No species meet the strict, state-only definition of “Endemic Species of Arizona”
Understand that a strict search for species found only inside Arizona’s political borders returns no results. Define “endemic” here as species whose entire natural range lies inside the state lines of Arizona. Under that exact rule, no taxa can be reliably confirmed as species-level endemics to Arizona alone.
Recognize why this rule creates an empty list. Plants and animals live where habitat allows, not where political maps are drawn. Most organisms that look “Arizona-only” actually cross into neighboring states or into Mexico. Taxonomy also matters: many genuinely local organisms are described as subspecies, varieties, or ecoregional endemics rather than full species. Historical surveys and later discoveries often extend known ranges past state borders, so strict state-level species endemism is rare or unsupported.
Consider close alternatives and useful options instead. Find endemic subspecies (for example, the Kaibab and Mount Graham squirrels are famous Arizona-local subspecies), species restricted to Arizona-dominated ecoregions (the Sky Islands, Sonoran Desert, Colorado Plateau), or species that are “Arizona-centered” but extend slightly into adjacent areas. Use reliable sources (NatureServe, USFWS, AZ Game & Fish) and look for lists by ecoregion, mountain range, or county. Explore those categories for meaningful and verifiable lists rather than a strict state-only species list.
