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Meet The 10 Most Popular Animals Of Colorado

Golden Eagle
Golden Eagle in Valencia Birding Photography Hides. Image by Mark van Jaarsveld via Unsplash

Ever wondered what the most popular animals are in all of Colorado? Now is your time to have the answer revealed. I have been pretty curious myself. So let’s jump right in together!

#1 Rocky Mountain Elk (Cervus canadensis)

Rocky Mountain Elk
Rocky Mountain Elk. Image by Byron Johnson via Unsplash

The Rocky Mountain Elk is an iconic species in Colorado, known for its large antlers and majestic presence in the state’s forests, mountains, and grasslands.

#2 Mule Deer (Odocoileus hemionus)

Mule Deer. Image via Depositphotos

Mule Deer are common in Colorado and can be found in a variety of habitats, including mountain forests, foothills, and sagebrush plains.

#3 Black Bear (Ursus americanus)

Black Bear in Dense Folliage. Image by Pete Nuij on Unsplash

Black Bears are widespread in Colorado’s forests, particularly in the Rocky Mountains, where they forage for berries, nuts, insects, and other food sources.

#4 Mountain Lion (Puma concolor)

mountain lion inside apartment complex
#1 most Googled animal in California. Image by Bruce Jastrow via Unsplash

Mountain Lions, also known as cougars or pumas, inhabit Colorado’s mountainous regions, where they are top predators, preying on deer, elk, and other wildlife.

#5 Bighorn Sheep (Ovis canadensis)

Bighorn Sheep. Image via Depositphotos

Bighorn Sheep are native to Colorado’s mountains, where they navigate steep cliffs and rocky terrain with ease, often seen grazing on grasses and shrubs.

#6 Coyote (Canis latrans)

Coyote on the roadside in desert area. Image via Depositphotos

Coyotes are adaptable predators found throughout Colorado, from urban areas to rural landscapes, where they hunt small mammals, birds, and scavenged carrion.

#7 American Bison (Bison bison)

Bison
Despite their massive size, bison can run at speeds of up to 35 miles per hour. Image via Flickr

While not as abundant as they once were, American Bison can still be found in Colorado, particularly in protected areas like national parks and wildlife refuges.

#8 Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos)

Golden Eagle
Close up of the intense eyes of a Golden Eagle. Image by Craig Hughes via Unsplash

Golden Eagles are majestic raptors that inhabit Colorado’s open landscapes, where they soar high above mountains and valleys in search of prey.

#9 Cutthroat Trout (Oncorhynchus clarkii)

cutthroat trout
Cutthroat Trout. Image via Pexels

Cutthroat Trout are native to Colorado’s cold, clear mountain streams and lakes, prized by anglers for their beauty and sport.

#10 Prairie Dog (Cynomys spp.)

Prairie dogs in America
Prairie dogs in America. By Linda Tanner – Flickr: Ground Hogs in Tucson, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=30188935, via Wikimedia Commons.

Prairie Dogs are common in Colorado’s grasslands and prairies, where they live in large underground colonies and play a vital role in the ecosystem as a prey species and habitat engineer.

Golden Eagle
Golden Eagle photograghed in Moscow. Image by Dmitry Grigoriev via Unsplash

In conclusion, these are the most googled animals in Colorado. Furthermore, I have never heard of a Gila Monster before, it would be an incredible sighting! I think I may need to visit Colorado soon to see one for myself! If you think there should’ve been another more googled animal in the top 10, please feel free to let us know in the comments. Can’t wait to hear from you!

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