Wildlife in the Grand Canyon

Its large size, relatively unfragmented and diverse habitat, and range of elevations and associated climates have made Grand Canyon National Park a valuable wildlife preserve. There are approximately 355 bird, 89 mammal, 47 reptile, 9 amphibian, 17 fish (including five native species), and thousands of aquatic and terrestrial invertebrate species in the park.

Grand Canyon National Park spans nearly 8,000 ft. in elevation, from the Mohave desert scrub regions along the Colorado River in the park’s western end to the Kaibab Plateau’s subalpine conifer forests on the North Rim. As a result, three broad wildlife habitats exist: the Colorado River corridor and inner canyon riparian areas (Riparian), inner canyon desert uplands (Desert Scrub), and the coniferous forests (Coniferous Forest). The individual animal species found in each of these habitats are discussed under each animal subcategory as well as under habitat.