Places National ParksWhite Sands

Wildlife in White Sands National Park

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

4,143
recent observations
30
species listed
20
plants
4
reptiles & amphibians
3
insects & arthropods

Naturalists have logged 4,143 research-grade observations across the 30 most-recorded species in White Sands. The most frequently seen is the soaptree yucca, with 683 recorded sightings.

Plants account for the largest share of what gets recorded there (20 of the species listed here), followed by reptiles & amphibians (4).

🖨️ Printable wildlife checklist

Most-observed species in White Sands

soaptree yucca
Yucca elata
683 observations
purple sand verbena
Abronia angustifolia
644 observations · iNaturalist
Western Earless Lizard
Holbrookia maculata
546 observations
Kingcup Cactus
Echinocereus triglochidiatus
283 observations
Frosted Mint
Poliomintha incana
178 observations · iNaturalist
Southwestern Fence Lizard
Sceloporus cowlesi
146 observations · iNaturalist
Arizona Striped Whiptail
Aspidoscelis arizonae
145 observations · iNaturalist
Rough-lipped Darkling Beetle
Eleodes hispilabris
137 observations · iNaturalist
Hartweg's Sundrops
Oenothera hartwegii
116 observations · iNaturalist
Barn Swallow
Hirundo rustica
102 observations
Torrey's Jointfir
Ephedra torreyana
95 observations · iNaturalist
Fourwing Saltbush
Atriplex canescens
91 observations
Common Side-blotched Lizard
Uta stansburiana
84 observations
Alkali Sacaton
Sporobolus airoides
77 observations · iNaturalist
Rubber Rabbitbrush
Ericameria nauseosa
67 observations · iNaturalist
Iodinebush
Allenrolfea occidentalis
65 observations · iNaturalist
Upright Blazingstar
Mentzelia procera
65 observations · iNaturalist
catchfly prairie gentian
Eustoma exaltatum
56 observations · iNaturalist
Rayless Greenthread
Thelesperma megapotamicum
55 observations · iNaturalist
White Sands fanmustard
Nerisyrenia linearifolia
52 observations · iNaturalist
Sand Fiddleleaf
Nama carnosa
51 observations · iNaturalist
Gypsum Centaury
Zeltnera maryanniana
49 observations · iNaturalist
Pale Evening Primrose
Oenothera pallida
48 observations
House Finch
Haemorhous mexicanus
48 observations
Christmas cholla
Cylindropuntia leptocaulis
48 observations · iNaturalist
tree cholla
Cylindropuntia imbricata
47 observations
Convergent Lady Beetle
Hippodamia convergens
43 observations
Sand Ricegrass
Eriocoma hymenoides
43 observations · iNaturalist
Nevada Buck Moth
Hemileuca nevadensis
41 observations · iNaturalist
Say's Phoebe
Sayornis saya
38 observations

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