Friends of
Red Rock Lakes National Wildlife Refuge
and the Centennial Valley
The Mammals
The mammals of the refuge are typical of those found in the Greater Yellowstone area and the northern Rocky Mountains. The mountain forests provide an ideal habitat for mammals for shelter and food. The large mammals are not easy to see because many are cautious of humans and generally feed in early morning and late evenings or night. The refuge acts as an important corridor for some mammals (like the Grizzly Bear) for moving between Yellowstone and other areas of Idaho and Montana.
INSECTIVORES
Water Shrew (Sorex palustris). Found in timbered areas.
Masked Shrew (Sorex cinereus). Found along fast mountain streams.
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BATS
Little Brown Myotis (Myotis lucifugus). Most common at Lakeview.
Small-footed Bat (Myotis ciliolabrum).
Silver-haired Bat (Lasionycteris noctivagans).
Hoary Bat (Lasiurus cinereus).
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PIKAS, RABBITS, AND HARES
Pika (Ochotona princeps). Found in high elevation rock slide areas.
Snowshoe Rabbit (Lepus americanus). Found in forested areas.
White-tailed Jackrabbit (Lepus townsendii). Found in low shrub habitat.
Pygmy Rabbit (Sylvilagus idahoensis). Historical record from 1940.
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RODENTS
Wyoming Ground Squirrel (Spermophilus elegans). Common in grasslands.
Northern Flying Squirrel (Glaucomys sabrinus). Rare in timbered areas.
Golden-mantled Ground Squirrel (Spermophilus lateralis). Found in Douglas Fir.
Yellow-bellied Marmot (Marmota flaviventris). Common around rock outcrops.
Bushy-tailed Wood Rat (Neotoma cinerea). Historical account from 1942.
Gapper's Red-backed Mouse (Clethrionomys gapperi). Found in damp habitats.
Western Jumping Mouse (Zapus princeps). Uncommon.
Deer Mouse (Peromyscus maniculatus). Our most common rodent.
Meadow Vole (Microtus pennsylvanicus). Found in wet meadows.
Long-tailed Vole (Microtus longicaudus). Found in damp habitats.
Least Chipmunk (Eutamias minimus ). Primarily in sagebrush areas.
Yellow Pine Chipmunk (Eutamias amoenus). Common along woodland fringes.
Red Pine Squirrel (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus). Common in coniferous timber.
Northern Pocket Gopher (Thomomys talpoides). Found in well-drained areas.
Beaver (Castor canadensis). Found on all timbered or willow-lined streams.
Muskrat (Ondatra zibethicus) . Common in marsh habitat.
Porcupine (Erethizon dorsatum). Found in all timbered areas.
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CARNIVORES
Black Bear (Ursus americanus). Rare, found in forest habitats.
Grizzly Bear (Ursus arctos). Very rare, seldom seen.
Marten (Martes americana). Rare, though recent sightings on Refuge.
Short-tailed Weasel (Mustela erminea). Seen along south side of Refuge.
Long-tailed Weasel (Mustela frenata). Seen throughout the Refuge going in and out of cattle guards.
Mink (Mustela vison). Found along moving water.
Badger (Taxidea taxus). Found throughout the uplands.
River Otter (Lutra canadensis). Occasionally seen along streams and lakeshores.
Fisher (Martes pennanti). Historical records from early 1900s.
Wolverine (Gulo gulo). Rare, found in forested areas.
Striped Skunk (Mephitis mephitis). Common below 6,900 feet.
Wolf (Canis lupus). Historical records, possible recent movements into area.
Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes). Found in the uplands and marsh edges.
Coyote (Canis latrans). Commonly heard and seen throughout the Refuge.
Cougar (Felis concolor). Infrequently sighted in timbered areas.
Lynx (Lynx lynx). Rare, round in timbered areas.
Bobcat (Lynx rufus). Occasionally seen in upland habitats.
Raccoon (Procyon lotor). Very rare, individuals seen in 1979 and 1986.
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UNGULATES
Elk (Cervus elaphus). Found mostly in the open timbered areas.
White-tailed Deer (Odocoileus virginianus). Seen along woodland edges.
Mule Deer (Odocoileus hemionus). Seen along woodland edges.
Moose (Alces alces). Found in willow bottoms and in the timber.
Pronghorn Antelope (Antilocapra americana). Common on the dry uplands.
Bison (Bison bison). An occasional drifter from Yellowstone area is seen.
Bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis). Historical records, rare sightings.
Photo by Steve Altshuld