Yellowstone National Park is home to some of the most abundant wildlife found in the United States. Situated on over 3,000 square miles of breathtaking landscape. Yellowstone is the natural habitat to hundreds of species of diverse wildlife including mammals, birds, fish, reptiles and amphibians.  With all the abundant wildlife to be found there, it's no surprise that millions of visitors flock to the park every year to view the majestic natural beauty of Yellowstone National Park.

Mammals
Yellowstone has over 60 documented species of mammals in the park, ranging from large to small creatures.  The park is home to two species of bears-- grizzly bears and black bears-- which are some of its most popular attractions for wildlife watchers.  Yellowstone National Park has the largest herd of free-ranging bison in the United States.  Visitors can also view abundant elk, mule deer, white-tailed deer, moose, coyote, mountain goats, bighorn sheep, red foxes, and cougars around the park.  Another popular attraction is the gray wolves, which were once nearly extinct in the area, but have made a strong comeback thanks to the park's conservation program.

The park also has a number of small mammals including raccoons, badgers and weasels, river otters, rabbits and hares, and shrews.  Many varieties of squirrels and chipmunks are also commonly found around Yellowstone National Park, including the American red squirrel and Yellow-pine chipmunk.  Yellowstone also has a variety of bats including the Fringe-tailed bat and Long-eared bat, as well as muskrats and woodrats. 

Birds
A popular destination for birding, Yellowstone's diverse landscape and variation in elevation provides a variety of habitat types for over 285 species of birds.  Yellowstone is home to several species of birds of prey, such as the bald eagle and golden eagle, osprey, prairie falcons, owls and hawks, and the American kestrel.  Bird-watchers can also view an array of wetland birds such as the double-crested cormorant, white pelican, great blue heron, and sandhill crane.  Other wading birds, such as the common loon, geese, ducks and swans are also prevalent in the park.  The majority of bird species found in the park belong to the songbird family: American robins, belted kingfishers, Steller's jays, northern mockingbirds, mountain bluebirds, yellow-rumped warblers, and over a hundred more species of songbirds can be spotted in Yellowstone Park. 

Fish, Reptiles and Amphibians
The park also offers great sport fishing in its many lakes, rivers and streams.  Yellowstone Lake is home to the world's largest inland population of cutthroat trout, called the Yellowstone cutthroat.  Other fish in Yellowstone include the westslope cutthroat trout, rainbow trout, and Montana grayling.  The park's reptiles include the prairie rattlesnake, rubber boa, bull snake, valley garter snake, wandering garter snake, and sagebrush lizard.  Several species of amphibians can be spotted in Yellowstone, including the boreal chorus frog, columbian spotted frog, plains spadefoot toad, and the blotched tiger salamander.

Tips for Viewing Wildlife in Yellowstone
In general, spring and summer are the best seasons for wildlife watching in Yellowstone.  Bears can be seen emerging from hibernation in early spring, and most young mammals are born from April to June.  Spring is also the best time of year for bird-watching: many birds are returning back to the park from their winter migration to the south, while other birds are beginning to nest in the park. The best time for viewing wildlife is typically the early morning and evening, when most animals are feeding.

Several locations around the park are well-known spots for popular wildlife sightings.  Hayden Valley is a favorite spot for black bears, grizzly bears, bison, elk, and wolves to wander-- and is one of the best places to see Yellowstone's birds of prey and water birds.  Bighorn sheep, bison, black and grizzly bears, elk, mule deer, pronghorn and wolves are frequently spotted by visitors near Lamar Valley.  Bison and elk are also commonly viewed near Old Faithful geyser in the park.  The greatest diversity and abundance of birds can be found near the park's rivers and wetlands.

Are you interested in wildlife watching in Yellowstone?  Why not book your trip today and see for yourself all the wonderful wildlife Yellowstone National Park has to offer!