GOATS
WHAT: Mountain goats are not native in the park they were introduced into the Absaroka Range in Montana in the 1940s. They migrated into the park and established breeding populations themselves in the 1990s. Mountain goats are sure-footed, with long, yellowish-white fur and black, spiked horns. Males stand about 1 meter high and weigh between 150 and 180 kg, females, which also have horns, are slightly smaller.
WHERE: As of 2008, the number of goats in and adjacent to the park is estimated to be 175–225. Mountain goats generally live 15 years in the wild. Seeing a goat from the highway is a rare event. The northeast corner of the park, the cliffs of Baronnede Peak (north of the highway) and Abiather Peak (south of the highway), provide the best opportunities. If you see a goat, write down the location and report it to a park ranger. In recent years, there is an ongoing study of the natural colonization and migration within the park by mountain goats.
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PICS: Split Coyote / Fox
CANINES …show more content…
Yellowstone's coyotes are among the largest in the United States; adults average about 20 kg. These intelligent canines primarily eat voles, mice, rabbits and other small animals. They will commonly feed on carrion and only when in packs, hunt young elk calves in the spring. In the Lamar Valley, it is estimated that these expert hunters kill 23.6 percent of all pocket gophers, 35.2 percent of ground squirrels and 76.2 percent of all voles. Their litter is usually between 4–8 pups born in April and emerging from their dens in May. Coyotes live an average of just 6 years, although one Yellowstone coyote lived to be more than 13 before she was killed and eaten by a mountain
WHAT: Mountain goats are not native in the park they were introduced into the Absaroka Range in Montana in the 1940s. They migrated into the park and established breeding populations themselves in the 1990s. Mountain goats are sure-footed, with long, yellowish-white fur and black, spiked horns. Males stand about 1 meter high and weigh between 150 and 180 kg, females, which also have horns, are slightly smaller.
WHERE: As of 2008, the number of goats in and adjacent to the park is estimated to be 175–225. Mountain goats generally live 15 years in the wild. Seeing a goat from the highway is a rare event. The northeast corner of the park, the cliffs of Baronnede Peak (north of the highway) and Abiather Peak (south of the highway), provide the best opportunities. If you see a goat, write down the location and report it to a park ranger. In recent years, there is an ongoing study of the natural colonization and migration within the park by mountain goats.
Page 26 :
PICS: Split Coyote / Fox
CANINES …show more content…
Yellowstone's coyotes are among the largest in the United States; adults average about 20 kg. These intelligent canines primarily eat voles, mice, rabbits and other small animals. They will commonly feed on carrion and only when in packs, hunt young elk calves in the spring. In the Lamar Valley, it is estimated that these expert hunters kill 23.6 percent of all pocket gophers, 35.2 percent of ground squirrels and 76.2 percent of all voles. Their litter is usually between 4–8 pups born in April and emerging from their dens in May. Coyotes live an average of just 6 years, although one Yellowstone coyote lived to be more than 13 before she was killed and eaten by a mountain