• Photo of the steep natural entrance of Carlsbad Caverns

    Carlsbad Caverns

    National Park New Mexico

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  • Elevator Renovations

    Allow more time to visit and expect lines for small elevators while large elevator system is renovated. Walking exit is steep.

Fish

Roundnose minnows (Dionda episcopa) in the pond at Rattlesnake Springs.
Roundnose Minnows (Dionda episcopa) in the pond at Rattlesnake Springs.
NPS Photo by Kristin Dorman-Johnson
 

Five species of fish have been found at Rattlesnake Springs. Two of these species are native-Roundnose Minnow and Greenthroat Darter. The other three species are non-native fish and they include Green Sunfish, Largemouth Bass, and Western Mosquitofish. In the summer of 2007, a project was completed to remove the non-native Green Sunfish and Largemouth Bass from the pond. These fish were relocated to an appropriate location on the Pecos River, where they are native. The Western Mosquitofish have only been found in the natural channel and these fish are removed when found.

Did You Know?

Ice-age sloth

Bones from ice age animals like jaguars, camels, lions and giant sloths have been found in the entrance areas of some caves in Carlsbad Caverns National Park.