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Bryce Canyon Animals

Viewing wildlife is part of the National Park experience, so help keep it wild and safe by not feeding the animals. Feeding them is not only dangerous for them, it is dangerous for humans. Besides physiological problems to their digestive system, it lures the animals to places where they are in danger from vehicles while they scrounge for human food. Keep in mind that many of the cute little animals people like to feed are rodents that can transmit disease. Feeding them causes them not only to bite you, but to bite other visitors as well. Deer can be aggressive if they are fed or if they are used to being fed.

Animals living at Bryce Canyon - Animals such as the least chipmunk scurry about the park, often unnerved by the visitors. Present in Bryce Canyon National Park are mule deer, ground squirrels, bobcats, ringtail cats, foxes, hawks, elk and even the golden eagle. The Utah prairie dog will even rear its head once in a while.

Utah Prairie Dog
On the list of animals that have been in danger of dying out, one is a survivor. The Utah prairie dog was listed, in 1973, on the endangered species list, but today the reintroduction program into Bryce Canyon has brought the population up significantly. The Prairie Dogs are believed to be endangered due to a lack of habitat. Although their diets are a simple one of grasses and torbs, it is believed to be a factor in their decline. They need an area where vegetation is sparse and low. Look for the characteristic mounds of dirt made by the prairie dog. Other animals enjoy the burrows for their own homes and the prairie dog does have many natural predators.

Directions to Bryce Canyon From Salt Lake City: Travel south on Interstate 15 past Beaver to UT 20. Exit on UT 20. Turn south on UT 89 and travel past Panguitch. Follow UT 89 to UT 12. Travel along UT 12 through Red Canyon to Bryce Canyon. Turn south on UT 63 to enter the park. From Las Vegas: Travel Interstate 15 past St. George to Exit 16. Drive through Hurricane, Utah. Follow Utah Highway 9 through Hurricane and to the only stop light in LaVerkin. Turn right at the stop light. Continue on Highway 9 to the south entrance of Zion National Park. Drive through Zion to the junction of UT 9 and US 89 at Mt. Carmel Jct. Turn north on UT 89, then exit on UT 12. Follow UT 12 through Red Canyon, turning south on UT 63 to enter Bryce Canyon. Bryce Canyon Road Map - Bryce Canyon Trail Map			Squirrels, chipmunk, deer and other mammals are common in the forested sections of Bryce Canyon. The park has distinctly differ animal habitats with the rocky bottomed hoodoo areas in stark contrast to the forested areas and a distinct difference in elevation also contributes to different habitats and animals that inhabit them.
	Lodging and services are available on the gorgeous east side of Zion National Park, where guests are close to Zion National Park (12 miles), Bryce Canyon National Park (60 miles), Cedar Breaks National Monument (45 miles), Coral Pink Sand Dunes (12 miles), and the North Rim of the Grand Canyon (85 miles). It's where city traffic is absent and the skies are bright and clean.

California Condor - The California Condor is another animal that is being brought back from the grips of extinction. There are now about four dozen, captive-raised, condors living in the Grand Staircase National Monument. These enormous birds fly through Bryce Canyon, from the nearby monument, searching for carrion. The large birds prefer living in the mountainous country at low and moderate elevations that are present in the Grand Staircase. The condor likes to roost in tall open trees or cliffs. The condors are one of the largest flying birds in the world with a wing span up to 9.5'.

Peregrine Falcon - Still another survivor is the Peregrine Falcon. In 1999 this falcon was on the endangered species list, but today they are alive and well, living in Bryce Canyon National Park.

Crows - They are often seen perched on the fence posts at the Bryce Canyon view points along the scenic drive.

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Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah