Grand Canyon National Park/LEON.bin/data/dcx005.doc

Text File | 1995-10-03 | 5KB | 62 lines

The Grand Canyon has its own unique wildlife community, just as other parks do.  Mammals,
birds, reptiles, and insects make their homes here, living in and around the spectacular canyon.
Many of the canyon's inhabitants are somewhat reclusive, and are rarely seen by visitors.  Others
are spotted quite frequently, less disturbed by human activity.  Whichever the case, it is always a
wonderful treat to spot a member of the park's wildlife population.

Desert bighorns are the largest mammals in the park.  They can be seen most often in the western
portion of the Grand Canyon and the slopes of the inner canyon, but only occasionally or rarely
on the rims.  Large curved horns, from which their name is derived, are the signature feature of
this animal.  The size of these horns, which are exclusive to the males of the species, determine
the status of the animals in the hierarchy of the band.  Ewes and rams spend most of the year
apart, coming together in the fall, which is mating season.  This is one of the times that rams with
large horns fight, competing fiercely to acquire females and establish dominance.

Mule deer are also among the park's large mammals, and are commonly seen wandering the
landscapes of both the North and South rims.  These animals can be found in river and rim areas,
specifically forest areas around dawn and dusk.  Mule deer are distinguished by their large ears
and lovely branched antlers, which differ from the smaller ears and single beam antlers of other
deer.  When approached by humans these gentle creatures will stop and stare with large, black,
luminous eyes that glisten from delicate, winsome faces.  If a threat is perceived, they will retreat
in the opposite direction.  If no danger is detected, they will simply go about their business,
allowing themselves to be admired as they climb the trails of the canyons and roam through the
forests.

Some very rarely seen mammals, but nevertheless present, that live on the North Rim are
mountain lions, bobcats, and black bears.  Populations of these animals were once much larger in
this area, but have since diminished due to loss of habitat and other factors.  They are still
important members in the wildlife community and the food chain.

Grey foxes roam throughout the park, feeding on squirrels, mice, and rabbits, or occasional
berries and fruit.  They often lounge in juniper trees, taking a break from the heat, or resting after
having pursued food.  They are shy creatures, and will usually make themselves scarce if humans
come too close.  From a distance however they are delightful to observe, especially if there are
young around.  Kit foxes and coyotes also dwell in the Grand Canyon, and are usually just as
elusive as the grey fox.

Kaibab squirrels scamper endlessly through the vegetation and foliage of the North Rim.  They are
easily identified by their dark grey color, bushy grey and white tails, and tasseled ears.  They are
closely related to the Abert squirrel, which lives on the South Rim and looks very similar.  These
squirrels can be found most frequently in or around ponderosa pines, which provide their home
and food.  Red squirrels also live on the North Rim, usually chattering wildly when wild turkeys
or porcupines invade their territory.

Some of the most common reptiles in the park are the Grand Canyon pink rattlesnake, collared
lizard, spiny lizard, and pot-bellied chuckwallas.  The Grand Canyon pink rattlesnake is one of the
most rarely seen creatures in the park, and will often be missed even if one passes in close
proximity of it because it blends in very well with its surroundings.

The desert spiny lizard is also seen from time to time, usually feeding on insects that it catches as
they hover around wildflowers.  Unlike the collared lizard which has a smooth skinned body, the
spiny lizard has white and brown scales, which make it seem vaguely dragon-like.  The
chuckwalla looks quite ferocious, but is actually a harmless vegetarian that lives amidst the
creosote bushes.

Birds are also found in the Grand Canyon, although many only pass through seasonally, such as
black-necked stilts.  Ravens are the canyon's most common bird, omnivorous scavengers that can
be spotted all over the park, particularly where food is to be found.  Great horned owls roost in
the park's forests and higher elevations, redheaded western tanagers prefer wooded areas near the
river, and pinyon jays inhabit pinyon-junipers, from which their raucous calls can be heard.  Red
winged black birds, osprey, and very rarely a golden eagle, fly high overhead through the sun-
filled sky.  The waterfowl community is represented by the great blue heron, mallard, goldeneye
duck, and merganser, all of which splash in the waters of the mighty Colorado.