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21 Animals That Call Glacier National Park Home

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Author Alana Theron, BSc in Biodiversity and Ecology

21 animals that call glacier national park home.

Glacier National Park is a wildlife haven due to its location on the border of the Canadian Rockies and Montana. Various animals call Glacier Park home. Let’s dive in!

Grizzly Bear

Grizzly bear in Alaska.
Grizzly bear in America. By Gregory "Slobirdr" Smith – Grizzly bear (Ursus arctos ssp.), CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=40573930

An iconic symbol of the wild, these large predators are respected and admired by visitors.

Mountain Goat

Mountain goat
Mountain Goat on Mount Massive, Colorado, USA By Darklich14 – Own work, CC BY 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=9825969

The official symbol of Glacier National Park, mountain goats are often seen on rocky cliffs and alpine meadows.

Canadian Lynx

Canadian Lynx. Image via depositphotos.

A rare sight, the Canadian Lynx is adapted to the park’s snowy environment with its large paws and keen hunting skills.

Moose

A male moose takes a rest in a field during a light rainshower.
Moose are the tallest mammals in North America. Image by Ryan Hagerty – http://www.public-domain-image.com/public-domain-images-pictures-free-stock-photos/fauna-animals-public-domain-images-pictures/deers-public-domain-images-pictures/moose-and-elk-public-domain-images-pictures/a-male-moose-takes-a-rest-in-a-field-during-a-light-rainshower.jpg, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=24856721

The largest member of the deer family, moose are often found near lakes and wetlands, feeding on aquatic plants.

Elk

Elk. Image via depositphotos.

Majestic and large, elk are commonly seen in open meadows and near riverbanks, especially during the rut in autumn.

Wolverine

Wolverine. Image via depositphotos

These elusive creatures are tough and adapted to high-altitude life, often roaming vast distances in search of food.

Bighorn Sheep

bighorn sheep
Sierra Nevada bighorn sheep. Image by UgputuLf via Depositphotos

Known for their large, curved horns, bighorn sheep navigate steep cliffs with remarkable agility.

Black Bear

Black Bear ambling in a forest. Image by JT Ray on Unsplash

More common than their grizzly counterparts, black bears are versatile omnivores that inhabit the park’s forests.

Bald Eagle

Bald eagle
Bald eagle in a winter wonderland via Pexels

With a massive wingspan, these powerful raptors are often spotted near water, hunting for fish.

Pika

Pika
Image by Derek Ryder via Unsplash

Small, mountain-dwelling relatives of rabbits, pikas are often heard before they’re seen, calling out in rocky alpine areas.

Mountain Lion

Cougar
Image of a Cougar via Pexels.

 (Cougar)These solitary predators roam the park’s vast wilderness, primarily hunting at dawn and dusk.

Gray Wolf

wolf
American Grey wolf. Image by Adriaan Greyling on Pexels.

Though sightings are rare, wolves roam the park’s remote areas, playing a key role in the ecosystem as apex predators.

Beaver

baby beaver
Image by EBFoto via Depositphotos.

As nature’s engineers, beavers create ponds and wetlands, providing habitats for a variety of other species.

Hoary Marmot

Hoary marmots in Jasper National Park. Canadian Rocky Mountains. Alberta. Canada. Image via depositphotos.

Known as the “whistle pig,” these large ground squirrels are a common sight in alpine areas, alerting each other of threats with loud whistles.

Osprey

Ospreys
Two Ospreys. Image by Paul Crook on Unsplash.

These fish-eating birds of prey nest near lakes and rivers, diving spectacularly to catch their meals.

American Dipper

American Dipper swims underwater to feed.
American Dipper swims underwater to feed. By David A Mitchell from Calgary, Canada – IMG_8886-63.jpg, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=74729973

Unique among North American birds for its underwater foraging habits, the dipper is often seen in the park’s clear, fast-moving streams.

Snowshoe Hare

Snowshoe Hare
Snowshoe hare captured mid-leap in the snow. Image by JimCumming via Depositphotos

Adapted to snowy environments with large, furry feet, these hares change color with the seasons for camouflage.

Clark’s Nutcracker

Clark’s Nutcracker. Image via depositphotos.

A bird closely associated with whitebark pines, it plays a crucial role in seed dispersal for these trees.

Red Fox

red fox
A Red Fox’s tail is over half its body length. Image by Alejandro Contreras via Unsplash

With their distinctive bushy tails and cunning behavior, red foxes are adaptable hunters found throughout the park.

Spruce Grouse

Puffed female Ruffed grouse is sitting on the spruce tree on a frosty branch in cold winter day. Image via depositphotos.

Often called the “fool hen” for its unflinching behavior, this bird is found in coniferous forests within the park.

Trumpeter Swan

Trumpeter swan swimming on a pond. Image via depositphotos.

The largest native North American bird, these elegant waterfowl can sometimes be seen on the park’s quieter ponds and lakes.

Conclusion

Glacier National Park. Image via depositphotos.

Each of these animals plays a unique and important role in their respective habitat and they all contribute to the ecosystems within Glacier National Park. I hope you enjoyed reading about the animals that call Glacier Park home. To read more like this, check out the articles below:  

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