Animals in Wyoming

Wyoming is a landlocked state in the western United States, characterized by dry semi-arid, and continental climates, marked by extreme temperatures both in summer and winter. The state’s eastern half falls within the Great Planes, while the western part is within the Rocky Mountains, making the state the meeting point for the two.

The state’s landscape includes vast plains, towering peaks, prairies, forests, canyons, and rivers. Naturally, it is an ideal place for wildlife to survive and thrive. This is where the famous Yellowstone National Park is located, while other noteworthy sites attracting wildlife enthusiasts include the Grand Teton National Park and Devils Tower National Monument. Find out what are the native animals of the ‘Equality State.’

List of Different Types of Animals Found in Wyoming

Mammals

American Bison
Pronghorn
White-tailed Deer
Mule Deer
Elk
Bighorn Sheep
Moose
Black Bear
Grizzly Bear
Cougar
Bobcat
Lynx
Gray Wolf
Coyote
Wolverine
Red Fox
Swift Fox
American Badger
American Marten
Long-tailed Weasel
Short-tailed Weasel
American Mink
North American River Otter
Spotted Skunk
Striped Skunk
American Beaver
North American Porcupine
Black-tailed Prairie Dog
Wyoming Ground Squirrel
Golden-mantled Ground Squirrel
Uinta Ground Squirrel
Fremont’s Uinta Chipmunk
Fremont’s Chipmunk
Eastern Cottontail Rabbit
Snowshoe Hare
White-tailed Jackrabbit
American Pika
Ord’s Kangaroo Rat
Deer Mouse
Big Free-tailed Bat
Big Brown Bat
Little Brown Bat
Hoary Bat

Birds

Western Meadowlark
Northern Cardinal
American Robin
House Finch
Northern Flicker
Black-billed Magpie
Wild Turkey
Western Grebe
American Coot
Red-tailed Hawk
Sharp-shinned Hawk

Reptiles

Western Painted Turtle
Plains Box Turtle
Eastern Spiny Softshell
Black Hills Red-bellied Snake
Great Basin Gopher Snake
Desert Striped Whipsnake
Pale Milksnake
Northern Rubber Boa
Plains Black-headed Snake
Plains Hog-nosed Snake
Plains Garter Snake
Red-sided Garter Snake
Valley Garter Snake
Smooth Green Snake
Midget-faded Rattlesnake
Prairie Rattlesnake
Great Basin Skink
Greater Short-horned Lizard
Plateau Fence Lizard
Prairie Racerunner

Amphibians

Tiger Salamander
Boreal Chorus Frog
American Bullfrog
Northern Leopard Frog
Plains Spadefoot Toad
Wyoming Toad
Woodhouse’s Toad
Western Toad
Great Plains Toad
Columbia Spotted Frog

Fishes

Cutthroat Trout
Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout
Bonneville Cutthroat Trout
Bear River Cutthroat Trout
Rainbow Trout
Brook Trout
Arctic Grayling
Mountain Whitefish
Lake Chub
Utah Chub
Roundtail Chub
Common Shiner
Redside Shiner
Golden Shiner
Longnose Dace
Longnose Dace
Speckled Dace
White Sucker
Flannelmouth Sucker
Bluehead Sucker
Mountain Sucker
Largescale Sucker
Longnose Sucker
Plains Minnow
Brassy Minnow
Fathead Minnow

Insects and Invertebrates

Sheridan’s Green Hairstreak Butterfly
Monarch Butterfly
Painted Lady
Honey Bee
Carpenter Bee
Ladybug
Grasshopper
Mosquito
House Fly
Green Darner
Twelve-spotted Skimmer
Western Forktail
Miller Moth
Firefly
Western Harvester Ant
Paper Wasp
Praying Mantis
Wheel Bug
House Cricket
Scissor Grinder Cicada
Mayfly
Earwig
Alfalfa Weevil
Ground Beetle
Crane Fly
Bush Katydid
Western Black Widow
Brown Recluse
Common House Spider

State Animals of Wyoming

State Mammal	American Bison
State Bird	Western Meadowlark
State Reptile	Horned Lizard
State Fish	Cutthroat Trout
State Insect	Sheridan’s Green Hairstreak Butterfly

FAQ

What are the most dangerous animals in Wyoming?

Wyoming has several large ungulates, like the bison, elk, and moose, which can get aggressive if threatened. There are many predatory carnivores, with cougars, grizzlies, black bears, wolves, wolverines, and coyotes all native to the state. Then there are the venomous and deadly snakes, the midget-faded, prairie rattlesnakes, and the fearsome western black widow spider.

Are there any animals endemic to Wyoming?

The Fremont’s Uinta chipmunk and Wyoming toad are endemic to Wyoming, meaning they are not found anywhere else in the world.

Are there any endangered animals living in Wyoming?

Most of the native animals in this state have stable populations. The endemic Wyoming toad is actually extinct in the wild and lives only in captivity in the Mortenson Lake National Wildlife Refuge. Some fish species are also listed as endangered, like the bonytail chub, humpback chub, and speckled dace.