Wildlife in Grand Canyon
Animals Around the Colorado River in Arizona
Wildlife abounds in Grand Canyon National Park. The Colorado River in Northern Arizona has carved a deep gorge into the rock throughout an early earth's history, resulting in a canyon that attracts many species of birds, mammals, fish, reptiles, and others, as well as several types of plants.
Wildlife in the Grand Canyon in General
The Grand Canyon is a desert environment, so only plants and animals that are adapted to hot, arid conditions survive within it. There is little dirt or clay, but plentiful rock and sand in the canyon, so only animals that enjoy the desert scrub environment are found along the Colorado River in Arizona.
Wildlife in the Grand Canyon: Birds
Numerous species of songbirds thrive in the Grand Canyon. Warblers (particularly yellow and hooded warblers), lazuli buntings, western tanagers, mockingbirds, and flycatchers, including the scarlet-colored vermilion flycatcher may be seen. Predatory birds and fowl also abound in the canyon. Common ravens are everywhere in the Grand Canyon, and they may pose a pesky threat to campers at times. Red-tailed hawks feed on rodents within the walls, and ospreys also live in the canyon, feeding on fish. Although very rare, golden eagles are occasionally spotted by birdwatchers, and until recently, bald eagles made a strong appearance in the fall. California condors are being reintroduced into the Grand Canyon, and they may be seen soaring, or even perched high on rocks. The condor program in the area has some interesting characteristics. Water birds, such as ducks and sandpipers may also be seen around the river.
Wildlife in the Grand Canyon: Mammals
there are many rodents, such as mice, rats, and a couple species of squirrels that live along the Colorado River in Arizona. Coyotes, as well as red and gray foxes may be seen, and mountain lions also, though rare, inhabit Grand Canyon National Park. In the lower parts of the canyon, black bear have been spotted. Mule deer are commonplace along the river, and desert bighorn sheep may be seen anywhere from the river to the rim. Wild burros (donkeys), which were abandoned by miners nearly a century ago lived in the canyon for some time, but they were removed by the park service, because they, along with feral goats, destroyed habitat and threatened the bighorn sheep. Ringtail cats, a relative of raccoons, may be seen at night by campers.
Fish in the Grand Canyon
The Colorado river in Arizona has changed dramatically since the installment of the Glen Canyon dam, which became operational in 1963. Less water, and cold water from the bottom of the lake is released daily, making the river water cold and somewhat clear, although it used to be warm and muddy. Rainbow trout have been stocked in the river, and they abound in the upstream waters for about fifty miles or so, downstream of Lee's ferry. Fly fishing for trout is also great in the upstream parts of the canyon.
The National Park Service, however, has decided to remove trout, which it is now doing, because the trout feed on humpback chub, a native fish of the Colorado river. The chub, however, will likely not make it, because they have poor vision, and prefer warm, muddy water, and the cold, clear Colorado river that resulted from the Glen Canyon dam is what is actually depleting these curious fish. Smaller fish, and other species of chub, and some larger fish, such as carp may be seen in the river as well.
Reptiles and Amphibians in the Grand Canyon
Reptiles and amphibians in the Grand Canyon include many species of snakes, as well as lizards, frogs, and toads. although Western diamondback rattlesnakes do live along Arizona's Colorado river, smaller rattlesnakes, known as Grand Canyon pink rattlesnakes are more common. Larger kingsnakes, which feed primarily on other snakes, are also found in the gorge. Countless lizards, of various shapes and sizes may be seen in the canyon, from small ones that feed on gnats and flies, to larger ones that may eat locusts or other small animals. Amphibians, such as frogs and toads are often seen along the river, or in the creeks that join the Colorado. The red-spotted toad is one of the most common amphibians in the canyon.
Other Wildlife in the Grand Canyon
There are many types of insects along the Colorado river in Arizona, such as gnats (also known as no see 'ems, because they are very small and pesky), midges, mayflies, stoneflies, caddisflies, other flies, and grasshoppers or locusts. Arachnids, such as spiders and scorpions also thrive in the canyon. Scorpions, though commonly feared, prefer the rocks, and will stay off of the sandy beaches and trails. They are nocturnal, and may be easily detected by people in search of them. Mollusks, such as clams are found in the river, although the river is deep, and they are rarely seen.
Wildlife abounds in Grand Canyon National Park, along Arizona's Colorado River. Many species of animals can be safely viewed, and even the more dangerous creatures (such as snakes and scorpions) prefer to avoid people, and will respect people who avoid them.
A Mule Deer Fawn in the Grand Canyon
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