A lifelist is a document recording the first time a species is observed by a person. People create lifelists for a variety of reasons - to record information about biological exploration, to compare and compete with other like-minded individuals, or simply to reflect on one's own life experiences. I find reviewing my personal lifelist to be a cathartic experience, akin to reading a scrapbook. I reflect on past trips, the people who were with me when I made these observations, and the places I have travelled.
Lifelists are personal documents that adhere to different rules depending on one's personal discretion, thus no two peoples' lifelists are truly directly comparable. I attempt to record all vertebrates that I encounter. I only record individuals which I have visually observed, and I only count wild individuals found live within their natural range. Lifelisting requires choosing a taxonomic authority - the authorities I generally follow are listed in brackets after each major taxon in the summary below.
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Current Summary with most recently seen lifers (updated 2025-11-07)
4,363 Vertebrata (Vertebrates)
2 Hyperoartia (Lampreys) 4.17% of known diversity [FishBase]
Entosphenus tridentatus (Pacific Lamprey) - 2022
13 Chondrichthyes (Cartilaginous Fish) 0.83% of known diversity [FishBase]
Carcharhinus melanopterus (Blacktip Reef Shark) - 2024
585 Actinopterygii (Ray-finned Fish) 0.97% of known diversity [FishBase]
Pimephales promelas (Fathead Minnow) - 2025
479 Amphibia (Amphibians) 4.07% of known diversity [AmphibiaWeb]
Anaxyrus baxteri (Wyoming Toad) - 2025
491 'Reptilia' ('Reptiles') 3.27% of known diversity [the Reptile Database]
Rena dulcis (Texas Blind Snake) - 2025
2,425 Aves (Birds) 17.42% of known diversity [eBird]
Bombycilla garrulus (Bohemian Waxwing) - 2025
367 Mammalia (Mammals) 4.42% of known diversity [ASM Mammal Database]
Vulpes velox (Swift Fox) - 2025
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My Lifelist in 'taxonomic order' (alphabetical within families):
Hyperoartia
Petromyzontiformes (Lampreys)
Petromyzontidae (Northern Lampreys)
Entosphenus tridentatus (Pacific Lamprey) - 2022
Ichthyomyzon castaneus (Chestnut Lamprey) - 2015
Chondrichthyes
Carcharhiniforms (Ground Sharks)
Carcharhinidae (Requiem Sharks)
Carcharhinus leucas (Bull Shark) - 2003
Carcharhinus melanopterus (Blacktip Reef Shark) - 2024
Sphyrnidae (Hammerhead Sharks)
Sphyrna tiburo (Bonnethead Shark) - 2003
Torpediniformes (Electric Rays)
Narcinidae (Numbfishes)
Narcine bancroftii (Lesser Electric Ray) - 2015
Torpedinidae (Electric Rays)
Torpedo sinuspersici (Gulf Torpedo) - 2015
Myliobatiformes (Rays)
Dasyatidae (Stingrays)
Dasyatis americana (Southern Stingray) - 2003
Dasyatis dipterura (Diamond Stingray) - 2006
Hemitrygon akajei (Red Stingray) - 2024
Hypanus sabinus (Atlantic Stingray) - 2003
Urotrygonidae (American Round Stingrays)
Urobatis jamaicensis (Yellow Stingray) - 2017
Myliobatidae (Manta Rays)
Aetobatus narinari (Spotted Eagle Ray) - 2006
Rhinopteridae (Cownose Rays)
Rhinoptera bonasus (Cownose Ray) - 2006
Mobulidae (Devilrays)
Manta birostris (Giant Oceanic Manta Ray) - 2006
Actinopterygii
Acipenseriformes (Sturgeons)
Acipenseridae (Sturgeons)
