Wild Animals Of Yellowstone National Park - free ebook by Harold J. Brodrick

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Wild Animals Of Yellowstone National Park

Harold J. Brodrick

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WILD ANIMALS OF YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK

WILD ANIMALS OF YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK

A presentation of general information on many of the mammals most commonly seen in Yellowstone, illustrated with drawings of many of the species described. by Harold J. Brodrick Yellowstone Interpretive Series Number 1 YELLOWSTONE LIBRARY AND MUSEUM ASSOC. Yellowstone National Park Yellowstone Park, Wyoming 1954 Reprinted March 1959 Reprinted March 1959 This booklet is published by the Yellowstone Library and Museum Association, a non-profit organization whose purpose is the stimulation of inter

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PURPOSE

PURPOSE

Visitors to Yellowstone have for many years found the larger mammals of the region of unusual interest. The demand for some printed information in general terms and at a reasonable cost have prompted the preparation of this handbook. The aim of this publication is to provide those interested with a few facts about the more commonly seen mammals of Yellowstone. People want to be better informed on the variety of animals found here; this handbook should be helpful. It is hoped that the statements

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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The assistance of Dr. C. Max Bauer, Chief, Geology Branch (retired), National Park Service and of Chief Park Naturalist David de L. Condon in making criticisms and suggestions on the material presented here is acknowledged. The cooperation of the Yellowstone Library and Museum Association in publishing the book is appreciated and I wish to thank Yellowstone National Park for the use of copies of original paintings by E. J. Sawyer for some of the illustrations. I also wish to acknowledge the aid

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NOTES

NOTES

The scientific names used were taken from A FIELD GUIDE TO THE MAMMALS by Burt and Grossenheider, and where subspecific names are used, they were checked in the Journal of Mammalogy for current usage. The authorities for each name are omitted here as not having any particular interest to the non-professional. Those study specimens available in the Yellowstone Museums were used as reference material. The title “Wild Animals of Yellowstone National Park” is used, even though this book treats only

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EDITOR’S NOTE

EDITOR’S NOTE

This second edition of WILD ANIMALS OF YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK has been revised by the Naturalist Staff at Yellowstone. The revisions consist mainly of a revision to the scientific names of the animals to bring them into conformance with more recent scientific nomenclature, and also to bring some of the text material into conformance with preferred American usage. These additions, corrections and deletions have been made in accordance with either the United States Government Printing Office St

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INTRODUCTION

INTRODUCTION

Yellowstone National Park was established on March 1, 1872 by an act passed by the Congress of the United States of America. It is a mountainous area mostly in the northwestern corner of Wyoming, with small sections extending into Montana and Idaho. The area set aside as a National Park is 3,471.51 square miles. It provides within its boundaries environmental conditions which make it possible for many of the mammals representative of the Rocky Mountains to carry out their complete life cycle wit

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PRONGHORN Antilocapra americana

PRONGHORN Antilocapra americana

The Pronghorn or American Antelope was almost as well known as the buffalo to the early settlers of the West. In fact it has been estimated, by some, to have been present in nearly as large numbers as the buffalo but never to have concentrated in such large herds. It once ranged the territory from eastern Kansas, western Iowa and Minnesota westward to the valleys of California and northern Mexico northward to southern Saskatchewan and Alberta. It is a typical animal of the plains and open rollin

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BISON (BUFFALO) Bison bison

BISON (BUFFALO) Bison bison

The Yellowstone Park Bison or Buffalo is one of the remnant groups of the former millions that once roamed over the country between the Atlantic Ocean and the Rocky Mountains. Gradually pushed backward or killed by the advancing line of the settlements they were finally confined to the plains areas west of the Mississippi, where, in the period shortly before and after the Civil War, great numbers were slaughtered yearly until the seemingly countless herds were thoughtlessly reduced to a straggli

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WAPITI (ELK) Cervus canadensis

WAPITI (ELK) Cervus canadensis

The American Elk or Wapiti is, with the exception of the moose, the largest member of the deer family in North America. Once widely distributed over much of North America it has now been eliminated from most of its former range until now the Yellowstone region has the largest number of wapiti to be found in the world. There are smaller numbers in scattered places in the Rocky Mountains from northern New Mexico to Montana, Idaho, Washington and Manitoba, with small introduced herds in other place

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MOOSE Alces americana shirasi

MOOSE Alces americana shirasi

The Moose is the largest of our North American deer. The Shiras Moose which is found in Yellowstone and surrounding areas is slightly smaller than the typical American moose, which is found in the northern states east of the Rockies and north to the Arctic. In Europe the moose found there is commonly called elk. This has of course resulted in some confusion between it and our animal known as the elk. The large, ungainly and grotesque appearing moose is very unlike the graceful deer. The ugly fac

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MULE DEER Odocoileus hemionus

