The convergence of these four biomes makes this area unusually rich in both floral and faunal biodiversity. Rocky Mountain representatives such as the Ponderosa pine and Engelmann spruce co-exist beside the Soap tree yucca from the Chihuahuan desert. Stately Arizona sycamore and various types of oak dot the well-watered canyons. Apache pine grows here at the most northern end of the Sierra Madre range. Chihuahua pine is found, as are Douglas and White fir, Arizona cypress, Cane cholla, Prickly pear and several species of ferns, mushrooms, and fungi. There are five major drainages within the monument, several with intermittent creeks that support a mixture of deciduous and evergreen woodlands. The heavily forested canyons provide habitat for numerous wildlife, including coatimundi, white-tailed deer, javalina, and many species of birds; over three hundred bird species are found in the Chiricahua Mountains, some of whom have migrated north from Mexico.

The Chiricahua Mountains are part of the Madrean Archipelago, a collection of forty neighboring mountain groups that lie between the Colorado Plateau and the Sierra Madre Occidental. It is so named because it resembles an oceanic archipelago - a sea dotted with islands - only here the sea is hot desert grassland. We call these isolated mountain ranges ‘sky islands’. The Chiricahuas are a perfect example of a sky island that formed during the Basin and Range faulting.

Environmental Factors

Many environmental factors, both natural and human-caused, have produced dramatic changes over time both in the biotic and abiotic communities of the monument. Natural factors such as geologic and hydrologic activity, weather and climate, historic fire regimes, and pest infestations, have profoundly shaped the geology, flora, and fauna seen today in the monument. More recent human-caused factors, such as a change in the fire regime, changes in air and water quality, disturbed lands, and inadvertent or deliberate introduction of non-native species, have increased the rate of environmental change.

As more people visit the monument and as more humans begin to occupy these remote places, aesthetic values become increasingly more important and more difficult to maintain. The need and desire for quietude, scenic vistas, and dark night skies challenges us to properly manage noise, air quality, visible impacts and lightscapes, as well as other natural and cultural resources in the monument. 

Fire Regime

Several fire history studies have been completed for the oak woodlands of the Chiricahua Mountains. Dendrochronological analysis documents a fire regime of episodic surface fires at intervals of 1 to 38 years with a mean fire interval (MFI) of 3.9 years in canyons and a MFI range of 7.4 to 8.1 years in intercanyons. Frequent (2-15 years), low intensity fires occurred in the oak woodland community in the summer months, primarily June through August. While the late 19th century experienced more frequent fires, the earlier portion of that century experienced almost no fire activity; this may have been due to changes in fuel continuity from flood and debris-flow events. The presettlement fire regime changed by the turn of the 20th century to less frequent but more intense fires, and is attributed to increased grazing and the onset of the fire suppression era. Bahre (1985; 1978) suggests that: wildfires in southeastern Arizona between 1859 and 1890 were much larger and more frequent than today; the occurrence of large grassland fires declined due to grazing and thus brought on the "brush invasion" of the 1890s; and wildfires occurred in all of the major vegetation communities. The fire regime of the Chiricahua Mountains influenced all plant associations existing in the range, and the oak woodland community appears to be the link that allowed fire to spread from semi-desert grasslands to higher elevation plant communities. Based on historical locations of lightning-induced fires in Chiricahua National Monument, fires started in high elevation pine forests as well as low elevation semi-desert grasslands, and fire spread throughout the mountain range was facilitated by the oak woodlands of canyon bottoms. Although fire occurrence is distributed randomly by aspect, it does favor heavily ponderosa pine habitats, followed by grass, brush, mixed conifer, and woodland. Fire-adapted and fire-tolerant species, and multi-stemmed shrubs and trees are evidence of a history of repeated fires. A very open oak-grassland structure, where the oaks are large-stemmed and fully developed, is evidence of a high fire frequency. The fire season for southern Arizona covers the period from April to October, and is broken up into two periods that relate to fire behavior. The first period is the "false monsoon" and is characterized by virga, high surface winds, and lightning. Fires occurring during the false monsoon season (April to July) are usually the most intense and have the highest spread rates and flame lengths, as well as the highest potential for torching and sustained crown fires. High temperatures, low humidities, high winds, and low fuel moistures all contribute to large, high intensity fires during this first season. Fires occurring during the false monsoon typically start in vegetation types that have a continuous fine fuel layer, and have the potential of spreading quickly into other vegetation types. The second season begins with the "true monsoon" (July to October) and the daily buildup of thunderstorms that produce rain and lightning. Although fuel moistures and humidities are higher than that of the false monsoon season, the second season tends to experience more fire starts due to a greater incidence of lightning. These fires are typically small, low to moderate intensity fires that are regulated primarily by fuel moisture. The end of the true monsoon season brings increasingly-intermittent storms that produce drier fuel moisture conditions, higher temperatures, and lower humidities, but reduction in thunderstorm activity and lightning reduces the ignition source and thus fire occurrence. "Sleeper fires" that can hold heat in heavy fuels through the true monsoon may possibly increase in activity between these intermittent storms. The regularity and intensity of these intermittent thunderstorms greatly influence the activity of the fire season. Fires occurring during the true monsoon season characteristically start in vegetation types that have minimal grass and herbaceous cover, where litter is the primary carrier of fire. To date, only one fire history study on the chaparral community of Chiricahua National Monument has been conducted, which investigated the fire regimes of woodland, chaparral, and piñon-cypress-juniper stands of the Monument; conclusions are that the fire return interval for the chaparral community probably ranged from 20 to 100 years.

