Mammals of California
The mammals most often spotted in California, ranked by recent research-grade observations.
571,544
recent observations
50
species listed
50
mammals
Naturalists have logged 571,544 research-grade observations across the 50 most-recorded species in California. The most frequently seen is the Mule Deer, with 76,218 recorded sightings.
Rarer finds confirmed in California include Bobcat and Island Fox - uncommon enough that a sighting is worth logging.
Most-observed mammals in California
Mule Deer
Odocoileus hemionus
76,218 observations
California Ground Squirrel
Otospermophilus beecheyi
59,924 observations
Eastern Fox Squirrel
Sciurus niger
46,958 observations
Coyote
Canis latrans
42,432 observations
California Sea Lion
Zalophus californianus
31,020 observations
Desert Cottontail
Sylvilagus audubonii
30,785 observations
Harbor Seal
Phoca vitulina
22,096 observations
Common Raccoon
Procyon lotor
19,319 observations
Western Gray Squirrel
Sciurus griseus
17,419 observations
Bobcat
Lynx rufus
16,711 observations
Black-tailed Jackrabbit
Lepus californicus
12,583 observations
Sea Otter
Enhydra lutris
12,157 observations
Gray Fox
Urocyon cinereoargenteus
11,954 observations
Northern Elephant Seal
Mirounga angustirostris
11,351 observations
Striped Skunk
Mephitis mephitis
10,540 observations
Virginia Opossum
Didelphis virginiana
10,166 observations
American Black Bear
Ursus americanus
9,815 observations
Eastern Gray Squirrel
Sciurus carolinensis
9,516 observations
Brush Rabbit
Sylvilagus bachmani
9,443 observations
Wapiti
Cervus canadensis
8,974 observations
Bighorn Sheep
Ovis canadensis
7,864 observations
Humpback Whale
Megaptera novaeangliae
7,555 observations
Domestic Cat
Felis catus
6,303 observations
North American River Otter
Lontra canadensis
5,676 observations
Common Golden-mantled Ground Squirrel
Callospermophilus lateralis
5,600 observations
White-tailed Antelope Squirrel
Ammospermophilus leucurus
5,479 observations
Mountain Lion
Puma concolor
5,378 observations
Douglas's Squirrel
Tamiasciurus douglasii
4,512 observations
Common Dolphin
Delphinus delphis
4,179 observations
Yellow-bellied Marmot
Marmota flaviventris
4,131 observations
Common Bottlenose Dolphin
Tursiops truncatus
3,835 observations
Island Fox
Urocyon littoralis
3,779 observations
Douglas's Ground Squirrel
Otospermophilus douglasii
3,428 observations
Merriam's Chipmunk
Neotamias merriami
3,140 observations
Botta's Pocket Gopher
Megascapheus bottae
2,987 observations · iNaturalist
American Beaver
Castor canadensis
2,929 observations
Donkey
Equus asinus
2,815 observations · iNaturalist
Grey Whale
Eschrichtius robustus
2,193 observations
Wild Boar
Sus scrofa
2,057 observations · iNaturalist
California Vole
Microtus californicus
1,987 observations
Dusky-footed Woodrat
Neotoma fuscipes
1,923 observations
Pronghorn
Antilocapra americana
1,789 observations
Risso's Dolphin
Grampus griseus
1,705 observations
Long-tailed Weasel
Neogale frenata
1,671 observations · iNaturalist
Domestic Horse
Equus caballus
1,667 observations · iNaturalist
Northern Broad-footed Mole
Scapanus latimanus
1,665 observations
American Pika
Ochotona princeps
1,627 observations
Black Rat
Rattus rattus
1,580 observations
American Badger
Taxidea taxus
1,385 observations
Belding's Ground Squirrel
Urocitellus beldingi
1,324 observations
Mammals in nearby places
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