Wildlife Guide

One of the largest and most iconic species of the GYE, the grizzly bear is facing unprecedented peril. Climate change is gravely impacting the bears’ food sources and territory, and now, they will likely face trophy hunting.

The Greater Yellowstone elk herd is the largest in the nation, and these graceful herbivores are a visitor favorite. However, a terrible and deadly disease is about to strike this huge and densely-populated herd, and the results could be catastrophic.

Not only are wolves highly intelligent, fascinating and charismatic animals, they’re critically important to a healthy and balanced ecosystem. Despite this, across the majority of Wyoming, they can be shot and killed at any time for any reason – or no reason at all.

Often seen in brushy areas, forests and open grasslands, mule deer eat mostly grasses and shrubs. Their large ears, resembling mule’s ears, are helpful in detecting approaching predators, of which they have a few: wolves, coyotes, cougars and bears.

Bison have inhabited the Grand Teton and Yellowstone region since prehistoric times. They live in the area year-round, favoring grasslands in the summer, where they eat mostly grass and sedges.

One of the most unique and charismatic animals in the region, moose are the largest members of the deer family. During summer months, they’re most often seen in marshy or riparian areas browsing on aquatic plants and willows.

Capable of sprinting up to 60 miles per hour, pronghorn are the fastest land animal in North America. Globally, they’re only second to the cheetah! Their horns are exceptional as well; like the bison, pronghorn have true horns (not antlers).

Approximately the size of a small guinea pig, pikas are sandy brown with rounded ears. Unlike many other small mammals in the area, pikas – members of the rabbit family – don’t hibernate.

The smallest of the canines in the area, foxes typically weigh around 10 pounds. Unlike their larger cousins, wolves and coyotes, foxes are omnivorous: they will prey on smaller animals, but will also eat some plants.

Mountain lions are solitary felines and rare to glimpse in the wild. These wild cats feed on meat, and in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, they depend largely on elk and mule deer.

Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep are the largest wild sheep in North America. Females have horns as well as the males, though they are much smaller and more prong-like.

Also known as “song dogs,” coyotes can often be heard howling to one another in the evening or early morning. Highly intelligent and adaptable carnivores, coyotes are the most commonly seen canine in the area.

Aquatic members of the weasel family, these playful mammals are often seen in groups alongside rivers. They eat crayfish and fish, as well as amphibians and occasionally even muskrats or beavers.

Male black bears can weigh up to 315 pounds, while females can reach about 200. Like grizzlies, these animals can live up to 30 years in the wild. Their short, curved claws make them especially adept at climbing trees.

The national symbol of the United States, bald eagles are an impressive sight. As fish provide a significant part of their diet, bald eagles are frequently seen near the rivers and lakes of the area.

Golden Eagles, one of the largest birds of prey in North America, prefer cliffs or steep hills overlooking swaths of open land. They hunt by soaring over open spaces to spy prey before swooping down to snatch rabbits, ground squirrels or other small mammals.

Though these hawks are plentiful, they’re no less fascinating to watch. Large, swift raptors, red-tailed hawks can often be seen hunting near fields or sagebrush flats. Their tail feathers are rust-colored, giving them their name.

Smaller than a bald eagle, ospreys have a white belly and head, with a dark streak across the eye. Since their main source of food is fish, these birds can often be seen along rivers; they will hover above the water and rapidly dive to the surface to snatch a trout.

Sage grouse have a specialized stomach that allows them to digest the tough leaves of sagebrush. Males have fluffy white chests and impressive tails, while females have mostly grey and brown coloration.

With a wingspan of up to 8 feet, the trumpeter swan is the largest wild waterfowl on the continent, weighing as much as 35 pounds. Almost entirely white as as adults, swans can be seen on lakes, ponds or slow-moving bodies of water.

Hardworking loggers and dam builders, beavers are a keystone species – their diversion of water and creation of habitat is critical for many other aquatic and riparian animals.

Including Marmot (shown), Weasel, Badger, Uinta Ground Squirrel and Chipmunk.

Including Raven (shown), Magpie, Mountain Bluebird, Meadowlark and Clark’s Nutcracker.