Air Quality

Visitors who stand at Massai Point, the second highest vistapoint in the monument, can usually see a hundred miles in any direction. The sky is a vivid blue, and the cracks and crevices of Cochise Stronghold, 60 miles away, can be clearly seen. This viewshed--the wonderland of rocks--is what visitors come to see. Chiricahua National Monument is designated a Class I airshed under the Clean Air Act, which requires the highest level of air-quality protection. Many National Parks and wilderness areas are designated Class I, but not all of them have clean air. Many parks in the eastern U.S. and elsewhere are suffering the consequences of air pollution from nearby urban areas, including the detrimental impacts of acid rain and ozone. State and Federal regulations attempt to curtail actions that may detrimentally affect air quality or the public health, but it is sometimes difficult to determine where air pollution is coming from, and even more difficult to correct the problem.

The monument maintains an Air Quality Station which tracks visibility, particulates, ozone, nitrates, sulfides, dioxins, and rainwater deposition. This data is analyzed and used to determine overall air quality, and factors or events that may be having detrimental effects on the air. This information can help managers decide what future actions may be necessary to maintain the current level of air quality, or to make improvements. The monument's close proximity to Mexico makes it a prime candidate for monitoring the effect of Mexico's pollution on air quality in the United States. Smelting, manufacturing and power plants on the other side of the border produce pollutants that can be carried into the monument. That, along with plans to build an additional incinerator and power plants within 50 miles of the monument, makes it even more critical that baseline air quality data be collected. 

Disturbed Lands

Land disturbance can be both natural and man-made.  Landslides, fire and floods can drastically change the landscape, removing vegetation and creating or destroying soil surfaces where plants grow.  Usually, these events are not a problem for nature - but simply a part of an ongoing process. 

Humans also disturb land, which can sometimes have detrimental effects.  Early settlers built homes and brought cattle to the area to graze;  humans have manipulated fire for many years - the Native Americans used it to maintain grasslands, attracting prey animals; in more recent times fire has largely been suppressed, mainly due to a lack of understanding about it's importance to ecosystem health; roads, trails and other infrastructure were constructed here, so that visitors could explore and enjoy the scenic beauty.  All of these activities have had some sort of effect on the surrounding land.  Overgrazing can result in the invasion of shrubs into grassland areas, as well as erosion.  Fire suppression has resulted in high fuel loads in some areas, which can result in catastrophic wildfires.  Better access has resulted in more human activity, which can increase people's appreciation for nature, but can also have adverse impacts on wildlife. 

It is a challenge to overcome, correct, and control these impacts.  Managers are faced with trying to keep new impacts to a minimum while still allowing humans to use and enjoy the natural areas.  They are also trying to correct problems that arose from past activities, which can be a daunting challenge.  As our understanding of nature grows and as more information is gathered, we hope to find new and better ways to manage our precious natural resources while continuing to offer people a wonderful, outdoor experience.

