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.

Animals in Utah (UT)

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
Utah State Animals

State Animals of Utah

State AnimalRocky Mountain Elk
State BirdCalifornia Gull
State ReptileGila Monster
State FishBonneville Cutthroat Trout
State InsectHoney 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.

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