Mammals

Bighorn Sheep. The most famous mammal in the park!
Bighorn Sheep. The most famous mammal in the park!
NPS (Henthorne)
 

What do black bears, wild horses and Bighorn Canyon visitors all have in common? They are all mammals! Mammals vary greatly in appearance, behavior, and required habitats, but all mammals share certain characteristics, that help distinguish them from other living animals. All mammals: 

  • are warm-blooded; meaning they can maintain a constant internal body temperature, despite varying external temperatures.
  • give birth to live young, and can produce milk to nourish them. 
  • Have hair or fur, helping to keep them warm and provide insulation.

In this section of our website, you can learn more about some of the most common and interesting of Bighorn Canyon's mammals.

Did You Know?

Aerial view of Yellowtail Dam in Bighorn Canyon NRA

The arch-type Yellowtail Dam, named for Robert Yellowtail, rises 525 feet and generates enough power for 124,000 households, equivalent to about one-third of all the households in Montana. More...