Central Valley Natives
This small, bushy-tailed fox is one of North America's most endangered canids and is found in the southern Central Valley.
Answer: What is the San Joaquin kit fox?
This striking raptor, known for its long migrations from South America, nests in Central Valley farmlands.
What is the Swainson’s Hawk?
This large, semi-aquatic rodent is known for building dams and lodges — and can reshape entire wetland ecosystems.
What is the beaver?
This shy, burrowing mammal is one of the rarest foxes in North America, living in arid scrublands and grasslands.
What is the San Joaquin kit fox?
This fuzzy insect is a champion pollinator and critical for almond production in the Central Valley.
What is the honeybee?
This large, slow-flying bird with a red crown winters in the Central Valley and is known for its dramatic courtship dances.
What is the Sandhill Crane?
This melodious songbird is often found singing from fence posts in open grasslands. Easily recognized by it yellow chest and distinctive V-shaped markings
What is the Western Meadowlark?
These insects, often seen in swarms near standing water, are infamous for spreading disease and being a nuisance to campers.
What are mosquitoes?
This small, black-and-white bird nests on the ground in agricultural fields and is protected under the Endangered Species Act.
What is the Least Tern?
This black-and-yellow insect can sting multiple times and is often mistaken for a bee, but plays a role in pest control.
What is a wasp?
This common burrowing rodent plays a crucial role in grassland ecosystems and is prey for many Central Valley raptors.
What is the California ground squirrel?
This black-and-white wading bird uses its upturned bill to sweep through shallow water for insects.
What is the American Avocet?
This amphibian is known for its loud, deep croak and has become an invasive species in many Central Valley wetlands.
What is the American bullfrog?
This secretive snake, reliant on rice fields and canals, is found only in the Central Valley and is threatened by wetland loss.
What is the giant garter snake?
This butterfly species migrates through California and depends on milkweed for reproduction.
What is the monarch butterfly
Despite its snake-like appearance, this rare, limbless reptile is actually a lizard. It lives beneath loose soils in the western edge of the Central Valley near the Temblor Range and is rarely seen above ground.
What is the Temblor legless lizard?
This large heron stands still like a statue while fishing in shallow water.
What is the Great Blue Heron?
This sleek mammal, once nearly wiped out by trapping, has made a comeback and preys on fish in marshes and streams.
What is the river otter?
This aquatic bird, with a distinctive black cap and red eyes, builds floating nests and dives for fish in Central Valley wetlands.
What is the Black-crowned Night Heron?
This butterfly species migrates through California and depends on milkweed for reproduction.
What is the monarch butterfly?
Endemic to California’s Central Valley, this delicate wildflower with fringed purple petals blooms in spring vernal pools and is a key indicator of healthy seasonal wetlands.
What is the vernal pool meadowfoam?
Known for their vibrant plumage, piercing calls and energetic flight, these cavity-nesting birds can be spotted along rivers and wetlands.
What are Belted Kingfishers?
This bird has long legs, a long neck, and a yellow bill; it’s often seen standing motionless while hunting in shallow water.
What is the Great Egret?
This elusive amphibian is rarely seen and depends on vernal pools that form only in wet winters and dry up in summer.
What is the California tiger salamander?
This large beetle with long antennae is part of a group known for boring into wood, often damaging trees.
What is a longhorn beetle?