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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.

29,170
recent observations
30
species listed
25
plants
3
reptiles & amphibians
1
insects & arthropods

Naturalists have logged 29,170 research-grade observations across the 30 most-recorded species in Death Valley. The most frequently seen is the Creosote Bush, with 2,326 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
2,326 observations
Desert Holly
Atriplex hymenelytra
1,831 observations · iNaturalist
desert fivespot
Eremalche rotundifolia
1,603 observations
Desert Sunflower
Geraea canescens
1,602 observations · iNaturalist
Common Side-blotched Lizard
Uta stansburiana
1,454 observations
Cottontop Cactus
Homalocephala polycephala
1,395 observations · iNaturalist
Beavertail Pricklypear
Opuntia basilaris
1,275 observations
Caltha-leaf Phacelia
Phacelia calthifolia
1,253 observations · iNaturalist
gravel ghost
Atrichoseris platyphylla
1,199 observations · iNaturalist
Notch-leaf Scorpionweed
Phacelia crenulata
1,127 observations · iNaturalist
desert rock nettle
Eucnide urens
1,122 observations · iNaturalist
golden desert-snapdragon
Mohavea breviflora
944 observations · iNaturalist
Golden Suncup
Chylismia brevipes
943 observations · iNaturalist
Desert Trumpet
Eriogonum inflatum
841 observations · iNaturalist
White-lined Sphinx
Hyles lineata
836 observations · iNaturalist
Devil's Spineflower
Chorizanthe rigida
825 observations · iNaturalist
Browneyes
Chylismia claviformis
786 observations · iNaturalist
Mojave Woodyaster
Xylorhiza tortifolia
731 observations · iNaturalist
apricot globemallow
Sphaeralcea ambigua
669 observations
Western Joshua Tree
Yucca brevifolia
659 observations
Zebra-tailed Lizard
Callisaurus draconoides
650 observations
Donkey
Equus asinus
624 observations · iNaturalist
purple mat
Nama demissa
582 observations · iNaturalist
Turtleback
Psathyrotes ramosissima
574 observations · iNaturalist
Iodinebush
Allenrolfea occidentalis
560 observations · iNaturalist
Bigelow's monkeyflower
Diplacus bigelovii
560 observations · iNaturalist
Silver Cholla
Cylindropuntia echinocarpa
555 observations · iNaturalist
Death Valley Sage
Salvia funerea
551 observations · iNaturalist
Engelmann's Hedgehog Cactus
Echinocereus engelmannii
548 observations
Common Chuckwalla
Sauromalus ater
545 observations

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