Small Animals

Due to its vast size and varying ecosystem, Yellowstone National Park is home to a plethora of small animals.

  • Small animals can be found nearly everywhere in Yellowstone National Park.
  • Pikas, rabbits, hares, shrews, gophers and mice can be spotted in open meadows and grasslands.
  • Porcupines, beavers and squirrels can be found in wooded areas.

Overview
Yellowstone National Park is the home to pikas, hares, rabbits, shrews, beavers, squirrels, gopher, mice and porcupines. There are also 322 species of birds and 16 species of fish that enhabit the area. All of these smaller animals play an important part in the balance of nature in the Park.

Interesting Facts
Since food is difficult to obtain in winter in the alpine environment, pikas cut, sun-dry, and later store vegetation for winter use in characteristic 'hay piles.' They are often called 'ecosystem engineers' because of their extensive haying activities. 

The hare is larger and heavier than a rabbit. With its longer hind legs and larger hind feet, it can out jump any rabbit and does not tire as quickly.

Shrews have excellent hearing and use echolocation (similar to the way bats and dolphins hear).

Beavers move with an ungainly waddle on land but are graceful in the water, where they use their large, webbed rear feet like swimming fins, and their paddle-shaped tails like rudders. These attributes allow beavers to swim at speeds of up to five miles an hour.

Beavers can remain underwater for 15 minutes without surfacing, and have a set of transparent eyelids that function much like goggles. Their fur is naturally oily and waterproof.

Squirrels have four front teeth that never stop growing so they do not wear down from the constant gnawing.

Gophers create a large community of tunnels with large mounds of dirt at their entrances, frequently referred to as "towns".

Although mice may live up to two and a half years in captivity, the average mouse in the wild lives only about four months, primarily owing to heavy predation.

A single porcupine may have 30,000 or more quills. North American porcupines use their large front teeth to satisfy a healthy appetite for wood. They eat natural bark and stems, and have been known to invade campgrounds and chew on canoe paddles.

Best Places to View Small Animals
Depending on what animal you are looking for and the season, there are many places within Yellowstone National Park where they can be found.

Check in any open area, meadow or grassland, to try to spot pikas, rabbits, hares and shrews. Gophers and mice also frequent this type of area. Check in the trees for squirrels that may be jumping from branch to branch.

Porcupines are usually found in wooded areas, as they are a great appetite for wood. Beavers will also be found in wooded areas, but tend to stay close to ponds, streams and lakes.

Respecting Wildlife
In an effort to keep wildlife safe and preserve the park for the enjoyment of future generations, Yellowstone visitors are urged to follow wilderness ethics at all times.

  • Avoid feeding any wildlife.
  • Stay on the trail – don’t trample through small animals’ natural habitats.
  • Avoid picking wildflowers – this will disturb their natural growing cycle and can affect smaller animals’ ability to find food.
  • Don’t pick or eat the vegetation
  • Protect Yellowstone’s water

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