Wildlife

Bear Creek Watershed Amphibians and Reptiles

There is one salamander, 16 frogs and toads, 5 turtles, 19 lizards, and 26 snake species can be found in Colorado. In the Bear Creek Watershed there is 1 salamander, 4 frogs and toads, 3 turtles, 2 lizards, and 5 snakes.

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Bear Creek Watershed Fish

There are 30 fish species in the Bear Creek Watershed.

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Bear Creek Watershed Mammals

Many of the mammals that live in or near the Bear Creek watershed are listed here, along with photos, brief descriptions emphasizing identification, a few interesting facts, and some handy links to more information.

Please enjoy looking at our wild neighbors from a distance. If an animal changes its behavior because of you, you are putting yourself and the animal in danger.

Note: Information has also been gleaned from the collective knowledge, education and experience of Evergreen Audubon volunteers and other experts. If you find a broken link or information that you think may not be correct, please contact:  communications@EvergreenAudubon.org

Bovidae (Cow family)

  • Bighorn Sheep (Ovis Canadensis)
  • Mountain Goat (Oreamnos americanus)

Cervidae (Deer family)

  • American Elk (Cervus Canadensis)  
  • Moose (Alces alces)
  • Mule Deer (Odocoileus hemionus)
  • White-tailed Deer (Odocoileus virginianus)

Chiroptera (Bat family)

Felidae (Cat family)

  • Bobcat (Lynx rufus) 
  • Mountain Lion (Felis concolor)

Canidae (Dog Family)

  • Coyote (Canis latrans)  
  • Gray Fox (Urocyon cinereoargentues)
  • Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes)

Lagomorphs (Rabbit family)

  • American Pika (Ochotona princeps)
  • Mountain Cottontail Rabbit (Sylvilagus nuttallii)
  • Snowshoe Hare (Lepus americanus)
  • White-tailed Jackrabbit (Lepus townsendii)

Mephitidae – Skunk family

  • Striped Skunk (Mephitis mephitis)

Mustelidae (Weasel family)

  • American Mink (Neovison vison)
  • Ermine or Short-tailed Weasel and Long-tailed Weasel (Mustela erminea and Mustela frenata)
  • Marten (Martes americanus)
  • Four other weasels are found in Colorado: Blackfooted Ferrets (Mustela nigripes), Badgers (Taxidea taxus), Wolverines (Gulo gulo), and River Otters, (Lontra Canadensis)

Procyonidae – Raccoon Family

  • Raccoon (Procyon lotor)
  • Ringtail Cat – (Bassariscus astutus)

Rodentia (Rodents: Animals that gnaw)

  • Abert’s or Tassel-eared Squirrel (Sciurus aberti) 
  • Black-tailed Prairie Dog—Cynomys ludovicianus
  • Colorado Chipmunk (Tamias quadrivittatus) and the Least Chipmunk (Tamias minimus) 
  • Fox Squirrel—Sciurus niger
  • Golden Mantled Ground Squirrel—Spermophilus lateralis
  • Muskrat (Ondatra zibethicus)
  • North American Beaver (Castor Canadensis)
  • North American Porcupine—Erethizon dorsatum
  • Pine Squirrel (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus)
  • Rock Squirrel – Spermophilus variegatus
  • Yellow-bellied Marmot—Marmota flaviventris

Ursidae (Bear family)

  • Black Bear (Ursus americanus)

References and Resources

  • Fieldbook of Natural History; Palmer, E. Lawrence and Fowler, H Seymour; McGraw Hill Book Company, St. Louis, MO; 1975.
  • Mammals, Peterson Field Guide to; Burt, William H. and Grossenheider, Richard P.; Houghton Mifflin, NY; 1980.
  • Naturalist’s Guide to the Southern Rockies; Benedict, Audrey DeLella; Fulcrum, Golden, CO;  2008.

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