MULE DEER Odocoileus hemionus

The Rocky Mountain Mule Deer, or Blacktail Deer, is a popular animal in the park. The Whitetail deer also was sometimes found in the lower elevations in earlier times but has not been seen in the park for some years. The mule deer gets its name from the family characteristic of the very large mule-like ears. Rocky Mountain Mule Deer Mule deer are generally distributed over most of the park during the summer but do not tend to go above timberline as much as do the elk. In the winter they drift do

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BIGHORN Ovis canadensis

BIGHORN Ovis canadensis

An interesting inhabitant of the roughest, rockiest mountain country as well as the high arctic alpine meadows is the Bighorn or Rocky Mountain Sheep. The sure-footedness with which they will dash, in full flight, up or down seemingly impossible slopes is truly amazing. Negotiating with ease places that the most skillful mountaineer, with all his climbing equipment, can scale only by slow and laborious means. Even the picturesque ram with his great recurved horns can leap from point to point wit

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BLACK BEAR Ursus americanus

BLACK BEAR Ursus americanus

The question most frequently asked by the park visitor is, “Where can I see a bear?” For this natural born clown of the woods is probably our best known park animal. The black bear is smart and quickly adapts himself to a life of comparative ease. Why rustle for a living when a few antics and a little begging about the camps or along the roadside will produce a nice array of scraps or sweets, thinks he. That is when the trouble starts for both bear and visitor. For Mr. Bear, regardless of how fr

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GRIZZLY BEAR Ursus horribilis ssp.

GRIZZLY BEAR Ursus horribilis ssp.

There are probably more Grizzlies in Yellowstone Park now than in any other area of the United States. Elsewhere they have been reduced by extensive hunting. Members of this genus are the largest and most formidable of the carnivorous animals of North America. The variety found in the park is probably surpassed in size only by the Giant Brown Bear of Alaska and the White Bear of the Arctic seas. Grizzly Bear Fortunately the Yellowstone grizzly is inclined to mind his own business and is not addi

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COUGAR Felis concolor

COUGAR Felis concolor

Mountain Lion, Panther, Puma or Painter are other names applied to this, the largest of our North American unspotted cats. In spite of blood-tingling tales to the contrary, under normal conditions the cougar is a harmless animal as far as man is concerned. For unless wounded or cornered it is extremely shy and is one of the most difficult of wild animals to see under normal circumstances. Physically it is quite capable of killing an unarmed person but generally its inclinations are to very caref

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COYOTE Canis latrans

COYOTE Canis latrans

The “little wolf” was a common sight on the western prairies in earlier times, his nightly serenade ringing out from the summits of the buttes through which the lonely trails wound. In spite of the persecution by man the coyote is just as common, even now, in many parts of his range, and even in the more settled farming areas his intelligence and wily ways have enabled him to continue a precarious existence. Coyotes are not only accused of making serious depredations on game animals but on domes

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GRAY WOLF Canis lupus

GRAY WOLF Canis lupus

To many weary emigrants crouched beside their campfires along the rutted wagon trails which lead onward into the west and to many lonely homesteaders sitting in their cabins on a wintry night the eerie sound of the long deep howl of the Gray Wolf, drifting along on the night wind, gave a feeling of foreboding and a threat of the sinister. Actually the wolf’s howl is very much like that of a large dog and the wild setting is required to give the feeling that it imparts to the listeners. This anim

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GOLDEN-MANTLED MARMOT Marmota flaviventris nosophora

GOLDEN-MANTLED MARMOT Marmota flaviventris nosophora

The Golden-mantled Marmot is one of the familiar animals of Yellowstone. Known to many people as a woodchuck or groundhog, the Yellowstone representatives never worry about whether they will see their shadow on the proverbial groundhog day. They remain snug in their beds for they know that they don’t want to come out for another six weeks or more anyhow. In fact, they spend over half of their life sleeping, for they hibernate from about the first of September until early April. The summer months

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MONTANA MANTLED GROUND SQUIRREL Citellus lateralis cinerascens

MONTANA MANTLED GROUND SQUIRREL Citellus lateralis cinerascens

This Ground Squirrel is frequently mistaken for a chipmunk although quite a bit larger in size. This mistaken identity is chiefly due to the stripes on the side of the back. It must be remembered, however, that the real chipmunk has stripes on the face also which this ground squirrel does not have. They do look and behave much like big chipmunks, especially resembling the chipmunk of the eastern states. The Mantled Ground Squirrel seldom climbs much above the ground and lives in burrows or crevi

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UINTA GROUND SQUIRREL Citellus armatus

UINTA GROUND SQUIRREL Citellus armatus

This Ground Squirrel, commonly called Picket-pin, is abundant throughout most of the open, grassy valleys of the park. It comes into lawns and frequently lives under nearby buildings. The picket-pin is extremely curious and the sight of any strange object or movement immediately has him standing rigidly on tip-toe to examine whatever attracted his attention. This position he assumes does so resemble the appearance of a pin to which some horse was previously tethered that the reason for the origi

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CHIPMUNK Eutamias sp.

