Animals in Nevada

Nevada, a state in the western US, is known for its expansive desert terrain because it mainly falls within the Mojave and the Great Basin Deserts. The state also has a part of the Sierra Nevada mountain range with majestic peaks and alpine landscapes. Nevada supports various wildlife habitats within these diverse landscapes, including sagebrush steppe, pinyon-juniper woodlands, and riparian areas along rivers and streams.

Naturally, this rich landscape is home to diverse desert wildlife species, with the most common native animals in Nevada mentioned below. With 68 designated wilderness areas and 26 state parks, numerous places offer a chance to take a closer look at the state’s wildlife. Two of these include Great Basin National Park in northern Nevada and the Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge in the state’s southern region.

Animals in Nevada (NV)

List of Different Types of Animals Found in Nevada

Mammals

Endemic Species

Animals like the Canada lynx and gray wolf have been extirpated from the state.

Birds

  • Mountain Bluebird
  • Mourning Dove
  • House Finch
  • Northern Flicker
  • American Robin
  • Ferruginous Hawk
  • Red-tailed Hawk
  • Cooper’s Hawk
  • Mallard
  • Wood Duck
  • Yuma Ridgway’s Rail

Reptiles

  • Desert Tortoise
  • Common Snapping Turtle
  • Sonoran Mud Turtle
  • Eastern Box Turtle
  • Western Painted Turtle
  • Gila Monster
  • Western Fence Lizard
  • Collared Lizard
  • Western Skink
  • Desert Spiny Lizard
  • Common Sagebrush Lizard
  • Northern Desert Horned Lizard
  • Leopard Lizard
  • Sidewinder
  • Western Diamondback
  • Great Basin Rattlesnake
  • Bullsnake
  • Common Garter Snake
  • Western Terrestrial Garter Snake
  • Checkered Garter Snake
  • Plains Hog-nosed Snake
  • Western Ribbonsnake
  • Eastern Yellow-bellied Racer
  • Western Smooth Green Snake
  • Western Hognose Snake
  • Mountain King Snake
  • Northern Water Snake

Amphibians

Endemic Species

  • Railroad Valley Toad
  • Dixie Valley Toad
  • Hot Creek Toad
  • Vegas Valley Leopard Frog
  • Amargosa Toad
  • Sierra Nevada Yellow-legged Frog

Fishes

  • Channel Catfish
  • Bullhead Catfish
  • Bluegill
  • Largemouth Bass
  • Smallmouth Bass
  • White Bass
  • Walleye
  • Speckled Dace
  • Northern Pike
  • Muskellunge
  • Black Crappie
  • White Crappie
  • Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout
  • Bonneville Cutthroat Trout
  • Rainbow Trout
  • Bull Trout
  • Ash Meadows
  • Amargosa Pupfish
  • Pumpkinseed
  • Green Sunfish
  • Humpback Chub

Endemic Species

  • Cui-ui
  • Devils Hole Pupfish
  • Independence Valley Tui Chub
  • Lahontan Cutthroat Trout
  • Moapa Dace
  • Great Basin Redband Trout
  • White River Springfish

Insects and Invertebrates

Nevada offers ideal climatic conditions for arachnids like spiders and scorpions, with 23 species of scorpions calling the state their home. There are plenty of insects as well.

  • Black Widow
  • Brown Recluse
  • Carolina Wolf Spider
  • Desert Tarantula
  • Arizona Bark Scorpion
  • Giant Desert Hairy Scorpion
  • Assassin Bug
  • Western Honey Bee
  • Valley Carpenter Bee
  • House Fly
  • Argentine Ant
  • Monarch Butterfly
  • Western Pondhawk Dragonfly
  • American Rubyspot Damselfly
  • Phantom Crane Fly
  • Rainbow Scarab Beetle
  • Western Conifer Seed Bug
  • Praying Mantis
  • Walking Stick Insect
  • Brown Lacewing

Endemic Species

  • Giulianii’s Dune Scarab 
  • Duckwater Pyrg (Snail)
  • Median-gland Nevada Springsnail
  • White Pine Amphipod
State Animals of Nevada

State Animals of Nevada

State MammalsDesert Bighorn Sheep
State BirdMountain Bluebird
State FishLahontan Cutthroat Trout
State ReptileDesert Tortoise
State InsectVivid Dancer Damselfly

FAQ

What are the most dangerous animals in Nevada?

Nevada is famous for its deadly snakes, spiders, and insects capable of killing humans with one bite (or sting). The state is home to venomous reptiles like the Gila monster, sidewinder, western diamondback, and Great Basin rattlesnake. Dangerous spiders and insects include black widows, brown recluses, desert tarantulas, Arizona bark scorpions, and assassin bugs. The state also has its share of predatory carnivores like the American black bear, Canada lynx, and coyote.

Are there any endangered animals in Nevada?

All the endemic animals mentioned above are classified as threatened or endangered. Additionally, birds like the southwestern willow flycatcher, Yuma Ridgway’s rail, yellow-billed cuckoo, and fishes like Ash Meadows, Amargosa pupfish, and speckled dace are also endangered in the state.

What are some common invasive animals in Nevada?

Animals typically considered invasive in the rest of the US, like the emerald ash borer and zebra mussels, have also invaded Nevada.

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