Glacier National Park consistently ranks as one of the most visited national parks in the U.S., and it's not surprising due to its stunning scenery of glaciers, valleys, lakes, and meadows.
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Montana's beautiful range in Glacier National Park has plenty of things to do, including the potential to see some pretty incredible animals. Glacier National Park is home to 276 bird species, over seventy mammal species, half a dozen amphibian species, multiple reptile species, countless insects, and a mix of native and non-native fish.
While each animal species is unique in its own way, some of them are downright amazing. If you're visiting Glacier National Park, here are 10 of the most incredible animal species you might see there.
The types of animals you might see in Glacier National Park depend on the time of year you're visiting and what activities you're participating in while you're there. You're never guaranteed to see any of these species, but by timing your visit with the times these animals are most active, you may get lucky!
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10 Pika
One of the smallest mammal species in Glacier National Park
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As one of the smallest mammals that call Glacier National Park home, pikas only grow to about four inches long. Their fur also enables them to easily blend into rocks to avoid larger predators, making them quite hard to spot unless you're really looking for one. Rocky talus slopes are their primary habitat.
Pikas are unique because, as herbivores, they gather plant materials and store them under rocks during the summer months. These plant stores are known as haystacks, and they help the pika survive the harsh winter climate.
Pikas are one of the few animals that can survive the winter without hibernating. However, they are sensitive to temperatures above 78 degrees Fahrenheit, which makes climate change a potential risk for pika populations in Glacier.
Scientific Name
Ochotona princeps
When They Are Most Active
Summer
Where You'll Most Likely See Them
Rocky slopes
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9 Rubber Boa
Suspected to be present in Glacier, but never officially documented
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There aren't many reptile species in Glacier National Park. This is due to the cold climate and reptiles being cold-blooded and relying on heat to warm themselves up. There have been a few sightings of rubber boas in Glacier, but they have never been officially documented as being there. However, rubber boas are native to western North America, including Montana, so it makes sense that they would be seen in Glacier.
But a few things make them difficult to spot and document. Most importantly, they are primarily nocturnal, so you would need to be hiking at night to see one. Rubber boas are also smaller than most other boa constrictors, only growing up to 28 inches in length.
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Boa constrictors like the rubber boa are known for squeezing their prey to kill it in order to eat it. The cool thing about the rubber boa is that its tail looks like its head (minus the eyes and mouth). They raise their tail to look like their head to trick prey so that they can attack from behind. Rubber boas also give birth to live young, instead of laying eggs like other snakes.
Scientific Name
Charina bottae
When They Are Most Active
Summer, at night
Where You'll Most Likely See Them
Moist environments in forests and near streams
It is not a good idea to hike at night in order to try to find one of these snakes, especially in an area such as Glacier National Park. Hiking at night leads to lower visibility, a difficult time following trails, the potential to encounter dangerous nocturnal wildlife, and the potential for hypothermia and frostbite during the colder months.
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8 Cliff Swallow
Known for building unique nests on the sides of cliffs
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Glacier National Park has been designated as an Important Bird Area that may serve as a refuge for 19 bird species sensitive to climate change by the year 2050. One unique bird species that calls Glacier home during the summer breeding season is the cliff swallow.
Cliff swallows flock to Glacier, and large colonies of them build nests on the sides of cliffs using mud, dried grass, and other materials. The nests are generally jug-shaped and distinct, so you'll know you're looking at a cliff swallow nest if you see one. Cliff swallows will also nest underneath bridges.
Cliff swallows love open to semi-open land, cliffs, rivers, and lakes and can commonly be seen near water. You most likely won't see them in the winter months, though, as they migrate to South America for the warmer temperatures.
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Scientific Name
Petrochelidon pyrrhonota
When They Are Most Active
Summer
Where You'll Most Likely See Them
On the sides of cliffs or near open fields or water sources
7 Wolverine
The largest member of the weasel family
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Wolverines are unique in that they are technically considered weasels, but they are much larger than other members of the weasel family. Although they are active year-round, wolverines are a rare sight because they prefer isolated, remote areas and are nomadic, meaning they travel from place to place, usually in search of food.
Wolverines have paws with five toes, along with thick, oily fur, making their coat resistant to frost. These two traits enable them to travel through snow easily.
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Wolverines are primarily scavengers, feeding on the remains of animals much larger than they are: deer and elk. They also hunt and eat smaller animals like pikas, mice, and snowshoe hares.
Glacier National Park is home to more than 50 wolverines, which is the densest wolverine population in the lower 48 states. But they are also vulnerable to habitat disturbance, trapping, and climate change.
Scientific Name
Gulo gulo
When They Are Most Active
Year-round
Where You'll Most Likely See Them
Forested areas at upper elevations
6 Snowshoe Hare
Blink and you might miss this animal, which can blend in with rocks, grass, or snow
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Snowshoe hares are abundant in Glacier National Park, and they are pretty incredible. The color of their fur changes depending on the season. It turns white in winter to blend in with the snow and brown in summer to blend in with the rocks and grass. Spring and fall bring unique fur that is part brown and part white.
Their name comes from their very large back feet, which have stiff hair and resemble a snowshoe, allowing them to move through the snow with ease.
Snowshoe hares primarily live in boreal forest and spruce forest areas, where they are the dominant herbivores. They browse vegetation, which affects plant growth and causes the plants to produce chemicals that make them unpalatable to other animals.
Although they can be seen year-round, you may be more likely to see snowshoe hares during the spring, which is their mating season.
