Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks

🇺🇸 United States

🐿️ Yellow-bellied Marmot in Giant Sequoias
🌍 #186 Global · 3.5 ★★★★★ ★★★★★ #23 in North America #21 in Temperate Forest
United States, United States 630 spp. recorded

Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks form a rugged mountain wilderness in the southern Sierra Nevada of California. This high-altitude landscape features deep river canyons, sheer granite cliffs, and dense coniferous forests of towering trees. Visitors hike along dirt trails winding through pine woods and rocky alpine slopes.

36.606° N   118.547° W

Wildlife

SIGHTING PROBABILITY Share of citizen-science records from the park that report this species
<5%
Rare5–20%
With luck20–40%
Possible40–70%
Likely>70%
Very likely
ACTIVITY PATTERN
☀️ Diurnal 🌙 Nocturnal 🌅 Crepuscular ☀️🌙 Day & Night

⭐ Iconic Species

American Black Bear ★
LC Endemic

American Black Bear

☀️🌙 Day & Night Mammal

Ursus americanus

60–70% · Likely
Yellow-bellied Marmot ★

Yellow-bellied Marmot

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Marmota flaviventris

70–80% · Very likely
Western Fence Lizard ★
LC Endemic

Western Fence Lizard

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Sceloporus occidentalis

60–70% · Likely
Pacific chorus frog ★
LC

Pacific chorus frog

☀️ Diurnal Amphibian

Pseudacris regilla

40–50% · Likely

📊 Most Spotted

Mule Deer
LC Endemic

Mule Deer

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Odocoileus hemionus

80–90% · Very likely
Common Raven
LC

Common Raven

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Corvus corax

70–80% · Very likely
Golden-mantled Ground Squirrel
LC

Golden-mantled Ground Squirrel

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Callospermophilus lateralis

60–70% · Likely
Dark-eyed Junco
LC

Dark-eyed Junco

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Junco hyemalis

50–60% · Likely
Yellow-rumped Warbler
LC

Yellow-rumped Warbler

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Setophaga coronata

50–60% · Likely
Douglas' Squirrel
LC Endemic

Douglas' Squirrel

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Tamiasciurus douglasii

50–60% · Likely
American Robin
LC Endemic

American Robin

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Turdus migratorius

50–60% · Likely
American Pika
LC

American Pika

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Ochotona princeps

40–50% · Likely
Acorn Woodpecker
LC Endemic

Acorn Woodpecker

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Melanerpes formicivorus

40–50% · Likely
Sagebrush Lizard
LC

Sagebrush Lizard

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Sceloporus graciosus

40–50% · Likely
Northern Flicker
LC Endemic

Northern Flicker

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Colaptes auratus

40–50% · Likely
Steller's Jay
LC Endemic

Steller's Jay

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Cyanocitta stelleri

40–50% · Likely

⭐ Iconic Species

American Black Bear ★
LC Endemic

American Black Bear

☀️🌙 Day & Night Mammal

Ursus americanus

60–70% · Likely
Yellow-bellied Marmot ★

Yellow-bellied Marmot

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Marmota flaviventris

70–80% · Very likely

📊 Most Spotted

Mule Deer
LC Endemic

Mule Deer

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Odocoileus hemionus

80–90% · Very likely
Golden-mantled Ground Squirrel
LC

Golden-mantled Ground Squirrel

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Callospermophilus lateralis

60–70% · Likely
Douglas' Squirrel
LC Endemic

Douglas' Squirrel

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Tamiasciurus douglasii

50–60% · Likely
American Pika
LC

American Pika

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Ochotona princeps

40–50% · Likely
California Ground Squirrel
LC Endemic

California Ground Squirrel

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Otospermophilus beecheyi

30–40% · Possible
Western Gray Squirrel
LC

Western Gray Squirrel

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Sciurus griseus

20–30% · Possible
