Wildlife Across Idaho

Found mostly in North Idaho’s high-altitude forest habitats of subalpine fir and spruce, this mid-sized carnivore is known for its distinguishing tufted ears and large paws. The Canada lynx (Lynx canadensis) is a predator built for cold and snowy terrain with a thick, speckled coat and paws that act as the equivalent of snowshoes. In 2000, lynx were designated as threatened under the U.S. Endangered Species Act in the lower 48 states. 

The Idaho giant salamander (Dicamptodon aterrimus) is an extraordinary amphibian found only in central Idaho forests and two places in western Montana. They can grow up to a foot in length and have a beautiful mottled pattern of copper and brown to aid in camouflage. Salamanders have distinct life stages, from hatching from an egg into larvae that live in the water to eventually becoming adults that live on land and no longer have gills. Most salamanders don’t make any noise, but Idaho giants can make a yelping sound. 

Hoary bats (Lasiurus cinereus) are the most widespread bat in the U.S., but we are showcasing them here since this flying mammal prefers to roost on the edges of forests or woodlands, including in Idaho. Their coats are dense and dark brown, with white tips to the hairs which gives them a “hoary” or frosted appearance. Hoary bats are solitary creatures for most of the year but come together for breeding and migration. Babies can fly at four weeks old!

As a small mammal found in mountainous regions of Idaho, the pika (Ochotona princeps) rivals the pygmy rabbit for Idaho’s most adorable animal. Notable for surviving in alpine environments at the edge of the treeline, such as high-altitude rocky slopes in the Sawtooth Mountain Range, they have adapted to cold climates by building small, edible nests which serve as protection from the elements and a food source. Pikas have a brown coat with large ears and are known to produce a distinctive “eep” sound when they feel threatened. These critters are particularly sensitive to the impacts of warmer temperatures associated with climate change.

This striking animal (pun intended) is Idaho’s largest woodpecker and the largest in North America. The pileated woodpecker (Dryocopus pileatus) loves big trees, making the mature forests in North Idaho a great place for them to live. Their name comes from their flashy red crest on the top of their heads. You can identify pileated woodpecker holes in trees since they leave large, rectangular shaped holes instead of round ones. 

Known for their large shoulder hump, this species of brown bear can weigh upwards of 700 pounds and run at speeds of up to 40 miles per hour. Much of TNC’s conservation efforts in North Idaho have focused on protecting habitat from development so that grizzly bears (Ursus arctos horribilis) can move throughout the landscape to use a variety of different habitats and maintain genetic diversity that is essential to the species’ survival. Grizzly bears play an important role in forested ecosystems by dispersing seeds and nutrients via their scat. 

With their round body, small head and long tail, as well as their rhythmic dancing and strutting during their courtship, the greater sage grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) stands out as one of Idaho’s most iconic birds. Primarily due to human-related threats, foremost loss or degradation of habitat, these captivating birds now occupy less than 10% of their original range in the U.S. and Canada. These large birds congregate in open clearings called “leks” where males perform elaborate courtship displays to attract female mates. 

Also known as “blue-bellies,” the sagebrush lizard (Sceloporus graciosus) is the most common lizard you will find in Idaho’s sagebrush landscapes. Only mature males have the two bright blue spots on their bellies, and they use them to scare off other males by doing push-ups to show off the colored scales to claim their territory. The blue color may also help in getting female lizards’ attention.

One of the cutest animals in the West, pygmy rabbits (Brachylagus idahoensis) are also the smallest species of rabbit in North America—adults weigh less than one pound! These adorable critters also depend on sagebrush for their survival. They use dense stands of sagebrush for cover and dig their burrows near the plants. In the winter, sagebrush consists of over 90% of their diet.

Pronghorn (Antilocapra americana) have the longest land migration of any animal in the continental United States and can run at speeds up to 60 miles per hour, making them the second fastest land animal in the world! In 2008, TNC partnered with Idaho Department of Fish and Game and others to fit 10 pronghorn does with radio collars to study their migrations. The findings helped guide management decisions and aided in removing barriers that impeded their migration.

There are 14 species of owl that call Idaho home, including the short-eared owl (Asio flammeus). Although it can be spotted in other habitats, this owl prefers open country like the sagebrush sea. Unlike other owl species, you can spot short-eared owls during the day, since they like to hunt at dawn and dusk. A fun fact about this bird is that they are ground nesters. They find a depression in the ground and line it with grass and feathers.

With their distinctive blotched pattern and alarming rattle, Western rattlesnakes (Crotalus oreganus) are one of the most recognizable snakes in Idaho. Contrary to popular belief, a rattlesnake’s age cannot be determined by the number of rattles on their tail. These circular shapes called “buttons” are added after each shedding, which can occur up to three or four times a year. To make their distinct sound, they can twitch their tails 20 to 100 times per second!

