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City of Rocks National ReserveView of Elephant Rock and Twin Sisters granite formations
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City of Rocks National Reserve
Mammals
 
Mountain Cottontail crouched in snow
Lynnette Hansen
Mountain Cottontail

Most visitors to City of Rocks will observe mule deer, mountain cottontail, blacktail jack rabbit,yellow-bellied marmot and golden-mantled and least chipmunks.  The Reserve and surrounding area also is home to a number of species that rarely occur further north in Idaho such as piñon mouse, cliff chipmunk, ringtail, pygmy rabbit and desert bighorn sheep.  Also documented within the reserve are the more elusive mountain lion, bobcat, coyote, and elk.  Pronghorn antelope and bison were probably common in the area century ago, but are no longer present.  All documented mammals are included in the Reserve's Wildlife Checklist.

Twin Sisters granite spires against a summer sky.  

Did You Know?
The Twin Sisters in City of Rocks National Reserve are made up of different rocks. The darker sister is made of granite that is 2.5 billion years old and is some of the oldest rock in the Lower 48 states. The lighter sister is made of granite in a younger formation that is 25 million years old.

Last Updated: August 24, 2006 at 13:20 EST