30 Unique Wild Animals Calling America’s National Parks Home

America’s national parks are home to a stunning variety of wildlife. In 2023, there were about 1,270 national parks and other nature areas operating in the United States, marking a three percent increase from the previous year. This number is expected to grow by 2024.¹ 

These parks not only protect the beauty of nature but also provide a habitat for incredible animals. Have you seen these animals at your nearest national park? 

1. Bald Eagle

The bald eagle is the national bird of the U.S. It’s known for its white head, brown body, and strong yellow beak. They are excellent hunters and soar high in the sky, looking for fish.

• Where to find them: You can see bald eagles at Yellowstone National Park (Wyoming) and Glacier National Park (Montana).

2. Elk

Elk are large members of the deer family with impressive antlers on the males. They’re brown with darker necks and a light-colored rump.

Elk are often found in herds and are known for their loud bugling call during mating season.

• Where to find them: Elk roam in Rocky Mountain National Park (Colorado) and Great Smoky Mountains National Park (Tennessee and North Carolina).

3. Orca

Orcas, also called killer whales, are large black-and-white marine mammals. They’re top predators in the ocean and are highly intelligent, often hunting in groups.

• Where to find them: You might spot orcas in Olympic National Park (Washington) and Kenai Fjords National Park (Alaska).

4. Coyote

Coyotes are wild dogs that are smaller than wolves but very clever. They have grayish-brown fur and are often seen in open fields or near wooded areas. Coyotes are adaptable and can live in many places, even near cities.

• Where to find them: You can spot coyotes in Grand Canyon National Park (Arizona) and Yosemite National Park (California).

5. Elephant Seal

Elephant seals are massive marine animals with large, round bodies. Males have a large, trunk-like nose, which gives them their name. They spend much of their time on the beach during breeding season.

• Where to find them: You can see elephant seals at Point Reyes National Seashore (California) and Channel Islands National Park (California).

6. Moose

Moose are the largest animals in the deer family, with long legs and huge antlers on the males. They have dark brown fur and a large nose. Moose are often found in wet areas, like marshes, feeding on aquatic plants.

• Where to find them: Moose are commonly seen in Denali National Park (Alaska) and Isle Royale National Park (Michigan).

7. American Alligator

The American alligator is a large reptile with tough, dark green or black skin. It has a broad snout and powerful jaws. Alligators live in freshwater areas like swamps and rivers.

They are known for their slow, stealthy movements in the water.

• Where to find them: You can see alligators at Everglades National Park (Florida) and Congaree National Park (South Carolina).

8. Polar Bear

Polar bears are large, white bears that live in cold, icy regions. They have thick fur and a layer of fat that keeps them warm. Polar bears are excellent swimmers and mostly hunt seals on the sea ice.

• Where to find them: You might spot polar bears in Bering Land Bridge National Preserve and Gates of the Arctic National Park (both in Alaska).

9. Black Bear

Black bears are medium-sized bears with black, brown, or even cinnamon-colored fur. They are good climbers and can be found in forests, eating plants, berries, and sometimes small animals.

• Where to find them: You can find black bears in Great Smoky Mountains National Park (Tennessee and North Carolina) and Shenandoah National Park (Virginia).

10. Snowshoe Hare

The snowshoe hare is a small mammal with thick fur and big hind feet. In the winter, its fur turns white to blend in with the snow, and in the summer, it changes to brown. Its large feet help it move easily across snow.

• Where to find them: Snowshoe hares live in Denali National Park (Alaska) and Glacier National Park (Montana).

11. Olympic Marmot

Olympic marmots are large rodents found only on the Olympic Peninsula. They have thick fur and are known for their loud whistling calls. They hibernate in the winter and can often be seen on rocky slopes during the summer.

• Where to find them: You’ll spot Olympic marmots in Olympic National Park (Washington), which is their only habitat.

12. Caribou

Caribou, also known as reindeer, are large, deer-like animals with antlers that both males and females grow. They live in cold, northern regions and migrate long distances in herds. Caribou are well adapted to snowy environments.

• Where to find them: You can see caribou in Gates of the Arctic National Park and Denali National Park (both in Alaska).

13. Mule Deer

Mule deer are known for their large ears, which look like a mule’s. They have brown fur with a white rump and a small tail. Their antlers, found on males, fork as they grow, making them different from other deer species.

• Where to find them: You can spot mule deer in Grand Canyon National Park (Arizona) and Zion National Park (Utah).

14. Bighorn Sheep

Bighorn sheep are famous for their large, curled horns, which the males use to fight with during mating season. They have muscular bodies and surefooted hooves that help them climb steep, rocky terrain.

• Where to find them: Bighorn sheep live in Rocky Mountain National Park (Colorado) and Badlands National Park (South Dakota).

15. Humpback Whale

Humpback whales are huge marine mammals known for their long flippers and acrobatic breaching. They have unique markings on their tail and are known for singing underwater songs.

• Where to find them: You might see humpback whales in Glacier Bay National Park (Alaska) and Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park (Hawaii).

