The park abounds with the smaller game species that are of great
interest to the visitor because of their friendly inquisitiveness.
Members of the squirrel family have learned that they will not be harmed
and so are numerous along roads and trails and at any place where people
congregate, knowing that in such surroundings they will find a wealth of
tidbits.
With the possible exception of the bear, the larger mammals are fairly
well represented but not numerous. Of the three deer species, the
Columbia blacktail is most common. Also reported is the larger Rocky
Mountain mule deer, and infrequently a band of whitetail deer may be
discovered in one of the grassy, watered meadows. Elk have been noted
along the eastern side of the park as far north as the base of Mount
Scott. The visitor who sees them, however, is fortunate, as elk are rare
in the park.
[Illustration: _Copyright, Kiser_
BRUIN CLIMBS A TREE]
Bears, while they may be seen by the keen observer in many parts of the
park, are most numerous around Park Headquarters and may be seen at
almost any hour of the day foraging in the garbage pit nearby. Excepting
a few brown individuals, they are the well-known black variety.
Sometimes as many as three cubs, attended by their mother, make their
appearance. Visitors never tire of watching the antics of these little
balls of fur as they frolic and play. An occasional disciplinary cuff
administered by a watchful mother always causes much merriment among the
spectators.
In the interest of safety, it is prohibited to feed the bears by hand.
Too many persons have been painfully clawed doing so. Also it is well
not to get between the mother and her cubs.
Others of the larger animals extant in the park, but seldom seen by the
casual observer, are the cougar or mountain lion, the wolf, the coyote,
and the red fox.
Most common and approachable are the friendly and gluttonous little
golden-mantled ground squirrels. They stuff their cheeks with peanuts
from the hands of visitors until they can hold no more, then scurry
away, hurriedly cache the supply for future use, and come back for more.
Numerous also, but not quite so trusting, are two species of chipmunks,
easily distinguished from the golden-mantled squirrel. These little
fellows seem charged with electric energy, darting to and fro, seemingly
never quiet.
Basking on a warm rock or stodgily making his way among them, one will
frequently see the marmot, whose kind is plentiful along all the roads
and trails.
The hiker is constantly having his way challenged by the alert and
exceedingly saucy little pine squirrel, who may be recognized by his
very audacity. The porcupine is frequently observed as he waddles
clumsily in search for food, which consists chiefly of succulent bark
from young pine trees.
The shrill note of the cony or pika may often be heard on rocky slopes,
but, unless he moves, it is almost impossible to discover him because of
his wonderful protective coloration. These tiny animals may be seen at
the foot of the Crater Wall Trail or along slopes of Garfield Peak.
Not quite so interesting, perhaps, but often seen, are badgers, gray
squirrels, and snowshoe rabbits. Other furry little denizens not so
frequently seen are the mink, flying squirrel, marten, and several
species of mice. Gopher workings are common.
In only one place in the park, and that far off the beaten paths, lives
a colony of beaver. These particular animals live in a bank burrow and
have not built the big lodge familiarly associated with the name.
Due to the general elevation of the area, there are few reptiles.
Salamanders are common on the lake shore and frogs and toads along the
creeks.