Mammals of California
The mammals most often spotted in California, ranked by recent research-grade observations.
565,603
recent observations
50
species listed
50
mammals
Naturalists have logged 565,603 research-grade observations across the 50 most-recorded species in California. The most frequently seen is the Mule Deer, with 75,409 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
75,409 observations
California Ground Squirrel
Otospermophilus beecheyi
59,381 observations
Eastern Fox Squirrel
Sciurus niger
46,709 observations
Coyote
Canis latrans
42,069 observations
California Sea Lion
Zalophus californianus
30,675 observations
Desert Cottontail
Sylvilagus audubonii
30,599 observations
Harbor Seal
Phoca vitulina
21,894 observations
Common Raccoon
Procyon lotor
19,146 observations
Western Gray Squirrel
Sciurus griseus
16,728 observations
Bobcat
Lynx rufus
16,639 observations
Black-tailed Jackrabbit
Lepus californicus
12,502 observations
Sea Otter
Enhydra lutris
12,059 observations
Gray Fox
Urocyon cinereoargenteus
11,804 observations
Northern Elephant Seal
Mirounga angustirostris
11,261 observations
Striped Skunk
Mephitis mephitis
10,443 observations
Virginia Opossum
Didelphis virginiana
10,058 observations
American Black Bear
Ursus americanus
9,676 observations
Eastern Gray Squirrel
Sciurus carolinensis
9,456 observations
Brush Rabbit
Sylvilagus bachmani
9,402 observations
Wapiti
Cervus canadensis
8,844 observations
Bighorn Sheep
Ovis canadensis
7,821 observations
Humpback Whale
Megaptera novaeangliae
7,450 observations
Domestic Cat
Felis catus
6,244 observations
North American River Otter
Lontra canadensis
5,628 observations
White-tailed Antelope Squirrel
Ammospermophilus leucurus
5,421 observations
Common Golden-mantled Ground Squirrel
Callospermophilus lateralis
5,416 observations
Mountain Lion
Puma concolor
5,358 observations
Douglas's Squirrel
Tamiasciurus douglasii
4,301 observations
Common Dolphin
Delphinus delphis
4,136 observations
Yellow-bellied Marmot
Marmota flaviventris
4,054 observations
Common Bottlenose Dolphin
Tursiops truncatus
3,804 observations
Island Fox
Urocyon littoralis
3,745 observations
Douglas's Ground Squirrel
Otospermophilus douglasii
3,369 observations · iNaturalist
Merriam's Chipmunk
Neotamias merriami
3,087 observations · iNaturalist
Botta's Pocket Gopher
Megascapheus bottae
2,966 observations · iNaturalist
American Beaver
Castor canadensis
2,853 observations
Donkey
Equus asinus
2,793 observations · iNaturalist
Grey Whale
Eschrichtius robustus
2,186 observations
Wild Boar
Sus scrofa
2,042 observations · iNaturalist
California Vole
Microtus californicus
1,978 observations
Dusky-footed Woodrat
Neotoma fuscipes
1,921 observations · iNaturalist
Pronghorn
Antilocapra americana
1,773 observations
Risso's Dolphin
Grampus griseus
1,694 observations
Northern Broad-footed Mole
Scapanus latimanus
1,660 observations
Domestic Horse
Equus caballus
1,656 observations · iNaturalist
Long-tailed Weasel
Neogale frenata
1,656 observations · iNaturalist
American Pika
Ochotona princeps
1,580 observations
Black Rat
Rattus rattus
1,574 observations
American Badger
Taxidea taxus
1,366 observations
Belding's Ground Squirrel
Urocitellus beldingi
1,317 observations
Mammals in nearby places
Out spotting mammals in California?
Take Huck with you. Identify any mammal you find in seconds and build your collection.
Get HuckLove mammals? Get Huck field notes
Spotting tips, new species, and the best of what people are finding in the wild - straight to your inbox.