West Yellowstone Wildlife & Nature

Montana is widely known for its rich and diverse wildlife resources. We Montanans are in good company with - and outnumbered by - our wildlife neighbors. Montana is home to breeding populations of 254 bird species, 114 mammals, 89 species of fish, 17 reptiles, 13 amphibians, 124 mollusk species and 22 crustaceans. An additional 174 bird species that breed further north visit our state during their spring and fall migration journeys. Becoming acquainted with the full array of wildlife species requires patience and the aid of binoculars, and promises a lifetime of entertainment and fascinating discoveries.

Several rare species are making a comeback in Montana, including the black-footed ferret and gray wolf. Additional species currently listed as threatened or endangered under the federal Endangered Species Act include the bull trout, pallid sturgeon, white sturgeon, Canada lynx, grizzly bear, bald eagle, interior least tern, piping plover, and whooping crane. Wildlife species not considered threatened or endangered, but subject to special protections and management actions include the arctic grayling, swift fox, peregrine falcon, and black-tailed and white-tailed prairie dogs.

The key to Montana's wildlife wealth is habitat. The food, water, shelter and security required for wildlife to thrive are products of Montana's productive soils, clean water, healthy plant communities and open spaces.