Moose (Alces alces) are the largest members of the deer family. They have a large muzzle, humped shoulders and a dewlap, the large tuft of hair hanging from their throat. Don’t be deceived by their thin, gangly legs—moose are fast runners and adept swimmers, with adult males weighing up to 1,500 pounds. Their long legs also allow them to wade into deep water to eat highly prized and nutritious aquatic plants. You might be able to spot them on your next visit to TNC’s Silver Creek Preserve. 

As a prominent and ecologically important species, the North American beaver (Castor canadensis) plays a crucial role in Idaho by maintaining and shaping aquatic habitats. With their stocky bodies, brown coat, flat tail, and long, yellow teeth, the beaver is easily recognizable. As an herbivore, their diet mainly consists of roots, aquatic plants and woody plants. Beavers are the largest rodents in North America and are ecosystem engineers. The presence of beaver shapes habitat in ways that support great biodiversity. They provide habitat and resources to other species by building dams that form slow-moving ponds and reduce erosion. 

Columbian spotted frogs (Rana luteiventris) rely on permanent, clean freshwater sources like lakes, ponds, streams, marshes and wet riparian corridors. They also use those corridors to migrate between their feeding, breeding and wintering habitats. While insects make up about 50% of their diet, they are very opportunistic eaters and have been seen eating mollusks, algae and other plants.

Sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) are known to have the farthest migration of any fish in Idaho, swimming more than 900 miles and climbing more than 6,500 feet in elevation. Unlike other salmon, sockeye need lakes for their young to live and grow for one to two years before migrating to the ocean as young adults. In Idaho, sockeye salmon are primarily in watersheds near Stanley, Idaho. This mountainous region full of towering evergreens provides the perfect habitat for spawning in the late autumn. 

The belted kingfisher (Megaceryle alcyon) is a common and distinctive year-round resident of Idaho. Recognized by its striking blue-and-white coloration and shaggy plumage crest on its head, this species is most often observed near freshwater environments. Known for their specialized set of fishing abilities, this small bird likes to perch near water sources before diving headfirst to catch fish. Their call has a unique rattling quality and is a familiar sound along rivers and streams. The belted kingfisher is known for its adaptability, creating nests that function as burrows in earthen banks.

The Yellowstone cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarkii bouvieri) is an important species that can only be found in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, one of the world’s last remaining large, nearly intact ecosystems in a temperate zone. Recognized by the classic scarlet throat coloring and speckles common to all cutthroat trout, this particular species has a yellow-brown body that fades into lighter yellow on their sides. It has been estimated that a total of 16 species of birds and mammals depend on this trout as a food source. Teton Creek, located in Eastern Idaho and the site of a TNC conservation project, provides critical spawning habitat for the most significant population of Yellowstone cutthroat trout in the Upper Teton River watershed.

Bobcats (Lynx rufus) live in a variety of habitats like forests and deserts, but they also have been seen in many Idaho cities. They are carnivores that can succeed on a diet of mice, rats, birds, squirrels, rabbits and other small prey—critters that thrive in suburban areas. To identify a bobcat versus a domestic cat, remember that they are about twice the size of an average cat, have large cheek tufts and a short black-and-white tipped bobbed tail.

Hummingbird feeders are a backyard favorite. Idaho has five hummingbird species, including the smallest bird in North America—the Calliope hummingbird (Selasphorus calliope). The standout feature of a Calliope hummingbird is the magenta rays on the male's throat, also called a gorget. Although they may be tiny, these birds travel about 5,400 miles every year for their migration between Idaho and southern Mexico. 

Many might be surprised that fox squirrels (Sciurus niger), often spotted in cities, are not native to Idaho. They were introduced to western urban areas in the early 20^th century. Fox squirrels are diurnal, meaning they are only active during the day, and they have few natural predators, making them one of the easier urban wildlife to spot.

If your city has water, such as lakes, ponds or irrigation ditches, you may have heard the Pacific chorus frog (Pseudacris regilla), with its stereotypical “ribbit” sound. This frog comes in a variety of colors, which makes identification difficult, but they all have a dark line through the eye that ends above the shoulder. At full size, it only grows to a length of two inches. You can also sometimes spot this frog in shrubs and trees due to their toe pads that act like suction cups, which allows them to climb. 

Idaho made the peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus) the state raptor in 2004. They are a species that has adapted well to urban life, as they take advantage of tall buildings as nest sites and prey on other urban birds like pigeons. They are also the fastest animal in the world since they can reach speeds as high as 200 mph when they dive!

Idaho has two different kinds of garter snakes—the common garter snake (Thamnophis sirtalis) and the terrestrial garter snake (Thamnophis elegans). Garter snakes are one of the few types of snakes that give live birth! And while they spend most of the year alone, they will often hibernate together. Hundreds of garter snakes have been found using the same den in the winter.