Wildlife
Jul 27 2026
Bighorn sheep are among North America’s most recognizable mountain animals. With muscular bodies, remarkable climbing ability and massive curling horns, these wild sheep are perfectly adapted to steep cliffs, rocky canyons and exposed alpine slopes. The species once occupied mountainous landscapes across much of western North America in enormous numbers. Although hunting, disease and habitat …
Jul 27 2026
A pale flash appears between the trees. For an instant, the forest seems empty—then a brown shape bounds through the undergrowth with its tail raised like a white flag. The white-tailed deer is one of North America’s most recognizable wild animals. It inhabits hardwood forests, mountain valleys, prairie edges, river bottoms, farmland, wetlands, and even …
Jul 07 2026
Yellow-bellied marmots are among the most recognizable mammals of western North America’s mountain landscapes. These large ground squirrels are often seen sitting upright on boulders, sunbathing beside hiking trails, or disappearing into rocky burrows after sounding a sharp alarm whistle. Despite their relaxed appearance, yellow-bellied marmots live according to a demanding seasonal schedule. They may …
Jul 03 2026
Mule deer are among the most recognizable large mammals of western North America. Named for their remarkably large, mule-like ears, these adaptable deer inhabit environments ranging from scorching deserts and sagebrush plains to wooded foothills and high mountain basins. Unlike the white-tailed deer found across much of eastern North America, mule deer are closely associated …
Jul 03 2026
A clear, rising bugle breaks the silence of an autumn morning. The sound begins as a deep bellow, climbs into a high whistle, and ends with a series of short grunts that echo across the valley. Somewhere beyond the trees, a bull elk is announcing his presence. Elk are among the largest and most recognizable …
Apr 21 2025
The Chugach Mountains of Southcentral Alaska are known for steep, glacier-carved peaks, enormous icefields, deep fjords, and dramatic landscapes that rise almost directly from the sea. Yet the range is equally remarkable for its wildlife. Few mountain regions bring so many different habitats together in such a compact geographic area. Alpine tundra and rocky ridges …
