Native Wildlife in Colorado: A Complete Guide. Colorado is a land of plenty, offering seven different ecosystems ranging from grasslands to desert that give incredible variety. With nearly 750 invertebrate species calling the state home, there’s not shortage of native wildlife. Bison and bighorn sheep, as well as predators like mountain lions and bears are just a few of the fascinating creatures who call Colorado home.
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The Official Animal of Colorado
The Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep is not just the official animal of Colorado, it’s also the national animal of the United States. Sadly, these fascinating creatures are endangered because hunters were attracted to their woolly coats and delicious meat. The lark bunting is a migratory bird found throughout much of Colorado in April until September. They call both plains and elevations home.
Where To Find The Top Wild Animals in Colorado
Colorado is a pretty special place! The state parks in Denver offer some great opportunities to spot wildlife. State Forest State Park is known as the place where moose make their home, and they’re common all around the park. Colorado also has plenty of other animals you can spot, including deer, beavers, black bears, coyotes, and even bald eagles. South Platte River Trail during winter will give you the best chance for a sighting of bald eagles, but it’s also an awesome place for bird watching all year long
Wild Animals in Colorado
Colorado is home to a large variety of wildlife, including the bighorn sheep, elk, bison, and moose. Major predators in these ecosystems include the mountain lion, black bear and foxes. Small creatures constitute some of the most critical wildlife in various Colorado ecosystems. Prairie dogs are considered a keystone species because they dig tunnels that attract tons of other animals such as the beaver and other smaller birds that are not even native to Colorado.
In Colorado, the wildlife found in the largest park is similar to that of other states. The most notable species are the bighorn sheep, elk, bison and moose. Foxes and mountain lions are also found across Colorado. Small creatures also play a key role in many ecosystems. Prairie dogs serve as one of the keystone species; they produce burrows where 150 different animals live, and their presence provides key nutrients and habitat for other plants and animals. Beavers play an important role too — they release two critical chemicals into their rivers that help sustain plant life and give rivers a balance.
The Most Dangerous Animals In Colorado Today
One of the most common sights in the mountains are mountain goats. They’re not predators, but they’ve been known to gore hikers with their horns when they feel threatened. Black bears are also aggressive if they feel like their cubs are being threatened, so be careful if you plan on hiking through a black bear’s territory. Mountain lions also live in Colorado and can be seen often; although there were only 25 attacks between 2000 and 2021, you might encounter one on a day hike.
Hikers in Colorado are likely to see many types of predators — and with more than 250,000 visitors coming to the state each year, there’s a good chance that some will lose their lives to them. Whether it’s a lion, tiger or black bear that kills you, chances are you aren’t encountering one of these predators on a hiking trail very often. {Mountain goats, while not predators themselves, have been seen attacking hikers with their horns}
Endangered Animals In Colorado
Coloradans have many opportunities to see and enjoy endangered species. One such species is the black-footed ferret. The only federally endangered mammal, they rely on prairie dogs for both housing and food. More recently, other rare native creatures have been found in the state, including a wolverine or perhaps as many as 100 of these carnivorous creatures that are likely still in Colorado but haven’t yet been seen.
Colorado is home to a diverse range of endangered species–such as the black-footed ferret and bison. They once were placed on the endangered species list but are now doing well thanks to conservation efforts. Some of the notable endangered wildlife include: Black-footed ferret – The only federally endangered mammal in Colorado, they rely on prairie dogs for both housing and food. Wolverine – It’s strange to see a wolverine in Colorado, and there’s even talk about them being made extinct here. One of the rarest native species, it’s believed that around 100 might still be living in the state unnoticed.
