Usually refers to large wild animals such as mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians living in a natural environment. The term is generally not used to describe smaller animals like insects. Animals or their progeny that were once domesticated but escaped captivity and are running wild (i.e. feral animals) such as horses, burros and hogs are not considered wildlife (Although horses and burros are included on this page).

Some animals survive only in the Mojave Desert, these are called endemic species. Some animals live throughout all the southwestern desert areas and some are merely passing through on a migratory path. Regardless, whether living permanently in the Mojave, staying only seasonally or flying by, adaptations to the extreme climate and lack of water must be made. Endemic species usually have adapted to these conditions to the highest degree.