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Scientific Name
Lepus americanus
When They Are Most Active
Year-round but more common in spring
Where You'll Most Likely See Them
Boreal and spruce forests
5 Bighorn Sheep
Their large horns can weigh up to 30 pounds
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Bighorn sheep are known for their large horns and their ability to climb mountain slopes with ease. The horns on the males are hard and bony and can weigh up to 30 pounds. They can also inflict a lot of damage on potential threats, including humans. But they are generally non-aggressive and rarely attack humans unless provoked.
Bighorn sheep live in the rocky terrain of Glacier, which allows them protection from predators because they can access areas that other animals can't. They often travel in herds, so wherever you see one bighorn sheep, you'll usually find several.
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Although some animals in Glacier National Park can be elusive, bighorn sheep are not hard to spot. You're most likely to see them in the summer months, and hiking along the Highline Trail or near the Logan Pass area gives you the best chance of seeing them.
If seeing a bighorn sheep is on your bucket list, and you don't see any at Glacier, you can also try Wild Horse Island State Park, Montana's most underrated state park, which is an island just an hour from Glacier National Park.
If you do see bighorn sheep, make sure to watch from a distance and do not approach them. Remember, those large horns are dangerous!
Scientific Name
Ovis canadensis
When They Are Most Active
Summer
Where You'll Most Likely See Them
Rocky areas, near the Highline Trail and Logan Pass
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4 Mountain Goat
These impressive climbers can precariously perch on cliffsides
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Mountain goats have cloven hooves and are known for being great climbers, able to scale cliffsides with ease. They are a truly alpine species, commonly seen near icy passages in rugged mountain areas, which perfectly describes Glacier National Park.
Mountain goats are not true goats and are instead more of a cross between a goat and an antelope. These animals are smaller than you might think, only growing to about three feet in height. They are known for being non-aggressive and generally keep to themselves when humans are around. As with the bighorn sheep, they do have horns that can be dangerous if they are provoked, so it's best to keep your distance.
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Due to their climbing abilities, a mountain goat can easily get away from a human with ease, and you'll often see them climb to impressive heights and perch in precarious positions. They are a species of the least concern and are a common sight in Glacier National Park.
Taking a drive along America's most scenic route in the national park, on Going-to-the-Sun Road, is sure to give you plenty of opportunities to see mountain goats.
Scientific Name
Oreamnus americanus
When They Are Most Active
Spring and summer
Where You'll Most Likely See Them
Meadows and cliffsides, especially near Logan Pass, Goat Lick Overlook, and Grinnell Glacier
3 Mountain Lion
The largest feline species in North America
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Mountain lions have a stable population in Glacier National Park, and mountain lions can be found in seven other national parks as well. But mountain lions are rarely seen because they prefer a solitary life and don't like confrontation. They are one of the most dangerous animals in Glacier National Park and can easily take down large prey such as elk, moose, and bighorn sheep.
Mountain lions are very elusive and don't tend to attack humans unless they feel threatened. You don't want to provoke a mountain lion because they can easily outrun you.
Mountain lions can run at speeds up to 50 miles per hour and jump up to 40 feet horizontally and 20 feet vertically. This is what makes them so incredible, but also dangerous, especially when you consider their sharp claws and teeth.
It is always important to be aware of mountain lion safety when hiking in an area with mountain lions. Never hike alone, and never run away from a mountain lion. They may think you are initiating a chase. Slowly back away from a mountain lion while facing it. Making noise while hiking can avoid surprising a mountain lion.
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Scientific Name
Felis concolor
When They Are Most Active
Year-round, but rarely seen
Where You'll Most Likely See Them
Wooded areas and rocky breaks
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2 Moose
One of the largest land mammals in North America
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Although moose aren't the largest land mammals in North America (that title goes to the bison, which is not currently found in Glacier National Park), they are the second largest, which is what makes them so incredible. It is really hard to picture the true size of a moose until you see one in person.
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Moose can stand up to 6 feet tall at the shoulder and weigh 1,000 pounds or more. But what's really impressive is their antlers, which can also be dangerous. Although moose rarely attack, they will if provoked, especially during mating season, and you do not want to be rammed by an angry moose. That being said, it is important to keep your distance from a moose and hide if one were to approach you.
Moose can commonly be seen around lakes in Glacier National Park. You can see them year-round but are most likely to see them in the summer months.
Scientific Name
Alces alces
When They Are Most Active
Year-round, but more common in summer
Where You'll Most Likely See Them
Near lakes, such as Fishercap Lake and Bowman Lake
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1 Grizzly Bear
Glacier is home to one of the largest populations of grizzly bears in the lower 48 states
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Glacier National Park is one of only five distinct recovery areas for grizzly bears in the lower 48 states. Grizzly bears are a threatened species, but they play a crucial role in the ecosystem and landscape of Glacier.
Grizzlies dig for glacier lilies as a food source, which helps to release nitrogen into the soil, helping the lilies to grow larger and more abundant. They also spread huckleberry seeds in their droppings, which provides a food source for not only the bears but for other animal species as well.
Grizzlies can be seen in the spring and summer months in valleys, lowland meadows, and aspen groves, but they return to higher elevations in the winter to hibernate. Grizzly bears in Glacier National Park rarely pose a threat to humans, although they can occasionally be seen at campsites searching for food.
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Recently, a group of hikers was chased by a grizzly bear in Glacier National Park before its eyes locked onto a herd of mountain goats. It's important to never run away from a grizzly bear, as they may see it as a chase. Instead, back away slowly or use bear spray if the bear gets within 30-60 feet.
Scientific Name
Ursus actos
When They Are Most Active
Spring and summer
Where You'll Most Likely See Them
Meadows, valleys, and aspen groves