List of mammals of California facts for kids

Though the grizzly bear no longer lives in California, it's still the state's official mammal!

This is a list of amazing mammals that live in California, including those that live there now and those that lived there recently.

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) keeps an eye on certain animals that might need extra help. These are species whose numbers might be low in California, even if they're not on bigger worldwide lists. We'll point out animals that are special to California (endemic), those that were brought here by people (introduced), those that can be hunted (harvest), and those that just visit sometimes (vagrant).

California is home to 227 different kinds of mammals! That includes 186 land animals and 42 ocean animals.

Amazing Opossums of California

The opossum (Didelphis virginiana) is the only opossum in California.

Order: Didelphimorphia, Family: Didelphidae

Only one type of opossum lives in California:

• The Virginia opossum (Didelphis virginiana) is very common and can be found all over the state. It was brought here by people and can be hunted.

Tiny Shrews and Moles

Order: Eulipotyphla, Family: Soricidae

California has thirteen kinds of shrews. These tiny, mouse-like mammals have long snouts and are very active!

• Desert shrew (Notiosorex crawfordi) lives in the southern deserts.
• Mount Lyell shrew (Sorex lyelli) is special because it's found only in California's central Sierra Nevada mountains at high elevations. It's a species of special concern.
• Ornate shrew (Sorex ornatus) has five different types that are of special concern.
• Vagrant shrew (Sorex vagrans) also has one type that is of special concern.

Order: Eulipotyphla, Family: Talpidae

Five kinds of moles dig their homes in California. Moles are known for their strong front paws, perfect for tunneling underground.

• Shrew-mole (Neurotrichus gibbsii)
• Northern broad-footed mole (Scapanus latimanus)
  • The Alameda Island mole (S. l. parvus) is a special type found only in California and is a species of special concern.
• Coast mole (Scapanus orarius)
• Townsend's mole (Scapanus townsendii)

Flying Mammals: Bats of California

The pallid bat (Antrozous pallidus) is a species of special concern.

Order: Chiroptera, Family: Phyllostomidae

Four kinds of leaf-nosed bats live in California. These bats have unique nose shapes that help them find food.

• Mexican long-tongued bat (Choeronycteris mexicana) is a species of special concern.
• California leaf-nosed bat (Macrotus californicus) is also a species of special concern.

Order: Chiroptera, Family: Vespertilionidae

Nineteen kinds of vesper bats live in California. This is the largest family of bats in the state!

• Hoary bat (Aeorestes cinereus)
• Pallid bat (Antrozous pallidus) is a species of special concern.
• Townsend's big-eared bat (Corynorhinus townsendii) has a type called the Pale big-eared bat (C. t. pallescens) which is a species of special concern.
• Spotted bat (Euderma maculatum) is a species of special concern.
• Arizona myotis (Myotis occultus) is a species of special concern.
• Cave myotis (Myotis velifer) is a species of special concern.

Order: Chiroptera, Family: Molossidae

Four kinds of free-tailed bats live in California. These bats have tails that stick out from their wing membranes.

• Western mastiff bat (Eumops perotis) has a type called the California mastiff bat (E. p. californicus) which is a species of special concern.
• Pocketed free-tailed bat (Nyctinomops femorosaccus) is a species of special concern.
• Big free-tailed bat (Nyctinomops macrotis) is a species of special concern.

Leaping Lagomorphs: Pikas, Rabbits, and Hares

Order: Lagomorpha, Family: Ochotonidae

One type of pika lives in California. Pikas are small, furry mammals that look a bit like guinea pigs.

• The American pika (Ochotona princeps) lives in rocky mountain areas.

The brush rabbit (Sylvilagus bachmani) is a common sight.

Order: Lagomorpha, Family: Leporidae

Eight kinds of rabbits and hares live in California.

• Pygmy rabbit (Brachylagus idahoensis) is a species of special concern and can be hunted.
• Snowshoe hare (Lepus americanus) has two types that are special concern: the Oregon snowshoe hare and the Sierra Nevada snowshoe hare, which is found only in California.
• Black-tailed jackrabbit (Lepus californicus) is a common sight. The San Diego black-tailed jackrabbit is a special type found only in California and is a species of special concern.
• White-tailed jackrabbit (Lepus townsendii) is a species of special concern and can be hunted.
• The European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) was brought here by people.
• Desert cottontail (Sylvilagus audubonii) can be hunted.
• Brush rabbit (Sylvilagus bachmani) can be hunted, but one type, the Riparian brush rabbit (S. b. riparius), is a species of special concern and found only in California.
• Mountain cottontail (Sylvilagus nuttallii) can be hunted.

