Animals

Clark's Nutcracker, a bird, in downward flight
The Clark's Nutcracker (Nucifraga columbiana) is a familiar bird throughout the park. It is common along the rim where Whitebark pine trees grow.

NPS photo 2019 Steven Hilger

 

Crater Lake National Park is rich with wildlife. Mammals, birds, and insects makeup the largest portion of animals living throughout the park. Native and some invasive fish species occupy many of the streams. Amphibians live in the wet lands, streams, ponds, and along the shore of Crater Lake. A few species of reptiles thrive on Wizard Island and in dry habitats.

Common Sightings

The most common animals observed around Rim Drive are golden-mantled ground squirrels, Canada jays and an assortment of butterflies and bees. Black bear sightings are more common in autumn and late spring when animals are waking up or getting ready to hibernate. American marten, snowshoe hare, and Douglas squirrel tracks are abundant in the winter snow. Melting snow and changing temperatures signal animal migrations, hibernation and seasonal foraging.

While these animals are commonly observed along Rim Drive and popular trails, visiting other areas might provide better opportunities to enjoy the sights and sounds of a wider variety of wildlife. Animals—amphibians, birds, invertebrates, mammals, reptiles and fish—may be more prominent around some of the unique and less visited landscapes of Crater Lake National Park such as Sphagnum Bog, Union Peak, Panhandle, Boundary Springs, and Desert Creek Research Natural Area.

Click on the photo categories below for information about specific species, and to access the park's species lists.

 
  • a chickadee perched on a branch
    Birds

    Diverse habitats support migrating birds with varying layovers, and resident species that mate, nest, and raise young in the park.

  • an orange butterfly
    Invertebrates

    The most varied of all the animal groups are found in water, land, and air. They live at all elevations throughout the park. Learn more...

  • a golden-mantled ground squirrel with dried grass in mouth
    Mammals

    From shrews and squirrels to bats and bears, there are over 70 species of mammals that have been identified in the park.

  • a western toad blends in with rocks in shallow water
    Amphibians

    Frogs, toads, salamanders and newts are found around the lakeshore, near rivers, meadows and other wet areas.

 

Crater Lake Species List

Use the dropdown menu below to select the Crater Lake National Park animal species category that you'd like to view. You can choose to get a checklist or the full list which includes more information about each species. Once your selection appears on the page, choose to download the information or click "view PDF" to generate a printable version of your report. Use the blue print button at the top of the document to print the report, or click the blue-and-white export symbol to save the report.
 

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Visit NPSpecies for more comprehensive information and advanced search capability. Have a suggestion or comment on this list? Let us know.

Last updated: September 11, 2021

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Contact Info

Mailing Address:

Crater Lake National Park
PO Box 7

Crater Lake, OR 97604

Phone:

541 594-3000

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