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Incredible American Animals Lurking in the US National Parks

The US has many incredible National Parks filled with nature’s beauty and amazing animals! Let’s have a look at some spectacular animals that call these US National Parks home. 

1. American Bison

Bison and its herd
American Bison forming a large group during breeding season. Image Via Depositphotos

The American Bison is the largest land mammal found in North America. These impressive creatures have been a significant part of American history and culture for many years!

2. Grizzly Bears

A portrait of a wild grizzly bear.
A portrait of a wild grizzly bear. By Jean Beaufort. Image via https://www.publicdomainpictures.net/en/view-image.php?image=300112&picture=grizzly-bear, CC0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=82893998

Grizzly Bears are powerful predators – huge, strong, and hungry! 

3. Gray Wolf

Gray wolf suddenly stopped.
Gray wolf suddenly stopped. Image by bazil via Depositphotos

The magnificent Gray Wolf is an apex predator that plays an important role in the ecosystem. These beautiful creatures have been reintroduced into the Yellowstone National Park where they thrive today. 

4. Bald Eagle

Bald Eagle
Close up shot of United States iconic bird facing camera with wings spread in flight. Image via Depositphotos

The Bald Eagle hardly needs an introduction! They are both the national animal and symbol of the US and can be identified by their white heads and tails. 

5. California Condor

Californian Condor. Image via Depositphotos.

The California Condor can be seen in the Grand Canyon National Park. These birds are the largest flying birds in North America and are unfortunately listed as Critically Endangered by the IUCN Red List.

6. Mountain Lion

mountain lion on grass
A mountain lion. Image via Depositphotos.

The Moutain Lion goes by many names, including Puma and Cougar. These beautiful big cats are elusive and have the strength to drag prey twice their size!

7. American Alligator

Alligator
American Alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) photographed in Chambers Co., Texas, USA. Image via Wilafa, CC BY-SA 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The American Alligator is a key species in freshwater ecosystems. These large reptilian predators grow to over 12 feet in length. 

8. Manatee

Manatee
Image by somdul via Depositphotos

Manatees are also called sea cows. These gentle marine mammals eat mostly a herbivorous diet and can hold their breath for 20 minutes!

9. Peregrine Falcon

Peregrine Falcon soaring in the sky. Image by Ian Tuck on Unsplash.

The soaring Peregrine Falcon is the fastest bird in the world! They can fly at speeds of 240 mph, while making it look easy! 

10. Elk

Elk. Image via Depositphotos.

Elk are the largest deer species found in the USA. And even though they weigh about 700 pounds they can still run at speeds of 40 mph! 

11. Sea Otter

Sea Otter (Enhydra lutris) Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada.
Sea Otter (Enhydra lutris) Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada. Image by FrankFF via Depositphotos

Sea Otters are known for their playful nature. These marine animals eat 25% of their body weight in food each day!

12. North American River Otter

North American River Otter
North American river otter (Lontra canadensis), also known as the northern river otter or the common otter. Image via Depositphotos

The North American River Otter is a playful and social species. These marine mammals can be seen in the Yellowstone National Park. 

13. Red Fox

Red fox in ice
Red fox standing in snow. Image via Joanne Redwood, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

The cunning Red Fox is a highly adaptable and widespread animal. With their incredible hearing, these animals can hear rodents digging miles away! A clever animal found in the US National Parks.

14. Great Blue Heron

great blue heron
A great blue heron takes flight. Image by Joshua J. Cotten via Unsplash

The tall and majestic Great Blue Heron is often seen elegantly hunting in shallow waters. These birds have a blue-grey plumage that they often comb with their claws. 

15. Black Bear

Black bear
American black bear in Labrador, Canada. Image via Cephas, CC BY-SA 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The medium-sized Black Bear is often seen looking for food to feed them. They are versatile omnivores and their diet varies greatly from season to season and location to location. 

16. Bighorn Sheep

Bighorn sheep
This Bighorn was seen just below the summit of Mt. Wheeler in New Mexico. Image via Jwanamaker, CC BY-SA 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Bighorn sheep are recognized by their large and curved horns. These sheep show incredible agility by easily maneuvering the rocky and mountainous terrains they live in. 

17. American Beaver

Beaver
American beaver sitting with tail between its legs. Steve from washington, dc, usa, CC BY-SA 2.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0, via Wikimedia CommonsImage via

The American Beaver is known as nature’s engineer! These animals easily build solid dams and lodges, which greatly contribute to the ecosystems in the waters. 

18. Pronghorn

Pronghorns
Pronghorn. Image by Brett Sayles via Pexels.

The Pronghorn is the fastest land mammal in the USA, reaching up to 55mph!

19. Roosevelt Elk

elk at night
Roosevelt Elk. Image via Depositphotos.

Roosevelt Elk is the largest of the four elk subspecies in the US. And the largest herd of this species can be found in the Olympic National Park. 

20. Moose

Alaska moose
A bull moose in South Fork Eagle River, Alaska. Image via Paxson Woelber, CC BY-SA 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Moose are known for their large antlers. But they are also the largest, heaviest, and tallest deer species in the world! 

21. Loggerhead Sea Turtle

Long head sea turtle
Image captured of a long head sea turtle. Image via James St. John, CC BY 2.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Loggerhead Sea Turtles are large sea animals known for their impressive long-distance migrations. Making them an impressive addition to our list of animals in US National Parks.

22. American Black Vulture

American black vulture on Trinidad pitch lake. The black vulture (Coragyps atratus) is a large bird of prey. The Pitch Lake (La Brea, Trinidad) is the largest natural deposit of asphalt in the world. Image via Depositphotos.

The large American Black Vulture is a successful scavenger with extremely strong acids in their stomachs to help decompose rotten flesh. 

23. Wolverine

Wolverine
Wolverine. Image via Zefram, CC BY-SA 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/, via Wikimedia Commons

No, not that Wolverine! These muscular and carnivorous mammals are fierce predators and are the largest weasels on the planet! A very cool addition to our list of animals in US National Parks.

24. Northern Elephant Seal

Northern Elephant Seal. Grendelkhan, CC BY-SA 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Northern Elephant Seal. Grendelkhan, CC BY-SA 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The large Northern Elephant Seal male uses his large proboscis to produce loud sounds to attract a mate during the breeding season.

25. Spotted Owl

A Spotted Owl flies down to catch a mouse.
A Spotted Owl flies down to catch a mouse. By Mount Rainier National Park from Ashford, WA, United States – Female Spotted Owl, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=46863014

The Spotted Owl feeds on small mammals and birds. This true owl species nest in tree hallows between 40 and 200 feet high!

Last Say On Animals In US National Parks

Eagle and Bison with US Flag, Illustration by Chris Weber with DallE
Eagle and Bison with US Flag, Illustration by Chris Weber with Dalle

From the infamous Bison to the Moose and every animal in between, this list is filled with spectacular animals! Let us know in the comments which is your favorite – we would love to know.

Next in Animal News

bald eagle
Bald eagle. Image via Depositphotos