Lodgepole Chipmunk

Lodgepole Chipmunk

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Tamias speciosus

20–30% · Possible
Elk
LC Endemic

Elk

☀️🌙 Day & Night Mammal

Cervus elaphus

20–30% · Possible
Belding's Ground Squirrel
LC Endemic

Belding's Ground Squirrel

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Urocitellus beldingi

10–20% · With luck
Bobcat
LC Endemic

Bobcat

☀️🌙 Day & Night Mammal

Lynx rufus

10–20% · With luck
Coyote
LC Endemic

Coyote

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Canis latrans

10–20% · With luck
Mountain Lion
LC

Mountain Lion

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Puma concolor

10–20% · With luck

📊 Most Spotted

Common Raven
LC

Common Raven

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Corvus corax

70–80% · Very likely
Dark-eyed Junco
LC

Dark-eyed Junco

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Junco hyemalis

50–60% · Likely
Yellow-rumped Warbler
LC

Yellow-rumped Warbler

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Setophaga coronata

50–60% · Likely
American Robin
LC Endemic

American Robin

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Turdus migratorius

50–60% · Likely
Acorn Woodpecker
LC Endemic

Acorn Woodpecker

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Melanerpes formicivorus

40–50% · Likely
Northern Flicker
LC Endemic

Northern Flicker

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Colaptes auratus

40–50% · Likely
Steller's Jay
LC Endemic

Steller's Jay

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Cyanocitta stelleri

40–50% · Likely
California Scrub-Jay
LC

California Scrub-Jay

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Aphelocoma californica

40–50% · Likely
Mountain Chickadee
LC

Mountain Chickadee

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Poecile gambeli

40–50% · Likely
Oak Titmouse
LC Endemic

Oak Titmouse

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Baeolophus inornatus

30–40% · Possible
Anna's Hummingbird
LC

Anna's Hummingbird

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Calypte anna

30–40% · Possible
House Finch
LC Endemic

House Finch

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Haemorhous mexicanus

30–40% · Possible

⭐ Iconic Species

Western Fence Lizard ★
LC Endemic

Western Fence Lizard

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Sceloporus occidentalis

60–70% · Likely

📊 Most Spotted

Sagebrush Lizard
LC

Sagebrush Lizard

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Sceloporus graciosus

40–50% · Likely
Western Rattlesnake
LC

Western Rattlesnake

☀️🌙 Day & Night Reptile

Crotalus oreganus

30–40% · Possible
Gopher Snake
LC Endemic

Gopher Snake

☀️🌙 Day & Night Reptile

Pituophis catenifer

30–40% · Possible
Northern Alligator Lizard
LC Endemic

Northern Alligator Lizard

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Elgaria coerulea

30–40% · Possible
Western Terrestrial Garter Snake
LC

Western Terrestrial Garter Snake

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Thamnophis elegans

20–30% · Possible
Western Aquatic Garter Snake
LC Endemic

Western Aquatic Garter Snake

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Thamnophis couchii

20–30% · Possible
California Mountain Kingsnake
LC Endemic

California Mountain Kingsnake

☀️🌙 Day & Night Reptile

Lampropeltis zonata

20–30% · Possible
Southern Alligator Lizard
LC Endemic

Southern Alligator Lizard

🌅 Crepuscular Reptile

Elgaria multicarinata

20–30% · Possible
Northern Rubber Boa
LC

Northern Rubber Boa

☀️🌙 Day & Night Reptile

Charina bottae

20–30% · With luck
Western Whiptail
LC Endemic

Western Whiptail

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Aspidoscelis tigris

10–20% · With luck
Common Side-blotched Lizard
LC

Common Side-blotched Lizard

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Uta stansburiana

10–20% · With luck
Western Pond Turtle
VU

Western Pond Turtle

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Actinemys marmorata

10–20% · With luck

⭐ Iconic Species

Pacific chorus frog ★
LC

Pacific chorus frog

☀️ Diurnal Amphibian

