Wildlife in Zion

Yellowstone it’s not. You won’t see long lines of cars stopped to see a black bear looking for handouts, or a bison taking a snooze on the highway. Most of the wildlife in Zion is small, and active only at night. You’ll have to content yourself with watching army worms march across the floor of your restroom stall, or black beetles crossing the Paa’ Rus trail.

Turkeys—common along the Scenic Drive. The frequent the lawn of Zion Lodge, roost for the night in trees along the Scenic Drive, and love to do their courting strut in front of busses. Evidently, busses look like turkey hens (to turkeys). If you stay on your bicycle, a tom turkey may mistake you for a hen, and give you a strut. Turkeys are not known for their IQs.

Pumas—They’re present, but unlikely to be seen.

Foxes—can be seen around the campground in the evening, crossing a road or trail

Insects and spiders—lots of interesting ones, if you look.  Hoverflies, striped to mimic wasps, are harmless.  They can be seen hovering over flowers, where they feed on nectar and pollen.  Large black bombardier beetles can be seen crossing trails or feeding on delicate pieces of vegetation, such as flowers.  Crab spiders are colored like the flowers they inhabit, where they wait to pounce on insects like hoverflies, that come to feed on the nectar.  Army worms and other caterpillars infest trees around the campgrounds.

Lizards—lots. Watch them doing pushups, a display for other lizards.

California Condors—they are being reintroduced in the Grand Canyon area, and have been seen in the Zion area.. Don’t worry, they won’t eat your liver, unless you leave it unattended. (The smaller turkey vultures are much more common.)

Canyon wrens—beautiful song. Can be heard on hikes to Angel’s Landing, Hidden Canyon, or Echo Canyon.

Ravens. Common. May raid your pack.

Canyon toads. Can be heard chirping at dusk.

Deer—common in the valley.