Acipenser oxyrinchus (Atlantic Sturgeon) - 2010
Lepisosteiformes (Gars)
Lepisosteidae (Gars)
Lepisosteus oculatus (Spotted Gar) - 2012
Lepisosteus osseus (Longnose Gar) - 2004
Lepisosteus platostomus (Shortnose Gar) - 2023
Lepisosteus platyrhincus (Florida Gar) - 2006
Amiiformes (Bowfins)
Amiidae (Bowfins)
Amia calva (Bowfin) - 2004
Elopiformes (Tarpons)
Elopidae (Tenpounders)
Elops saurus (Ladyfish) - 2006
Megalopidae (Tarpon)
Megalops atlanticus (Atlantic Tarpon) - 2008
Albulidae (Bonefishes)
Albula vulpes (Bonefish) - 2018
Anguilliformes (Eels)
Muraenidae (Moray Eels)
Echidna catenata (Chain Moray) - 2021
Gymnothorax moringa (Spotted Moray) - 2017
Anguillidae (Freshwater Eels)
Anguilla anguilla (European Eel) - 2013
Anguilla rostrata (American Eel) - 2005
Clupeiformes (Herrings)
Alosidae (Sardines)
Brevoortia tyrannus (Atlantic Menhaden) - 2022
Dorosomatidae (gizzard Shads)
Dorosoma cepedianum (American Gizzard Shad) - 2014
Dorosoma petenense (Threadfin Shad) - 2006
Harengula humeralis (Redear Herring) - 2024
Harengula jaguana (Scaled Herring) - 2015
Engraulidae (Anchovies)
Anchoa mitchilli (Bay Anchove) - 2006
Cypriniformes (Minnows)
Catostomidae (Suckers)
Catostomus clarkii (Desert Sucker) - 2025
Catostomus commersonii (White Sucker) - 2025
Catostomus latipinnis (Flannelmouth Sucker) - 2019
Erimyzon sucetta (Lake Chubsucker) - 2023
Hypentelium etowanum (Alabama Hogsucker) - 2014
Hypentelium nigricans (Northern Hogsucker) - 2015
Ictiobus bubalus (Smallmouth Buffalo) - 2015
Minytrema melanops (Spotted Sucker) - 2025
Moxostoma breviceps (Smallmouth Redhorse) - 2025
Moxostoma congestum (Gray Redhorse) - 2016
Moxostoma duquesnei (Black Redhorse) - 2014
Moxostoma erythrurum (Golden Redhorse) - 2025
Moxostoma macrolepidotum (Shorthead Redhorse) - 2025
Moxostoma rupiscartes (Striped Jumprock) - 2025
Cobitidae (Longfin Loaches)
Misgurnus anguillicaudatus (Pond Loach) - 2024
Cyprinidae (Carps)
Barbodes binotatus (Spotted Barb) - 2024
Barbodes kuchingensis - 2024
Barbonymus collingwoodii (Borneo Barb) - 2024
Hampala bimaculata - 2024
Hampala sabana - 2024
Lobocheilos kajanensis - 2024
Osteochilus kahajanensis - 2024
Osteochilus vittatus (Bonylip Barb) - 2024
Puntius sealei - 2024
Tor tambra (Acehnese Mahseer) - 2024
Danionidae (Danios)
Luciosoma setigerum (Apollo Shark) - 2024
Rasbora dusonensis (Rosefin Rasbora) - 2024
Leptobarbidae (Cigar Barbs)
Leptobarbus hosii (Sayan Barb) - 2024
Xenocyprididae (East Asian Minnows)
Zacco platypus (Freshwater Minnow) - 2024
Acheilognathidae (Bitterlings)
Rhodeus ocellatus (Rosy Bitterling) - 2024
Gobionidae (Gudgeons)
Hemibarbus labeo (Barbel Steed) - 2024
Pseudorasbora parva (Stone Moroko) - 2024
Leuciscidae (Minnows)
Agosia chrysogaster (Longfin Dace) - 2024
Campostoma anomalum (Central Stoneroller) - 2016
Campostoma oligolepis (Largescale Stoneroller) - 2015
Campostoma spadiceum (Highland Stoneroller) - 2022
Clinostomus funduloides (Rosyside Dace) - 2025
Chrosomus oreas (Mountain Redbelly Dace) - 2023
Cyprinella callistia (Alabama Shiner) - 2015
Cyprinella galactura (Whitetail Shiner) - 2015
Cyprinella pyrrhomelas (Fieryblack Shiner) - 2025
Cyprinella spiloptera (Spotfin Shiner) - 2022
Cyprinella trichroistia (Tricolor Shiner) - 2015
Cyprinella venusta (Blacktail Shiner) - 2016
