Mammals of California
The mammals most often spotted in California, ranked by recent research-grade observations.
581,579
recent observations
50
species listed
50
mammals
Naturalists have logged 581,579 research-grade observations across the 50 most-recorded species in California. The most frequently seen is the Mule Deer, with 77,746 recorded sightings.
Rarer finds confirmed in California include Bobcat and Island Fox - uncommon enough that a sighting is worth logging.
Most-observed mammals in California
Mule Deer
Odocoileus hemionus
77,746 observations
California Ground Squirrel
Otospermophilus beecheyi
60,762 observations
Eastern Fox Squirrel
Sciurus niger
47,685 observations
Coyote
Canis latrans
43,096 observations
California Sea Lion
Zalophus californianus
31,753 observations
Desert Cottontail
Sylvilagus audubonii
31,119 observations
Harbor Seal
Phoca vitulina
22,478 observations
Common Raccoon
Procyon lotor
19,656 observations
Western Gray Squirrel
Sciurus griseus
17,598 observations
Bobcat
Lynx rufus
16,852 observations
Black-tailed Jackrabbit
Lepus californicus
12,680 observations
Sea Otter
Enhydra lutris
12,336 observations
Gray Fox
Urocyon cinereoargenteus
12,265 observations
Northern Elephant Seal
Mirounga angustirostris
11,535 observations
Striped Skunk
Mephitis mephitis
10,727 observations
Virginia Opossum
Didelphis virginiana
10,329 observations
American Black Bear
Ursus americanus
10,077 observations
Eastern Gray Squirrel
Sciurus carolinensis
9,709 observations
Brush Rabbit
Sylvilagus bachmani
9,574 observations
Wapiti
Cervus canadensis
9,388 observations
Bighorn Sheep
Ovis canadensis
7,966 observations
Humpback Whale
Megaptera novaeangliae
7,823 observations
Domestic Cat
Felis catus
6,423 observations
Common Golden-mantled Ground Squirrel
Callospermophilus lateralis
5,826 observations
North American River Otter
Lontra canadensis
5,802 observations
White-tailed Antelope Squirrel
Ammospermophilus leucurus
5,514 observations
Mountain Lion
Puma concolor
5,409 observations
Douglas's Squirrel
Tamiasciurus douglasii
4,683 observations
Common Dolphin
Delphinus delphis
4,306 observations
Yellow-bellied Marmot
Marmota flaviventris
4,224 observations
Common Bottlenose Dolphin
Tursiops truncatus
3,897 observations
Island Fox
Urocyon littoralis
3,865 observations
Douglas's Ground Squirrel
Otospermophilus douglasii
3,505 observations
Merriam's Chipmunk
Neotamias merriami
3,206 observations
Botta's Pocket Gopher
Megascapheus bottae
3,062 observations · iNaturalist
American Beaver
Castor canadensis
2,968 observations
Donkey
Equus asinus
2,857 observations · iNaturalist
Grey Whale
Eschrichtius robustus
2,204 observations
Wild Boar
Sus scrofa
2,104 observations · iNaturalist
California Vole
Microtus californicus
2,002 observations
Dusky-footed Woodrat
Neotoma fuscipes
1,939 observations
Pronghorn
Antilocapra americana
1,813 observations
Risso's Dolphin
Grampus griseus
1,732 observations
Domestic Horse
Equus caballus
1,697 observations · iNaturalist
Long-tailed Weasel
Neogale frenata
1,688 observations · iNaturalist
Northern Broad-footed Mole
Scapanus latimanus
1,666 observations
American Pika
Ochotona princeps
1,664 observations
Black Rat
Rattus rattus
1,625 observations
American Badger
Taxidea taxus
1,404 observations
Belding's Ground Squirrel
Urocitellus beldingi
1,340 observations
Mammals in nearby places
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