Glacier National Park Wildlife

Crown of the Continent

Glacier National Park is home to a few hundred different animal species and to even more varieties of vegetation. The ecosystem encompassing the park is widely known as the “Crown of the Continent Ecosystem,” a derivative of the phrase coined by Glacier’s first supporter, George Bird Grinnell.

Glacier National Park Vegetation

The last scientific study of Glacier National Park’s plants revealed a total of some 1,132 different species throughout the protected area. The variety of trees ranges from the Engelmann spruce to the limber pine to the western larch, with different species existing at different elevations.

Visitors to the park will notice that the western side of the Continental Divide is more densely populated with trees. This is largely due to the greater moisture here, and winters that are not nearly as harsh as those to the east. No trees grow above the mountain slopes, as the tundra there prevents anything but small plants and grasses from maintaining a healthy existence.

Like many expanses of western foliage, forest fires are a threat to the region. Although these events are often portrayed as horrible for the local ecosystem, they are in fact natural and healthy. Burning revitalizes the soil, reinvigorating it with nutrients important for the growth of various plant and animal species.

Glacier National Park Animals

Perhaps the two most important mammals found in Glacier National Park are the threatened grizzly bear and Canadian lynx. Just 350 grizzlies exist within the park, although that sad total is significant since the species’ presence is considered extremely rare in most of its prior habitats (excluding Alaska). Numbers of the less-aggressive black bear are higher, around 800.

Other animals making Glacier National Park their home include:

These are just a few of the hundreds of animal species park-wide. Also present are some impressive types of birds, including the golden eagle, peregrine falcon, ospreys, hawks, great blue heron, Canada goose and even the threatened bald eagle.

Those who fear reptiles may especially love their trip to Glacier. The park, because of its frigid winter climate, is home to just a few species.