Lightscape / Night Sky

Weather

Climatic conditions exhibit a distinctly bimodal pattern, with spring and fall having low moisture, and summer and winter having high precipitation. Precipitation within the Monument averages 19.52 inches a year, most of which falls as localized, heavy rain during the summer monsoons, occurring from July through mid-September. Summer rainfall occurs as high intensity thunderstorms, while winter rainfall is usually associated with Pacific frontal storms. Snowstorms can occur from late fall through early spring, and may bring up to a foot of snow, but the snow rarely lingers except on the shaded northern slopes at the highest elevations.

Temperatures are generally moderate with an average maximum of 90ºF in June, and an average minimum of 30ºF in January. Summer highs can be over 90ºF, but not for extended periods of time, since the summer monsoons bring moisture which has a cooling effect on temperatures. Since the Monument is at a higher elevation than the surrounding deserts, summertime temperatures are usually very pleasant for outdoor activities such as hiking.

Prolonged strong winds occur during spring and summer, and are often associated with strong high-pressure systems. Wind speeds have been recorded as high as 60 miles per hour and often will cause large trees to be uprooted. Predominant daytime wind direction is from the southwest, but high-pressure systems will cause daytime wind direction to change to an easterly flow. Due to high topographical relief, upcanyon winds prevail during the daytime, while downcanyon winds occur at night. Average wind speed ranges from 1-7 mph.

Chiricahua National Monument is an area of tremendous diversity, where four biogeographical regions come together. Because of this, over 1000 plant species grow within the Monument's boundary, and many are endemic only to the Chiricahua Mountains.

As you enter the Monument from the west, you will drive through grasslands with over 50 species of grasses, as well as many cacti and succulent species of the Sonoran and Chihuahuan deserts. Fingers of riparian vegetation cut through all areas, dominated by Arizona cypress, Arizona sycamore, oaks and juniper. The interior chaparral shrublands are dominated by pointleaf manzanita, leading into the encinal oak woodlands, which are characterized by 7 species of oaks as well as madrone and juniper.  Finally, you will arrive in the conifer forests of pines and cypress. Through all of these communities, wildflowers are prolific in the late spring and summer months - creating a truly spectacular array of color and diversity. The understory consists of several varities of ferns as well as shade-tolerant grasses, broad-leaf plants, mushrooms, and mosses. Lichens can be seen growing on trees as well as on the rock pinnacles.

Distribution of these plants is dependent on many factors, such as elevation, soils, aspect, slope, and water availability. Because these factors change so drastically over short distances, the Monument is truly a mosaic of plant communities and assemblages. 

Mushrooms and Other Fungi

Mushrooms aren't really plants, they are types of fungi that have a "plantlike" form - with a stem and cap (they have cell walls as well). This is really just the "flower or fruit" of the mushroom - the reproductive part which disperses the spores. The larger portion of many fungi is underground, and can be acres in size! Mushrooms aren't plants because they don't make their own food (plants use photosynthesis to make food). The underground part of the fungus uses enzymes to "digest" other substances that it can use as food. Mushrooms and other fungi often grow in association with plants - perhaps attaching to the side of a tree, or growing out of a dead log as it decays. They are important in helping to "recycle" nutrients and break down dead plant materials. 

Some fungi are very colorful - often with orange or red coloration. Others are less noticeable, blending into the litter on the forest floor. Depending on what time of year it is, you may see the "flowering" part of the mushroom, as the fungus enters it's reproductive phase. Many mushrooms are poisonous, so they should not be touched, as even a small amount of spores can have an effect on humans. Mushrooms generally aren't eaten by other animals, since they are mostly water and have little nutritional value as well as being toxic. Most of the mushrooms that humans eat are cultivated rather than wild.

Wildflowers

Wildflowers in bloom are a rare and beautiful sight in the desert regions of the southwest. Since many flowering plants are annuals, they only appear when rainfall and temperatures are just right - meaning that it's hard to say when or if there might be wildflowers blooming. During ideal times, when moisture is high and temperatures are appropriate, the deserts can be blanketed in flowers. This usually occurs in April or May in the southeastern part of Arizona. If you happen to be in the right place at the right time, you may see an unforgettable display of color.

