Lifecycle - The lifecycle of a gray fox is typical to other mammals. Gray foxes participate in live birth, rather than laying eggs. After mating, a female gray fox has a gestation period of around 50 to 60 days. When first born, gray fox pups rely on their mothers until around 4 months. They reach sexual maturity and are able to mate after 10-12 months. The typical lifespan of a gray fox in the wild is 6-8 years.

Habitat - Gray foxes can be found in a variety of different places in the United States. In addition to living in high deserts, they can be found in forests, grasslands, and sometimes residential areas. They prefer areas with cover such as brushy hillsides and rocky caves. The Guadalupe Mountains National Park is known for having cliffsides and rocky outcrops; perfect for a gray fox to thrive in. The McKittrick Canyon in the national park is an especially perfect habitat for the gray fox due to the convergence of high desert and forest.

Food Chain - The gray fox is an omnivore, and plays a crucial role in the ecosystem within the Guadalupe Mountains National Park. It's diverse diet includes birds, small mammals, reptiles, insects, and plants. While the gray fox is typically a predator on smaller animals, there is always a possibility of it being preyed on by animals such as mountain lions and hawks. Its role in the ecosystem is important through the regulation of smaller animals and the seed dispersal of plants.

Lifecycle - The Western Diamondback Rattlesnake gives birth to live young through ovoviviparity. This means that the mother lays eggs and hatches live young internally. Gestation typically lasts around 5 to 6 months. When born, young Western Diamondback rattlesnakes are fully independent, and get no care from their mother. They reach sexual maturity at around 3 to 4 years of age. In the wild, their lifespan can be between 10 and 20 years.

Habitat - The Western Diamondback Rattlesnake is found in many different parts of the country. Specifically, the Western Diamondback can most be found in the deserts of Southwestern United States. For example, the Chihuahuan Desert includes the Guadalupe Mountains National Park, and is a habitat for the Western Diamondback. The rocky, high desert provides plenty of cover for the Rattlesnake. Areas of the park such as McKittrick Canyon, Bear Canyon, and Pine Springs Canyon are prime areas for the Western Diamondback Rattlesnake.

Food Chain - The Western Diamondback Rattlesnake plays an extremely important role in the Food Chain of the Guadalupe Mountains National Park. It typically acts as a predator, but occasionally is a prey to other animals. They're carnivores who choose to feast on rodents, birds, reptiles, and amphibians. When the Rattlesnake becomes a prey, it is typically to large birds such as hawks and owls. It plays an important role in controlling the population of small animals within the park.

Lifecycle - The lifecycle of the rainbow trout is consistent with any other fish. Female rainbow trout give birth to young by using eggs. They lay eggs in gravel beds within freshwater streams and rivers. From there, male trout fertilizes the eggs externally. Once the trout hatch from the eggs, they develop overtime and become mature trout. They reach sexual maturity at around 2-3 years old.

Habitat - Rainbow trout can be found in many of the cold water streams and rivers across the United States. Within the Guadalupe Mountains National Park, they can be found specifically at McKittrick Canyon. The streams in the canyon provide cold, oxygen rich water in which Rainbow Trout thrive. While there are very few body's of water in the Guadalupe Mountains National Park, the rainbow trout still persists and a small population can be found.

Food Chain - The Rainbow Trout is a carnivore which eats insects and smaller fish. They have been known to eat Mayfly Larvae, minnows, crawfish, and tadpoles. Rainbow Trout will adjust their diet based on the availability of food. The Rainbow Trout is both a predator and prey within the ecosystem of the Guadalupe Mountains National Park. It is a predator to smaller fish and insects, but it is a prey to birds of prey such as hawks, and other predatory animals. The rainbow trout is important in the ecosystem because it both controls the population of insects, and it provides food for other predators.

Lifecycle - Female leopard frogs lay their eggs in shallow water. The eggs are then fertilized externally by a male leopard frog. Eventually, the eggs hatch into tadpoles. The tadpoles are completely aquatic and have gills for breathing oxygen underwater. Overtime, the tadpoles become froglets, which still somewhat resemble tadpoles, but have legs and breathe oxygen outside of the water. As the frogs grow up, they leave the water more often and become increasingly terrestrial. They do however, remain close to water sources as they are amphibians. The eggs typically hatch into tadpoles within a few days, but it can vary based on the water temperature. Rio Grande Leopard Frogs reach sexual maturity after 1-2 years. They have a lifespan of around 5-6 years in the wild.

Habitat - The Rio Grande Leopard Frog is native to the Southwestern United States. More specifically, New Mexico, Texas, and Arizona. Within the Guadalupe Mountains National Park, The Rio Grande leopard Frog can be found anywhere with an adequate source. Within the park, McKittrick Canyon has a cool, oxygenated stream and many springs which are home to the leopard frog. Some of the specific springs which are home to the frogs are the Manzanita Spring, and Smith Spring.

Food Chain - The Rio Grande Leopard Frog is both a predator and a prey in the ecosystem of the Guadalupe Mountains National Park. The Leopard Frog is a carnivore which preys on insects, larvae, worms, spiders, crustaceans, and sometimes other small frogs. It is prey to large fish, predatory birds, and other predatory mammals. It plays an important role in the national park of controlling the population of insects and small fish, while also serving as a food source for other organisms.

Lifecycle - Golden Eagles, like other birds, lay eggs. For around 45 days after the eggs are laid, the female golden eagle incubates the eggs. After the eagles hatch out of the eggs, they stay in the nest for several weeks, where they are protected from predators and fed. After around 10 weeks, the young will leave the nest and learn to live on their own. Golden eagles reach sexual maturity after 4 years. Something interesting about golden eagles, is that both parents raise the young together. In the wild, Golden Eagles live around 15-25 years.

Habitat - Golden Eagles habitat a large portion of the United States. They can be found from the border of Mexico all the way up to Canada. They are most common in the western part of the country. This natural territory includes The Guadalupe Mountains National Park. Within the park, Golden Eagles live in the alpine forests. The pine and fir forests provide the golden eagles with ideal hunting and nesting sites. Specific areas of the park where Golden Eagles can be found are McKittrick Canyon, Pine Springs, and Dog Canyon. The Guadalupe Mountain National Park's diverse ecosystem provides a perfect environment for the Golden Eagle.

Food Chain - The Golden Eagle is at the top of the food chain within the Guadalupe Mountains National Park. The Golden Eagle is a carnivore and is only a predator. They prey on medium sized mammals, birds, reptiles, and will even scavenge dead animals if food is scarce enough. Eagle chicks can be preyed on by other predatory birds and mammals, but this is rare due to the presence of parent birds. The Golden Eagle regulates the population of many different organisms within the national park.