Mammal
Giraffe
A long neck, patterned coat and a face full of character. Start with one of the zoo’s most recognizable animals.
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Palm Desert · A visual visitor guideA world of desert life.
A world of desert life.
A little closer to home.
Meet the animals, follow the garden paths and discover the details that make The Living Desert a place to slow down and look closer.
Explore the collectionPlan a day at the zooPhotography & local guides by Mark Miller
38 animals, plants and places to explore.
Giraffe · The Living DesertView photograph +More than an animal encounter.The gardens, walking paths, model railroad and conservation spaces are part of the story. Leave room to explore between the habitats.
A local photographer’s collection.Browse photographs from Mark’s visits alongside related species profiles. Some profiles include images from other locations; this collection is not a current list of animals on exhibit.
Choose your discovery
Animals. Gardens. Little details.
Search for a favorite, explore a category, or open a photograph for a closer look.
Place & exhibit
Bighorn Railroad
A miniature world of trains, desert towns and familiar Coachella Valley landmarks.
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Mammal
Meerkats
Pause for the upright lookout pose—and the smaller interactions happening around it.
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Place & exhibit
Walking Trails & Garden Paths
Explore the paths, desert landscaping and mountain views that connect the visit.
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Mammal
Bighorn Sheep
Curved horns and sure-footed movement tell the story of life on rocky desert slopes.
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Bird
Burrowing Owl
A small owl with long legs and bright eyes, often watching from close to the ground.
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Plant
Engelmann’s Prickly Pear
Look closer at the broad pads, spines and flowers of this sculptural desert cactus.
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Mammal
Cheetah
A spotted coat and dark facial stripes make a striking portrait of this slender cat.
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Place & exhibit
Tennity Wildlife Hospital
Explore the animal-care and conservation center behind the zoo’s daily work.
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Bird
Pink-backed Pelican
A large bill and a quiet waterside pose introduce a bird native to Africa.
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Plant
Sweet Acacia
Feathery leaves and golden, rounded flowers bring another texture to the gardens.
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Mammal
Bennett’s Wallaby
Meet a smaller relative of the kangaroo, with a long tail and powerful hind legs.
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Place & exhibit
Desert Plant Conservation Center
Follow the work of growing, protecting and restoring desert plants.
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Mammal
Jaguar
A powerful build and a rosette-patterned coat distinguish this cat of the Americas.
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Bird
Laughing Kookaburra
A sturdy bill and dark eye stripe mark this Australian member of the kingfisher family.
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Plant
Beaked Yucca
A rounded crown of narrow leaves creates a dramatic silhouette against the desert sky.
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Mammal
Mountain Lion
A tawny coat and long tail distinguish a predator native to the surrounding mountains.
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Bird
Turkey Vulture
Look closely at the bare head and hooked bill of this familiar desert scavenger.
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Mammal
North American Porcupine
A closer look at the quills, face and climbing adaptations of this large rodent.
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Mammal
Toggenburg Goat
A domestic goat breed with pale facial stripes and a brown or gray coat.
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Bird
Spur-winged Lapwing
Bold black-and-white plumage introduces a bird from Africa and the Middle East.
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Mammal
Peninsular Pronghorn
Explore a desert-adapted animal whose conservation story connects to Baja California.
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Mammal
Prairie Dog
Small, social rodents with expressive faces and an underground world of burrows.
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Mammal
Klipspringer
A small African antelope built for rocky terrain and narrow footholds.
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Bird
Black-crowned Night Heron
Notice the dark crown, pale wings and red eyes of an adult night heron.
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Bird
Fulvous Whistling-Duck
Warm brown plumage and an upright stance give this wetland bird a distinctive look.
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Bird
Emu
Shaggy feathers and long legs introduce a large, flightless bird from Australia.
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Bird
Killdeer
Two dark chest bands help identify this plover of open ground and water edges.
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Plant
Crown of Thorns
A spiny succulent with colorful flower-like bracts and an unexpected garden presence.
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Plant
Foxtail Agave
Soft-looking curves and broad leaves give this ornamental agave its distinctive rosette.
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Bird
Great Horned Owl
Prominent ear tufts and yellow eyes give this owl its unmistakable expression.
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Insect
Flame Skimmer
A vivid orange dragonfly brings a smaller discovery into focus beside the water.
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Mammal
Coyote
Explore the pointed ears, narrow muzzle and adaptable life of a familiar desert neighbor.
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Mammal
Dwarf Mongoose
Watch the video profile of a small African mammal whose daily life revolves around its group.
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Mammal
Desert Cottontail
A compact rabbit with a white tail—one of the quieter discoveries around desert gardens.
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Bird
Rüppell’s Griffon Vulture
Look closer at this African vulture’s mottled plumage and pale neck ruff.
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Mammal
Dorcas Gazelle
A slender build, sandy coat and curved horns introduce this desert-adapted gazelle.
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One of the quieter highlightsA miniature valley.
A miniature valley.
A whole world to notice.
