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21 Animals That Call Grand Teton National Park Home

21 Animals that call Grand Teton park home

Check out these animals that call Grand Teton Park home. From bison to marmots, they come in all shapes and sizes, and there will definitely be something for you!

Bison

Bison
They once roamed in vast herds numbering in the millions across the Great Plains. Image by Jack Dykinga, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

These massive mammals symbolize the American West and can be seen grazing in the park’s grasslands.

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

With their large size and distinctive antlers, moose are often found near the park’s water sources.


Elk

Mule deer buck at Elk Creek.
Mule deer buck at Elk Creek. By Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife – mule_buck_elk_creek_m_myatt, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=47027293

These large deer species migrate through the park seasonally and are known for their impressive antlers.


Grizzly Bear

Grizzly
Grizzly bear. Image by Simon Hurry via Pexels.

A symbol of the wilderness, grizzly bears roam the park, foraging for food ranging from berries to small mammals.

 
Black Bear

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

Black bears, smaller than grizzlies, are also residents of the park. They eat fruits, nuts, and insects.


Gray Wolf

Gray Wolf
Gray Wolf. By Malene Thyssen – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=1743310

Reintroduced to the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, wolves can occasionally be seen in the park, often in packs.


Bald Eagle

Bald Eagle
Description A bald eagle on Seedskadee NWR lands with a cottontail it has just caught. Photo: Tom Koerner/USFWS. Source: WIkimedia

America’s national bird, bald eagles, can be spotted soaring over water bodies in the park, hunting for fish.

 
Trumpeter Swan

Trumpeter swan swimming on a pond. Image via depositphotos.

The largest native waterfowl in North America, trumpeter swans, are elegant and can be found in the park’s rivers and lakes.


Pronghorn

Pronghorn Antelope, Cabin Lake Road, Fort Rock, Oregon
Pronghorn Antelope, Cabin Lake Road, Fort Rock, Oregon Image by Alan D. Wilson, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=996377, Wikimedia commons

Known for their incredible speed, pronghorns are often seen in the open valleys of the park.

 
Mountain Lion

Mountain lion in Glacier National Park. National Park Service, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Mountain lion in Glacier National Park. National Park Service, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

These elusive predators are at the top of the food chain in Grand Teton, preying on deer and other mammals.


American Beaver

North American beaver
North American beaver (Castor canadensis), also known as the Canadian beaver. Image by wrangler via depositphotos.com

Beavers play a crucial role in the park’s ecosystem, building dams that create wetlands for other species.


Osprey

Osprey with a fish in its claws.
Osprey with a fish in its claws. By rob Stoeltje from loenen, netherlands – DSC03883, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=83196742

Often seen near water, ospreys are fish-eating birds of prey with impressive diving skills.


Coyote

Coyote
Coyote Image by karlumbriaco.hotmail.com via Depositphotos

Coyotes are adaptable and intelligent, and they are widespread in the park, thriving in both open areas and forests.

 
River Otter

River otter. Image via depositphotos.

River otters, which are playful and agile, can be observed in the park’s rivers and streams, often sliding down riverbanks.


Mule Deer

Mule deer, are among the most readily seen mammals on the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park.
Mule deer, are among the most readily seen mammals on the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park. By Grand Canyon National Park – Grand Canyon National Park: Mule Deer 0891, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=89301388

With their large ears and graceful demeanor, mule deer are common in the park’s forests and meadows.


Pika

Pika
A Pika sitting on a rock. Image by Derek Ryder via Unsplash

These small, mountain-dwelling mammals are often heard before they’re seen, and their distinctive call echoes in rocky areas.


Red Fox

red fox
Red foxes’ forepaws have five toes, while their hind feet only have four! Image by Erik Mclean via Unsplash

With their striking red fur, red foxes are versatile hunters. They feed on rodents, birds, and even fruits.


Golden Eagle

Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) flying. Image via Depositphotos

Majestic in flight, golden eagles are powerful birds of prey that inhabit the park’s more rugged terrains.


Sandhill Crane

Sandhill Crane, Color image, Closeup. Image via depositphotos.

Sandhill cranes, known for their large size and haunting calls, are a sight to behold in the park’s wetlands.


Great Grey Owl

Grey Owl
Grey Owl. By NasserHalaweh – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=105345659

The most giant owl by length in North America, the great grey owl can sometimes be spotted in the park’s forested areas.


Yellow-bellied Marmot

Yellow-bellied Marmot
Yellow-bellied Marmot. By twildlife via deposit images

These large ground squirrels often sunned on rocks, especially in higher elevations.

Conclusion

Grand Teton Naional Park. Image via depositphotos.

Each of these animals plays a vital role in their respective habitats and contribute to the national park’s ecosystem. I hope you enjoyed reading about the animals that call Grand Teton National Park home. To read more like this, check out the articles below:

Latest posts by Alana Theron, BSc in Biodiversity and Ecology (see all)