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Naturalist's Big Bend: An Introduction to the Trees and Shrubs, Wildflowers, Cacti, Mammals, Birds, Reptiles and Amphibians, Fish, and Insects (Louise Lindsey Merrick Natural Environment
In southwest Texas where the Rio Grande arcs southward into Mexico lies Big Bend National Park, 708,221 acres of river floodplain, desert, grasslands, and majestic mountains, a richly varied environment that exist more or less as it did before man’s arival. The wealth of the Big Bend is in its dramatic landscape, which provides natural habitats ranging form desert to alpine, and its consequently impressive variety of flora and fauna.
Intended as a biological introduction to one of the nation’s outstanding natural systems, Naturalist’s Big Bend highlights the distinctive plants and animal of the region, such as the century plant, which grows twenty-five to fifty-five years, blooms magnificently, and dies; candelilla, from which wax is made; prickly pear cactus; the javelina, North America’s only native pig; the colima warbler; the rare Texas lyre snake; the Big Bend gambusia fish; the tarantula; and the Big Bend quonker katydid.
This comprehensive field guide, revised and enlarged in a new edition, describes the area’s archaeology and history, and details the characteristics and habitats of Big Bend’s trees and shrubs, wildflowers, cacti, mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians, fish, and invertebrates. It also outlines walking and driving tours of the most likely spots for sighting these plants and animals. An extensive bibliography is included.
Intended as a biological introduction to one of the nation’s outstanding natural systems, Naturalist’s Big Bend highlights the distinctive plants and animal of the region, such as the century plant, which grows twenty-five to fifty-five years, blooms magnificently, and dies; candelilla, from which wax is made; prickly pear cactus; the javelina, North America’s only native pig; the colima warbler; the rare Texas lyre snake; the Big Bend gambusia fish; the tarantula; and the Big Bend quonker katydid.
This comprehensive field guide, revised and enlarged in a new edition, describes the area’s archaeology and history, and details the characteristics and habitats of Big Bend’s trees and shrubs, wildflowers, cacti, mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians, fish, and invertebrates. It also outlines walking and driving tours of the most likely spots for sighting these plants and animals. An extensive bibliography is included.
- GenresNature
208 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1980
1 person is currently reading
21 people want to read
About the author
Roland H. Wauer
37 booksRoland Wauer is a retired National Park service interpreter and biologist for Big Bend National Park (Texas). Roland continues to work as a naturalist and scientist.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
April 29, 2025
A solid intro before a trip to Big Bend to complement my Roadside Geology book.
I was personally excited to learn about the possible wildflowers we'll encounter, and horrified to read about the Giant Desert Centipede. Nature!
For such a short book, there is a massive bibliography for more in-depth research if you're inclined.
I was personally excited to learn about the possible wildflowers we'll encounter, and horrified to read about the Giant Desert Centipede. Nature!
For such a short book, there is a massive bibliography for more in-depth research if you're inclined.
April 24, 2010
this area of our country is very fascinating. many species of flora & fuana can ONLY be found here - imagine a galapagos-inspired mountain "island" in the middle of the Texan desert! hence, i got this book. good, but a little disappointing. little depth - mostly regurgitated info... the Official National Park Handbook about this park is probably just as good, if not better, since it includes the area's political & geological history as well
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews