Pronghorn, prairie dogs, and peregrines, oh my! Petrified Forest is home to an amazing diversity of animals and plants. Most of the park is semi-arid grassland, one of the healthiest remnants of native prairie left in Arizona. Dominated by over five dozen species of grasses, the park also features many types of shrubs, perennials, and annual plants. Some of the most spectacular wildflowers are the creamy blossoms of the cliffrose, yolk-yellow mariposa lilies, wild golden buckwheat, and white evening primroses.
Animal species include American pronghorn, Gunnison’s prairie dogs (more on them below), golden eagles, common ravens, bullsnakes, collared lizards, red-spotted toads, painted lady butterflies, and darkling “stink” beetles.
Seasons of Petrified Forest bring snow in winter, winds in spring, monsoon in summer, and dry clear weather in fall.
The park’s goal of managing a healthy prairie dog population will ultimately help reintroduce the endangered black-footed ferret into Petrified Forest National Park.
The YouTube video above shows prairie dogs being released into the park from one of the reintroduction phases!