CHIPMUNK Eutamias sp.

One of the most active and interesting of the smaller animals of the park. This genus is represented in the park by three species. Chipmunk Chipmunks are chiefly terrestrial in habit although they can and do frequently climb into low trees and bushes. The different species of Western Chipmunks vary greatly in their preferred habitat from sagebrush flats to heavily wooded areas. Each type of environment has its distinct type of chipmunk. The color patterns of the chipmunks vary, each type having

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PINE SQUIRREL Wind River Mountains Red Squirrel, or Chickaree Tamiasciurus hudsonicus ventorum

PINE SQUIRREL Wind River Mountains Red Squirrel, or Chickaree Tamiasciurus hudsonicus ventorum

These little animals are abundant throughout the forested sections of the park. Lively and noisy, they immediately give voice to a tirade of scolding and chattering at the approach of an outsider to their domain. Pine Squirrel Friendly by nature they become quite tame wherever the park visitors are found, especially such areas as provide an opportunity to pick up chance bits of food. Alert and inquisitive they pry into anything that attracts their attention. This squirrel has been frequently acc

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Beaver Castor canadensis missouriensis

Beaver Castor canadensis missouriensis

The quest for the fur of this little wilderness engineer did more to bring about the exploration of the west than any other one factor. The first daring explorers were continually pushing ever forward into the unknown regions searching for the wealth of furs and establishing the fur trade with the Indians. Thus, the first white man known to have entered the region later known as Yellowstone Park was John Colter, the representative of a fur trader. These activities greatly depleted the beaver pop

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OTTER Lutra canadensis

OTTER Lutra canadensis

This large member of the weasel family can outswim some fish. His lithe shape and short powerful legs with broad webbed feet make him an expert and his graceful maneuvers in the water are very interesting to see. The principal item of the Otter’s diet is fish which are supplemented by frogs or crayfish and such young ducks, muskrats or other small mammals or birds as they may have occasion to catch. Their habitat is therefore near suitable streams, lakes or ponds. They have been known, on some o

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WESTERN MINK Mustela vison energumenos

WESTERN MINK Mustela vison energumenos

The mink is a large weasel of slightly heavier build and semi-aquatic in habit. Found widely distributed in forests or on plains but always along watercourses where it establishes its den. This may be a burrow in the bank, under logs or rocks and similar places. They are strong and graceful swimmers and are fully capable of catching trout and other fish which form a part of their diet, as well as frogs and crayfish. They also hunt on shore for muskrats, mice, rabbits, snakes, birds and similar f

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ROCKY MOUNTAIN PINE MARTEN Martes caurina origenes

ROCKY MOUNTAIN PINE MARTEN Martes caurina origenes

This little animal is close kin to the famous Russian Sable and has a valuable pelt or rich, dense fur. Expert climbers, they hunt through the woods and capture a good portion of their menu from the tree tops. Largely carnivorous the marten lives on small mammals and birds. Its main foods in Yellowstone are squirrels, chipmunks, mice, rabbits, grouse, and also some nuts, berries, fruits, insects or honey. Mink Fearless and pugnacious they frequently quarrel among themselves and do not hesitate t

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PORCUPINE Erethizon epixanthum

PORCUPINE Erethizon epixanthum

The Yellow-haired Porcupine of Yellowstone occurs all over the park. Being an unsociable sort of fellow he is usually found alone, except during the mating season or when the young are yet with their mother. He is a common animal but seldom seen. He is a heavy set, slow, clumsy animal with short legs and a waddling walk. Very stupid and short-sighted with a habit of complaining audibly to himself as he goes along. Since the porcupine is well protected by a back full of loosely fastened quills, h

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BADGER Taxidea taxus

BADGER Taxidea taxus

Many of the smaller animals, especially those of the rodent group, are known for the dens and runways that they dig, some of them becoming rather expert at this activity. Their burrowing activities, however, are undertaken primarily as a means of providing a suitable home for the animal. The Badger, however, is equipped by nature as an excavating machine. He, too, makes a burrow for use as a home but this is only a small part of his digging activities. Porcupine Badger Badgers are equipped with

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SAGEBRUSH WHITE-FOOTED MOUSE Peromyscus maniculatus artemisiae

SAGEBRUSH WHITE-FOOTED MOUSE Peromyscus maniculatus artemisiae

The White-footed Mouse, Deer Mouse, or Vesper Mouse is an interesting little animal, a member of a very large and widely distributed genus whose members are generally the most common small animal of any given region. They are clean little creatures with large bright eyes, large ears, and tails about as long as their bodies, with gray or brown upperparts and white feet and lower parts. These mice are found throughout the forests, among rocks, in meadows and open grassy places, living in burrows,

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MEADOW MOUSE OR VOLE Microtus sp.

