Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
ANIMALS
Large Mammals
Yellowstone National Park alone harbors 60 resident mammal species, including seven nat-
ive species of ungulates (hoofed mammals). Much of the wildlife mentioned below also
ranges beyond the parks' boundaries into surrounding areas.
Bears
The black bear roams montane and subalpine forests throughout Greater Yellowstone, hi-
bernating in a den over winter. It's an adaptable, primarily vegetarian forager that sporadic-
ally hunts smaller animals. Although they are generally more tolerant of humans and less
aggressive than grizzlies, black bears should always be respected.
In 2009 the grizzly returned to the endangered species list. The grizzly bear once ranged
across the western US. Today its population in the Lower 48 has been reduced to less than
1200, with 600 grizzlies inhabiting the Greater Yellowstone region.
Male grizzlies reach up to 8ft in length (from
nose to tail) and 3.5ft in height at the shoulder
(when on all fours) and can weigh more than
700lb at maturity. If you find some bear tracks,
you might notice that the toe pads of a black
bear are widely spaced and form a strong arc,
while grizzly bear tracks show closely spaced
toes in a fairly straight line, along with impressions from their very long claws. About half
of black bears are black in color; the anomalies are brown or cinnamon. Black bears are
somewhat smaller than grizzlies and have more tapered muzzles, larger ears and smaller
claws.
Omnivorous opportunists and notorious berry eaters, grizzlies have an amazing sense of
smell - acute enough to detect food miles away. Their wide range of food sources varies
seasonally. After bears emerge from hibernation between early March and late May, they
feed mostly on roots and winter-killed carrion, turning to elk calves and then spawning cut-
throat trout in late June. A feast of army cutworm moths lures bears to higher elevations in
early September. Fall signals the buildup to hibernation, and consumption of whitebark
nuts and the raiding of squirrels' pinecone stashes becomes an obsession. Before hiberna-
tion, bears can eat up to 100,000 berries in a single day. Scientists are concerned that fall-
ing levels of cutthroat trout in Yellowstone Lake and the spread of blister rust fungus,
Pronghorn undertake the longest migration in the
Lower 48. Since 2007 Grand Teton National Park
has been part of a dedicated migratory pathway
called Yellowstone to Yukon (
www.y2y.net
)
.
