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.

75,838

recent observations

30

species listed

28

plants

2

reptiles & amphibians

Naturalists have logged 75,838 research-grade observations across the 30 most-recorded species in Joshua Tree. The most frequently seen is the Western Joshua Tree, with 6,527 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

6,527 observations

Beavertail Pricklypear

Opuntia basilaris

4,241 observations

Larrea tridentata

3,990 observations

Common Side-blotched Lizard

Uta stansburiana

3,881 observations

Cylindropuntia echinocarpa

3,785 observations · iNaturalist

Yucca schidigera

3,686 observations · iNaturalist

Branched Pencil Cholla

Cylindropuntia ramosissima

3,653 observations · iNaturalist

Engelmann's Hedgehog Cactus

Echinocereus engelmannii

3,529 observations

Echinocereus triglochidiatus

3,244 observations

Fouquieria splendens

2,709 observations

California Barrel Cactus

Ferocactus cylindraceus

2,662 observations

California juniper

Juniperus californica

2,536 observations · iNaturalist

Teddybear Cholla

Cylindropuntia bigelovii

2,514 observations

desert bluebells

Phacelia campanularia

2,439 observations

apricot globemallow

Sphaeralcea ambigua

2,229 observations

Salvia columbariae

2,135 observations · iNaturalist

Mesquite Mistletoe

Phoradendron californicum

1,862 observations · iNaturalist

Common Chuckwalla

Sauromalus ater

1,774 observations

California Buckwheat

Eriogonum fasciculatum

1,725 observations · iNaturalist

Encelia farinosa

1,697 observations · iNaturalist

Cleomella arborea

1,640 observations · iNaturalist

Scutellaria mexicana

1,588 observations · iNaturalist

Simmondsia chinensis

1,573 observations · iNaturalist

sand blazingstar

Mentzelia involucrata

1,534 observations · iNaturalist

Notch-leaf Scorpionweed

Phacelia crenulata

1,515 observations · iNaturalist

1,482 observations · iNaturalist

Cushion Foxtail Cactus

Escobaria alversonii

1,463 observations · iNaturalist

Eriogonum inflatum

1,460 observations · iNaturalist

Quercus cornelius-mulleri

1,393 observations · iNaturalist

Chylismia claviformis

1,372 observations · iNaturalist

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