Montana is a state in the western regions of the United States. It is famously known as the ‘Big Sky Country’ for its diverse geography, vast expanses of prairies, towering mountains, and picturesque valleys. Such wild, rugged terrains and crystal-clear lakes provide a home to the state’s abundant wildlife. A portion of the Rocky Mountain Range lies in this state, providing a home for mountain animals like the grizzly bear, mountain goat, and pronghorn.
Numerous national parks and wildlife-watching spots attract countless outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers. The famous Yellowstone National Park is partially located in Montana. The Glacier National Park, Great Bear Wilderness, and the Continental Divide are some notable places offering a closer look at the state’s flora and fauna.
List of Different Types of Animals Found in Montana
The list mainly includes animals native to Montana. Still, there may be some non-native fishes and insects with settled populations in the state.
Mammals
American Bison
White-tailed Deer
Elk
Pronghorn
Mountain Goat
Bighorn Sheep
Moose
Black Bear
Grizzly Bear
Cougar
Canada Lynx
Gray Wolf
Red Fox
Wolverine
Coyote
Bobcat
Fisher
American Badger
Black-footed Ferret
North American River Otter
American Mink
Raccoon
Striped Skunk
Western Spotted Skunk
North American Beaver
Muskrat
Black-tailed Prairie Dogs
North American Porcupine
Snowshoe Hare
Marten
Long-tailed Weasel
Short-tailed Weasel
Pine Marten
American Pika
Eastern Cottontail
Ground Squirrel
Northern Flying Squirrel
Red Squirrel
Townsend’s Big-eared Bat
Big Brown Bat
Birds
Western Meadowlark
Black-billed Magpie
Mountain Bluebird
House Sparrow
Red-winged Blackbird
Snow Bunting
Rough-legged Hawk
Mountain Plover
Canada Goose
Western Grebe
Common Nighthawk
Reptiles
Northern Alligator Lizard
Western Fence Lizard
Western Skink
Prairie Rattlesnake
Rubber Boa
Gopher Snake
Milksnake
Eastern Racer
Common Garter Snake
Smooth Green Snake
Western Hog-nosed Snake
Painted Turtle
Common Snapping Turtle
Spiny Softshell Turtle
Amphibians
Tiger Salamander
Long-toed Salamander
Boreal Chorus Frog
Northern Leopard Frog
Columbia Spotted Frog
American Bullfrog
Pacific Tree FrogÂ
Western Toad
Great Plains Toad
Plains Spadefoot Toad
Woodhouse’s Toad
Fishes
Westslope Cutthroat Trout
Brook Trout
Rainbow Trout
Brown Trout
Bull Trout
Lake Trout
Mountain Whitefish
Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout
Arctic Grayling
Kokanee Salmon
Northern Pike
Chinook Salmon
Smallmouth Bass
Largemouth Bass
Walleye
White Sucker
Longnose Sucker
Burbot
Goldeye
Mountain Sucker
Sauger
Channel Catfish
Black Crappie
Yellow Perch
Green Sunfish
Bluegill
Pumpkinseed
Tiger Muskie
Bowfin
Shortnose Gar
Insects and Invertebrates
Western Honeybee
Monarch Butterfly
Black Swallowtail Butterfly
Western Tiger Swallowtail Butterfly
Mourning Cloak Butterfly
Cabbage White Butterfly
Colorado Potato Beetle
House Fly
Ladybird Beetle
Western Conifer Seed Bug
Mosquitoes
Northern Grasshopper
Bumblebee
Luna Moth
Paper Wasp
Carpenter Ant
Black-legged Tick
Western Boxelder Bug
Firefly
Southern Black Widow
Mollusks and Crustaceans
Signal Crayfish
Calico Crayfish
Circumpolar Fairy Shrimp
Giant Fairy Shrimp
State Animals of Montana
State Mammals
Grizzly Bear
State Bird
Western Meadowlark
State Fish
Westslope Cutthroat Trout
State Insect
Mourning Cloak Butterfly
FAQ
What are the most dangerous animals in Montana?
Grizzly bears are the most dangerous animals in the state, followed by large to medium carnivores like the cougar, wolverine, gray wolf, and coyote. Ungulates like moose, pronghorn, and elk can also become aggressive if provoked. Additionally, there are deadly snakes and spiders like the prairie rattlesnake and southern black widow.
Are there any endangered animals in Montana?
Some well-known animals classified as endangered in this state are the black-footed ferret, whooping crane, least tern, pallid sturgeon, and white sturgeon. Some threatened species are the grizzly bear, Canada lynx, piping plover, and bull trout.
