# The Search for Lost Species

The Search for Lost Species is a board game for 1–4 players. It plays in 60–75 minutes and is meant for ages 13 and up. Ludoya players call it best with 2. It is rated 6.8 out of 10 by 6 Ludoya reviewers. The cheapest copy in stock is $33.99 (United States).

- **Players:** 1–4 (best with 2)
- **Playing time:** 60–75 minutes
- **Minimum age:** 13+
- **Complexity:** 3 out of 5
- **Year published:** 2023
- **Categories:** Animals, Puzzle, Deduction
- **Mechanics:** Solo / Solitaire Game, Action Points, Hexagon Grid, Deduction, Turn Order: Time Track
- **Ludoya rating:** 6.8 out of 10, from 6 reviews
- **Owned by:** 31 Ludoya players
- **Plays logged on Ludoya:** 133
- **Unique players:** 70

**Designers:** Ben Rosset, Matthew O'Malley

**Artists:** Anita Osburn, Anh Le Art

**Publishers:** Renegade Game Studios

## Where to buy in United States

| Shop | Price | Link |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Miniature Market | 33.99 $ | https://www.miniaturemarket.com/the-search-for-lost-species-rgs02468.html |
| Cardhaus Games | 45 $ | https://www.cardhaus.com/the-search-for-lost-species/ |
| Svet deskovych her | 675 Kč | https://www.svet-deskovych-her.cz/produkty/12709/the-search-for-lost-species |
| Ludifolie | 31.5 € | https://www.ludifolie.com/16523-a-la-recherche-des-especes-disparues.html |
| Lautapelikauppa | 32.13 € | https://lautapelikauppa.com/products/the-search-for-lost-species |
| Alphaspel | 415 kr | https://alphaspel.se/491-bradspel/346794-the-search-for-lost-species |
| Philibert | 49.99 € | https://philibertnet.com/fr/renegade-game-studios/169483-the-search-for-lost-species-0810011724686.html |
| Juegos de la Mesa Redonda | 38.21 € | https://juegosdelamesaredonda.com/18700-la-busqueda-de-la-especie-perdida-8436578819706.html |
| Zatu Games | 32.95 £ | https://zatu.com/products/the-search-for-lost-species |
| Good Games | 62.54 $ | https://www.goodgames.com.au/products/the-search-for-lost-species |
| La Gameria | 40.5 € | https://gameria.es/juegos-de-mesa/la-busqueda-de-la-especie-perdida-19720.html |
| Zacatrus | 40.5 € | https://zacatrus.es/la-busqueda-de-la-especie-perdida.html |
| Games Empire | 67.99 $ | https://gamesempire.com.au/products/the-search-for-lost-species |
| Spelexperten | 499 kr | https://www.spelexperten.com/sallskapsspel/strategispel/the-search-for-lost-species.html |
| TLAMA games | 1079 Kč | https://www.tlamagames.com/deskove-hry/hledani-ztraceneho-druhu/ |
| Curiosity Shop | 45 € | https://www.thecuriosityshop.es/products/la-busqueda-de-la-especie-perdida |
| Reflexshop | 17990 Ft | https://reflexshop.hu/eltunt-fajok-nyomaban-tarsasjatek |
| Get Your Fun | 49.99 € | https://www.getyourfun.it/038227-the-search-for-lost-species-giochi-per-famiglia.html |
| Nexus | 8995 kr | https://nexus.is/vara/the-search-for-lost-species/ |
| Spielezar | 64.9 Fr. | https://www.spielezar.ch/brettspiele/die-suche-nach-der-verschollenen-spezies |

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## Rules questions

### Does a mountain block adjacency — can animals or surveys go “across” a mountain?

No — areas separated by a mountain are not considered adjacent and mountains block placement/adjacency across them (see Rulebook pp8, 24).

### What's the difference between Survey by Foot and Survey by Boat — when should I use each and how much time do they take?

Survey by Foot and Survey by Boat are separate actions with different valid target areas and time costs: use Foot for land/adjacent inland areas and Boat for water/coastal routes; each action's rules and time costs are listed with examples (Rulebook p13).

### How do camera traps work — do they use an action and what do they reveal?

Setting a camera trap is an action that consumes time and lets you check a specific area for animals per the camera trap procedure; follow the placement and resolution steps on Rulebook pp14–15.

### When and how do we place and confirm sighting tokens — can opponents confirm or contest my sighting?

Sighting tokens are handled during the Sighting Phase: players report and place sighting tokens, others may view/confirm them, and then tokens are resolved with correct sightings scored and incorrect ones penalized (see Rulebook pp18–20).

### Can the Lost Species be located in an area that has no animals (a truly empty area)?

No — the rules treat 'truly empty' areas specially and the Lost Species will not be placed in an area that is truly empty; consult the Lost Species / truly empty areas rules for details (Rulebook p9).

### How does the time track work and how do I advance or activate my Expedition Leader?

Actions move your pawn along the time track according to their time costs; when you reach Expedition Leader spaces you activate or advance your leader as described in the time track and Phase 3 rules (see Rulebook pp10, 16–17).

## Links

- [This page](https://www.ludoya.com/games/the-search-for-lost-species)
- [The Search for Lost Species in the Ludoya app](https://app.ludoya.com/g/the-search-for-lost-species)
- [BoardGameGeek entry](https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/358557)

_Data from Ludoya, updated 2026-09-23. Ratings, ownership and play counts are Ludoya's own._