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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.

77,146
recent observations
30
species listed
28
plants
2
reptiles & amphibians

Naturalists have logged 77,146 research-grade observations across the 30 most-recorded species in Joshua Tree. The most frequently seen is the Western Joshua Tree, with 6,790 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
6,790 observations
Beavertail Pricklypear
Opuntia basilaris
4,304 observations
Creosote Bush
Larrea tridentata
4,078 observations
Common Side-blotched Lizard
Uta stansburiana
3,952 observations
Silver Cholla
Cylindropuntia echinocarpa
3,816 observations · iNaturalist
Mojave Yucca
Yucca schidigera
3,797 observations · iNaturalist
Branched Pencil Cholla
Cylindropuntia ramosissima
3,723 observations · iNaturalist
Engelmann's Hedgehog Cactus
Echinocereus engelmannii
3,584 observations
Kingcup Cactus
Echinocereus triglochidiatus
3,297 observations
Ocotillo
Fouquieria splendens
2,743 observations
California Barrel Cactus
Ferocactus cylindraceus
2,699 observations
California Juniper
Juniperus californica
2,598 observations · iNaturalist
Teddybear Cholla
Cylindropuntia bigelovii
2,556 observations
Desert Bluebells
Phacelia campanularia
2,449 observations
Apricot Globemallow
Sphaeralcea ambigua
2,237 observations
Chia
Salvia columbariae
2,148 observations · iNaturalist
Mesquite Mistletoe
Phoradendron californicum
1,889 observations · iNaturalist
Common Chuckwalla
Sauromalus ater
1,788 observations
California Buckwheat
Eriogonum fasciculatum
1,749 observations · iNaturalist
Brittlebush
Encelia farinosa
1,703 observations · iNaturalist
Bladderpod
Cleomella arborea
1,644 observations · iNaturalist
Paperbag Bush
Scutellaria mexicana
1,599 observations · iNaturalist
Jojoba
Simmondsia chinensis
1,597 observations · iNaturalist
Sand Blazingstar
Mentzelia involucrata
1,536 observations · iNaturalist
Notch-leaf Scorpionweed
Phacelia crenulata
1,516 observations · iNaturalist
Cushion Foxtail Cactus
Escobaria alversonii
1,495 observations · iNaturalist
Muller's Oak
Quercus cornelius-mulleri
1,492 observations · iNaturalist
Parry's Nolina
Nolina parryi
1,489 observations · iNaturalist
Desert Trumpet
Eriogonum inflatum
1,475 observations · iNaturalist
Pancake Pricklypear
Opuntia chlorotica
1,403 observations · iNaturalist

Built from recent research-grade iNaturalist observations. Identifications are community-sourced and may occasionally be wrong, and the ranking reflects where people record and photograph wildlife, so a species seen often here is not necessarily rare elsewhere. Some plants and animals are only out in certain seasons. Treat this as a lively snapshot of what people are finding, not a formal checklist.

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