Wildlife
There is so much more to Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah, than rock formations. The park is home to another wonder of nature, its resident wildlife. Though most of the animals cannot be seen during a single visit, occasionally one pops out for a peak at the strangers that hike by on the park's many trails.
Bryce National Park is home to:
• 59 species of mammals
• 1000 plant species
• 175 bird species
• 11 reptile species
• 4 amphibian species
Overview
Bryce Canyon National Park covers three climatic zones providing diverse habitat for a range of wildlife, birds, butterflies and flora.
Wild animals of all sizes are often missed by unobservant visitors, but a sighting can add to the pleasure of any trip and a camera is a must. Here are the main creatures to look out for in Bryce Canyon Utah:
Animals
- Animals such as squirrels, chipmunks, marmot, elk and mule deer are commonplace.
- Utah prairie dogs are a threatened species with their distinctive white tail and black eyebrows, but many can be seen within Bryce National Park.
- Rare sightings of mountain lion, pronghorn, American black bear, coyote and desert bighorn sheep.
Reptiles
- Reptiles include the great basin rattlesnake and the striped whipsnake.
- The short-horned lizard, side-botched lizard and tiger salamanders may be also seen.
Birds
- Ravens, Stellar’s jays, eagles, peregrine falcon, Clark’s nutcrackers, ospreyand owls may be seen around Bryce Canyon National Park.
- At dusk violet-green swallows and swifts dart around the hoodoos snacking on insects.
- Huge Californian condor, once extinct in the wild, have been reintroduced to Bryce Canyon. With their 9-foot wingspan they make a thrilling sight.
Plants
Bryce Canyon has more than 1000 plant species from Missouri iris to giant Ponderosa pines. The Douglas firs at Sunset Point are up to 700 years old.
Location and Information
Tel: 435-834-5322
Website: http://www.nps.gov/brca/naturescience