MEADOW MOUSE OR VOLE Microtus sp.

The Meadow Mouse is one of the more common and widely distributed of our small mammals. There are many species and subspecies and some form is to be found practically anywhere in North America. These little mice prefer the open meadow country where there is plenty of grass the entire year. They may be found in the moist to semi-arid sections and anywhere from sea level to above timberline elevations. Their presence can be readily detected by the characteristic runways through the grass. The mous

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WOOD RAT Gray Bushytail Wood Rat—Neotoma cinerea Colorado Bushytail Wood Rat—Neotoma cinerea orolestes

WOOD RAT Gray Bushytail Wood Rat—Neotoma cinerea Colorado Bushytail Wood Rat—Neotoma cinerea orolestes

Pack Rat or Trade Rat is the name commonly applied to this individual, represented in the park by both of the above forms. Pest of the stations and patrol cabins because of his fondness of getting into buildings and collecting items of every description, especially those of shiny appearance. These are packed to his nest, which is located either in rock piles, cliffs or whenever possible in or around buildings. He cuts open food containers, bedding and other contents and makes a general mess. He

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ROCKY MOUNTAIN MUSKRAT Ondatra zibethica osoyoosensis

ROCKY MOUNTAIN MUSKRAT Ondatra zibethica osoyoosensis

Quiet streams or the shallow grassy margins of ponds and lakes are the home of this valuable little fur-bearing animal. More valuable than many people realize since few know that he is the Hudson Seal and other trade names of our popular fur coats. Ironically, muskrat fur is used as an excellent imitation of his greatest enemy, the mink, in the mink-dyed muskrat coats. A hardy little animal that lives much like the beaver, in bank dens with underwater entrances or in dome-shaped houses made of r

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PIKA Ochotona princeps ventorum

PIKA Ochotona princeps ventorum

This little Pika, Cony or Rock Rabbit of Yellowstone is in reality a diminutive, tailless rabbit. Common in the higher elevations wherever loose rock piles and slides offer suitable locations for his home. Timid and secretive in nature and possessing a protective coloration that makes them hard to locate in their rocky homes, the pikas are not often noticed by the majority of park visitors. The call of a pika, a squeaky bleat, has an elusive quality that confuses the hearer as to the direction i

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BLACK HILLS COTTONTAIL Sylvilagus nuttalli grangeri

BLACK HILLS COTTONTAIL Sylvilagus nuttalli grangeri

This shy and timid little rabbit leads a precarious existence in the sagebrush-covered valleys of the lower portions of the park. Its numerous enemies, especially the coyotes, foxes, bobcats, hawks and owls keep the cottontail constantly on the alert and seldom far from dense thickets or sheltering rocks. Its short legs are not a match for the speedy coyote and so artful dodging and hiding tactics must be resorted to. The mother cottontail makes a nest, lined with her own fur, in a sheltered pla

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ROCKY MOUNTAIN SNOWSHOE RABBIT Lepus americanus bairdi

ROCKY MOUNTAIN SNOWSHOE RABBIT Lepus americanus bairdi

The Varying Hare or Snowshoe Rabbit is found throughout the higher parts of the mountains, fairly common but not abundant in numbers. Provided by nature with special adaptations, this rabbit is not bothered greatly by the winter storms and snow. Very large furry hind feet act as snowshoes enabling these rabbits to scamper readily over the snow without sinking in and thus are the basis for its common name. Nature also provides these hares with a camouflage to help protect them from their enemies.

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WHITETAIL JACKRABBIT Lepus townsendi campanius

WHITETAIL JACKRABBIT Lepus townsendi campanius

This big Prairie Hare is readily distinguishable from the other jackrabbits by its all white tail. It may also be found at higher elevations than the other species of jacks. Normally frequenting the open country it has been seen in alpine meadows above timberline at 10,000 feet elevations. This species is the largest of the jackrabbits. All of the jackrabbits are known for their speed as they go bounding over the prairie, covering twelve to fifteen feet at a jump. The whitetail is the fastest an

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ADDITIONAL ANIMALS

ADDITIONAL ANIMALS

The following animals are also found in the park area: Bangs Flying Squirrel : Glaucomys sabrinus bangsi. A medium-sized squirrel, total length about 12.5 inches. Upperparts dark grayish cinnamon; underparts pinkish cinnamon. These squirrels are strictly nocturnal and for this reason it is difficult to tell how common they really are. Found only in the forested areas they nest in woodpecker holes or in hollows in the trees or possibly build a nest among branches or utilize old pine squirrel nest

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