Animals

desert bighorn sheep sticks out its tongue
Desert bighorn sheep are commonly seen along Rim Rock Drive, so travel carefully!

NPS Photo / VIP C DeKalb

Mammals

Colorado National Monument's varied terrain attracts many animals to live, nest, or hunt within its boundaries. Among mammals, the mule deer are the largest commonly sighted by visitors. However, coyotes, mountain lions, and desert bighorn sheep are also occasionally seen. Smaller mammals, like grey foxes, desert cottontails, rock squirrels, and Hopi chipmunks, are often seen scampering off the sides of the Rim Rock Drive or hiking trails.

 
bright blue collared lizard lays on rock
Collared lizards come in several color palettes

NPS Photo / VIP C DeKalb

Reptiles

Reptiles are generally seen in the monument from early March to late October. They are most visible in May and June, and are active on warm, sunny days and mild evenings. Watch for collared lizards or the plateau striped whiptail, especially during late morning or late afternoon hours; they are often seen sunning themselves on the warm rocks. Snakes do exist in the monument, but only one, the rarely seen midget-faded rattlesnake, is venomous.
 
greenish hummingbird sits on sticks
From tiny hummingbirds to enormous golden eagles, birds of all shapes and sizes find homes in the monument.

NPS Photo / VIP C DeKalb

Birds

The towering canyon walls of the monument are a perfect place for raptors and songbirds to raise their young. Golden eagles, red-tailed hawks, and turkey vultures often soar aloft on the air currents; Gambel's quail and their clutch scurry across the trails; and the calls of the mourning dove and the canyon wren echo in the canyons. The various overlooks are excellent places to watch the acrobatics of the white-throated swift and violet-green swallow just below the rim. Bright blue pinyon jays are a common and colorful sight throughout the monument.

 
long salamander with black and greenish splotches lays on cracked mud
A tiger salamander, the monument's only salamander species

NPS Photo / VIP C DeKalb

Amphibians

Following summer thunderstorms, listen for calls of frogs or toads in the canyons. Several species of amphibians thrive in the monument’s semiarid environment. Their ability to burrow underground and remain dormant for brief or extended periods of time gives them a high tolerance to temperature extremes and drought. Following heavy rains, several species, like the red-spotted toad or the canyon tree frog, surface to take advantage of seasonal water sources. As most species are primarily nocturnal and well camouflaged, they are rarely seen, but if you listen, you may hear them calling late in the evening.

 
bird-like moth feeds from white flowering shrub
White-lined Sphynx Moth feeding on Cliff Fendlerbush

NPS Photo / M Rourke

Insects & Other Arthropods

Not all insects are bugs, but all bugs are insects! Check out eight orders of common insects you might find in the monument, plus important non-insects like spiders, scorpions, centipedes, and millipedes.

Last updated: February 3, 2025

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Contact Info

Mailing Address:

1750 Rim Rock Drive
Fruita, CO 81521

Phone:

970 858-2800

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