Part 1

_WILD ANIMALS OF YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK_

A presentation of general information on many of the mammals most commonly seen in Yellowstone, illustrated with drawings of many of the species described.

_by_ Harold J. Brodrick

Yellowstone Interpretive Series Number 1

Yellowstone National Park Yellowstone Park, Wyoming 1954

Reprinted March 1959

This booklet is published by the Yellowstone Library and Museum Association, a non-profit organization whose purpose is the stimulation of interest in the educational and inspirational aspects of Yellowstone’s history and natural history. The Association cooperates with and is recognized by the National Park Service of the United States Department of the Interior, as an essential operating organization. It is primarily sponsored and operated by the Naturalist Division in Yellowstone National Park.

As one means of accomplishing its aims the Association has published a series of reasonably priced booklets which are available for purchase by mail throughout the year or at the museum information desks in the park during the summer.

YELLOWSTONE INTERPRETIVE SERIES Number Title and Author

1 _Wild Animals of Yellowstone National Park_ by Harold J. Brodrick 2 _Birds of Yellowstone National Park_ by Harold J. Brodrick 3 _Yellowstone Fishes_ by James R. Simon 4 _The Story of Old Faithful Geyser_ by George D. Marler 5 _Reptiles and Amphibians of Yellowstone National Park_ by Frederick B. Turner 6 _Yellowstone’s Bannock Indian Trails_ by Wayne F. Replogle 7 _The Story of Man in Yellowstone_ by Dr. M. D. Beal 8 _The Plants of Yellowstone National Park_ by W. B. McDougall and Herma A. Baggley

Orders or letters of inquiry concerning publications should be addressed to the Yellowstone Library and Museum Association, Yellowstone Park, Wyoming.

Copyright 1952 by the Yellowstone Library and Museum Association Revised 1954

PREFACE

PURPOSE

Visitors to Yellowstone have for many years found the larger mammals of the region of unusual interest. The demand for some printed information in general terms and at a reasonable cost have prompted the preparation of this handbook.

The aim of this publication is to provide those interested with a few facts about the more commonly seen mammals of Yellowstone. People want to be better informed on the variety of animals found here; this handbook should be helpful. It is hoped that the statements concerning locations where certain species are most apt to be seen will assist many people to enjoy the pleasures of watching these animals and observing their interesting behavior. The illustrations and descriptions of the various species are intended to aid in the identification of animals seen for those not familiar with wildlife. If the book fulfills these needs it will have served its purpose.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The assistance of Dr. C. Max Bauer, Chief, Geology Branch (retired), National Park Service and of Chief Park Naturalist David de L. Condon in making criticisms and suggestions on the material presented here is acknowledged. The cooperation of the Yellowstone Library and Museum Association in publishing the book is appreciated and I wish to thank Yellowstone National Park for the use of copies of original paintings by E. J. Sawyer for some of the illustrations. I also wish to acknowledge the aid rendered by all others who participated in the editing and completion of the manuscript for publication.

NOTES

The scientific names used were taken from A FIELD GUIDE TO THE MAMMALS by Burt and Grossenheider, and where subspecific names are used, they were checked in the Journal of Mammalogy for current usage. The authorities for each name are omitted here as not having any particular interest to the non-professional. Those study specimens available in the Yellowstone Museums were used as reference material. The title “Wild Animals of Yellowstone National Park” is used, even though this book treats only the mammals and omits dealing with other animal life forms. The average person thinks of mammals as the animals and usually thinks of other life forms by more specific names.

Harold J. Brodrick April 1952 and May 1954

EDITOR’S NOTE

This second edition of WILD ANIMALS OF YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK has been revised by the Naturalist Staff at Yellowstone. The revisions consist mainly of a revision to the scientific names of the animals to bring them into conformance with more recent scientific nomenclature, and also to bring some of the text material into conformance with preferred American usage. These additions, corrections and deletions have been made in accordance with either the United States Government Printing Office Style Manual or Webster’s New Collegiate Dictionary (1950). All of the generic and specific names have been changed to agree with those in A Field Guide to the Mammals by Burt and Grossenheider. Where subspecies are concerned, the Journal of Mammalogy has been used as the authority.

