Animals in Utah

Utah, the landlocked state in the western US, has the Rocky Mountains defining its eastern region, the Great Basin forming its western parts, and the Colorado Plateau forming its southern region. The Colorado River flows along the southeastern border. It means a great diversity of terrains characterizes the state and offers various habitats, from alpine forests to desert plains, for its native flora and fauna to prosper.

Several animals are endemic to the state and protected by the law. These include Allen’s big-eared bat, Utah prairie dog, Mount Ellen chipmunk, Bonneville whitefish, Bonneville cutthroat trout, and Bear Lake whitefish.

The Zion National Park, Bryce Canyon National Park, and Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area are some wildlife reserves that attract enthusiasts from all over the country and the world.

List of Different Types of Animals Found in

Mammals

American Bison
Desert Bighorn Sheep
Rocky Mountain Elk
Moose
Pronghorn
Mule Deer
American Black Bear
Cougar
Coyote
Bobcat
Badger
Kangaroo Rat
Northern Flying Squirrel
Red Fox
Kit Fox
Long-Tailed Weasel
North American Porcupine
American Beaver
North American River Otter
Desert Cottontail
Black-tailed Jackrabbit
White-tailed Jackrabbit
Raccoon
American Badger
Striped Skunk
Spotted Skunk
American Marten
American Mink
Ringtail
Western Jumping Mouse
Deer Mouse
North American Harvest Mouse
North American Least Shrew
Utah Prairie Dog
Yellow-bellied Marmot
Uinta Ground Squirrel
Rock Squirrel
Bushy-tailed Woodrat
Southern Flying Squirrel
Western Gray Squirrel
Allen’s Big-eared Bat
Big Brown Bat
Hoary Bat
Pallid Bat

Gray wolves and grizzly bears have been extirpated from the state’s wild habitat.

Birds

California Gull
Greater Sage-grouse
House Finch
Northern Cardinal
American Robin
Downy Woodpecker
Yellow-headed Blackbird
American White Pelican
Song Sparrow
California Condor
American Kestrel

Reptiles

Gila Monster
Western Painted Turtle
Desert Tortoise
Spiny Softshell Turtle
Great Basin Gopher Snake
Western Hognose Snake
Striped Whipsnake
Western Yellow-bellied Racer
Black-necked Garter Snake
Mojave Patchnosed Snake
Coachwhip Snake
Rubber Boa
Common Kingsnake
Ground Snake
Great Basin Rattlesnake
Grand Canyon Rattlesnake
Midget Faded Rattlesnake
Prairie Rattlesnake
Hopi Rattlesnake
Mojave Rattlesnake
Speckled Rattlesnake
Mojave Sidewinder
Western Fence Lizard
Common Collared Lizard
Great Basin Collared Lizard
Sagebrush Lizard
Plateau Striped Whiptail

Amphibians

Western Chorus Frog
Northern Leopard Frog
Wood Frog
Columbia Spotted Frog
Boreal Toad
Great Basin Spadefoot
Woodhouse Toad
Great Plains Toad
Arizona Tiger Salamander

Fishes

Bonneville Cutthroat Trout
Mountain Whitefish
Bonneville Whitefish
Bear Lake Whitefish
Largemouth Bass
Smallmouth Bass
Rainbow Trout
Cutthroat Trout
Brown Trout
Brook Trout
Lake Trout
Splake
Arctic Grayling
Utah Chub
Bonytail Chub
Bear Lake Sculpin
Utah Sucker
Mountain Sucker
Bluehead Sucker
Flannelmouth Sucker
Channel Catfish
Bullhead Catfish
Tiger Muskie
Green Sunfish
Bluegill
Yellow Perch
Black Crappie
Walleye
Northern Pike
Gizzard Shad

Insects And Invertebrates

Monarch Butterfly
Cabbage White Butterfly
Honey Bee
Eastern Carpenter Bee
Ladybug
Mosquito
House Fly
Paper Wasp
Boxelder Bug
Eastern Tent Caterpillar
Luna Moth
Eastern Lubber Grasshopper
Carolina Mantis
Green Lacewing
Eastern Dobsonfly
Dog-day Cicada
Eastern Lubber Grasshopper
Dragonflies
Damselflies
Firefly
Ticks
Clover Mite
Red Spider Mite
Arizona Bark Scorpion
Black Hairy Scorpion
Western Black Widow
Bold Jumping Spider
Salt Lake County Brown Tarantula
Wolf Spider

State Animals of Utah

State Animal	Rocky Mountain Elk
State Bird	California Gull
State Reptile	Gila Monster
State Fish	Bonneville Cutthroat Trout
State Insect	Honey Bee

FAQ

What are the most dangerous animals in Utah?

Black bears, cougars, and coyotes are among the most dangerous large predators. Ungulates like American bison, moose, and bighorn sheep can also become aggressive if threatened. The state also contains venomous reptiles that can kill you; these include the Gila monster, sidewinder, Mojave, prairie, and 5 more rattlesnakes. Additionally, there are several deadly spiders and scorpions, like black widows and tarantulas.

Are there any endangered animals in Utah?

There are over a dozen native animals in Utah with populations under threat. These include the bonytail chub, desert tortoise, greater sage-grouse, and black-footed ferret.

What are some common invasive animals in Utah?

Some of the most common invasive species are northern giant hornets, brown marmorated stink bugs, common snapping turtles, American bullfrogs, and imported fire ants.