ESTES PARK WILDLIFE
Rocky Mountain Elk
Cervus canadensis
Elk, also known as Wapiti - are the second largest member of the deer family. Mature bulls (males) weigh 700 to 1,000lbs! Cows (females) weigh about 500lbs.
Frequency of sightings:
99% of tours
Important Dates:
Elk Rut: Late August to Mid October
Antlers Shed: Late February to Early May
Calves (babies) Born: June
Velvet Stripped: Mid August
Mule Deer
Odocoileus hemionus
Mule Deer, who who given their name by the Lewis and Clark Expedition for their overly large ears, are the only local deer species. Bucks weigh around 300lbs and does weigh 150lbs.
Frequency of sightings:
95% of tours
Important Dates:
Deer Rut: Late October to November
Antlers Shed: Late January to April
Fawns (babies) Born: June
Velvet Stripped: Mid to Late September
Shiras Moose
Alces alces shirasi
Moose are the largest members of the deer family in this area. Bulls weigh up to 1,400lbs and cows weigh up to 1,200lbs. Bulls have antlers that weigh up to 50lbs!
Frequency of sightings:
50% Spring, Summer, & Fall Tours; 15% Winter Tours
Important Dates:
Moose Rut: Mid September to October
Antlers Shed: Late December to Early January
Calves (babies) Born: June
Velvet Stripped: Early to Mid September
Bighorn Sheep
Ovis canadensis
Bighorn sheep are light brown in the summer and dark brown in the fall and winter. Rams weigh up to 500lbs and ewes weigh up to 200lbs.
Frequency of sightings:
15% of Tours (unless on a fall sheep tour)
Important Dates:
Sheep Rut: November
Lamb (babies) Born: June
Black Bear
Ursus americanus
Black bear are the largest predator in Colorado. They are not found frequently on our tours or in our area though they have a robust population within the state. Black bears in Colorado have exceeded 700lbs. Contrary to the name, black bears can be black, brown, cinnamon, and blonde.
Frequency of sightings:
5% of Tours
Important Dates:
Mating Season: Late April to May
Cubs (babies) Born: Winter in Dens
Hyperphagia: September to mid-October
Merriam Turkey
Meleagris gallopavo
Turkeys are the most commonly found large bird we photograph. While there are several subspecies of turkeys in our area the most common in our area is the Merriam followed by the Rio Grande. Males are called Toms and females are called Hens.
Frequency of sightings:
30% of Tours, 90% in April and May
Important Dates:
Mating Season: April to May
Pults (Babies) Hatched: June
Coyote
Canis latrans
Coyotes are the most common member of the Canid (Dog) family in Colorado. Boars (males) weigh up to 60lbs and bitches (females) up to 40lbs.
Frequency of sightings:
10-20% of Tours
Important Dates:
Mating Season: January
Pups (Babies) Born: May
Bobcat
Lynx rufus
Bobcats are our most frequently spotted feline species in this area. Toms can weigh up to 40lbs and Queens can weigh up to 30lbs.
Frequency of sightings:
3-5% of Tours
Important Dates:
Mating Season: Winter to Early Spring
Cubs (Babies) Born: April to May
Red Fox
Vulpes vulpes
The red fox is the largest of the true fox species and also the most widely distributed in the US. Males are called Tods or Dogs, females are called Vixens, and babies are called Kits. They can weigh up to 30lbs.
Frequency of sightings:
1 or 2 Tours Per Year
Important Dates:
Mating Season: January to March
Kits (Babies) Born: April to May
Mountain Lion
Puma concolor
The mountain lion, aka cougar, is a large feline predator. While they are well populated across Colorado they are rarely seen in daylight hours. The picture is of three cubs illuminated by headlights. Males are called Toms, females are called Queens. Babies are called cubs or kittens.
Frequency of sightings:
Never Yet Seen During Daylight Hours On Tours
Important Dates:
Mating Season: No Definitive Mating Season
Kittens (Babies) Born: No Definitive Timeframe
Yellow Bellied Marmot
Marmota flaviventris
A commonly found rodent - especially in the alpine tundra and other rocky locations.
Frequency of sightings:
90% on Tours Above Timberline
American Pika
Ochotona princeps
A commonly found small rodent - especially in the alpine tundra and other rocky locations.
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Frequency of sightings: 90% on Tours Above Timberline