Wildlife in Joshua Tree National Park

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

75,182

recent observations

30

species listed

28

plants

2

reptiles & amphibians

Naturalists have logged 75,182 research-grade observations across the 30 most-recorded species in Joshua Tree. The most frequently seen is the Western Joshua Tree, with 6,435 recorded sightings.

Plants account for the largest share of what gets recorded there (28 of the species listed here), followed by reptiles & amphibians (2).

🖨️ Printable wildlife checklist

Most-observed species in Joshua Tree

Western Joshua Tree

Yucca brevifolia

6,435 observations

Beavertail Pricklypear

Opuntia basilaris

4,207 observations

Larrea tridentata

3,889 observations

Common Side-blotched Lizard

Uta stansburiana

3,843 observations

Cylindropuntia echinocarpa

3,757 observations · iNaturalist

Branched Pencil Cholla

Cylindropuntia ramosissima

3,628 observations · iNaturalist

Yucca schidigera

3,600 observations · iNaturalist

Engelmann's Hedgehog Cactus

Echinocereus engelmannii

3,522 observations

Echinocereus triglochidiatus

3,227 observations

Fouquieria splendens

2,704 observations

California Barrel Cactus

Ferocactus cylindraceus

2,639 observations

California juniper

Juniperus californica

2,523 observations · iNaturalist

Teddybear Cholla

Cylindropuntia bigelovii

2,468 observations

desert bluebells

Phacelia campanularia

2,436 observations

apricot globemallow

Sphaeralcea ambigua

2,222 observations

Salvia columbariae

2,130 observations · iNaturalist

Mesquite Mistletoe

Phoradendron californicum

1,861 observations · iNaturalist

Common Chuckwalla

Sauromalus ater

1,759 observations

California Buckwheat

Eriogonum fasciculatum

1,712 observations · iNaturalist

Encelia farinosa

1,695 observations · iNaturalist

Cleomella arborea

1,621 observations · iNaturalist

Scutellaria mexicana

1,576 observations · iNaturalist

Simmondsia chinensis

1,561 observations · iNaturalist

sand blazingstar

Mentzelia involucrata

1,530 observations · iNaturalist

Notch-leaf Scorpionweed

Phacelia crenulata

1,515 observations · iNaturalist

1,477 observations · iNaturalist

Cushion Foxtail Cactus

Escobaria alversonii

1,457 observations · iNaturalist

Eriogonum inflatum

1,453 observations · iNaturalist

Quercus cornelius-mulleri

1,368 observations · iNaturalist

Chylismia claviformis

1,367 observations · iNaturalist

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