Mammals of California
The mammals most often spotted in California, ranked by recent research-grade observations.
Most-observed mammals in California
Mule Deer
Odocoileus hemionus
72,774 observations
California Ground Squirrel
Otospermophilus beecheyi
57,338 observations
Eastern Fox Squirrel
Sciurus niger
46,165 observations
Coyote
Canis latrans
41,181 observations
Desert Cottontail
Sylvilagus audubonii
29,995 observations
California Sea Lion
Zalophus californianus
29,762 observations
Harbor Seal
Phoca vitulina
21,244 observations
Common Raccoon
Procyon lotor
18,739 observations
Bobcat
Lynx rufus
16,416 observations
Western Gray Squirrel
Sciurus griseus
16,365 observations
Black-tailed Jackrabbit
Lepus californicus
12,016 observations
Sea Otter
Enhydra lutris
11,725 observations
Gray Fox
Urocyon cinereoargenteus
11,441 observations
Northern Elephant Seal
Mirounga angustirostris
10,983 observations
Striped Skunk
Mephitis mephitis
10,175 observations
Virginia Opossum
Didelphis virginiana
9,764 observations
American Black Bear
Ursus americanus
9,241 observations
Brush Rabbit
Sylvilagus bachmani
9,221 observations
Eastern Gray Squirrel
Sciurus carolinensis
9,162 observations
Elk
Cervus canadensis
8,556 observations
Bighorn Sheep
Ovis canadensis
7,718 observations
Humpback Whale
Megaptera novaeangliae
7,186 observations
Domestic Cat
Felis catus
6,105 observations
North American River Otter
Lontra canadensis
5,491 observations
Mountain Lion
Puma concolor
5,294 observations
White-tailed Antelope Squirrel
Ammospermophilus leucurus
5,215 observations
Common Golden-mantled Ground Squirrel
Callospermophilus lateralis
4,832 observations
Douglas's Squirrel
Tamiasciurus douglasii
4,040 observations
Common Dolphin
Delphinus delphis
3,978 observations
Common Bottlenose Dolphin
Tursiops truncatus
3,743 observations
Yellow-bellied Marmot
Marmota flaviventris
3,734 observations
Island Fox
Urocyon littoralis
3,669 observations
Douglas's Ground Squirrel
Otospermophilus douglasii
3,227 observations · iNaturalist
Merriam's Chipmunk
Neotamias merriami
2,897 observations · iNaturalist
Botta's Pocket Gopher
Megascapheus bottae
2,874 observations · iNaturalist
American Beaver
Castor canadensis
2,786 observations
Donkey
Equus asinus
2,721 observations · iNaturalist
Grey Whale
Eschrichtius robustus
2,153 observations
Wild Boar
Sus scrofa
1,991 observations · iNaturalist
California Vole
Microtus californicus
1,938 observations
Dusky-footed Woodrat
Neotoma fuscipes
1,905 observations · iNaturalist
Pronghorn
Antilocapra americana
1,724 observations
Risso's Dolphin
Grampus griseus
1,685 observations
Northern Broad-footed Mole
Scapanus latimanus
1,643 observations
Domestic Horse
Equus caballus
1,626 observations · iNaturalist
Long-tailed Weasel
Neogale frenata
1,612 observations · iNaturalist
Black Rat
Rattus rattus
1,548 observations
American Pika
Ochotona princeps
1,478 observations
American Badger
Taxidea taxus
1,320 observations
Muskrat
Ondatra zibethicus
1,093 observations