Rodents: Busy Chewers of California

Order: Rodentia, Family: Aplodontiidae

One unique type of mountain beaver lives in California. Despite its name, it's not a true beaver, but a burrowing rodent.

• The Mountain beaver (Aplodontia rufa) has several types found only in California that are species of special concern, like the Sierra Nevada, Point Arena, and Point Reyes mountain beavers.

The California ground squirrel (Spermophilus beecheyi) is very common.

Order: Rodentia, Family: Sciuridae

California is home to thirty kinds of squirrels, chipmunks, and marmots!

Tree and Flying Squirrels

• Humboldt's flying squirrel (Glaucomys oregonensis) has a type called the San Bernardino flying squirrel, which is found only in California and is a species of special concern.
• Northern flying squirrel (Glaucomys sabrinus) is a species of special concern.
• The Eastern gray squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis) and Eastern fox squirrel (Sciurus niger) were brought here by people and can be hunted.
• Western gray squirrel (Sciurus griseus) can be hunted.
• Douglas' squirrel (Tamiasciurus douglasii) can be hunted.

Ground Squirrels and Chipmunks

• Yellow-bellied marmot (Marmota flaviventris)
• California ground squirrel (Spermophilus beecheyi) is a very common sight.
• Mohave ground squirrel (Spermophilus mohavensis) is found only in California.
• Round-tailed ground squirrel (Spermophilus tereticaudus) has a type called the Palm Springs round-tailed ground squirrel, found only in California and a species of special concern.
• Alpine chipmunk (Tamias alpinus) is found only in California.
• Yellow-cheeked chipmunk (Tamias ochrogenys) is found only in California.
• Sonoma chipmunk (Tamias sonomae) is found only in California.

Order: Rodentia, Family: Castoridae

One type of beaver lives in California.

• The American beaver (Castor canadensis) can be hunted.

Order: Rodentia, Family: Geomyidae

Five kinds of pocket gophers live in California. These rodents are known for their large cheek pouches used to carry food.

• Botta's pocket gopher (Thomomys bottae)
• Northern pocket gopher (Thomomys talpoides)

The giant kangaroo rat (Dipodomys ingens) is found only in California.

Order: Rodentia, Family: Heteromyidae

Twenty-six kinds of pocket mice and kangaroo rats live in California.

Kangaroo Rats and Mice

• Pacific kangaroo rat (Dipodomys agilis) is found only in California.
• Big-eared kangaroo rat (Dipodomys elephantinus) is found only in California and is a species of special concern.
• Heermann's kangaroo rat (Dipodomys heermanni) is found only in California.
• Giant kangaroo rat (Dipodomys ingens) is found only in California.
• Fresno kangaroo rat (Dipodomys nitratoides) is found only in California. Two types, the Short-nosed and Tipton kangaroo rats, are species of special concern.
• Stephens' kangaroo rat (Dipodomys stephensi) is found only in California.

Pocket Mice

• California pocket mouse (Chaetodipus californicus) has a type called the Dulzura pocket mouse, found only in California and a species of special concern.
• San Diego pocket mouse (Chaetodipus fallax) has two types that are species of special concern and found only in California.
• White-eared pocket mouse (Perognathus alticola) is found only in California. Both types are species of special concern.
• San Joaquin pocket mouse (Perognathus inornatus) is found only in California. The Salinas pocket mouse type is a species of special concern.
• Little pocket mouse (Perognathus longimembris) has several types that are species of special concern and found only in California, like the Palm Springs, Los Angeles, Jacumba, and Pacific pocket mice.

The salt marsh harvest mouse (Reithrodontomys raviventris) is found only in California.

Order: Rodentia, Family: Cricetidae

Twenty-nine kinds of voles and New World rats and mice live in California.

Voles and Muskrats

• White-footed vole (Arborimus albipes) is a species of special concern.
• Sonoma tree vole (Arborimus pomo) is found only in California and is a species of special concern.
• California vole (Microtus californicus) has many types found only in California. The Amargosa vole is a special type that is endangered by both state and federal laws.

North American Rats and Mice

• Dusky-footed woodrat (Neotoma fuscipes)
• California mouse (Peromyscus californicus)
• Salt marsh harvest mouse (Reithrodontomys raviventris) is found only in California.

Order: Rodentia, Family: Muridae

Three kinds of Old World rats and mice live in California. These were all brought here by people.