May 1954

“I’LL TELL THE WORLD!” THE ANIMALS ALONE ARE WORTH YOUR TRIP TO YELLOWSTONE

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page PREFACE Purpose iii Acknowledgments iii Notes iii Editor’s Note iv TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION 1 ANIMALS Pronghorn (Antelope) 3 Bison (Buffalo) 5 Wapiti (Elk) 7 Moose 9 Deer 11 Bighorn 12 Black Bear 14 Grizzly Bear 17 Cougar 20 Coyote 22 Wolf 24 Marmot 26 Mantled Ground Squirrel 28 Uinta Ground Squirrel 30 Chipmunk 34 Pine Squirrel 35 Beaver 37 Otter 40 Mink 42 Marten 42 Porcupine 44 Badger 46 White-footed Mouse 49 Meadow Mouse 50 Wood Rat 53 Muskrat 54 Pika 56 Cottontail 57 Snowshoe Rabbit 59 Jackrabbit 61 Additional Animal List Flying Squirrel 63 Weasel 63 Skunk 63 Red Fox 64 Bobcat 64 Lynx 64 Wolverine 64 Pocket Gopher 65 Jumping Mouse 65 Red-backed Mouse 65 Shrews 65 Bats 66 BIBLIOGRAPHY 66

INTRODUCTION

Yellowstone National Park was established on March 1, 1872 by an act passed by the Congress of the United States of America. It is a mountainous area mostly in the northwestern corner of Wyoming, with small sections extending into Montana and Idaho. The area set aside as a National Park is 3,471.51 square miles. It provides within its boundaries environmental conditions which make it possible for many of the mammals representative of the Rocky Mountains to carry out their complete life cycle without fear of persecution by man.

The men that first conceived the idea of preserving the Yellowstone area as a great National Park were primarily concerned with the preservation of the natural wonders such as the geysers and hot spring phenomena, the canyon and waterfalls, and the lakes. In those days little thought was given to the need for preserving our wild animals. However, it soon became apparent that the wild animals, once thought to be unlimited in numbers, would have to have protection if they were going to be preserved for future generations. Yellowstone soon became known nearly as much for its wildlife as for its natural wonders.

The wild animals of Yellowstone National Park are widely distributed over the park area, some of them being restricted to limited areas due to the difference in elevation and the availability of the certain types of habitat which they require, while others range over a wider part of the park, especially during certain seasons of the year.

The higher mountain meadows are ideal summer ranges for the larger mammals. These animals would normally work down into the lower country outside of Yellowstone to the north for the winter. Since that area is now mostly under fence they have been forced to do the best they can up in the winter snows of the lower sections of the park. Bears and several of the smaller animals go into hibernation as soon as or even before the first snow squalls of winter appear so the long winter in the high country holds no terrors for them.

It is the policy of the National Park Service to present these animals to the visiting public in as near their natural environment as possible, each species being left to carry on its normal existence unassisted wherever possible. Unfortunately the lack of sufficient winter range within the park for unlimited numbers of animals has made it necessary that the numbers of bison, elk and antelope be controlled and management practices be put into effect in order to hold the number down to the carrying capacity of the range. So far these three species of animals have presented the only problem as far as overpopulation is concerned.

Predatory animals, especially the coyote, wolf and mountain lion were at one time controlled by hunting. The present policy is to let the predators carry on their own normal life as it is believed to be best for them and all other animals concerned and only in unusual circumstances will any control measures be carried out.

ANIMALS

PRONGHORN Antilocapra americana

The Pronghorn or American Antelope was almost as well known as the buffalo to the early settlers of the West. In fact it has been estimated, by some, to have been present in nearly as large numbers as the buffalo but never to have concentrated in such large herds.

It once ranged the territory from eastern Kansas, western Iowa and Minnesota westward to the valleys of California and northern Mexico northward to southern Saskatchewan and Alberta. It is a typical animal of the plains and open rolling country—few animals are more fleet or wary than the pronghorn. Unfortunately their curiosity in regard to any object that they do not recognize or understand helped make them a fairly easy mark for the hunters. Many are the tales of the pronghorns being coaxed into gun range by their curiosity in a handkerchief or strip of bright cloth waving in the breeze.