The Bighorn Railroad turns a walk through the zoo into a journey past tiny desert towns, rail lines and familiar local landmarks.
Explore the model railroadFollow the walking paths
Make a day of it
A little planning. More exploring.
Use the zoo’s current information for the details of your visit.
Choose your day.
Check opening hours, admission and visitor policies before you leave. Hours change with the season.
Official visitor informationPick an experience.
Interested in giraffe feeding or a guided encounter? Check the available experiences, times and any extra charges.
Browse zoo experiencesMatch the walk to the day.
Garden paths and hiking trails offer different experiences. Check trail access and weather before planning a longer walk.
Check hiking trail accessGet your bearings.
Open Mark’s map to explore the location. Use the zoo’s official map and posted signs for current routes and exhibits.
Keep following the story
What’s happening at The Living Desert.
About this collection & sources
This independent visual guide brings together Mark Miller’s photography, animal and plant profiles, and reporting about The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens. It includes zoo animals, plants, places and wildlife photographed around the grounds, along with related species profiles. It is not the zoo’s official exhibit inventory. Photographs and profiles may also include other locations.
The collection is curated and grows as new work is added. For current admission, hours, experiences, access and visitor policies, use the zoo’s official resources.
Giraffe
A tall and graceful creature, roams the savanna, blending seamlessly with the golden grasslands. With its long neck and legs, it gracefully reaches...
Toy Train Exhibit
Hidden inside The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens in Palm Desert, California, the Bighorn Railroad is an outdoor G-scale model train exhibit that tur...
Bighorn Sheep
One of the most iconic large mammals of the Coachella Valley and surrounding ranges, including the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains. This subsp...
Meerkats
Small mammals native to the deserts and arid regions of southern Africa, such as the Kalahari Desert, are not found in the Coachella Valley Deserts...
Burrowing Owl
A small, ground-dwelling owl found in the open deserts, grasslands, and agricultural areas of the Coachella Valley and surrounding regions. Unlike ...
Mountain Lion
The Mountain Lion (Puma concolor), also known regionally as a cougar, puma, or panther, is a large and elusive predator native to the Coachella Val...
Pink-backed Pelican
Medium-sized waterbirds native to sub-Saharan Africa are known for the soft blush of pink visible on their backs and rumps. Unlike the Coachella Va...
Turkey Vulture
Status in the Coachella Valley:Common year-round resident. Seen soaring over open desert, agricultural fields, riparian corridors, and all surround...
North American Porcupine
A large rodent known for its coat of sharp quills, which it uses as a defense mechanism against predators. These quills are actually modified hairs...
Toggenburg Goat
Originating from Switzerland, is distinguished by its sturdy build and short, fine coat. Characteristically brown or grey, they often sport white m...
Marilyn & Bill Tennity Wildlife Hospital & Conservation Center
The Marilyn & Bill Tennity Wildlife Hospital & Conservation Center at The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens in Palm Desert is one of the most m...
Spur-winged Lapwing
Known scientifically as *Vanellus spinosus*, a striking bird characterized by its bold black and white plumage and distinctive red eye-ring. Native...
Cheetah
a large feline known for being the fastest land animal, capable of reaching speeds up to 60-70 mph (97-113 km/h). This incredible speed allows chee...
Peninsular Pronghorn
A critically endangered pronghorn subspecies found only in the Baja California Peninsula of Mexico. Unlike their more widespread relatives in North...
Prairie Dog
Burrowing rodents found in North America, known for their complex social structures and extensive underground colonies called "towns." Speed and Ag...
Klipspringer
Key Characteristics: Speed and Agility: Klipspringers are incredibly agile and sure-footed, adapted to living in rocky, mountainous terrains. The...
Sweet Acacia (Acacia farnesiana)
The Sweet Acacia, or Needle Bush or Huisache, is a small tree or large shrub native to the Americas. It is well-regarded for its ornamental value a...
Walking Trails at The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens in Palm Desert
The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens in Palm Desert is one of the best places in the Coachella Valley to enjoy a scenic walk while surrounded by deser...
Desert Plant Conservation Center
The Living Desert tackles key threats to desert environments—like climate change, land development, invasive species, and unlawful plant traffickin...
Yucca Rostrata
Commonly known as Beaked Yucca, is a stunning, drought-tolerant plant native to the Chihuahuan Desert, making it well-suited for Coachella Valley g...
Black-crowned Night Heron
The Black-crowned Night Heron is a medium-sized, nocturnal heron often found near year-round water in the Coachella Valley, CA. Adults have a gloss...
Laughing Kookaburra
A bird native to Australia and a member of the kingfisher family. While it is not naturally found in the Coachella Valley, it is widely admired in ...
Fulvous Whistling-Duck
The Fulvous Whistling-Duck is a tawny-brown waterfowl known for its whistling call and social nature. It thrives in tropical and subtropical wetlan...
Emu
It is the second-largest bird species in the world and is native to Australia's arid and semi-arid regions. This flightless bird is known for its ...