Home to over a hundred species of mammals, Montana is known to have a diverse array of native wildlife. Ranging from reptiles to amphibians, and from small rodents to apex predators, Montana provides habitat to all. It owes its diversity to a low human population, immense tracts of forested mountain ranges, and an unusual climate.
Quick fact: Did you know that Montana is home to 440 species of birds!
It is vital to keep in mind that regardless of how cute, cuddly, or harmless they may look, wild animals in their natural habitat are not pets. Disrupting their natural order can be unfortunate for the animals and dangerous for you.
You can find maps and guidebooks through the Forest Service of Montana or the Bureau of Land Management while on your journey to spot these unique creatures.
Below is our list of 10 animals in Montana that you might have the privilege to see on your next trip to the “Treasure State”.
Montana Wildlife – 10 Animals to See
Montana wildlife is diverse, and you can expect to find an abundance of large predators like grizzly bears, black bears, wolverines, mountain lions, lynx, coyotes, and wolves, as well as herbivores like moose, sheep, elk, mule deer, and white-tailed deer. Other animals in Montana that call the region home include; badgers, beavers, mink, bats, and porcupines, to name but a few.
1. Pronghorn
The Pronghorn is a species of deer in Montana and the only one to have branched horns, hence the name. Often confused for Antelopes, Pronghorns belong to an entirely different family of mammals. With their distinctive backward curving horns and a running speed of about 70 miles per hour, they are known to be the second-fastest land mammal in the world, after the Cheetah.
If you are lucky, you can spot them in the open prairie across eastern Montana, mid-way in the annual process of shedding their horn sheaths.
When frightened, the hair on their behinds tends to rise into a white patch that is visible even from a distance and is always a fascinating sight. In case you are a bow hunter and intend to go Pronghorn hunting in Montana, August 15th to November 14th is the best time for you!
On the other hand, Pronghorn hunting for rifles begins around 9th October and extends to November 14th.
2. Bobcat
Also known as the cat of the mountains or wildcat, the Bobcat is a species spread throughout the state. Bobcats are about twice the size of a domestic cat, showing a variety of colors in its thick fur. It can be seen in yellowish-brown, reddish-brown, and hues of grey and black.
The bobcat tends to inhabit rimrock and grassland areas such as the Rocky Mountain foothills or the Bison Range. While it is often referred to as the Lynx cat, they are two separate, yet similar species of wild Montana cats. Lynx are much larger, with longer legs and higher hips.
3. Golden Eagle and Bald Eagle
These native species of Montana have specks of gold on their head and neck feathers with a brown body.
With a wingspan of 6.5-7.5 feet, the Golden Eagle soars with its wings held nearly flat, but slightly upturned – unlike the Bald Eagle who soars with its wings completely flat.
Golden Eagles can be spotted in Montana year-round nesting in large trees or cliffs, specifically in the Glacier National Park.
Owing to their strong eyesight, Golden Eagles can spot their prey from afar, such as ground squirrels, grouse, weasels, jackrabbits, etc. They can be differentiated from the Bald Eagle, also found in Montana, through their physical appearance.
The Bald Eagle has feathers only mid-way down the leg, whereas the legs of the Golden Eagle are heavily feathered all the way down to their toes.
Moreover, the immature Bald Eagles have irregular patches of white on their body, distinct from the sharply defined patterns on the immature Golden Eagle’s body.
While the Bald Eagles are an endangered species, they can be found strongly popula