There are also many blooming perennial plants that live here, and although they may not be quite as showy, they can be depended on to bloom in all but the driest of years. These are the plants that provide the staples for desert dwelling insects, birds and animals, many of whom rely on pollen, nectar or fruits to survive the dry summer months. These hardy plants, such as the agave, rabbitbrush, yucca, many species of cacti, and others, including shrubs and trees, tend to bloom each year, even when conditions are too dry for the annual wildliflowers. They also bloom for longer periods of time, and often into the hottest summer months and late fall, providing a colorful show for visitors from early spring until October or November.

Grasses

Grasslands surround the Chiricahua mountains, but some species of grasses also occur at the higher elevations, growing in the understory of the pine forests. There are over 90 species of grasses in this part of Arizona - a mixture of those from the Sonoran desert, the Chihuahuan desert, and the mountain regions, as well as introduced varieties. The grasses are often intermixed with other plants, such as annual wildflowers, cacti and small perrenial shrubs, and these areas provide food and cover for many small rodents, reptiles and birds.

Non-native grasses, introduced accidentally or intentionally, have invaded many of the grassland meadows, along with woody species such as juniper and mesquite. Frequent fire is what naturally maintains most grasslands, preventing woody species from becoming established, but fire does not solve the problem of non-native grass invasion, and in fact, many non-native grasses are stimulated by fire. It is an ongoing challenge to try and prevent non-native grasses from moving further into the native grasslands, as their seeds are often carried on the wind, or on the fur (or clothing) of animals that pass through the area.

Trees and Shrubs

Chiricahua National Monument has a great variety of trees and shrubs. Growing at elevations from around 5000 to over 7000 feet, the habitat transitions from lowland desert scrub to upper elevation pine-fir forests. The prominant species include manzanita, Arizona Sycamore, alligator juniper, oaks, pines, Arizona cypress, madrone, and acacia. Mesquite and acacia occur at lower elevations, intermixed with the grasslands and other "desert" plants, such as agave and rabbitbrush. Cottonwoods, sycamores, and willows are found in the canyon bottoms, where a narrow riparian corridor forms along the ephemeral streams. As the elevation rises, the species change to a more pine and oak dominated, mature forest. The apache pine, douglas fir and ponderosa pines tower above, while oaks, manzita and bunchgrasses grow sparsely in the shaded forest floor. Pinyons are most common at the highest elevations, with juniper, cypress and a variety of shrubs.  

Many of these species provide food for the wildlife that lives here. Berries, acorns and pine-nuts are staple foods for many birds, and for mammals of all sizes - from squirrels to bears.   Large trees provide nesting sites for birds, as well as den sites for small mammals. Shrubs growing closer to the ground provide browse for deer and cover for small animals such as mice and rats. The structure and resources that trees and shrubs provide are vital habitat components for a majority of the animals that inhabit the monument.

Cacti / Desert Succulents

Cacti and desert succulents are among the most common plants occurring in the deserts of the southwest. Eleven species of cacti grow in the Monument, and two species of succulent agaves are found here.  Most are found in conjunction with grassland meadows, but it is not unusual to find a pincushion cactus growing under an Apache pine in the upper elevations of the Monument or a hedgehog cactus poking out from a rocky outcropping.  Pincushion cactus, hedgehog cactus, prickly pear, and cane cholla are the most common cacti seen. Succulents, such as the agave, look similar to cactus in that they have fleshy leaves armed with spines or teeth, but tend to be faster growing and only flower once, after which they die.

Cacti and agaves are well adapted to life in the arid desert regions - they make efficient use of sporadic rainfall, and can retain moisture during extremely hot and dry periods. During the flowering season, bees, moths, hummingbirds, and birds feed on the nectar and pollen of the blossoms. Other animals, such as insects and javalina, feed on the flesh and fruits of certain types of cacti (usually the ones with fewer spines).  Cacti are both an interesting and important part of the ecosystems in the southwest deserts. They also provide a vibrant addition to the spring and summer wildflower displays that occur when rainfall is plentiful. 

