Welcome to Arizona, a state that is home to some of the most diverse and unique ecosystems in the country. From the desert to the mountains, Arizona's habitats are home to a wide variety of wildlife, including many species that are endangered. Did you know that there are currently 44 endangered species and 21 threatened species(at the time of this writing) living in Arizona? These include birds, mammals, fish, reptiles and plants, all of which are protected by the Endangered Species Act of 1973.
The Endangered Species Act of 1973 was established to protect and recover species that are in danger of extinction. The Act provides protection for endangered and threatened species as well as their critical habitats. Animals on the below endangered list are classified as either endangered, threatened, or species of special concern. The status designates the level of threat to their existence and determines the amount of legal protection they are entitled to. For clarification on the terms of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 visit there website at Federal Wildlife Service
While it's rare to encounter an endangered species while exploring Arizona's natural beauty, it's important to know what to do if you cross paths with one. MAINTAIN A SAFE DISTANCE, DO NOT APPROACH and please enjoy the view. DO NOT disturb the animal, and give them plenty of space and move on to your next destination. These animals are protected by law, so it's important to respect their habitat and behavior. By doing this, you're helping to ensure their continued survival for generations to come.
So, whether you're a new resident or a first-time visitor, we invite you to get to know Arizona's endangered wildlife. Through awareness and education, we can all work together to protect these fragile species and the unique habitats that they call home.
| Scientific Name |
Common Name |
Threatened/Endangered /Experimental |
Date Listed |
|---|
| Oncorhynchus apache | Apache trout | Threatened | 3/11/1967 |
| Cyprinella formosa | Beautiful shiner | Threatened | 8/31/1984 |
| Mustela nigripes | Black-footed ferret | Experimental Population
(Non-Essential) | 8/21/1991 |
| Gila elegans | Bonytail chub | Endangered | 4/23/1980 |
| Gymnogyps californianus | California condor | Experimental Population
(Non-Essential) | 10/16/1996 |
| Sterna antillarum browni | California least tern | Endangered | 6/2/1970 |
| Rana chiricahuensis | Chiricahua leopard frog | Threatened | 6/13/2002 |
| Ptychocheilus lucius | Colorado pikeminnow | Experimental Population
(Non-Essential) | 7/24/1985 |
| Cyprinodon macularius | Desert pupfish | Endangered | 3/31/1986 |
| Gopherus agassizii |
Desert tortoise |
Similarity of Appearance
(Threatened) |
4/2/1990 |
| Gila intermedia |
Gila chub |
Endangered |
11/2/2005 |
| Poeciliopsis occidentalis |
Gila topminnow (incl. Yaqui) |
Endangered |
3/11/1967 |
| Oncorhynchus gilae |
Gila trout |
Threatened |
3/11/1967 |
| Panthera onca |
Jaguar |
Endangered |
3/28/1972 |
| Lepidomeda vittata |
Little Colorado spinedace |
Threatened |
3/11/1967 |
| Tiaroga cobitis |
Loach minnow |
Endangered |
10/28/1986 |
| Colinus virginianus ridgwayi |
Masked bobwhite (quail) |
Endangered |
3/11/1967 |
| Strix occidentalis lucida |
Mexican spotted owl |
Threatened |
3/16/1993 |
| Canis lupus baileyi |
Mexican wolf |
Endangered |
1/24/1998 |
| Tamiasciurus hudsonicus grahamensis |
Mount Graham red squirrel |
Endangered |
6/3/1987 |
| Thamnophis rufipunctatus |
Narrow-headed gartersnake |
Threatened |
7/8/2014 |
| Crotalus willardi obscurus |
New Mexican ridge-nosed rattlesnake |
Threatened |
8/21/1978 |
| Zapus hudsonius luteus |
New Mexico meadow jumping mouse |
Endangered |
7/10/2014 |
| Falco femoralis septentrionalis |
Northern Aplomado Falcon |
Experimental Population
(Non-Essential) |
7/26/2006 |
| Thamnophis eques megalops |
Northern Mexican gartersnake |
Threatened |
7/8/2014 |
| Leopardus (=Felis) pardalis |
Ocelot |
Endangered |
3/28/1972 |
| Xyrauchen texanus |
Razorback sucker |
Endangered |
10/23/1991 |
| Pyrgulopsis bernardina |
San Bernardino springsnail |
Threatened |
5/17/2012 |
| Gila ditaenia |
Sonora chub |
Threatened |
4/30/1986 |
| Ambystoma tigrinum stebbinsi |
Sonora tiger Salamander |
Endangered |
1/6/1997 |
| Antilocapra americana sonoriensis |
Sonoran pronghorn |
Experimental Population
(Non-Essential) |
5/5/2011 |
| Kinosternon sonoriense longifemorale |
Sonoyta mud turtle |
Endangered |
10/20/2017 |
| Empidonax traillii extimus |
Southwestern willow flycatcher |
Endangered |
2/27/1995 |
| Meda fulgida |
Spikedace |
Endangered |
7/1/1986 |
| Pyrgulopsis trivialis |
Three Forks Springsnail |
Endangered |
5/17/2012 |
| Gila seminuda (=robusta) |
Virgin River Chub |
Endangered |
8/24/1989 |
| Plagopterus argentissimus |
Woundfin |
Experimental Population
(Non-Essential) |
7/24/1985 |
| Ictalurus pricei |
Yaqui catfish |
Threatened |
8/31/1984 |
| Gila purpurea |
Yaqui chub |
Endangered |
8/31/1984 |
| Coccyzus americanus |
Yellow-billed Cuckoo |
Threatened |
11/3/2014 |
| Rallus obsoletus [=longirostris] yumanensis |
Yuma Ridgways (clapper) rail |
Endangered |
3/11/1967 |
| Catostomus discobolus yarrowi |
Zuni bluehead Sucker |
Endangered |
8/25/2014 |
