© Pete Saloutos/Panoramic Images (Washington Title Image Large)
Canadian Rocky Mountains Wildlife
Many large mammal species inhabit the wild spaces of the Canadian Rocky Mountains. Abundant are white-tail deer, mule deer, Rocky Mountain elk, moose, bighorn sheep, and black bear. Less numerous, but still found, are mountain caribou, gray wolves, wolverines, and grizzly bears.
The upland forests host a number of bird species, among them the black-backed woodpecker and the Northern goshawk.
The ecoregion’s waters host considerable fish diversity. White sturgeon can grow to more than eight feet long, weighing several hundred pounds. Burbot, a freshwater cod, spawns under ice in winter. Mountain whitefish and bull trout also inhabit the ecoregion.
Animal Group | Approx. number of species |
|---|---|
| Mammals | 70 |
| Reptiles and amphibians | 16 |
| Birds | 168 |
| Fish | 41 |
| Butterflies | 100 |
| Dragonflies and damselflies | 53 |
| Other insects | Yet to be determined |
| Other invertebrates | Yet to be determined |
For details of this ecoregion within Washington, click a subheading in the left column.
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