Our visit started at the visitor center, where we learned about the Mescalero Apaches and various plants and animals indigenous to the area. Afterwards, we walked along a 1.3-mile trail that took us through gypsum hills, sand hills (to simulate similar ones along the Pecos River), avory, dry desert stream bed, and pinon-juniper zone (simulates the mountainous area). Some of the desert plants were ocotillo, mesquite, mormon tea. The Zoo and Gardens was designed to simulate various areas in the Chihuahuan Desert very naturally. We didn't feel that we were in an artificial place. The birds (owls, hawks, eagles, crows, and many more) were in a screened-in sanctuary of trees and bushes. After passing by the Javelina we came to the nocturnal exhibit, which was inside a building to keep it dark during the visiting hours. The first time we passed by we couldn't see the endangered Mexican Wolf. There were no birds in the waterfowl. But we visited the Prairie Dog Village during their feeding time, which was a real treat. The feeder informed us that the predators of the prairie dogs come at nighttime, as they live in the nearby areas in the park and the village exhibit is accessible to them. While walking we ran into a wild Roadrunner and various lizards and skink. My favorite of the exhibit animals were the cougar and the bobcat. Both of them were taking their naps, but our movements woke the cougar.

Most of the exhibits were outside and the carefully planned walls and plants provided a shadow to some. The bobcat had a rocky wall to climb up and sleep. The Nocturnal Exhibits were indoors, as well as the Succulents of the World.

The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens is an excellent place to see various animals and plants that inhabit the Chihuahuan Desert. However, most of the exhibits are outside, so wear sunscreen and a hat in summer and early autumn.