Desert Critters to Take Home From Joshua Tree
Four $20 desert animal plushies and two $32 handmade Twentynine Palms shot cups, all in stock at JT Trading Post in Joshua Tree as of Oct. 9, 2026.
On this page
The easiest desert-wildlife gifts to grab at JT Trading Post right now are four $20 plush animals (a Western diamondback snake, a coyote, a desert tortoise, and a great horned owl) and two $32 handmade shot cups from Twentynine Palms potter Stray Ceramics, one with a snake and one with a scorpion. Every item and price below was live on jttradingpost.com this morning.
Why desert critters?
The animals that live around Joshua Tree are a big part of why people remember a trip here. Coyotes, desert tortoises, great horned owls, and rattlesnakes all live in Joshua Tree National Park, and most of them are shy, nocturnal, or both. A souvenir is a nice way to take one home without bothering the real thing.
What are the plush animals?
All four are $20 and stocked under JTTP Products:
- Snake Western Diamondback Stuffed Animal, $20. A 54-inch plush diamondback from Wild Republic, long enough to drape over a car seat.
- Desert Coyote Stuffed Animal, $20. A Wild Republic Cuddlekins coyote.
- Desert Tortoise Stuffed Animal, $20. A Cuddlekins desert tortoise.
- Great Horned Owl Stuffed Animal, $20. A Cuddlekins great horned owl.
Is there something for the grown-ups?
Yes. Stray Ceramics makes small-batch pieces in Twentynine Palms, and two of them fit the theme:
- Snake Shot Cup, $32. Handmade and glazed inside.
- Scorpion Shot Cup, $32. Handmade and glazed inside.
For a desert animal you can mail, the Desert Tortoise and Great Horned Owl greeting cards are in the shop too.
How do I see the real animals responsibly?
Keep your distance, never feed wildlife, and give tortoises and snakes the right of way on roads and trails. The desert tortoise is a federally threatened species, so the park asks visitors not to touch or move one. The park's desert tortoise page has more on the species. Dusk and dawn are when you're most likely to spot animals, so drive slowly then.
Where can I buy them?
Stop by JT Trading Post at 61716 29 Palms Hwy, Joshua Tree. We're open Mon–Fri 12–5 PM and Sat–Sun 8 AM–5 PM, or you can order everything above at jttradingpost.com.
Sources
- Joshua Tree National Park: Animals (NPS)
- Joshua Tree National Park: Desert Tortoise (NPS)
- JT Trading Post product listings, checked Oct. 9, 2026
Hi-Desert Field Desk is JT Trading Post's events and guides desk in Joshua Tree. We check every date, price, and closure against official sources the morning we publish.