Cyprinella whipplei (Steelcolor Shiner) - 2020
Cyprinus carpio (Common Carp) - 2023
Gila pandora (Rio Grande Chub) - 2019
Hybopsis amblops (Bigeye Chub) - 2020
Hybopsis rubrifrons (Rosyface Chub) - 2025
Lepidomeda mollispinis (Virgin Spinedace) - 2025
Luxilus chrysocephalus (Striped Shiner) - 2014
Luxilus cornutus (Common Shiner) - 2023
Luxilus coccogenis (Warpaint Shiner) - 2015
Luxilus zonistius (Bandfin Shiner) - 2015
Lythrurus fasciolaris (Scarlet Shiner) - 2023
Lythrurus lirus (Mountain Shiner) - 2023
Lythrurus roseipinnis (Cherryfin Shiner) - 2023
Macrhybopsis etnieri (Coosa Chub) - 2015
Nocomis biguttatus (Hornyhead Chub) - 2025
Nocomis effusus (Redtail Chub) - 2023
Nocomis leptocephalus (Bluehead Chub) - 2025
Nocomis micropogon (River Chub) - 2015
Notemigonus crysoleucas (Golden Shiner) - 2004
Notropis asperifrons (Burrhead Shiner) - 2025
Notropis atherinoides (Emerald Shiner) - 2025
Notropis boops (Bigeye Shiner) - 2020
Notropis chlorocephalus (Greenhead Shiner) - 2025
Notropis hudsonius (Spottail Shiner) - 2025
Notropis leuciodus (Tennessee Shiner) - 2023
Notropis lutipinnis (Yellowfin Shiner) - 2015
Notropis micropteryx (Highland Shiner) - 2025
Notropis percobromus (Carmine Shiner) - 2025
Notropis rubellus (Rosyface Shiner) - 2023
Notropis scepticus (Sandbar Shiner) - 2025
Notropis spectrunculus (Mirror Shiner) - 2025
Notropis stilbius (Silverstripe Shiner) - 2015
Notropis telescopus (Telescope Shiner) - 2025
Notropis texanus (Weed Shiner) - 2016
Notropis xaenocephalus (Coosa Shiner) - 2015
Phenacobius catostomus (Riffle Minnow) - 2015
Phoxinus phoxinus (Eurasian Minnow) - 2023
Pimephales notatus (Bluntnose Minnow) - 2023
Pimephales promelas (Fathead Minnow) - 2025
Pimephales tenellus (Slim Minnow) - 2022
Pimephales vigilax (Bullhead Minnow) - 2020
Pseudaspius hakonensis (Big-scaled Redfin) - 2024
Pteronotropis harperi (Redeye Chub) - 2023
Pteronotropis metallicus (Metallic Shiner) - 2025
Ptychocheilus grandis (Sacramento Pikeminnow) - 2025
Rhinichthys atratulus (Eastern Blacknose Dace) - 2023
Rhinichthys cataractae (Longnose Dace) - 2022
Rhinichthys obtusus (Western Blacknose Dace) - 2025
Rhinichthys osculus (Speckled Dace) - 2018
Richardsonius balteatus (Redside Shiner) - 2019
Rutilus rutilus (Roach) - 2023
Semotilus atromaculatus (Common Creek Chub) - 2014
Semotilus corporalis (Fallfish) - 2023
Characiformes (Tetras)
Erythrinidae (Trahiras)
Hoplerythrinus unitaeniatus (Gold Wolf Fish) - 2022
Anostomidae (Headstanders)
Leporinus fasciatus (Banded Leporinus) - 2022
Lebiasinidae (Pencilfishes)
Nannostomus eques (Brown Pencilfish) - 2024
Chalceidae (Tucanfishes)
Chalceus erythrurus (Tucan Fish) - 2024
Bryconidae (Brycon Characins)
Brycon amazonicus (Slender Brycon) - 2024
Brycon guatemalensis (Machaca) - 2006
Characidae (Tetras)
Astyanax mexicanus (Mexican Tetra) - 2016
Gymnotiformes (Neotropical Knifefish)
Gymnotidae (Naked-back Knifefishes)
Electrophorus electricus (Electric Eel) - 2025
Siluriformes (Catfish)
Trichomycteridae (Parasitic Catfishes)
Trichomycterus gairaensis (Whip Pencil Catfish) - 2025
Trichomycterus sp. nov. (Undescribed Catfish) - 2022
Plotosidae (Eeltail Catfishes)
Plotosus lineatus (Striped Eel Catfish) - 2024
Clariidae (Airbreathing Catfishes)
Clarias gariepinus (African Sharptooth Catfish) - 2014
