Nature & Science

Davis Mountains at Fort Davis

Photo: NPS

Davis Mountains

The Davis Mountains are within the mountainous part of the Chihuahuan Desert in West Texas known as the Trans-Pecos region. The Davis Mountains are the largest mountain range located entirely within Texas, with elevations reaching nearly 8,400 feet. Formed by volcanic activity approximately 35 million years ago, the Davis Mountains have higher elevations and a cooler, wetter environment than the surrounding desert landscape. More than 400 species of birds have been recorded in Jeff Davis County, including an amazing diversity of hummingbirds. Fifteen species of hummingbirds have been observed in the Davis Mountains including four species (Black-chinned, Anna’s, Broad-tailed, and Rufous) found at Fort Davis NHS. The higher elevations of the Davis Mountains also provide habitat for species that otherwise would not be present in the ecoregion, including Woodhouse’s Scrub-Jay, Pygmy Nuthatch, and Western Tanager. The Davis Moutains also offer great habbitat for mamals large and small, such as Kangaroo Rats, Javalina, Black Bears, and Mountain Lions. Davis Mountains also support a wide range of reptiles such as Horned Lizards, varieties of Rattle Snakes and snakes.