The Santa Cruz Sandhills support a unique assemblage of animal species that are adapted to the loose sand soil, unique vegetation, and relatively hot, dry microclimate of the Sandhills, including:
Other vertebrate species found in the Sandhills which are less common in the adjacent mixed evergreen and redwood forests include the night snake (Hypsiglena torquata), black-tailed hare (Lepus californicus), pocket mouse (Chaetodipus californicus), Merriam chipmunk (Eutamias merriami), and pileated woodpecker (Dryocopus pileatus).
The Sandhills also support a diverse assemblage of invertebrates. In addition to several undescribed species and subspecies, the Sandhills support populations of the Santa Cruz rainbeetle (Pleocoma confugens conjugens).
