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.

75,519

recent observations

30

species listed

28

plants

2

reptiles & amphibians

Naturalists have logged 75,519 research-grade observations across the 30 most-recorded species in Joshua Tree. The most frequently seen is the Western Joshua Tree, with 6,474 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

6,474 observations

Beavertail Pricklypear

Opuntia basilaris

4,218 observations

Larrea tridentata

3,959 observations

Common Side-blotched Lizard

Uta stansburiana

3,850 observations

Cylindropuntia echinocarpa

3,770 observations · iNaturalist

Yucca schidigera

3,655 observations · iNaturalist

Branched Pencil Cholla

Cylindropuntia ramosissima

3,637 observations · iNaturalist

Engelmann's Hedgehog Cactus

Echinocereus engelmannii

3,526 observations

Echinocereus triglochidiatus

3,237 observations

Fouquieria splendens

2,704 observations

California Barrel Cactus

Ferocactus cylindraceus

2,654 observations

California juniper

Juniperus californica

2,530 observations · iNaturalist

Teddybear Cholla

Cylindropuntia bigelovii

2,493 observations

desert bluebells

Phacelia campanularia

2,439 observations

apricot globemallow

Sphaeralcea ambigua

2,228 observations

Salvia columbariae

2,133 observations · iNaturalist

Mesquite Mistletoe

Phoradendron californicum

1,861 observations · iNaturalist

Common Chuckwalla

Sauromalus ater

1,768 observations

California Buckwheat

Eriogonum fasciculatum

1,716 observations · iNaturalist

Encelia farinosa

1,695 observations · iNaturalist

Cleomella arborea

1,630 observations · iNaturalist

Scutellaria mexicana

1,581 observations · iNaturalist

Simmondsia chinensis

1,567 observations · iNaturalist

sand blazingstar

Mentzelia involucrata

1,531 observations · iNaturalist

Notch-leaf Scorpionweed

Phacelia crenulata

1,515 observations · iNaturalist

1,480 observations · iNaturalist

Cushion Foxtail Cactus

Escobaria alversonii

1,457 observations · iNaturalist

Eriogonum inflatum

1,454 observations · iNaturalist

Quercus cornelius-mulleri

1,387 observations · iNaturalist

Chylismia claviformis

1,370 observations · iNaturalist

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