Places National ParksDeath Valley

Wildlife in Death Valley National Park

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

28,634
recent observations
30
species listed
25
plants
3
reptiles & amphibians
1
insects & arthropods

Naturalists have logged 28,634 research-grade observations across the 30 most-recorded species in Death Valley. The most frequently seen is the Creosote Bush, with 2,298 recorded sightings.

Plants account for the largest share of what gets recorded there (25 of the species listed here), followed by reptiles & amphibians (3).

Rarer finds confirmed in Death Valley include Desert Five-spot - uncommon enough that a sighting is worth logging.

Desert Five-spot
🖨️ Printable wildlife checklist

Most-observed species in Death Valley

Creosote Bush
Larrea tridentata
2,298 observations
Desert Holly
Atriplex hymenelytra
1,794 observations · iNaturalist
desert fivespot
Eremalche rotundifolia
1,595 observations
Desert Sunflower
Geraea canescens
1,541 observations · iNaturalist
Common Side-blotched Lizard
Uta stansburiana
1,425 observations
Cottontop Cactus
Homalocephala polycephala
1,389 observations · iNaturalist
Beavertail Pricklypear
Opuntia basilaris
1,263 observations
Caltha-leaf Phacelia
Phacelia calthifolia
1,223 observations · iNaturalist
gravel ghost
Atrichoseris platyphylla
1,191 observations · iNaturalist
desert rock nettle
Eucnide urens
1,120 observations · iNaturalist
Notch-leaf Scorpionweed
Phacelia crenulata
1,076 observations · iNaturalist
golden desert-snapdragon
Mohavea breviflora
940 observations · iNaturalist
Golden Suncup
Chylismia brevipes
917 observations · iNaturalist
Desert Trumpet
Eriogonum inflatum
831 observations · iNaturalist
White-lined Sphinx
Hyles lineata
823 observations · iNaturalist
Devil's Spineflower
Chorizanthe rigida
814 observations · iNaturalist
Browneyes
Chylismia claviformis
774 observations · iNaturalist
Mojave Woodyaster
Xylorhiza tortifolia
715 observations · iNaturalist
Western Joshua Tree
Yucca brevifolia
649 observations
apricot globemallow
Sphaeralcea ambigua
641 observations
Zebra-tailed Lizard
Callisaurus draconoides
626 observations
Donkey
Equus asinus
614 observations · iNaturalist
purple mat
Nama demissa
574 observations · iNaturalist
Turtleback
Psathyrotes ramosissima
564 observations · iNaturalist
Silver Cholla
Cylindropuntia echinocarpa
548 observations · iNaturalist
Death Valley Sage
Salvia funerea
548 observations · iNaturalist
Engelmann's Hedgehog Cactus
Echinocereus engelmannii
545 observations
Common Chuckwalla
Sauromalus ater
541 observations
Iodinebush
Allenrolfea occidentalis
532 observations · iNaturalist
Brittlebush
Encelia farinosa
523 observations · iNaturalist

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