Living in Nevada means sharing your space with unique desert wildlife. Many creatures that call your yard home are actually protected by state and federal laws, making it illegal to remove or harm them.
Understanding which animals are off-limits helps you avoid hefty fines while supporting the delicate desert ecosystem that makes our state special.
1. Desert Tortoise
Nevada’s state reptile has roamed these deserts for millions of years. These gentle creatures can live over 80 years in the wild but face serious threats from habitat loss and illegal collection.
Finding one in your yard is actually a rare privilege! They dig burrows that provide shelter for numerous other desert species. If you spot one, simply observe from a distance and make sure your pets stay away.
2. Gila Monster
With its striking orange and black beaded skin, the Gila monster might look frightening, but these venomous lizards are actually shy and rarely seen. As one of only two venomous lizard species in North America, they’re fully protected in Nevada.
Encounters are incredibly rare and considered lucky by biologists. Though venomous, they move slowly and prefer avoiding humans entirely. Simply give them space if spotted.
3. Great Basin Spadefoot Toad
During spring rains, you might hear the distinctive call of these small, pudgy toads. Named for the hard spades on their hind feet used for digging, these amphibians spend most of their lives underground.
They emerge only briefly each year to breed in temporary pools. Their populations have declined dramatically due to habitat loss, earning them protected status. Should one appear in your yard after rain, consider yourself lucky to witness this elusive creature.
4. Western Burrowing Owl
Unlike most owls, these charismatic birds live underground in abandoned prairie dog or ground squirrel burrows. Standing just 9 inches tall with long legs, they’re active during daylight hours – unusual for owls.
Their bobbing greeting display charms many Nevada homeowners. Unfortunately, development has dramatically reduced their habitat. Federal laws protect these owls and their burrows, making it illegal to disturb them even if they’ve settled in your yard.
5. Kit Fox
With oversized ears and delicate frames, kit foxes are the smallest foxes in North America. These nocturnal hunters help control rodent populations around Nevada homes, providing free pest management services.
Kit fox populations have declined due to habitat loss and poisoning. If you’re lucky enough to spot one at dusk, enjoy the moment! They’re naturally shy and pose no threat to humans or most pets, though they might raid unsecured trash cans.
6. Desert Bighorn Sheep
Residents in foothill communities occasionally receive visits from these magnificent creatures. Nevada’s state animal sports impressive curved horns and remarkable climbing abilities that allow them to navigate seemingly impossible terrain.
Once critically endangered, conservation efforts have helped their populations recover somewhat. Though rare in residential areas, some neighborhoods near mountains might experience visits during drought when sheep search for water. Never approach or feed them – simply appreciate their presence from afar.
7. Western Fence Lizard
Often spotted doing push-ups on rocks or walls, these blue-bellied lizards serve as important tick controllers. Remarkably, their blood contains a protein that kills the bacteria causing Lyme disease.
When a tick feeds on these lizards, the bacteria in the tick dies. This makes these common backyard residents critical for reducing disease transmission. Though abundant, they’re protected from collection or harassment, so let them continue their beneficial work around your property.
8. Mojave Rattlesnake
Few creatures inspire more fear, but rattlesnakes play vital roles in controlling rodent populations. Their venom, while dangerous, has provided breakthroughs in developing medications for heart conditions and blood disorders.
Nevada law prohibits killing rattlesnakes on your property unless they pose immediate danger. If discovered, call professional wildlife relocators who can safely move them. Preventative measures like clearing brush and sealing home entry points reduce the likelihood of unwanted encounters.
9. Golden Eagles
Majestic golden eagles sometimes build nests on tall trees or structures in rural Nevada properties. With wingspans reaching seven feet, these powerful hunters are federally protected under multiple laws, including the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act.
Disturbing their nests carries severe penalties, including potential jail time. If eagles nest on your property, consider it an honor. They typically hunt far from their nests and pose virtually no threat to humans while providing spectacular wildlife viewing opportunities.
10. Antelope Ground Squirrel
These striped, bushy-tailed creatures might seem like ordinary squirrels, but they’re specially adapted desert dwellers. Unlike most desert animals, they remain active during the scorching midday heat when temperatures exceed 100 degrees.
Their special adaptation? They periodically press their bodies against cool soil in their burrows to regulate temperature. Protected under Nevada wildlife regulations, these industrious diggers create burrow systems that aerate soil and help native plants flourish, benefiting your entire yard ecosystem.
11. Chuckwalla
These large, harmless lizards with wrinkled skin and robust bodies are vegetarians that feast on desert flowers and leaves. When threatened, they perform a remarkable defensive trick – wedging themselves into rock crevices and inflating their bodies to become completely stuck.
No amount of pulling can dislodge them. Protected in Nevada, these gentle reptiles can live 25+ years. Their presence indicates a healthy desert ecosystem, as they’re sensitive to environmental changes. Consider yourself fortunate if these peaceful creatures visit your yard.
12. Monarch Butterfly
While not a traditional wildlife species, monarchs received special protected status in Nevada in 2021. These orange and black travelers make incredible multi-generation migrations between Mexico and the northern United States.
Their populations have plummeted by 90% in recent decades due to habitat loss and pesticide use. Removing monarchs or their caterpillars from your yard is now prohibited. Instead, Nevada homeowners are encouraged to plant native milkweed – the only plant monarch caterpillars can eat – to support their recovery.