Jackson Hole

Wildlife

Bull Moose Walking Through Field In Front Of Grand Teton Mountains

The Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem (GYE) is one of the largest nearly intact temperate ecosystems on Earth, covering 10 to 15 million acres across Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks. Recognized worldwide as a model of conservation, this region has remained protected since Yellowstone became the first national park in 1872 and expanded with the creation of Grand Teton National Park in 1950. Visitors today experience an interconnected wilderness of mountains, valleys, rivers, and meadows that still functions as a complete ecosystem, home to the same wildlife species that roamed the West centuries ago.

If you’re wondering what animals live in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, the answer is – a lot of them! The diversity of habitats supports an incredible range of species. On open sagebrush plains, travelers may encounter bison, pronghorn antelope, grizzly bears, coyotes, hawks, and sandhill cranes. Forested areas provide cover for elk, mule deer, black bears, pine martens, and foxes, while the region’s lakes and rivers attract beavers, river otters, swans, pelicans, bald eagles, and moose. Even the steepest cliffs and rocky slopes hold specialized wildlife like bighorn sheep, mountain goats, and pika, showcasing the adaptability of animals in Yellowstone National Park and Grand Teton National Park.

Large carnivores are among the most iconic species of the Yellowstone ecosystem. The gray wolf, once eliminated from the region, was reintroduced to Yellowstone National Park in 1995, creating one of the most successful wildlife recovery stories in North America. Today, Yellowstone supports more than 100 wolves in about 10 packs, and visitors often ask, “Can you see wolves in Yellowstone?” The answer is yes: Yellowstone remains one of the best places in the world to watch wild wolves, alongside grizzly bears, black bears, and elusive mountain lions that thrive in this protected ecosystem.

Another unforgettable highlight of Yellowstone and Grand Teton wildlife is the elk rut, which takes place each fall. The Rocky Mountain Elk, one of the largest deer species in North America, migrate through the parks in vast herds. During September and October, bull elk can be heard bugling across valleys and meadows, defending harems of females in one of the most dramatic wildlife spectacles of the year. For travelers searching the best time to visit Jackson Hole for wildlife, autumn is unmatched, offering the chance to witness the elk rut against the backdrop of the Teton Range while also spotting bison, moose, and migrating birds.