Places › National Parks › Big Bend

Wildlife in Big Bend National Park

Here’s what naturalists are spotting in Big Bend right now - pulled live from recent research-grade observations. Browse by group, explore the map, and identify what you find with Huck.

27,054
recent observations
30
species listed
21
plants
5
birds
1
reptiles & amphibians

Naturalists have logged 27,054 research-grade observations across the 30 most-recorded species in Big Bend. The most frequently seen is the ocotillo, with 1,714 recorded sightings.

Plants account for the largest share of what gets recorded there (21 of the species listed here), followed by birds (5).

🖨️ Printable wildlife checklist

Most-observed species in Big Bend

ocotillo
Fouquieria splendens
1,714 observations
Mexican Jay
Aphelocoma wollweberi
1,617 observations
strawberry hedgehog cactus
Echinocereus stramineus
1,470 observations · iNaturalist
Greater Roadrunner
Geococcyx californianus
1,336 observations
Havard's Century Plant
Agave havardiana
1,292 observations · iNaturalist
Creosote Bush
Larrea tridentata
1,221 observations
Strawberry Cactus
Echinocereus enneacanthus
1,198 observations · iNaturalist
Russet Hedgehog Cactus
Echinocereus russanthus
1,087 observations · iNaturalist
scarlet hedgehog cactus
Echinocereus coccineus
1,075 observations
lechuguilla
Agave lechuguilla
1,062 observations
Texas lignum-vitae
Guaiacum angustifolium
1,050 observations · iNaturalist
Devilshead
Echinocactus horizonthalonius
1,029 observations · iNaturalist
Greater Earless Lizard
Cophosaurus texanus
949 observations
Texas rainbow cactus
Echinocereus dasyacanthus
937 observations
tree cholla
Cylindropuntia imbricata
887 observations
White-tailed Deer
Odocoileus virginianus
746 observations
Blind Pricklypear
Opuntia rufida
719 observations
Texas madrone
Arbutus xalapensis
686 observations · iNaturalist
Turk's Head
Hamatocactus hamatacanthus
683 observations · iNaturalist
evergreen sumac
Rhus virens
665 observations · iNaturalist
Cactus Wren
Campylorhynchus brunneicapillus
644 observations
Desert Millipede
Orthoporus ornatus
616 observations · iNaturalist
Christmas cholla
Cylindropuntia leptocaulis
612 observations · iNaturalist
Texas Brown Tarantula
Aphonopelma hentzi
584 observations · iNaturalist
Torrey's Yucca
Yucca torreyi
583 observations
Canyon Towhee
Melozone fusca
553 observations
little nipple cactus
Mammillaria meiacantha
520 observations · iNaturalist
Vermilion Flycatcher
Pyrocephalus rubinus
513 observations
Weeping Juniper
Juniperus flaccida
507 observations · iNaturalist
tree tobacco
Nicotiana glauca
499 observations · iNaturalist

Get rare-sighting alerts for Big Bend

We’ll email you when an uncommon or rare species is spotted here. One check a day, only when there’s something new.

Free. Unsubscribe from any email. See our Privacy Policy.

More wildlife near Big Bend

Exploring Big Bend?

Take Huck with you. Identify any wildlife you find in seconds, and watch the live map of what is being spotted in Big Bend right now.

Get Huck

Exploring Big Bend? Get Huck field notes

Spotting tips, new species, and the best of what naturalists are finding - straight to your inbox.

By subscribing you agree to receive Huck emails. No spam, unsubscribe anytime. See our Privacy Policy.