Mosses and Liverworts

Most people think of mosses as plants that grow in wet, humid, shady forests, or along streambanks where moisture is constant and plentiful. It would seem that the Chiricahua mountains would be an inhospitable place for such plants, as the streams flow only during precipitation events, and springs are few and far between. However, there are small patches of habitat where some 50 species of mosses and liverworts are able to grow within the Monument. Narrow canyons and shaded understory areas provide enough relief from the drying sun for mosses to grow. Most of the mosses found here tend to grow on the bark at the base of large trees, on fallen logs, or on rocks. There are also mosses that form a crusty layer on soil surfaces.

Although not a prominant or showy type of plant, mosses can be seen near many of the trails if you are a careful observer. These plants are very delicate however, and can easily be destroyed by trampling or touching. Mosses play an important role in controlling erosion in riparian areas, and often do so by forming mats that bind the soil surface together and prevent it from being washed away.

Lichens

Lichens are small plants that are made up of two components - a fungus and algae. The fungus provides the structural components of the plant, while the alga provides nutrition and energy via photosynthesis. Lichens lack true roots, stems and leaves, although some forms grow to resemble these common plant parts. Lichens reproduce using spores or detachable fragments.

Lichens grow on surfaces such as rock, tree bark, or other substrates, and obtain most of their nutrients from the atmosphere. Because lichens gather materials that are washed from the air by precipitation, they can be used to monitor certain pollutants that travel through the air, such as heavy metals and sulfur. There are many species of lichens, and upon close inspection you can see the differences in color and shape. When viewed from a distance however, they often create a more uniform coloration of yellow, green or brown, that "paints" the surface of the rocks and cliffs.

Chiricahua National Monument encompasses a variety of habitat types, resulting in an extraordinary collection of animal species. Animals that live in grasslands, desert scrub, riparian and pine woodlands and other specialized habitats can all find a home in the “sky-island” of the Chiricahua mountains. Species like the western box turtle and the cactus wren utilize the grasslands and desert scrub, while the northern goshawk lives in the nearby old-growth pine forest. Black bear and whitetail deer wander throughout the Monument utilizing a variety of habitat types. The banded rock rattlesnake prefers a more specialized habitat, such as rocky slopes and gravelly drainages. The unique geological formations of the Monument provide the vertical cliffs that turkey vultures need for nesting, while underground faults allow water to spring up in some areas, creating small wetlands for the tiger salamander.

Mexican species at the northernmost edge of their range also occur here. Species like the coatimundi, Chiricahua fox squirrel and the elegant trogon can be found in the sky-islands of southeastern Arizona, but are rarely seen elsewhere in the State. Migrating birds pass through the area on their way to and from wintering grounds in Mexico, Central and South America, while many bird species are “residents” at Chiricahua at various times of the year. Almost 200 species of birds have been documented in the Monument.

The unique geology, geographic location, and diverse ecology of the Monument all play a role in its incredible animal diversity. In all, there are 71 species of mammals, 46 species of reptiles, 8 amphibians, 171 species of birds, and uncounted numbers of insects that regularly occur at Chiricahua National Monument.

Mammals

Chiricahua National Monument is enveloped in the Coronado National Forest, creating a large block of relatively undeveloped land and containing a variety of habitat types. This provides enough space for large mammals, such as the black bear and mountain lion, to find the resources they need in order to survive. The forests and grasslands also provide food and shelter for both the white-tailed and mule deer. Many smaller mammals also occur within the Monument. Several species, such as the coatimundi and the Chiricahua (Mexican) fox squirrel, have limited range in the United States, but are a fairly common sight at the Monument. There are also mice, rats (including kangaroo rats), skunks, ringtail cats, raccoons, rabbits, squirrels and chipmunks, foxes, coyotes, bobcats, javalina (peccaries) and bats. In fact, there are 16 species of bats in the Chiricahua mountains, including several nectar bats, which feed on the pollen and nectar of flowering plants in much the same way as the hummingbirds do!

The Chiricahua mountains were also historically the home of the jaguar, north Americas largest cat. Although rarely seen since the 1940's, the jaguar is listed as an endangered species in the United States, and occassionally they are seen wandering north of the Mexican border. The ocelot and the jaguarundi are two smaller cats that have also been documented historically in the Chiricahua mountains. As with the jaguar, both of these cats are listed as endangered species, and are rarely seen. Often killed for their skins or to protect livestock and poultry, these animals are now being managed in order to try and increase their numbers and recover dwindling populations. Because cats are secretive and solitary, it is difficult to monitor their progress, but it is important to retain any remaining habitat, so that if their populations do come back, they will have somewhere to go. We are hopeful that these animals will someday be more common at the Monument, as predators play an important part in a healthy ecosystem.

