Yellowstone National Park is home to the largest concentrations of large and small mammals in the lower 48 states. While some species are rare or occasional visitors to the park, 60 different mammals are listed as present here. Seven species of ungulates are native to the park - elk, mule deer, bison, moose, bighorn sheep, pronghorn, and white-tailed deer. Non-native mountain goats appear to be colonizing the park.Numerous carnivores roam the area, including grizzly and black bears. The grizzly is listed as "threatened" on the Endangered Species List, and it is estimated that a minimum of at least 350 grizzly bears live in the greater Yellowstone area. Black bears are common. The gray wolf was native to the Yellowstone area, but was eliminated in the 1930s. In 1995, it was restored to the ecosystem. Mountain lions, bobcats, coyotes, and red fox also live here. A wide variety of small mammals, from chipmunks to marmots to squirrels to weasels to voles and mice inhabit the park. Beaver live here, too, but they are rarely seen. Park regulations prohibit feeding any animal, and visitors must stay at least 100 yards away from a bear and at least 25 yards away from all other wildlife (often it is advisable to stay even farther away).
The list below includes the name, common habitat, and, where available, the most recent population estimates of mammals found in Yellowstone. Even though a species is listed as "common," you are not assured of seeing that animal. A park site bulletin, "Mammals of Yellowstone National Park," is available at visitor centers and lists popular viewing areas for many large mammals.
Mammals of Yellowstone
| Order | Family | Mammal | Habitat | Census | Carnivora
| Ursidae | Black Bear | forest & meadows
| 00-600 | | | | Grizzly Bear
| forest & meadows | 350-400 | | | Canidae | Gray Wolf | forest, meadows | 162 | | | | Coyote | forest, meadows, grasslands
| common | | | Felidae | Mountain Lion
| mountains, rocky areas | 18-24 | | | Mustelidae | River Otter
| rivers, lakes, ponds
| common | | | | Skunk | riparian to forest
| occasional | | | | Badger | sagebrush | common | | | | Weasel (ermine)
| willows to fir forest
| common | | | | Mink | riparian forests
| occasional | | Artiodactyla | Cervidae | Elk | meadows, forests
| 35,000 | | | | Moose | riparian, forests
| 300-500 | | | | Mule Deer
| forests, grasslands, shrubs
| 2,500 | | | Bovidae | Bison | meadows, grasslands
| 2,500-2,500 | | | | Bighorn Sheep
| alpine meadows, cliffs
| 150-225 | | | Antilocapridae | Pronghorn | sagebrush, grasslands
| 200-250 | | Lagomorpha | Leporidae | Cottontail | shrub lands
| common | | | | Snowshoe Hare
| forests, willows
| common | | | | Jackrabbit | sagebrush, grasslands
| common | | Rodentia | Castoridae | Beaver | ponds, streams
| 300-350 | | | Sciuridae | (Gray) Squirrel
| forests | common | | | | (Red) Squirrel
| forests | common | | | | Chipmunk | forests | common | | | Geomyidae | Gopher | sagebrush, meadows, forests
| common | | | Cricetidae | Deer Mouse
| grasslands | common | | | | Jumping Mouse
| riparian | occasional | | Chiroptera | Vespertilionidae | Little Brown Bat
| cliffs, attics, feed around water
| common | | | | Bigeared Bat
| cliffs, attics, feed around water
| common |
Mammals of Yellowstone (complete)
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