Skip to Content

21 Animals That Call The Rocky Mountains Home

Rocky National Park boasts its wildlife, each playing a distinctive role in the different ecosystems found here. Let’s find out which animals call the Rockies home.

Rocky Mountain Elk

Rocky Mountain Elk
Elk (Cervus canadensis) are highly adaptable animals. Image by Byron Johnson via Unsplash

These majestic creatures are among the Rockies’ most iconic symbols. They can be spotted throughout the park, especially in meadows and open forests.

Bighorn Sheep

Portrait of cute fluffy little Bighorn ram with little horns
Portrait of cute fluffy little Bighorn ram with little horns in the blue lake background in early spring. Image via depositphotos.

Known for their impressive curved horns, bighorn sheep are often seen scaling cliffs and rocky terrain in the park.

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

Although not as common as some other species, moose can still be found in the wetter, more marshy areas of Rocky Mountain National Park.

Black Bear

Wild Black bear and cub. Image via despoitphotos.

This elusive species is North America’s smallest and most widely distributed bear. They inhabit forests and can occasionally be spotted foraging for food.

Mountain Lion

mountain lion
Image of a Cougar via pexels.com

Also known as cougars or pumas, these solitary predators roam the park’s mountains and forests, preying on deer and other small mammals.

Mule Deer

Mule deer. Image via depositphotos.

Mule deer, easily recognizable by their large ears, are a common sight in the park, particularly in lower elevation areas.

American Pika

An American Pika. Image by Shawn.ccf via deposit images.

These small, rabbit-like mammals inhabit rocky alpine areas and are known for their distinctive “haystacks” of vegetation.

Golden-mantled Ground Squirrel

 Golden-mantled Ground Squirrel. Image via depositphotos.

Often mistaken for chipmunks, these ground squirrels are characterized by their golden stripes and can be found in forested and rocky areas.

Rocky Mountain Goat

Rocky Mountain Goat. Image via depositphotos.

With their shaggy white coats and impressive climbing abilities, these goats are well adapted to the steep terrain of the Rockies.

Red Fox

Red fox
Eastern American Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes ssp. fulvus) observed in Algonquin Provincial Park. Image by Joanne Redwood – This file was derived from: Vulpes vulpes ssp fulvus 26568101.jpg, CC0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=106804964, via Wikimedia Commons

These cunning predators are often seen in the park’s meadows and forests, hunting small mammals and scavenging for food.

Yellow-bellied Marmot

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

Commonly spotted sunning themselves on rocks, these large ground squirrels are found in alpine meadows and rocky slopes.

Coyote

Coyote
Coyote on the roadside in desert area. Image via depositphotos.

Highly adaptable and often seen at dawn or dusk, coyotes can be found throughout the park, hunting rodents and other small prey.

Bobcat

Two bobcats sitting in forest
Two bobcats sitting in forest. Image by Miller_Eszter via Pixabay

Although elusive and rarely seen, bobcats inhabit the park’s forests and are skilled hunters of rabbits and rodents.

Clark’s Nutcracker

Clark’s Nutcracker. Image via depositphotos.

This bird plays a crucial role in the park’s ecosystem by dispersing seeds of pine trees, particularly the whitebark pine.

Mountain Bluebird

Mountain Bluebird. Image via depositphotos.

With its striking blue plumage, this bird is commonly seen flitting through meadows and open park areas.

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

Found along fast-flowing mountain streams, the American Dipper is known for its unique habit of diving underwater to forage for food.

Pine Siskin

Pine Siskin. Image via depositphotos.

These small finches are often found in coniferous forests, where they feed on seeds and conifer cones.

Abert’s Squirrel

Abert’s Squirrel. Image by Alejandro Gómez Nísino, CC BY-SA 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Endemic to the Rocky Mountains, these squirrels are known for their tufted ears and can be found in ponderosa pine forests.

Northern Goshawk

Northern Goshawk. Image via depositphotos.

A powerful bird of prey, the Northern Goshawk hunts in the park’s forests, preying on birds and small mammals.

Western Tanager

pretty western tanager sitting on a tree branch
Pretty western tanager sitting on a tree branch. Image by graphicphoto via depositphotos

With its vibrant red and yellow plumage, the Western Tanager is a common sight in the park’s aspen groves and mixed forests.

Harlequin Duck

duck, animals in nova scotia
Harlequin ducks. Image via pexels

These striking ducks are often seen in fast-flowing mountain streams and rivers, where they feed on aquatic insects and small fish.

Conclusion

Snowy landscape with rocks and mountains at autumn with cloudy sky. Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado, USA. Image via depositphotos.

Each of these animals plays a vital role in their habitats in the Rockies. I hope you enjoyed reading about the animals that call the Rocky Mountains home. To read more like this, check out the articles below:

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