Birds

Chiricahua National Monument is home to a wide variety of birds.  This part of Arizona is famous for its avian diversity, and several borderland sites, including Chiricahua National Monument, have been identified as "Important Bird Areas" by the American Bird Conservancy. These areas are home to federally listed Threatened and Endangered species, species with restricted ranges, and large numbers of migratory birds. As birds fly north or south on their yearly migrations to Mexico, central- and south America, they are "funneled" through parts of California, Arizona, New Mexico and Texas. Many migrants stop for brief periods along the way, and others come to stay for the summer or winter months, so there are always interesting birds to search for.

Our diverse habitats and southern location bring a variety of Mexican species across the border - such as the Elegant Trogon and the magnificent hummingbird. In fact, thirteen species of hummingbirds are know to occur in the Chiricahua mountains, and many of these are Mexican species that are rarely seen in the United States. In all, there are around 200 species of birds that have been documented in this area, making it a great stop for both the serious and casual birder.

Amphibians

Permanent water sources are rare in the desert southwest, and Chiricahua National Monument is no exception. Several small springs are present on site, but water disappears quickly after surfacing, leaving only small pools or boggy meadows to indicate its presence. Winter rain and snow, and summer monsoon storms provide intermittant flows in the normally dry streams. Still, several amphibians find a way to persist in this arid climate. Rock pools hold water long enough for the canyon tree-frog to lay its eggs, and for tadpoles to metamorphose into “ground dwellers” before the water dries up. Several species of toads and the tiger salamander are also able to utilize the limited water resources effectively enough to produce young.

These animals are seldom seen during the heat of the day, but are active during the cooler nights, especially after a summer rainstorm. The most common amphibians at Chiricahua are the tiger salamander, southern spadefoot toad, great plains toad, and the canyon treefrog. Listen for the explosive, whirring voice of the canyon treefrog near rocky pools along Rhyolite Creek. This tiny frog – usually less that 2 inches long – has a big voice, and is more often heard than seen. Toads and salamanders can frequently be found on or near the roads, or near buildings where nighttime lights may attract their insect prey.

All amphibians need water to lay their eggs in, and often live in or near a permanent water source. Desert dwelling amphibians, like those at Chiricahua, have adapted to a life with limited water; salamanders live in moist, shady areas under fallen wood or debris, while spadefoot toads burrow into the soil and estivate (similar to hibernate) to avoid dry periods. Amphibians are important “indicator” species, often reacting to pollutants that have entered into the air or water. In many areas the amphibians have disappeared (or have acquired various physical deformities) due to contaminants, such as herbicides, pesticides and pollution. We continue to monitor amphibian health, even in places where the animals and habitat are protected, because pollutants can travel great distances through the air, soil and water.

Reptiles

Reptiles are abundant at Chiricahua; over 30 kinds of snakes are here, more than a dozen lizards, and even a turtle!  It’s hard to come here without seeing at least one spiny lizard, hanging out on the wall at the visitor center or dashing along the rocky trails. Look for spiny lizards and whiptails on walls, boulders and trees, moving quickly and defying gravity by hanging upside down, sideways and on seemingly smooth surfaces. Other species, like the Great Plains skink, are harder to see, preferring to hide under rocks and logs. The cryptically colored horned lizards, known to many as the “horny toad,” can hide in plain site, blending well with the gravel and debris on the ground. Look closely around anthills, where they sometimes lie-in-wait for a meal of ants.

If you are lucky, you might see a western box turtle wandering through the grassland near the Bonita Creek picnic area. The box turtle is the only “dry-land” turtle found in this part of Arizona, and has a striped, domed shell that can close up completely to protect the occupant from harm. Although smaller than the desert tortoise of the Sonoran and Mohave deserts, the box turtle is still highly visible during warm weather.