16. West Indian Manatee

Sometimes called a “sea cow,” the West Indian manatee is a large, gentle, slow-moving mammal. They have paddle-like flippers and rounded tails. Manatees spend much of their time in warm, shallow waters.

• Where to find them: You can find manatees in Everglades National Park (Florida) and Biscayne National Park (Florida).

17. American Bison

American bison, or buffalo, are massive animals with a shaggy, brown mane around their head and shoulders. They have a hump on their back and can weigh up to 2,000 pounds. Bison are often seen grazing on grasslands.

• Where to find them: You can see bison in Yellowstone National Park (Wyoming) and Badlands National Park (South Dakota).

18. Hawksbill Turtle

The hawksbill turtle is a sea turtle with a narrow, pointed beak that looks like a hawk’s bill. They have beautiful, patterned shells and mostly live in tropical coral reefs, feeding on sponges.

• Where to find them: You can spot hawksbill turtles in Virgin Islands National Park (U.S. Virgin Islands) and Dry Tortugas National Park (Florida).

19. Salamander

Salamanders are small, slippery amphibians with smooth skin. They come in various colors, often black with yellow or orange spots. Salamanders live in moist areas near water, like streams and forests, and are active at night.

• Where to find them: You can spot salamanders in Great Smoky Mountains National Park (Tennessee and North Carolina) and Shenandoah National Park (Virginia).

20. California Condor

The California condor is the largest bird in North America, with a wingspan of up to 10 feet. It has black feathers with white patches under the wings and a bald, pinkish-orange head. Condors are scavengers and eat dead animals.

• Where to find them: You can see California condors in Grand Canyon National Park (Arizona) and Pinnacles National Park (California).

21. Brown Bear

Brown bears are large, powerful animals with thick brown fur. They are adept at catching fish and foraging for berries and nuts. Brown bears can be found in forests, mountains, and near rivers.

• Where to find them: Brown bears live in Katmai National Park (Alaska) and Denali National Park (Alaska).

22. Steller Sea Lion

Steller sea lions are large, brownish marine mammals that live along the coast. They have thick blubber to keep warm in cold waters and are excellent swimmers. They often gather in large groups on rocky shores.

• Where to find them: You can spot Steller sea lions in Kenai Fjords National Park (Alaska) and Olympic National Park (Washington).

23. Pronghorn

Pronghorns are fast, deer-like animals with tan and white fur and distinct black markings on their faces. They have small, curved horns and can run incredibly fast, up to 60 miles per hour. Pronghorns roam the open plains.

• Where to find them: Pronghorns are found in Yellowstone National Park (Wyoming) and Grand Teton National Park (Wyoming).

24. American Pika

American pikas are small, round mammals that live in rocky mountain areas. They have soft, gray-brown fur and no visible tail. Pikas are known for collecting and storing grass to eat during the winter.

They are sensitive to heat and live in cool, high-altitude habitats.

• Where to find them: You can find pikas in Rocky Mountain National Park (Colorado) and Crater Lake National Park (Oregon).

25. Swift Fox

The swift fox is a small, quick animal with a slender body and long legs. They have a light brown coat with a white belly and a bushy tail. Swift foxes are mostly active at night and like to live in open grasslands.

• Where to find them: You can see swift foxes in Badlands National Park (South Dakota) and Wind Cave National Park (South Dakota).

26. Beaver

Beavers are large, semi-aquatic rodents known for their flat tails and strong teeth. They build dams in rivers and streams using wood, mud, and rocks. Beavers create ponds that provide homes for many other animals.

• Where to find them: You can find beavers in Yellowstone National Park (Wyoming) and Great Smoky Mountains National Park (Tennessee and North Carolina).

27. Anhinga

Often called the “snake bird” because it swims with its body underwater and only its neck above the water, the anhinga is a long-necked bird features dark feathers and a sharp beak for catching fish.

• Where to find them: You can see anhingas in Everglades National Park (Florida) and Cumberland Island National Seashore (Georgia).

28. Barred Owl

Barred owls are medium-sized owls with round faces and dark eyes. They have brown and white striped feathers and are known for their distinctive hooting call.

They are mostly active at night and hunt small mammals and birds.

• Where to find them: You can find barred owls in Great Smoky Mountains National Park (Tennessee and North Carolina) and Acadia National Park (Maine).

29. Golden-Mantled Ground Squirrel

The golden-mantled ground squirrel is a small, striped rodent with a golden patch of fur on its shoulders. They are often seen foraging for seeds and nuts on the ground and are active during the day.

• Where to find them: You can spot these squirrels in Yosemite National Park (California) and Rocky Mountain National Park (Colorado).

30. Florida Panther

The Florida panther is a rare type of cougar that has a tawny coat with a long tail. It is a powerful and agile predator primarily active at night and prefers to live in swamps and forests.

• Where to find them: You can find Florida panthers in Everglades National Park (Florida) and Big Cypress National Preserve (Florida).

As more parks open and expand, the opportunity to experience wildlife will continue to grow, inviting more people to appreciate and protect the wonders of the natural world.

Source:

1. Statista