The pronghorn is the only antelope in the world with branched or pronged horns and has the unique characteristic among all hollow-horned ruminants of shedding the outer covering of the horns annually. In the Yellowstone area this horny sheath sheds from the permanent bony core usually during November or December. The core is covered with a blackish skin, at first, then finally by the horny material that forms gradually downward from the tip.

Another characteristic of these animals is a conspicuous rump patch composed of white hairs, longer than any found elsewhere on the body. Through development of certain muscles it is possible for the animal to erect these white hairs until they stand out stiffly forming a dazzling white rosette. This is done in times of excitement and is usually considered a danger signal.

The tiny antelope kids are born in late May or June, usually twins but sometimes one or three. During the first several days after birth they remain carefully hidden in the grass but soon gain their strength and are able to keep up with their mother. It is interesting to note that antelope does occasionally seem to act as baby tenders for other does. Observers have reported upon a number of occasions seeing from four to six or seven kids following one doe without any other doe being visible in the immediate vicinity; or sometimes two does may be together with eight or ten young. The same practice has been observed with the bighorns.

Enemies are principally coyotes, bobcats, and eagles in the case of the young.

General description: A little smaller than the average deer, with simple horns slightly curved and with one lateral prong. Horns present in both sexes though smaller or sometimes lacking in the female. Color reddish-brown or tan with darker brown to blackish mane, white rump and whitish or creamy underparts. Males about 54 inches in length, height at shoulder 34 to 36 inches and weight 100 to 125 pounds. Females smaller.

Terms: Male—buck; female—doe; young—kids.

Where found: Near Gardiner, between Gardiner and Mammoth, Swan Lake Flats, Mammoth to Tower Fall, along Yellowstone River below the Canyon and in the Lamar River valley and Slough Creek area. The park antelope population fluctuates over the years from a minimum of about 200 animals to a maximum of 800.

BISON (BUFFALO) Bison bison

The Yellowstone Park Bison or Buffalo is one of the remnant groups of the former millions that once roamed over the country between the Atlantic Ocean and the Rocky Mountains.

Gradually pushed backward or killed by the advancing line of the settlements they were finally confined to the plains areas west of the Mississippi, where, in the period shortly before and after the Civil War, great numbers were slaughtered yearly until the seemingly countless herds were thoughtlessly reduced to a straggling few. In fact, they were almost exterminated before a relatively small group of persons became conscious of the condition and through continued efforts were able to bring about the preservation of a few small herds, herds that through careful protection and management have now increased to possibly 25,000 head, mainly in Canada. With the exception of the beaver, the bison played a more important role in the life of the Indian and the settler than any other animal in the country.

The bison, while doing well under management practices, has fortunately resisted domestication. They are of very uncertain disposition and it is dangerous to approach them closely on foot.

Protected by a coat of thick hair, quite shaggy on the foreparts, the bison is able to withstand the severest weather of winter. He doesn’t seem to mind as long as it is possible to paw or root down through the snow to reach the grass beneath.

The single bison calf is usually born between April and June, and at first is red brown in color, short necked but without the noticeable hump of its mother. They are hardy and playful and soon able to follow the herd. Mother very carefully watches her calf and protects it at all times.

General description: A large, ox-like animal with large head and short curved horns, a high hump at the shoulder and very heavy forequarters. Dark brown in color, hair very shaggy on the foreparts. Bulls total length about 11 feet, height at shoulder 70 inches and weight 1800 pounds or more. Cows about 7 feet in length, 60 inches height and 800 to 1200 pounds in weight. Both sexes have horns but those of the cows are smaller.

Terms: Male—bull; female—cow; young—calf.

Where found: East of Tower Junction along the Lamar River and northward. A herd on Pelican Creek, one ranging in Hayden Valley, and another in the Lower Geyser Basin. During the summer months small numbers may occasionally be seen along the Gibbon River, Madison River, in the Lower Geyser Basin, in Hayden Valley and along the east shore of the lake between Fishing Bridge and Lake Butte. The larger herds go into the higher country during the summer and are seldom seen.

An attempt is made through management operations to maintain a park population of from 1000 to 1200 of these animals.

