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Wildlife in Death Valley National Park

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

30,096
recent observations
30
species listed
26
plants
2
reptiles & amphibians
1
insects & arthropods

Naturalists have logged 30,096 research-grade observations across the 30 most-recorded species in Death Valley. The most frequently seen is the Creosote Bush, with 2,360 recorded sightings.

Plants account for the largest share of what gets recorded there (26 of the species listed here), followed by reptiles & amphibians (2).

Rarer finds confirmed in Death Valley include Desert Five-spot - uncommon enough that a sighting is worth logging.

Desert Five-spot
🖨️ Printable wildlife checklist

Most-observed species in Death Valley

Creosote Bush
Larrea tridentata
2,360 observations
Desert Holly
Atriplex hymenelytra
1,840 observations · iNaturalist
Desert Sunflower
Geraea canescens
1,741 observations · iNaturalist
Desert Fivespot
Eremalche rotundifolia
1,611 observations
Common Side-blotched Lizard
Uta stansburiana
1,474 observations
Cottontop Cactus
Homalocephala polycephala
1,407 observations · iNaturalist
Beavertail Pricklypear
Opuntia basilaris
1,288 observations
Caltha-leaf Phacelia
Phacelia calthifolia
1,283 observations · iNaturalist
Notch-leaf Scorpionweed
Phacelia crenulata
1,272 observations · iNaturalist
Gravel Ghost
Atrichoseris platyphylla
1,217 observations · iNaturalist
Desert Rock Nettle
Eucnide urens
1,134 observations · iNaturalist
Golden Suncup
Chylismia brevipes
1,020 observations · iNaturalist
Golden Desert-snapdragon
Mohavea breviflora
950 observations · iNaturalist
Browneyes
Chylismia claviformis
854 observations · iNaturalist
Desert Trumpet
Eriogonum inflatum
848 observations · iNaturalist
White-lined Sphinx
Hyles lineata
839 observations · iNaturalist
Devil's Spineflower
Chorizanthe rigida
830 observations · iNaturalist
Mojave Woodyaster
Xylorhiza tortifolia
785 observations · iNaturalist
Apricot Globemallow
Sphaeralcea ambigua
698 observations
Western Joshua Tree
Yucca brevifolia
670 observations
Zebra-tailed Lizard
Callisaurus draconoides
663 observations
Honeysweet
Tidestromia suffruticosa
634 observations · iNaturalist
Donkey
Equus asinus
633 observations
Purple Mat
Nama demissa
591 observations · iNaturalist
Bigelow's Monkeyflower
Diplacus bigelovii
589 observations · iNaturalist
Turtleback
Psathyrotes ramosissima
586 observations · iNaturalist
Silver Cholla
Cylindropuntia echinocarpa
581 observations · iNaturalist
Iodinebush
Allenrolfea occidentalis
578 observations · iNaturalist
Broad-leaved Gilia
Aliciella latifolia
563 observations · iNaturalist
Death Valley Sage
Salvia funerea
557 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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