WILDLIFE

As their name implies, Yellowstone Cutthroat trout are native to the cold, clear lakes, streams, and rivers of the greater Yellowstone ecosystem. The YCT’s golden hue and striking crimson slashes on their lower jaw have made it a keystone species of the region.

Principal threats to the continued survival of YCT include significant habitat loss, hybridization with their non-native relative the Rainbow trout, and impacts from other non-native species that have been introduced into the YCT’s home range.

The Teton River and its tributaries are one of the increasingly rare river systems in which Yellowstone cutthroat continue to thrive.

Moose are a native species of the northern Rockies, making their home from river bottomlands to high alpine slopes as food availability dictates. The largest member of the deer family, moose are herbivores that consume many types of plants of fruit, a typical moose can weigh 800 pounds and consume more than 60 pounds of food a day. While frequently seen along the Teton River, moose populations are declining across their range in N. America, due to climate change, shrinking habitat, parasites and increases in predators.

The Rocky Mountain Elk, or “Wapiti” is second only to the moose as the largest ungulate in North America, occupying forests and forest-transitional habitats. Male elk are known for their huge antlers, which are shed each year, and for their loud “bugling” during fall mating seasons – a sound which epitomizes the wild experience of the Rockies. A prized game and sightseeing species, elk migrate into the cool temps of the high alpine during the heat of summer, descending into the valleys for critical winter forage.

The red fox is a common resident of Teton Valley, subsisting on a wide variety of small animals, birds, insects plants, fruit and even aquatic species on occasion. The red fox is easily recognizable – smaller than a coyote, usually reddish (though sometimes tan/brown), with a big bushy tail. They are a tenacious, active species that play a significant role in keeping rodent species in check in many areas. The red fox is distributed across the entire Northern Hemisphere.

The regal call of the Trumpeter Swan can be heard as they soar over the Teton River, coming and going from critical nesting sites in the Teton watershed. This remarkable swan is the heaviest bird in North America and the largest living waterfowl species on earth. Sightings of these birds flying in v-formation are always impressive, especially with the Grand Teton in the background!

The American black bear is a common species throughout much of the forested areas of North America, varying in size and color (despite its name) depending on its environment. The vast majority of black bear found in the northern Rockies are black in color, but they can also be found in brown (or “cinnamon-colored”) variation as well.

Black bear are highly omnivorous, taking advantage of whatever food items their location and season offer, though their diet is typically 85% vegetation, with much of the rest being insects, honey, rodents, and fish when available. Though uncommon, black bear will occasionally engage in predation of larger game species as well. They are also quite intelligent and creative when it comes to obtaining food, which can become an issue when bears become habituated to human food sources.

Mule Deer are a well-known species throughout much of the West. Identified by the large ears from which they get their name, adult Mule Deer does average 150 lbs in weight, and large bucks can exceed 400 lbs.

The Teton River Canyons are essential to Mule Deer in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem as important winter refuge until conditions allow them to migrate into their summer range in the Teton Range and other, higher-altitude forage locations.

With the abundant game, steep rocky bluffs, and a year-round water source, the Teton River Canyons provide prime habitat for North America’s most majestic cat species – the Mountain Lion.

Secretive and largely solitary, the Mountain Lion has the largest range of any wildland animal in the Americas. It does much of its hunting at night, making daytime sightings rare. Primary food sources include ungulates such as deer, elk, moose, and bighorn sheep, though they will supplement with rodents, especially where big game is more scarce. Male lions average approximately 140 lbs, while females average close to 100 lbs.

One of the largest owls in the Americas, the magnificent Great Horned Owl is a year-round resident of the TetonRiver Canyons.

Closely related to the Snowy Owl, the Great Horned can vary widely in coloration, from dark brown to light gray, and even reddish in color. Size, heavily-barred plumage, and the distinctive ear tufts, or “horns” are clear ways to identify the Great Horned in the field.

Great Horned Owls are opportunistic feeders, and will eat all manner of small rodents, including such large examples as marmots, porcupines, and skunks. Reptiles, amphibians, insects, other birds, small domestic animals such as cats and dogs, and roadkill are all fair game to this large owl.

Look for Great Horned Owls sitting quietly in trees, and listen for their classic call – ho-ho-hoo hoo hoo!