If it’s snakes that you are looking for, Chiricahua is the place! Over 30 species can be found here, from the rare to the common, large and small, it seems this is a place that snakes can thrive. The varieties are endless - there are blacktailed and blackheaded, patchnosed, hognosed, or hooknosed , ringneck or blacknecked, checkered or spotted, blind, green or glossy. It would seem that snakes are everywhere, and yet they are seldom seen. Drive carefully, that stick on the road might just be a snake! Most are harmless to humans, but there are several kinds of rattlesnakes here, as well as the western coralsnake, which are venemous. Look but don’t touch is a good rule to follow if you should happen upon a snake of any kind. Snakes keep to themselves and most will slither rapidly away when approached by humans. Although they are feared by many people, snakes seldom pose a threat to humans, unless they are being pursued. Snakes play an important role in the ecosystem by eating rodents, as well as other small animals and insects, and they are also food for many predators, including large birds of prey.

Insects, Spiders, Centipedes, Millipedes

Insect life is abundant at Chiricahua National Monument. Often overlooked, they can be found just about everywhere in the monument - on the rocks, on the trees, in the leaf litter underfoot, as well as flying in the air. Butterflies, moths and grasshoppers are abundant during the summer and fall months, as well as numerous kinds of ants, spiders, beetles and other insect life. Because of the relatively mild climate and the summer monsoon moisture, insects thrive here, utilizing the long growing season to harvest pollen from flowering plants and feeding on green plant material. Aquatic insects are also abundant in the springs and rock pools.  Insects provide food for many other animals, including mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians. They are also important pollinators for most of the flowering plants. It is unknown how many different species of insects, spiders and other invertebrates occur in the Monument, but we do know that they play an important role in the ecosystem. 

The insect pictured is a western Hercules beetle - one of North America's largest! They live in the leaf litter and rotting vegetation on the forest floor. The males have a large horn that protrudes forward, and is sometimes used to spar with other males as a test of strength. Female Hercules beeltles don't have a horn. Each individual has a different arrangement of spots on the back.

Geologic Formations

By far the most noticeable natural features in the monument are the rock pinnacles for which the monument was created to protect. Rising sometimes hundreds of feet into the air, many of these pinnacles are balancing on a small base, seemingly ready to topple over at any time. The Civilian Conservation Corps, during their occupation here in the 1930s, named many of the rock formations that can be seen today.

Other natural features related to the geology of the monument include shallow caves, faults, mountain formations, soils, the Turkey Creek Caldera, and lava flows. Another important natural feature found in the monument, and integral to the presence of flora and fauna, is water. Although water flows only intermittently on the surface, the monument contains all or parts of five major watersheds in the the northern Chiricahua Mountains. Seeps and springs are vital to the survival of most faunal species, and the one wetland marsh in the monument is host to two sensitive plant species. Groundwater supplies 100% of that needed by both the visitors to the monument and the monument staff. The combination of these natural features as related to geology and water, along with other resource necessities, have helped to determine the floral communities of the monument. Rich in diversity, the monument boasts many plant communities, including grasslands, deciduous and evergreen forests, scrublands, and deserts. These plant communities intermix throughout the monument, creating a truly diverse mosaic of species associations.

By far the most noticeable natural features in the monument are the rock pinnacles for which the monument was created to protect. Rising sometimes hundreds of feet into the air, many of these pinnacles are balancing on a small base, seemingly ready to topple over at any time. The Civilian Conservation Corps, during their occupation here in the 1930s, named many of the rock formations that can be seen today.

Other natural features related to the geology of the monument include shallow caves, faults, mountain formations, soils, the Turkey Creek Caldera, and lava flows. Another important natural feature found in the monument, and integral to the presence of flora and fauna, is water. Although water flows only intermittently on the surface, the monument contains all or parts of five major watersheds in the the northern Chiricahua Mountains. Seeps and springs are vital to the survival of most faunal species, and the one wetland marsh in the monument is host to two sensitive plant species. Groundwater supplies 100% of that needed by both the visitors to the monument and the monument staff. The combination of these natural features as related to geology and water, along with other resource necessities, have helped to determine the floral communities of the monument. Rich in diversity, the monument boasts many plant communities, including grasslands, deciduous and evergreen forests, scrublands, and deserts. These plant communities intermix throughout the monument, creating a truly diverse mosaic of species associations.