Zion National Park sits where the Mojave Desert, Colorado Plateau, and Great Basin zones converge, giving it a variety of landscapes, elevation, and scenery all in one national park.
This convergence of these geographic zones also leads to a variety of wildlife, including more than 75 mammal species, 37 reptile and amphibian species, 8 fish species, and almost 300 bird species.
All the animals in Zion have adapted to the desert-like landscape, taking cover in burrows and dens during the day and emerging during cooler night temperatures. So, seeing wildlife while hiking some of Zion's trails can truly be an exciting experience.
Here are 10 of the most incredible animals you might see in Zion National Park, along with when and where you're most likely to see them.
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10 Ringtail
A raccoon relative that is very elusive and rarely seen
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Ringtails are one of the most adorable creatures you'll find in Zion National Park. They're small, weighing only around 2 pounds, but their tail can be over 12 inches long. These lemur-like creatures are actually not lemurs at all. They are more closely related to raccoons!
Ringtails have retractable claws and are very agile, able to climb into small and otherwise inaccessible places with ease. They are also nocturnal. As a result, ringtails are very elusive and rarely seen in Zion. So if you are able to see one, consider it a real treat. You may first notice their fluffy tail with black and white rings on it.
Ringtails often invade buildings in search of food and rodents, so they can be a nuisance in some cases. Regardless, they are one of the more unique animals you'll find in Zion.
Scientific Name
Bassariscus astutus
Where You'll Most Likely See Them
Near rivers and streams; in rock cracks and crevices
When You'll Most Likely See Them
Fall and winter; at night
9 Western Whiptail Lizard
One of the largest and most commonly seen lizards in Zion
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The western whiptail lizard is a very long and slender lizard that is commonly seen. It is one of the largest lizards you might see in Zion, but these lizards can sprint up to 10 miles per hour, so you have to look quickly.
Whiptail lizards can often be seen basking on rocks or sand. They have rusty orange coloration on the sides of their back. These lizards are non-aggressive. They use their speed to get away from predators and like other lizards, they can drop their tails for protection and distraction in order to escape. The tail will grow back.
Scientific Name
Cnemidophorus tigris
Where You'll Most Likely See Them
On the ground in grasses and brush
When You'll Most Likely See Them
Spring, summer, and fall; sunny days in winter
8 Gray Fox
The gray fox's versatility allows them to thrive in Zion
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The gray fox is the only canine species in North America that can climb trees thanks to it's rotating forearm, one of the unique adaptations that allows them to thrive in Zion National Park. Gray foxes climb trees in order to raid bird nests or live in hollowed-out trunks.
Gray foxes are opportunistic omnivores, meaning that they feed on whatever food they find available. That could be lizards, bird eggs, small mammals, and plant materials such as berries and nuts. Their expanded second molar that enables them to eat plant material is another adaptation they have.
Gray foxes are nocturnal, so they are rarely seen in Zion. But it is not uncommon to see gray scat on trails, especially near forested riverbanks.
Scientific Name
Urocyon cinereoargenteus
Where You'll Most Likely See Them
Forested areas and thick vegetation near riverbanks
When You'll Most Likely See Them
Spring and fall; at night
7 Porcupine
A large rodent you might not expect to find in Zion
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The North American porcupine is an unexpected animal to find in Zion, but Zion has all the habitats in which porcupines usually live: high elevation forests, low elevation riparian (next to rivers) areas, and deserts.
Porcupines are considered rodents, and they are the second-largest rodents in North America behind beavers. They eat only plant materials, most commonly conifer needles and tree bark especially in the winter. You can tell a porcupine has been eating from a tree if you encounter a tree with large portions of tree bark removed.
Porcupines can be dangerous because of their quills, especially to pets that may approach the porcupine. But they don't actually launch their quills at predators and other threats. Rather, they can just detach easily if a threat gets too close.
But porcupines are mostly nocturnal, so you usually don't have to worry about getting quilled.
Scientific Name
Erethizon dorsatum
Where You'll Most Likely See Them
Forested areas and near riverbanks
When You'll Most Likely See Them
Year-round; at night
6 Desert Tortoise
A threatened and rare reptile species that lives in the Mojave Desert
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Desert tortoises can be found in low-elevation areas in the Mojave Desert area of Zion, but actually seeing one is rare. These tortoises are a threatened species due to habitat loss, predation, illegal collection, and collisions with vehicles. One subspecies, the Mojave Desert tortoise, is one of the animals in the U.S. that is most at risk of extinction.
Desert tortoises are known to brumate for 4-5 months, which is a form of hibernation in which reptiles burrow down several feet into the ground, occasionally emerging on sunny days to warm up, and then going back underground until spring.
If you do see a desert tortoise, watch it from a distance. They are not dangerous, but due to being a threatened species, you want to help protect these animals by not getting too close.
Scientific Name
Gopherus agassizii
Where You'll Most Likely See Them
Mojave Desert portion of Zion
When You'll Most Likely See Them
Spring when temperatures warm up
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5 Pocket Gopher
Zion is home to two pocket gopher species that are hard to tell apart
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Pocket gophers are medium-sized rodents that create burrows and tunnels up to 18 inches below ground. There are two species of pocket gopher in Zion National Park: the valley pocket gopher (Thomomys bottae) and the northern pocket gopher (Thomomys talpoides).
