Animals

Close up of a cave cricket

NPS

Timpanogos Cave National Monument is not a large wildlife park; however, for its 250 acres it does have a surprising diversity. The monument is found nestled within the steeply-walled American Fork Canyon. The elevation ranges from 5,000 feet to 9,500 feet. In the center of the monument flows the American Fork River.

These extreme conditions create desirable habitats for large mammals such as Mountain goats, Big horn sheep, Mountain lions, Moose, Mule deer, and Black bears. The canyon also supports small mammals such as Ringtail cats, Longtail weasels, raccoons, squirrels, chipmunks, packrats, and bats.

The canyon's hot 100° F (38° C) summers supports reptiles such as the Great Basin rattlesnake, Gopher snake, Rubber boa, and Sagebrush lizard.

The American Fork River supports 2 species of introduced fish, Brown trout and Rainbow trout.

The canyon supports commonly seen birds such as the American dipper, Broad-tailed hummingbird, Canyon wren, Orange-crowned warbler, Western tanager, Violet-green swallow, and Stellers jay. Occassional visits are seen from larger birds such as Wild turkeys, Red-tailed hawks, Peregrine falcon, and Golden eagles.

For such a small park, the ranging elevations and various vegetation types allow for a surprisely large diversity of animals.