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Wildlife in Mesa Verde National Park

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

3,946
recent observations
30
species listed
20
plants
5
reptiles & amphibians
3
birds

Naturalists have logged 3,946 research-grade observations across the 30 most-recorded species in Mesa Verde. The most frequently seen is the Common Sagebrush Lizard, with 257 recorded sightings.

Plants account for the largest share of what gets recorded there (20 of the species listed here), followed by reptiles & amphibians (5).

🖨️ Printable wildlife checklist

Most-observed species in Mesa Verde

Common Sagebrush Lizard
Sceloporus graciosus
257 observations
Plateau Fence Lizard
Sceloporus tristichus
237 observations
Banana Yucca
Yucca baccata
207 observations
Colorado Pinyon
Pinus edulis
203 observations
Rubber Rabbitbrush
Ericameria nauseosa
191 observations · iNaturalist
Kingcup Cactus
Echinocereus triglochidiatus
174 observations
Gambel Oak
Quercus gambelii
174 observations
Eastern Collared Lizard
Crotaphytus collaris
164 observations
Mule Deer
Odocoileus hemionus
164 observations
Firecracker Penstemon
Penstemon eatonii
153 observations
Cliff Fendlerbush
Fendlera rupicola
149 observations · iNaturalist
Woodhouse's Scrub-Jay
Aphelocoma woodhouseii
148 observations
Scarlet Globemallow
Sphaeralcea coccinea
144 observations
Plateau Striped Whiptail
Aspidoscelis velox
142 observations
Alderleaf Mountain Mahogany
Cercocarpus montanus
129 observations · iNaturalist
Plains Pricklypear
Opuntia polyacantha
122 observations
Utah Serviceberry
Amelanchier utahensis
103 observations · iNaturalist
Tree Cholla
Cylindropuntia imbricata
103 observations
Sulfur Buckwheat
Eriogonum umbellatum
98 observations
Spotted Towhee
Pipilo maculatus
87 observations
Common Raven
Corvus corax
85 observations
Juniper Mistletoe
Phoradendron juniperinum
85 observations · iNaturalist
Greater Short-horned Lizard
Phrynosoma hernandesi
84 observations
Utah Juniper
Juniperus osteosperma
84 observations · iNaturalist
Antelope Bitterbrush
Purshia tridentata
82 observations · iNaturalist
Gunnison's Mariposa Lily
Calochortus gunnisonii
81 observations · iNaturalist
Rock Squirrel
Otospermophilus variegatus
77 observations
Green Ephedra
Ephedra viridis
74 observations · iNaturalist
Musk Thistle
Carduus nutans
74 observations
Arrowleaf Balsamroot
Balsamorhiza sagittata
71 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.

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