Animals
Animal life in the Grand Canyon is as diverse as plant life. The unique biospheres provide an abundance of food, water and shelter for all kinds of mammals, reptiles and birds. Some have even evolved specifically to suit themselves to the Grand Canyon’s special elevations and climates. Others are simply uniquely suited to it. Because of the Grand Canyon Wildlife Program, species are protected, cultivated and studied ensuring their populations will continue to thrive.
Birds:
Birds are everywhere in the Grand Canyon. They exist in great variety from songbirds to scavengers to prey birds. The Pinyon Jay is a common sight. Small and blue in coloring, it lives, you guessed it, among the Pinyon Pines and other conifers. They’re very social and most often seen in groups that can reach sizable numbers.
As scavengers go, you’ll never beat the California Condor. Still on the endangered species list, the Grand Canyon is one of the few places left they can be spotted in the wild. They are the largest of the scavenger species with a wingspan over nine feet wide. Birds don’t reach sexual maturity until six years of age and even then mate only once every other year and produce only one chick at a time making it impossible to foster whirlwind recovery such as was had by the Peregrine Falcon. But captively bred birds have been successfully released into the area and there are signs they may reproduce and help stave off extinction for this giant.
A successfully rehabilitated bird species, the Bald Eagle, is also found hovering over the Grand Canyon. Brought back from near extinction by their placement on the Endangered Species List, these eagles are now found over most of the United States. That doesn’t take away the pleasure in seeing one in person, though. Fierce hunters, they are as beautiful and majestic as the landscape around them.
The Peregrine Falcon is another success story often sighted at the Grand Canyon. The population was brought to frighteningly low numbers when thousands died eating prey that had ingested DDT back in the 1960’s and 70’s. Rehabilitation efforts kicked into high gear. Cities became natural habitats for these birds, as they like to nest in high places – a reason the Grand Canyon is a natural habitat for them. The abundance of food found in cities pigeon and rat populations mean they have become revered pest controllers and no longer suffer from a lack of appropriate food. Today they can often be seen hunting from on high over the Grand Canyon and in many major U.S. cities.
Snakes and Reptiles:
Of all the snakes in the Grand Canyon, there is only one species that’s poisonous, the Rattlesnake. The Grand Canyon is home to a few rattlesnake species including the Diamond Back and the Great Basin, but the most interesting is the Grand Canyon Rattlesnake. Found only where it name indicates, it has developed to blend in perfectly with its environment. It’s body is a pale tanish-pink with large dark splotches up its body that fade toward the middle. They are relatively shy and non-aggressive. That said, they are indeed poisonous so don’t press your luck. Give any snake a wide birth for safety’s sake. Other snakes include rodent eating snakes like the Gopher Snake and King Snake.
The other venomous reptile found in the Grand Canyon is the Gila Monster. They can grow to be between four and five feet in length, quite large for a lizard! Their venom is a neurotoxin released in the saliva and while bites are not life threatening, they are extremely painful. It’s unlikely you’d experience one, though. Unless provoked, this reptile isn’t very interested in human beings. Gila’s are egg hunters and will also eat baby mammals left unattended. They spend the majority of their lives underground but can sometimes be seen warming up in the sunshine. They’re not camouflaged like the rattle snake. You’ll easily spot their black bodies mottled with gold. The Gila Monster is considered a threatened species. Habitat loss has created problems for the species, but the Grand Canyon is a protected habitat where they can live unperturbed.
You may also see the smaller Chuckwalla, a lizard about a foot or more in length that likes to bask on rocks to warm up in the mid-day sunshine. They’re herbivores, so nothing to worry about with these guys. But they are shy so you’re more likely to see them tail first as they hightail it away from you. They have extra skin around their necks and a thick tail. You’ll most likely find them in and around rocky terrain closer to the river basin.
Mammals:
The Grand Canyon is home to some incredibly interesting mammals, carnivores and herbivores alike. Some are native to the area and a few were introduced. When talking non-native, we’re talking about Burros. Miners left behind their work animals when the industry collapsed in the mid to late 1800’s. No problem for them, the habitat was perfect for the small equine. The population flourished and did well enough to threaten local farmers, so they were rounded up and either killed or transported out. A few clever burros managed to hang behind, however and there is still a small population of wild burros in the canyon.
Big Horn Sheep are some of the more unique herbivores found in the Grand Canyon. They thrive in the steep, rocky terrain and are well suited to the climate. Big Horn Sheep grow enormous, curved horns whose purpose only displays itself during mating season when bucks vie for female attention. They’ll spar by taking head on runs toward each other and crashing forehead to forehead. The crack the impact makes can be heard echoing through the canyon. It’s usually the sheep with the biggest set of horns that wins the day so, I guess in this case size does matter after all.
Mule Deer are the most conspicuous large mammal in the Grand Canyon. They have oversized ears, hence the name, and look very much like their cousins, the white tailed deer. They prefer wooded areas and are most often found in the higher elevations where hiding places and food are abundant.
The Grand Canyon was host to an important study of Mountain Lions, run by now deceased biologist, Eric York. From 2003-2007, York tagged and tracked mountain lions in the Grand Canyon to gather information on range, mating, reproduction and mortality. Due to his study, much more is known about the lions today than ever before. Mountain Lions are the largest and one of the most capable feline predators left in the United States. Hunted to near extinction, populations are increasing again and the Grand Canyon is home to a good number. They hunt over a wide range each day and stalk their prey before pouncing. Although it hasn’t happened in the Grand Canyon, Mountain Lions have killed humans in other parts of the United States, so never pursue one if you find yourself close and use the utmost caution when taking yourself out of a potentially dangerous encounter.
Fish:
The Colorado River used to be host to some species of fish uniquely suited to its formerly murky, silt-laden waters. Since the advent of dams, however, these species have largely been rendered endangered or extinct. Of the eight native species found in the River before 1963, the Colorado Squawfish, Bonytail Chub and Roundtail Chub are extinct, the Humpback Chub and Razorback Sucker are protected endangered species. Only the Speckled Dace, Flannelmouth Sucker, and Bluehead Sucker are still doing well.
These fish were able to live in an otherwise inhospitable habitat provided by the old Colorado River. Today, waters have cleared allowing for algae growth and a completely different habitat. New non-indigenous and hearty species such as the Rainbow Trout have been introduced and are encroaching on the native fishs’ habitat.
Although the Colorado River has changed too dramatically to support the life it once did, that is not to say it is void of any. You are likely to see abundant fish and plant life on a boat float down the river.