Coyotes are the most abundant canine in Yellowstone National Park. They are intelligent and adaptable animals, and they can be found throughout the park, in a variety of habitats.
Coyotes
Coyotes are typically smaller than wolves, with adults weighing between 25 and 40 pounds. They have gray fur with a reddish-brown tint, and they have a bushy black-tipped tail. Coyotes are social animals, and they live in packs or family groups of up to seven individuals.
Coyotes Hunting
Coyotes are active both during the day and at night.
They are opportunistic feeders, and their diet includes a variety of animals, including small mammals, birds, reptiles, and insects. Coyotes will also scavenge on carcasses of larger animals.
Deer
There are two species of deer in Yellowstone National Park: mule deer and white-tailed deer.
Mule deer are the more common of the two species, and they can be found throughout the park. Mule deer are larger than white-tailed deer, and they have distinctive mule-like ears. They are also known for their black tails, which they flash to warn other deer of danger.
White-tailed deer are less common in Yellowstone. They are typically found in the northern part of the park, near water sources. White-tailed deer are smaller than mule deer, and they have white tails that they flash when they are alarmed.
Bighorn Sheep
Bighorn sheep are well-adapted to life in the mountains. They have strong hooves that allow them to climb steep terrain, and their thick coats protect them from the cold winters. Bighorn sheep are also social animals, and they live in herds of up to 100 individuals.
The sheep play an important role in the Yellowstone ecosystem. They help to control the growth of grasses and other vegetation, and they are a food source for predators such as wolves and grizzly bears. The best places to see bighorn sheep in Yellowstone National Park are the Lamar Valley, Hayden Valley, and Dunraven Pass. These areas offer good views of the park’s high meadows and cliffs, which are the bighorn sheep’s preferred habitat. We consistently see them near Tower Junction.