Pseudacris regilla

40–50% · Likely

📊 Most Spotted

Western Toad
LC

Western Toad

☀️🌙 Day & Night Amphibian

Anaxyrus boreas

20–30% · Possible
Ensatina
LC Endemic

Ensatina

☀️🌙 Day & Night Amphibian

Ensatina eschscholtzii

10–20% · With luck
American Bullfrog

American Bullfrog

☀️🌙 Day & Night Amphibian

Lithobates catesbeianus

10–20% · With luck
Yosemite Toad
VU Endemic

Yosemite Toad

☀️ Diurnal Amphibian

Anaxyrus canorus

10–20% · With luck
Sierra Newt
LC Endemic

Sierra Newt

☀️ Diurnal Amphibian

Taricha sierrae

10–20% · With luck
Sierra Nevada Yellow-legged Frog
VU Endemic

Sierra Nevada Yellow-legged Frog

☀️ Diurnal Amphibian

Rana sierrae

10–20% · With luck
California Newt
NT Endemic

California Newt

Amphibian

Taricha torosa

10–20% · With luck
Great Basin Spadefoot
LC

Great Basin Spadefoot

🌙 Nocturnal Amphibian

Spea intermontana

Insufficient data
Gregarious Slender Salamander
LC Endemic

Gregarious Slender Salamander

☀️ Diurnal Amphibian

Batrachoseps gregarius

5–10% · With luck
Sequoia Slender Salamander
NT Endemic

Sequoia Slender Salamander

Amphibian

Batrachoseps kawia

5–10% · With luck
Mount Lyell Salamander
LC Endemic

Mount Lyell Salamander

☀️🌙 Day & Night Amphibian

Hydromantes platycephalus

5–10% · With luck
Southern Mountain Yellow-legged Frog
EN Endemic

Southern Mountain Yellow-legged Frog

Amphibian

Rana muscosa

<5% · Rare

Animal Events

🦌

Black Bear Foraging in Giant Sequoia Groves

MayJunJulAugSepOct

American black bears raid sequoia groves for insects, acorns, and fallen seeds, often seen foraging in meadows and along trails.

American Black Bear
LC Endemic

American Black Bear

☀️🌙 Day & Night Mammal

Ursus americanus

60–70% · Likely
🦌

Alpine Marmot Sunbathing Season

AprMayJunJulAugSep

Yellow-bellied marmots emerge from hibernation and bask on sun-warmed rocks near sequoia groves, often in family groups.

Yellow-bellied Marmot

Yellow-bellied Marmot

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Marmota flaviventris

70–80% · Very likely
🦎

Western Fence Lizard Territorial Displays

MarAprMay

Male Western fence lizards perform push-up displays and territorial chases in open, sunlit areas of sequoia groves and lower elevations.

Western Fence Lizard
LC Endemic

Western Fence Lizard

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Sceloporus occidentalis

60–70% · Likely

Sighting Calendar

Chance of spotting each species, month by month

Months
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Species Total
40–50
40–50
40–50
40–50
50–60
50–60
60–70
50–60
60–70
50–60
40–50
40–50
American Black Bear
50–60
20–30
10–20
40–50
60–70
60–70
70–80
70–80
70–80
70–80
70–80
50–60
Yellow-bellied Marmot
10–20
20–30
30–40
60–70
70–80
80–90
80–90
70–80
70–80
30–40
30–40
30–40
Western Fence Lizard
10–20
60–70
60–70
60–70
70–80
60–70
50–60
50–60
50–60
50–60
50–60
20–30
Pacific chorus frog
40–50
70–80
40–50
40–50
30–40
30–40
50–60
60–70
60–70
30–40
40–50
5–10
Mule Deer
60–70
70–80
70–80
70–80
70–80
70–80
80–90
80–90
70–80
80–90
80–90
80–90
Common Raven
80–90
80–90
80–90
80–90
70–80
70–80
60–70
60–70
70–80
70–80
60–70
80–90
Golden-mantled Ground Squirrel
10–20
20–30
20–30
20–30
50–60
60–70
60–70
60–70
70–80
50–60
40–50
10–20
Dark-eyed Junco
70–80
60–70
50–60
30–40
40–50
60–70
70–80
70–80
60–70
50–60
50–60
60–70
Yellow-rumped Warbler
60–70
50–60
60–70
60–70
40–50
60–70
50–60
50–60
60–70
60–70
50–60
60–70
Douglas' Squirrel
40–50
30–40
30–40
40–50
40–50
50–60
50–60
50–60
70–80
70–80
70–80
30–40
American Robin
50–60
50–60
60–70
40–50
50–60
60–70
60–70
40–50
40–50
30–40
20–30
40–50
American Pika
5–10
5–10
5–10
10–20
20–30
30–40
50–60
60–70
60–70
50–60
5–10
5–10
Acorn Woodpecker
70–80
80–90
70–80
60–70
40–50
20–30
20–30
20–30
20–30
40–50
50–60
80–90
Sagebrush Lizard
5–10
5–10
20–30
20–30
50–60
50–60
50–60
40–50
30–40
20–30
5–10
5–10
Northern Flicker
60–70
50–60
50–60
20–30
30–40
30–40
40–50
30–40
40–50
60–70
50–60
70–80
Steller's Jay
5–10
5–10
10–20
30–40
40–50
50–60
50–60
50–60
70–80
50–60
20–30
10–20
Animal Events
🦌 Black Bear Foraging in Giant Sequoia Groves
🦌 Alpine Marmot Sunbathing Season
🦎 Western Fence Lizard Territorial Displays

