Ungulates American Wildlife Yellowstone Edition

Elk

Cervus canadensis

In 2019, there was an estimated 6,000 elk in Northern Yellowstone, in 1983, there was an estimated 22,000 wolves mostly killed elk that were 17 years old The first year of an elk calf's life is used as A recruitment way into the herd, if they survive they are welcomed in

Elk population declined rapidly after wolves were introduced to Yellowstone

PHOTOGRAPHBYJOELSARTORE, NATIONALGEOGRAPHICPHOTOARK

White-Tailed Deer

Odocoileus virginianus

White-tailed deer are the most common deer species throughout North America, although it has never been abundant in Yellowstone. The population amount in Yellowstone has never been monitored because of their scarcity

Adults are 150–250 pounds, and 3.5 feet at the shoulder. They eat shrubs, forbs, grasses, and conifers in spring. White-tail deer are good swimmers and will use large streams and lakes to escape predators, which is why they are almost only seen close to water-bodies in Yellowstone

Photographbyjoelsartore

Pronghorn

Antilocapra americana

Pronghorns are named after their "pronged" horns, these "horns" are considered neither horns nor antlers but instead a sheath that sheds yearly Both male and female Pronghorns have these sheaths Pronghorns run at speeds of around 60 mph, and they are the second fastest land animal in summer they can be spotted in Lamar Valley by the North Entrance at Gardiner, Montana. While in Winter they can be seen between the North Entrance and Reese Creek.

Predators & Ungulates

Ungulates

Bighorn Sheep

Ovis canadensis

All bighorn sheep have horns. The rings on horns can be used to determine their age, although it is easier to count the rings on a ram bighorn sheep live in small, fragmented populations that are very vulnerable to sudden declines from disease, habitat loss, and disruption of their migratory routes because of roads and other human activities

The horn size of bighorn sheep rams can influence dominance and rank, which affects social relationships within herds.

Photographbyrobbiegeorge Nationalgeographiccreative

Moose

Bull moose shed their antlers in the beginning of winter to help keep energy and survive the harsh winter Yellowstone moose are the smallest of four subspecies of moose In North America Moose in Yellowstone are found in marshy areas of meadows, lake shores, and along rivers.

Photographbyshinyoshino

PICTURES/NATIONALGEOGRAPHIC

American Bison

Bison Bison Bison

The largest and most important herd of American Bison is found in Yellowstone National Park; this herd was estimated to have around 5,450 American Bison

PHOTOGRAPHBYGLENNNAGEL, DREAMSTIME

The word buffalo is derived from the French word, "bœuf," a name given to bison from French fur trappers working in the U.S. and Early American settlers called bison "bufello" due to the similar appearance between the two animals, and the name "buffalo" stuck for the American variety.

American bison were on the brink of extinction just over a century ago.

Predators & Ungulates

Why the Food Chain is important…

The food chain has been an incredibly essential aspect of Yellowstone History.

The food chain is essential to Yellowstone's history because it plays a vital role in preserving the balance of the park's ecosystem.

Yellowstone's predators, such as wolves and bears, keep the herbivore population in check, which in turn prevents overgrazing and allows the vegetation to thrive. This healthy ecosystem supports a diverse array of wildlife, making Yellowstone a distinctive and beneficial natural habitat. Ecosystems are influential because they supply vast range of benefits such as regulating the climate, purifying air and water, stabilizing plant as well as animal life, and providing resources like food, medicine, and lumber They also contribute to the economy through activities like tourism and recreation Additionally, ecosystems play a crucial role in maintaining the balance of the planet's biodiversity and overall health

Cause-Specific mortality of Radio Collared wolves from 1995-2018: Intraspecifi c

The reintroduction of wolves in Yellowstone National Park had a significant impact on both predators and prey. The wolves helped to control the overpopulation of deer and elk, which in turn allowed for the regeneration of vegetation. This benefited other animals like beavers, birds, and fish. Additionally, the wolves' presence caused changes in the behavior of the prey, leading to a more natural ecosystem balance. For example, the reintroduction of wolves in Yellowstone National Park has had a significant impact on the bison population. Wolves primarily prey on elk, but their presence has led to a reduction in the elk population, which has allowed the bison population to increase. Additionally, the presence of wolves has altered the behavior of bison, causing them to move more frequently and stay in smaller groups to avoid becoming easy prey.