Places National ParksMesa Verde

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.

3,771
recent observations
30
species listed
20
plants
5
reptiles & amphibians
3
birds

Naturalists have logged 3,771 research-grade observations across the 30 most-recorded species in Mesa Verde. The most frequently seen is the Common Sagebrush Lizard, with 254 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
254 observations
Plateau Fence Lizard
Sceloporus tristichus
225 observations · iNaturalist
Banana Yucca
Yucca baccata
199 observations
Rubber Rabbitbrush
Ericameria nauseosa
186 observations · iNaturalist
Gambel Oak
Quercus gambelii
169 observations
Kingcup Cactus
Echinocereus triglochidiatus
167 observations
Eastern Collared Lizard
Crotaphytus collaris
163 observations
Mule Deer
Odocoileus hemionus
161 observations
firecracker penstemon
Penstemon eatonii
153 observations
Cliff Fendlerbush
Fendlera rupicola
149 observations · iNaturalist
Scarlet Globemallow
Sphaeralcea coccinea
142 observations
Plateau Striped Whiptail
Aspidoscelis velox
141 observations · iNaturalist
Woodhouse's Scrub-Jay
Aphelocoma woodhouseii
138 observations
Colorado Pinyon
Pinus edulis
128 observations
Plains Pricklypear
Opuntia polyacantha
119 observations
Alderleaf Mountain Mahogany
Cercocarpus montanus
111 observations · iNaturalist
tree cholla
Cylindropuntia imbricata
103 observations
Utah Serviceberry
Amelanchier utahensis
101 observations · iNaturalist
sulfur buckwheat
Eriogonum umbellatum
96 observations
Spotted Towhee
Pipilo maculatus
87 observations
Juniper Mistletoe
Phoradendron juniperinum
84 observations · iNaturalist
Common Raven
Corvus corax
82 observations
Greater Short-horned Lizard
Phrynosoma hernandesi
82 observations
Gunnison's Mariposa Lily
Calochortus gunnisonii
81 observations · iNaturalist
Antelope Bitterbrush
Purshia tridentata
80 observations · iNaturalist
Utah Juniper
Juniperus osteosperma
80 observations · iNaturalist
Rock Squirrel
Otospermophilus variegatus
75 observations
Green Ephedra
Ephedra viridis
74 observations · iNaturalist
arrowleaf balsamroot
Balsamorhiza sagittata
71 observations
musk thistle
Carduus nutans
70 observations · iNaturalist

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