Among the frequent questions by visitors to the Rocky Mountain region
are those pertaining to the wild animals. What animals are found here?
How can they be identified? What are the wildlife problems of the high
country? These are common queries which this booklet attempts to answer.
The author, a former ranger-naturalist in Rocky Mountain National Park,
discovered through a visitor study in 1948 that a predominating interest
of vacationers was in the wildlife of the area. Therefore, the writing
has been limited to brief descriptions of the four-footed animals as
they are seen in nature, with some explanation of their habits and
habitat so they may be more readily located. The cover "tracks" and
identification plates further this intent.
Many find it difficult to understand why they cannot see "more" animals
in this rugged country. These animals are wild in the strictest sense.
Many are nocturnal in habit, hiding during daylight, and others must be
approached very cautiously. One satisfactory method of observing
wildlife is to select a "spot" off the beaten trails and sit quietly for
several hours, allowing animal life to move about in a normal manner.
A secondary purpose of this booklet is to provide a check list of all
mammals known to use the National Park. Not all species listed have been
collected in the area. It is hoped this will be a start toward providing
an accurate, more substantial, and growing list of mammals for the Park.
The scientific names of the 50 species given conform to all revisions to
date. Those interested in a comprehensive discussion of individual
mammals should consult such publications as Warren's Mammals of
Colorado, or Cahalane's Mammals of North America.
An effort has been made to reduce and simplify the many common names
attached to certain mammals. The most representative, and yet accurate
name, has been selected for each animal for use throughout its entire
area of distribution. For example, there is a large group of ground
squirrels (Callospermophilus) inhabiting most western states which
closely resemble one another in external features. The variety of common
names given these squirrels (due to differences in locality or in minute
external characters) is highly perplexing to the average person.
Therefore the name golden-mantled ground squirrel, by which most of this
group is known in far western states, is given for the group
representative in north central Colorado, formerly known as the Say's
ground squirrel. Similar methods have been followed in limiting the
names of other mammals. It is suggested that those interested in
wildlife adopt one common name for each similar group of animals in an
effort to standardize terminology for the multitude.
Dr. William H. Burt, Curator of Mammals, University of Michigan Museum
of Zoology, has reviewed the manuscript and made many helpful
suggestions. Miss Diana Wiltse, of the Ann Arbor Press, designed the
cover and identification pages. I am also grateful for files of
information and many photographic cuts furnished by the National Park
Service. Unless otherwise indicated, photos were provided through the
courtesy of Nature Magazine.