Places › States › Rhode Island

Wildlife in Rhode Island

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

41,449
recent observations
30
species listed
12
plants
8
birds
5
insects & arthropods

Naturalists have logged 41,449 research-grade observations across the 30 most-recorded species in Rhode Island. The most frequently seen is the White-tailed Deer, with 2,392 recorded sightings.

Plants account for the largest share of what gets recorded there (12 of the species listed here), followed by birds (8).

Rarer finds confirmed in Rhode Island include Spotted Wintergreen - uncommon enough that a sighting is worth logging.

Spotted Wintergreen
🖨️ Printable wildlife checklist

Most-observed species in Rhode Island

White-tailed Deer
Odocoileus virginianus
2,392 observations
Common Eastern Bumble Bee
Bombus impatiens
2,388 observations
Eastern Gray Squirrel
Sciurus carolinensis
1,821 observations
American Robin
Turdus migratorius
1,712 observations
Rugosa Rose
Rosa rugosa
1,598 observations · iNaturalist
American Herring Gull
Larus smithsonianus
1,581 observations
Eastern Cottontail
Sylvilagus floridanus
1,470 observations
Sweet Pepperbush
Clethra alnifolia
1,461 observations
Eastern White Pine
Pinus strobus
1,418 observations
Common Mugwort
Artemisia vulgaris
1,400 observations · iNaturalist
Mallard
Anas platyrhynchos
1,399 observations
Canada Goose
Branta canadensis
1,370 observations
Striped Wintergreen
Chimaphila maculata
1,356 observations
Asian Lady Beetle
Harmonia axyridis
1,332 observations
Spotted Lanternfly
Lycorma delicatula
1,306 observations
Asian Bittersweet
Celastrus orbiculatus
1,299 observations
Ghost Pipe
Monotropa uniflora
1,212 observations
Eastern Skunk Cabbage
Symplocarpus foetidus
1,211 observations
Monarch
Danaus plexippus
1,207 observations
Song Sparrow
Melospiza melodia
1,191 observations
Common Milkweed
Asclepias syriaca
1,190 observations
Northern Cardinal
Cardinalis cardinalis
1,164 observations
Multiflora Rose
Rosa multiflora
1,160 observations
Western Honey Bee
Apis mellifera
1,150 observations
Autumn Olive
Elaeagnus umbellata
1,126 observations
House Sparrow
Passer domesticus
1,125 observations
Eastern Red-backed Salamander
Plethodon cinereus
1,116 observations
American Pokeweed
Phytolacca americana
1,115 observations
Double-crested Cormorant
Nannopterum auritum
1,095 observations
Common Garter Snake
Thamnophis sirtalis
1,084 observations

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.

Get rare-sighting alerts for Rhode Island

We’ll email you when an uncommon or rare species is spotted here. One check a day, only when there’s something new.

Free. Unsubscribe from any email. See our Privacy Policy.

More wildlife near Rhode Island

Exploring Rhode Island?

Take Huck with you. Identify any wildlife you find in seconds, and watch the live map of what is being spotted in Rhode Island right now.

Get Huck

Exploring Rhode Island? Get Huck field notes

Spotting tips, new species, and the best of what naturalists are finding - straight to your inbox.

By subscribing you agree to receive Huck emails. No spam, unsubscribe anytime. See our Privacy Policy.