The two pocket gopher species are hard to tell apart because they are similar in color and size. But valley pocket gophers (also called Botta's pocket gopher) are usually found at lower elevations than northern pocket gophers.
Pocket gophers have a special adaptation that keeps dirt out of their mouth while digging. You will often see gopher mounds instead of the gophers themselves, as they are very shy.
Scientific Name
Thomomys bottae (valley pocket gopher); Thomomys talpoides (northern pocket gopher)
Where You'll Most Likely See Them
Lower elevations; Zion Canyon Visitor Center; Human History Museum
When You'll Most Likely See Them
Spring and fall
4 Mule Deer
One of the largest mammals you'll see in Zion
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Mule deer are named for their large mule-like ears, which are around nine inches long and an adaptation to help dissipate the desert heat. They are one of the largest mammals in Zion and are commonly seen in Zion Canyon, near Zion Lodge (the only accommodation in the park), and along the Virgin River.
Both male and female mule deer have antlers, but the antlers on a male are much larger. The antlers begin to grow in spring and are shed during the winter. Mule deer can look very poor in winter, as lack of vegetation and shedding their fur can make them appear sick or diseased.
The mule deer's main predator in Zion is the mountain lion, but fawns are susceptible to getting killed by coyotes and bobcats. Fawns are usually born in late spring, and mule deer often give birth to twins.
Mule deer fawns are often spotted by themselves, but they should be left alone. The mother is usually nearby. If you're ever concerned about a fawn by themselves, it's best to contact a park ranger rather than approaching the fawn.
Scientific Name
Odocoileus hemionus
Where You'll Most Likely See Them
Zion Canyon; Zion Lodge; along the Virgin River
When You'll Most Likely See Them
Spring and fall; during cooler morning and evening hours
3 California Condor
One of the rarest and most magnificent of Zion's 291 bird species
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Despite having California in their name, the California condor can also be found in Arizona and Utah, including in Zion National Park, which serves as a refuge for this bird. The California condor is another of the most endangered animals in the United States, but their population is slowly recovering. Approximately 70 condors live in the wild in Arizona and Utah.
Condors are very curious birds and are often attracted to human activity. That's why you can usually see them perched at or flying above Angels Landing, one of the most popular but scariest hikes in Zion National Park.
However, it is important not to approach a condor, and especially don't feed them. As an endangered species, we need to do what we can to protect these majestic birds.
Scientific Name
Gymnogyps californianus
Where You'll Most Likely See Them
Angels Landing; Kolob Terrace Road near Lava Point
When You'll Most Likely See Them
May to November
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2 Desert Bighorn Sheep
A subspecies of bighorn sheep adapted to the desert regions
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Desert bighorn sheep are a subspecies of bighorn sheep that have roamed the deserts in the southwest for more than 12,000 years. They were extinct from Zion by the mid-1900s, but the National Park Service and Utah Department of Wildlife Resources reintroduced 14 of them back into Zion in 1978. The population of bighorn sheep in Zion is now over 500.
Desert bighorn sheep are smaller than Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep. They have smaller bodies and shorter coats, but their legs are longer. These adaptations help them stay cooler and traverse the desert terrain. They are known for their huge, bony horns that both males and females have, although the horns on the males are much bigger.
Desert bighorn sheep can also go several days without drinking water, getting moisture from the plants they eat. They can climb rocks and mountains easily, which enables them to escape predators such as mountain lions. They are usually not dangerous, but can be more aggressive during the rut, or mating season, when they often fight with other males to win females.
Scientific Name
Ovis canadensis nelsoni
Where You'll Most Likely See Them
Between Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel and the East Entrance
When You'll Most Likely See Them
July to October
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1 Mountain Lion
The most dangerous but elusive animal in Zion National Park
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Zion is one of several national parks where you can find mountain lions, Mountain lions are the apex predators in Zion National Park, and they are also one of the largest and most dangerous animals. Mountain lions (also known as cougars) can be up to nine feet long and weigh up to 180 pounds. Mountain lions can also run up to 50 miles per hour and jump as high as 20 feet vertically and 40 feet horizontally.
However, mountain lions are very elusive. They are solitary creatures and don't share their territory with other mountain lions. As a result, the total population of mountain lions in Zion is not known, but there may be fewer than 10 in the park.
Mountain lions primarily hunt mule deer and bighorn sheep, and generally make a kill every 4-8 days. There has never been an attack on humans by a mountain lion in Zion, as they have plenty of food sources and tend to avoid humans whenever possible.
Although there has never been a mountain lion attack in Zion National Park, if you do see a mountain lion, it is best to back away slowly while facing a mountain lion until you are a safe distance away. Running away from a mountain lion may initiate a chase. If you do see a mountain lion, report the sighting to a park ranger so it can be monitored.
Scientific Name
Puma concolor
Where You'll Most Likely See Them
Kolob Canyons; Zion backcountry
When You'll Most Likely See Them
Spring and fall