Clarias leiacanthus (Forest Walking Catfish) - 2024
Ariidae (Sea Catfishes)
Ariopsis felis (Hardhead Catfish) - 2017
Bagre marinus (Gafftopsail Catfish) - 2003
Sciades passany (Passany Sea Catfish) - 2025
Ictaluridae (Bullhead Catfishes)
Ameiurus melas (Black Bullhead) - 2019
Ameiurus natalis (Yellow Bullhead) - 2023
Ictalurus punctatus (Channel Catfish) - 2022
Noturus flavus (Stonecat) - 2022
Noturus insignis (Margined Madtom) - 2023
Esociformes (Pikes)
Esocidae (Pikes)
Salmoniformes (Salmonids)
Salmonidae (Salmonids)
Percopsiformes (Troutperches)
Amblyopsidae (Cavefishes)
Holocentriformes (Squirrelfishes)
Holocentridae (Squirrelfishes)
Batrachoidiformes (Toadfishes)
Batrachoididae (Toadfishes)
Syngnathiformes (Pipefishes)
Aulostomidae (Trumpetfishes)
Syngnathidae (Pipefishes)
Mulliformes (Goatfishes)
Mullidae (Goatfishes)
Kurtiformes (Cardinalfishes)
Apogonidae (Cardinalfishes)
Gobiiformes (Gobies)
Oxudercidae (Mudskippers)
Eleotridae (Bully Sleepers)
Butidae (Gudgeon Gobies)
Gobiidae (Gobies)
Synbranchiformes (Swamp Eels)
Mastacembelidae (Spiny Eels)
Anabantiformes (Gouramis)
Osphronemidae (Gouramies)
Channidae (Snakeheads)
Incertae sedis in Carangaria
Sphyraenidae (Barracudas)
Toxotidae (Archerfishes)
Pleuronectiformes (Flatfish)
Bothidae (Lefteye Flounders)
Paralichthyidae (Largetooth Flounders)
Achiridae (American Soles)
Carangiformes (Jacks)
Carangidae (Jacks)
Echeneidae (Remoras)
Rachycentridae (Cobia)
Coryphaenidae (Dolphinfishes)
Cichliformes (Cichlids)
Cichlidae (Cichlids)
Atheriniformes (Silversides)
Atherinopsidae (Neotropical Silversides)
Atherinidae (Silversides)
Cyprinodontiformes (Killifish)
Rivulidae (Rivulines)
Fundulidae (Topminnows)
Cyprinodontidae (Pupfishes)
Profundulidae (Middle American Killifishes)
Goodeidae (Splitfins)
Poeciliidae (Poeciliids)
Beloniformes (Halfbeaks)
Belonidae (Needlefishes)
Exocoetidae (Flyingfishes)
Hemiramphidae (Halfbeaks)
Zenarchopteridae (Internally-fertilized Halfbeaks)
Mugiliformes (Mullets)
Mugilidae (Mullets)
Blenniiformes (Blennies)
Tripterygiidae (Triplefin Blennies)
Labrisomidae (Labrisomids)
Clinidae (Clinids)
Chaenopsidae (Pikeblennies)
Blenniidae (Combtooth Blennies)
Incertae sedis in Ovalentaria
Ambassidae (Asiatic Glassfishes)
Embiotocidae (Surfperches)
Pomacentridae (Damselfishes)
Acanthuriformes (Surgeonfishes)
Pomacanthidae (Angelfishes)
Chaetodontidae (Butterflyfishes)
Siganidae (Rabbitfishes)
Acanthuridae (Surgeonfishes)
Tetraodontiformes (Pufferfishes)
Ostraciidae (Boxfishes)
Diodontidae (Porcupinefishes)
Tetraodontidae (Puffers)
Monacanthidae (Filefishes)
Balistidae (Triggerfishes)
Centrarchiformes (Blackbasses)
Terapontidae (Grunters)
Kuhliidae (Aholeholes)
Kyphosidae (Sea Chubs)
Girellidae (Nibblers)
Centrarchidae (Sunfishes)
Incertae sedis in Eupercaria
Lutjanidae (Snappers)
Caesionidae (Fusiliers)
Gerreidae (Mojarras)
Haemulidae (Grunts)
Sparidae (Porgies)
Lethrinidae (Emporers)
Nemipteridae (Threadfin Breams)
Sciaenidae (Drums)
Monodactylidae (Moonyfishes)
Labridae (Wrasses)
Scaridae (Parrotfishes)
Perciformes (Perches)
Percidae (Perches)
Serranidae (Sea Basses)
Sebastidae (Rockfishes)
Scorpaenidae (Scorpionfishes)
Triglidae (Searobins)
Gasterosteidae (Sticklebacks)
Hexagrammidae (Greenlings)
Cottidae (Sculpins)​