Home to a small marsh and a significant portion of valley grassland habitat. It is the best place in the southern valley to view wintering Sandhill Cranes. Pixley supports most of the endangered species that occur in the southern San Joaquin Valley. Pixley National Wildlife Refuge is located 35 miles south of Tulare, and 45 miles north of Bakersfield in the San Joaquin Valley, California. The 6,389-acre refuge represents one of the few remaining examples of the grasslands, vernal pools, and playas that once bordered historic Tulare Lake. Over 100 bird and 6 reptile species use the refuge. Approximately 300 acres of managed wetlands provide habitat for migratory waterfowl and shorebirds. Threatened and endangered species include the San Joaquin kit fox, blunt-nosed leopard lizard, Tipton kangaroo rat, and the vernal pool fairy shrimp.