Wildlife Watching

Visitors should drive cautiously and view wildlife from a safe distance.

NPS/Dani Goodman

Black Canyon provides many opportunities to observe wildlife in their native habitat. Wildlife are an important and vital part of our natural ecosystem. Humans can learn a great deal by carefully observing animals.

Know Before You Go

• Familiarize yourself with the birds and mammals of the area
• Know what time of day animals are active
• Learn about their habitat
• Learn wildlife signs such as tracks and scat
• Bring binoculars or a camera lens with zoom capabilities
• Wear clothing that blends in with environment
• Take a hike or walk and tread quietly
• Sit still and watch from behind cover
• Leave dogs at home, they often scare wildlife away

Be Respectful

• Never disrupt, approach or attempt to feed wild animals
• Never approach nesting or denning sites; this could be detrimental to the survival of the young
• Back off immediately if the animal seems stressed, agitated or angry
• Respect the space and territory of wildlife

Wildlife watching is much more enjoyable and successful when animals are left to perform natural activites like nursing young, playing, fighting, foraging or hunting without their knowledge of our presence.

 

Wildlife Safety

For larger wildlife, be prepared for an unlikely encounter and know what behaviors are better than others.

Black Bears

• Do not run.
• Back away slowly.
• Break eye contact.

Mountain Lions

• Do not run.
• Make yourself look bigger.
• Back away slowly.
• If attack seems imminent, act aggressively throwing rocks or a large stick.

 

What to Look For

Mammals

• Yellow-bellied Marmot
• Golden-mantled Ground Squirrels
• Least and Colorado Chipmunks
• Mountain Cottontails
• Rock Squirrel
• Mule Deer
• Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep
• Elk
• Coyotes
• Skunks
• Badgers
• Long-tail Weasels
• Ringtail Cats
• Mountain Lion
• Bobcat
• Black Bear

Reptiles

Ask a park ranger for ways to identify these non-venomous snakes.

• Smooth Green Snake
• Great Basin Gopher Snake
• Garter Snakes
• Striped Whipsnakes

Birds

Bird watching in the area is excellent, especially in spring and early summer.

• Peregrine Falcon
• Blue Grouse
• Cooper's Hawk
• Red Tailed Hawks
• Turkey Vultures
• Golden Eagles
• Canyon Wren

Come in to the visitor center and share your wildlife encounters and experiences. Please report any unusual or rare sightings.