Sighting Zones

Warm areas are where all species together are recorded most, so they track where people go as much as where animals are. For one species, see the map on its own page.

0.0 ★★★★★ ★★★★★ Good
🐿️ Yellow-bellied Marmot in Giant Sequoias

Where Wildlife Score

How good is this park for seeing wildlife?
🦜

Biodiversity

Excellent

How rich is the wildlife?

4.3 Global avg
5.0 ★★★★★ ★★★★★
Species by taxon
🦅 Birds
405
🐒 Mammals
126
🦎 Reptiles
73
🐸 Amphibians
26
630 Total Species
850 Global average across 296 parks
29 Threatened 128 Endemic
🔭

Sighting

Good

How likely to see animals?

3.6 Global avg
2.9 ★★★★★ ★★★★★
🎯
Top-12 Avg Probability
62% Global avg
62%
📊
Coverage (159 species at ≥5% of 630 in the inventory)
24% Global avg
25%
🔀
Taxon variety in top 12 (6 mammal, 4 bird, 1 reptile, 1 amphibian)
46% Global avg
83%
🔭
Species per 10 outings (distinct species a visitor would meet over 10 outings — effort held equal across parks)
134 Global avg
98
🌟
Iconic-group species (≥15%) (every species from the 19 iconic groups — monkeys, cats, toucans, macaws, sloths, crocodilians… — not just the 4 highlighted above)
15 Global avg
4
⭐
High-prob species (>40%)
27 Global avg
18

Quick answers

What animals can you see in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks?

The most likely sightings are Mule Deer (seen by 80–90% of wildlife watchers), Common Raven (seen by 70–80% of wildlife watchers), Yellow-bellied Marmot (seen by 70–80% of wildlife watchers), American Black Bear (seen by 60–70% of wildlife watchers), Golden-mantled Ground Squirrel (seen by 60–70% of wildlife watchers) — among 630 recorded vertebrate species, based on citizen-science data from GBIF.

When is the best time to visit Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks for wildlife?

September has the highest combined sighting rate for the park's top species in our month-by-month GBIF data. The full sighting calendar on this page shows each species' best months.

Can you see American Black Bear in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks?

Yes — about 69% of wildlife watchers report a American Black Bear sighting in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, based on 508 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

Can you see Yellow-bellied Marmot in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks?

Yes — about 74% of wildlife watchers report a Yellow-bellied Marmot sighting in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, based on 644 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

Can you see Western Fence Lizard in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks?

Yes — about 61% of wildlife watchers report a Western Fence Lizard sighting in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, based on 382 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

Can you see Pacific chorus frog in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks?

Yes — about 49% of wildlife watchers report a Pacific chorus frog sighting in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, based on 232 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

⚖️

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