• House mouse (Mus musculus)
• Norway rat (Rattus norvegicus)
• Black rat (Rattus rattus)

Order: Rodentia, Family: Erethizontidae

One type of porcupine lives in California.

• The North American porcupine (Erethizon dorsatum) is known for its sharp quills!

Giants of the Ocean: Whales, Dolphins, and Porpoises

The gray whale (Eschrichtius robustus) travels along California's coast.

Order: Cetacea, Family: Eschrichtiidae

One type of gray whale swims in California's waters.

• The Gray whale (Eschrichtius robustus) is a famous migrant, traveling long distances along the coast.

Order: Cetacea, Family: Balaenopteridae

Six kinds of large rorqual whales live in California's waters.

• Minke whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata)
• Blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus)
• Humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae)

Order: Cetacea, Family: Delphinidae

Twelve kinds of dolphins live in California's waters.

• Short-beaked common dolphin (Delphinus delphis)
• Killer whale (Orcinus orca)
• Pacific white-sided dolphin (Sagmatias obliquidens)
• Common bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus)

Order: Cetacea, Family: Phocoenidae

Two kinds of porpoises live in California's waters.

• Harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena)
• Dall's porpoise (Phocoenoides dalli)

Order: Cetacea, Family: Physeteridae

One type of sperm whale lives in California's waters.

• The Sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus) is the largest toothed whale.

California's Carnivores: Hunters and Gatherers

The island fox (Urocyon littoralis) is found only in California.

Order: Carnivora, Family: Canidae

Six kinds of canids (dog family) live in California.

• Coyote (Canis latrans)
• Gray wolf (Canis lupus) used to be gone from California but has started to return since 2017.
• Gray fox (Urocyon cinereoargenteus) can be hunted.
• Island fox (Urocyon littoralis) is found only on California's Channel Islands.
• Kit fox (Vulpes macrotis)

Order: Carnivora, Family: Ursidae

Two kinds of bears used to live in California.

• Black bear (Ursus americanus) can be hunted.
• Brown bear (Ursus arctos) like the California grizzly bear, no longer lives in the state since 1924.

Order: Carnivora, Family: Procyonidae

Two kinds of nocturnal (active at night) animals from this family live in California.

• Ring-tailed cat (Bassariscus astutus)
• Raccoon (Procyon lotor) can be hunted.

Order: Carnivora, Family: Mephitidae

Two kinds of skunks live in California.

• Striped skunk (Mephitis mephitis) can be hunted.
• Western spotted skunk (Spilogale gracilis) can be hunted. The Channel Islands spotted skunk is a type found only in California and is a species of special concern.

Order: Carnivora, Family: Felidae

Four kinds of cats used to live in California.

• Bobcat (Lynx rufus) can be hunted.
• Cougar (Puma concolor) also known as mountain lion.
• The Jaguar (Panthera onca) no longer lives in California since 1826.

Order: Carnivora, Family: Mustelidae

This family includes weasels, otters, and badgers.

• Sea otter (Enhydra lutris)
• North American river otter (Lontra canadensis)
• Pacific marten (Martes caurina) has a type called the Humboldt marten which is a species of special concern.
• American badger (Taxidea taxus)

The California sea lion (Zalophus californianus) is a common sight along the coast.

Order: Carnivora, Family: Otariidae

Four kinds of eared seals (seals with visible ear flaps) live in California.

• Guadalupe fur seal (Arctophoca townsendi)
• California sea lion (Zalophus californianus)

Order: Carnivora, Family: Phocidae

Four kinds of earless seals (seals without visible ear flaps) live in California.

• Northern elephant seal (Mirounga angustirostris)
• Harbor seal (Phoca vitulina)

Hoofed Mammals: Deer, Elk, and More

Order: Artiodactyla, Family: Antilocapridae

One type of pronghorn lives in California.

• The Pronghorn (Antilocapra americana) is the fastest land animal in North America and can be hunted.

Order: Artiodactyla, Family: Bovidae

Three kinds of hoofed mammals from this family live in California.

• Bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis) can be hunted. The Sierra Nevada bighorn sheep is a special type.

Mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) are common in California.

Order: Artiodactyla, Family: Cervidae

Four kinds of deer and elk live in California.

• Elk (Cervus canadensis) has a type called the Tule elk (C. c. nannodes) which is found only in California.
• Mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) can be hunted. This includes the California mule deer and Columbian black-tailed deer.

Order: Artiodactyla, Family: Suidae

One type of pig lives in California.

• The Wild boar (Sus scrofa) was brought here by people and can be hunted.