RFI: Winter Mammals in the Western United States
Hi everyone! I’ll be visiting Park City, Utah, with my family soon, and I’m looking forward to seeing some new mammals out there (Uintah Chimpmunk, Ground Squirrels, Pronghorn, Bison, rarer Porcupines, etc.). Does anyone have any tips for mammal watching in Utah or the winter/snow/cold conditions? Thanks in advance!
Post author
Jacob Zinn
4 Comments
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Vladimir Dinets
I’ve just spent three nights thermal-scoping in Zion NP and Cathedral Gorge SP and didn’t see a single rodent. I’ve traveled in SW US a lot over the years but never seen small mammal numbers so low. But lots of grey foxes, probably because they eat a lot of berries and other plant food so lack of competition from rodents is good for them… but that’s just my guess.
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charleswhood
Just as a reminder, assuming you mean that your visit will be mid-winter, rodents will be hibernating or else much less active. For larger mammals and winter birds, look into Antelope Island State Park and Bear River Refuge, respectively. For random surrealism, I am a fan of the art work “Spiral Jetty,” three hours north of Salt Lake. / Charles Hood