Wildlife

Grizzly bear walking through snow with aspen trees behind.
Grizzly Bear in Snow

NPS/Adams

Wildlife is never far in Grand Teton National Park. High in the mountains, a yellow-bellied marmot whistles a warning as a golden eagle soars above. Searching for insect larvae, a black bear rips into a rotten lodgepole pine log. On the valley floor, a herd of bison graze as a coyote trots through the sagebrush, looking for a meal. Along the Snake River, an osprey dives into the water with talons extended, rising with a cutthroat trout. In a nearby meadow, a moose browses the tender buds of willows growing in this rich environment.

Animals are interconnected. They relate to and shape the environment where they survive. Some of these relationships are obvious, while others are less so. These relationships and connections cross park boundaries. Grand Teton National Park's 310,000 acres lie at the heart of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. The Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem encompasses over twenty million acres and is considered one of the few remaining, nearly intact, temperate ecosystems on Earth. The animals inhabiting Grand Teton National Park depend on this vast area for survival, residing in and migrating to different areas depending on the season.

 

Greater Yellowstone Inventory and Monitoring Network

The Greater Yellowstone Inventory and Monitoring Network (GRYN) is one of 32 NPS inventory and monitoring networks created to provide oversight, planning, and consistency in monitoring the long-term health of the nation's parks. The parks of the GRYN include Yellowstone National Park, Grand Teton National Park, John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Memorial Parkway, and Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area.

 
Bull elk preparing to bugle with head and antler raised. Standing in dried grasses near a lone tree.
The World of Mammals

Explore the world of mammals in Grand Teton.

Three tall, gray sandhill cranes walking through dry grass. Two adults behind a juvenile in front.
Bird Species

Over 300 bird species can be found in Grand Teton.

Cutthroat trout with distinctive red slash by gills swimming above cobbles.
Native Fish

Explore fish in Grand Teton.

Garter snake with yellow and black stripes and red blotches curled up on twigs.
Snakes

Did you know Grand Teton has no venomous snakes?

Salamander on a rock crawling past a spruce cone with a sprig of needles and snow.
Unusual Animals - Amphibians

Learn about amphibians in Grand Teton.

Yellow and black swallowtail butterfly that has landed on a yellow composite flower.
The Small and Mighty

Learn about the small and mighty creatures that make Grand Teton home.

Mature bald eagle with white head and dark body roosting in a dead tree with the blue sky above.
Species of Concern

Learn about species of concern in Grand Teton.

Woman spraying bear spray while man with boy stands in sagebrush behind.
Wildlife Safety

Learn how to stay safe around wildlife.

Last updated: November 8, 2023

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Contact Info

Mailing Address:

P.O. Box 170
Moose, WY 83012

Phone:

307-739-3399
Talk to a Ranger? To speak to a Grand Teton National Park ranger call 307–739–3399 for visitor information Monday-Friday during business hours.

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