![]() NPS / Molly Swindle Dinosaur National Monument is a land of rivers and deserts, of mountains, woodlands, and canyons. On the sagebrush flats, white-tailed prairie dogs perch at the edge of their burrows on the lookout for hungry peregrine falcons. Bighorn sheep and mountain lions survey boaters from rugged river canyons while humpback chubs swim in the water beneath their paddles. During the day, side-blotched lizards sun themselves beneath 1,000 year old petroglyphs that capture their likeness. At night, Great Basin spadefoot toads emerge from soft sands to hunt for insects, the Milky Way reflected in their golden eyes. For a complete list of animals found in Dinosaur National Monument, use the NPS Species tool below. Select a Park:Select a Species Category (optional):
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![]() NPS / Jake Frank AmphibiansAmphibians are ectothermic (cold-blooded) vertebrates that live part of their lives in water and part on land. Dinosaur National Monument is home to 5 confirmed species of amphibians. There are 4 known members from the order Anura, which includes frogs and toads. The park is also home to the tiger salamander (Ambystoma tigrinum). Because of how sensitive they are to environmental change, scientists often rely on amphibian populations to gauge environmental health. In this way, amphibians serve an important role in conservation science, both here and around the world.NPS / Cindy McIntyre BirdsPeople are often surprised to learn that Dinosaur National Monument is home to living dinosaurs, too. While the big, toothy ones died out long ago, most paleontologists believe birds are actually direct descendents of theropod dinosaurs, and the only members of the dinosaur lineage alive today. Birds are endothermic (warm-blooded) vertebrates that lay eggs and have beaks, feathers, and a lightweight skeleton. Over 200 species of birds have been confirmed in Dinosaur National Monument. While some migrate to and from the monument, like the beautiful sandhill cranes, others live here year-round.![]() NPS / Dinosaur National Monument FishFish are aquatic vertebrates that have gills, but don't have limbs with digits (fingers and toes). While Dinosaur National Monument is home to over 50 species of fish, only 14 of them are actually native to the Green and Yampa rivers. Historic dam projects and non-native species introduced by state and federal agencies to meet sportfishing demands in the past have taken a toll on native fish. Today, 3 of the 14 native species are endangered and one is classified as threatened. In an effort to help restore native fish populations, the National Park Service is a partner in the Upper Colorado Endangered Fish Recovery Program.![]() NPS / Jake Frank MammalsMammals are a group of endothermic (warm-blooded) vertebrates that nourish their young with milk. Dinosaur National Monument is home to nearly 70 species of mammals. Although nearly all of them are fearful of people, sharp-eyed and patient visitors may see several while visiting the monument. What you see largely depends on when you visit and what parts of the monument you explore. Keep in mind that many of the monument's mammals are scared of humans. Some even carry diseases that can spread to humans and their pets, including dogs. For their safety and yours, give wildlife plenty of space.![]() NPS / Jake Frank ReptilesReptiles are a very broad class of vertebrates that breathe air and have scales covering all or part of their bodies. While Dinosaur National Monument is known mostly for its extinct reptiles, there are at least 14 confirmed species of extant (living) reptiles still residing in the monument today. The park is home to 6 species of lizards and 8 species of snakes, 3 of which are venomous. Although testudines (turtles, tortoises, and terrapins) also lived here millions of years ago, today only their fossils remain. |
Last updated: March 13, 2022