Places › States › New Mexico

Wildlife in New Mexico

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

175,930
recent observations
30
species listed
15
plants
8
birds
4
reptiles & amphibians

Naturalists have logged 175,930 research-grade observations across the 30 most-recorded species in New Mexico. The most frequently seen is the Creosote Bush, with 21,692 recorded sightings.

Plants account for the largest share of what gets recorded there (15 of the species listed here), followed by birds (8).

🖨️ Printable wildlife checklist

Most-observed species in New Mexico

Creosote Bush
Larrea tridentata
21,692 observations
Soaptree Yucca
Yucca elata
10,233 observations
Southwestern Ponderosa Pine
Pinus brachyptera
8,937 observations · iNaturalist
Tree Cholla
Cylindropuntia imbricata
8,914 observations
Scarlet Hedgehog Cactus
Echinocereus coccineus
8,225 observations
Devilshead
Echinocactus horizonthalonius
8,025 observations · iNaturalist
Mule Deer
Odocoileus hemionus
6,878 observations
Silverleaf Nightshade
Solanum elaeagnifolium
6,794 observations · iNaturalist
Ocotillo
Fouquieria splendens
6,160 observations
House Finch
Haemorhous mexicanus
5,526 observations
Western Honey Bee
Apis mellifera
5,220 observations
Southwestern Fence Lizard
Sceloporus cowlesi
5,191 observations
Apache Plume
Fallugia paradoxa
5,059 observations · iNaturalist
Greater Roadrunner
Geococcyx californianus
5,008 observations
White-winged Dove
Zenaida asiatica
4,515 observations
American Robin
Turdus migratorius
4,445 observations
Mallard
Anas platyrhynchos
4,410 observations
Fourwing Saltbush
Atriplex canescens
4,405 observations
Texas Rainbow Cactus
Echinocereus dasyacanthus
4,241 observations
Dark-eyed Junco
Junco hyemalis
4,228 observations
Gopher Snake
Pituophis catenifer
4,148 observations
White-lined Sphinx
Hyles lineata
4,143 observations · iNaturalist
Common Side-blotched Lizard
Uta stansburiana
4,048 observations
Banana Yucca
Yucca baccata
3,854 observations
Fishhook Barrel Cactus
Ferocactus wislizeni
3,808 observations
Say's Phoebe
Sayornis saya
3,695 observations
Colorado Pinyon
Pinus edulis
3,645 observations
Great Mullein
Verbascum thapsus
3,559 observations
Western Diamond-backed Rattlesnake
Crotalus atrox
3,481 observations
Red-tailed Hawk
Buteo jamaicensis
3,443 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.

Get rare-sighting alerts for New Mexico

We’ll email you when an uncommon or rare species is spotted here. One check a day, only when there’s something new.

Free. Unsubscribe from any email. See our Privacy Policy.

More wildlife near New Mexico

Exploring New Mexico?

Take Huck with you. Identify any wildlife you find in seconds, and watch the live map of what is being spotted in New Mexico right now.

Get Huck

Exploring New Mexico? Get Huck field notes

Spotting tips, new species, and the best of what naturalists are finding - straight to your inbox.

By subscribing you agree to receive Huck emails. No spam, unsubscribe anytime. See our Privacy Policy.