WAPITI (ELK) Cervus canadensis

The American Elk or Wapiti is, with the exception of the moose, the largest member of the deer family in North America. Once widely distributed over much of North America it has now been eliminated from most of its former range until now the Yellowstone region has the largest number of wapiti to be found in the world. There are smaller numbers in scattered places in the Rocky Mountains from northern New Mexico to Montana, Idaho, Washington and Manitoba, with small introduced herds in other places.

The elk is the most polygamous of the deer family. In the fall each bull tries to collect the largest harem he can and many spectacular fights result from the clash of rivals that may try to rob each other of a part of the herd. It isn’t long, however, until the bulls forget their rivalry and, leaving the cows, they get together by themselves until the next fall.

In the past elk were in the habit of feeding up into the mountains during the summer and migrating to lower country for the winter. The westward-moving settlers gradually took over the winter range for agriculture and forced the elk to remain in the mountains throughout the year. Winter hardships have been severe and many of them have died of starvation. This lack of winter range has always been a serious problem in caring for both the northern and southern Yellowstone herds. They depend more upon grass as food than the other members of the deer family.

The cow elk has one, rarely two young at a time, which are born in May and June. At first they are weak and so are kept hidden for several days until able to keep up with their mother. The young are spotted for the first few months, but lose their markings by late summer.

General description: A very large deer with a shaggy mane and short tail. The males with widely branching antlers which are shed annually; females do not have antlers. In color the sexes are slightly different. The males have head and neck a dark chestnut brown, sides and back a yellowish to brownish gray. Females less strongly marked but both with a large straw-colored rump patch. Males much larger than females. Total length. Males 115 inches, height at shoulder 60 inches, weight 700 to 1000 pounds. Females 88 inches in length, 56 inches in height, and 500 to 600 pounds in weight.

Terms: Male—bull; female—cow; young—calf.

Where found: The elk migrate to the higher meadows during the summer but some are usually to be seen in the meadows along the Madison River, the small meadows between Mammoth and Old Faithful, between Norris and Canyon, and from the Lake to the East Entrance. The over all summer park population usually equals or exceeds 15,000 animals.

MOOSE Alces americana shirasi

The Moose is the largest of our North American deer. The Shiras Moose which is found in Yellowstone and surrounding areas is slightly smaller than the typical American moose, which is found in the northern states east of the Rockies and north to the Arctic. In Europe the moose found there is commonly called elk. This has of course resulted in some confusion between it and our animal known as the elk.

The large, ungainly and grotesque appearing moose is very unlike the graceful deer. The ugly face with its long nose, high and heavy shoulders and much smaller hindquarters, and the long legs all tend to make its appearance seem a caricature. But in spite of his size, appearance, and his mighty spread of antlers, the bull moose can, if he chooses, drift through the woodland as quiet as a mouse; then again he may give the sound effect of a herd of elephants on a stampede.

Marshy meadows and the margins of lakes or streams are the favorite summer haunts of the moose. His usual summer diet consists of the various aquatic plants and his long legs are of great assistance in wading for the plants as well as helping him get through the deep snows of winter. The moose is better fitted to withstand the rigors of winter than the deer and elk and is accustomed to remaining in higher country during the winter. During such times his food is made up of the foliage, twigs and bark of trees and shrubs. Moose are powerful swimmers and dive for aquatic plants if the water is too deep for wading.

The moose calf is born late in May or June, usually one the first year and frequently twins thereafter, but rarely triplets. They remain with their mother during the first year. She is very protective and does not hesitate to attack any animal or human that she thinks may harm the calves. In fact, any moose has a very uncertain temper and it is not wise to approach one too closely.

General description: A large, dark-colored animal with heavy humped shoulders, a large head with broad, pendulous muzzle, large ears; throat with a hanging growth of skin and hair called the “bell.” Males with broad, heavy, palmate antlers which are shed annually; average spread 52 to 58 inches; females do not have antlers. Total length of animal about 9 feet, height at shoulder 66 to 78 inches and weight 900 to 1400 pounds. Females about three quarters the size of males. Color blackish-brown with pale brown along the back and pale ears; legs washed with tawny gray.

Terms: Male—bull; female—cow; young—calf.