Animal Life in Redwood National Park
No matter where you go in Redwood's many and varied lands and waters, you are sure to encounter hundreds of animals. From the prairies to the shelter of the trees, and from the ocean to the streams, you will see wild and dangerous animals, beautiful and intriguing birds, and perhaps surprisingly interesting residents.
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Endangered Animals
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Steller's sea lions are also called northern sea lions.
sea lion image by Evan Meyer from Fotolia.com
Redwood forests and waters harbor numerous threatened or endangered species. These include the northern spotted owl, who loves the old-growth redwoods; the marbled murrelet, who is dependent on the old redwoods for nesting; the bald eagle; and the western snowy plover, a small bird preyed on by larger birds and raccoons in particular. The coho and chinook salmon can be found in and are totally protected in the park. Steelhead trout and the tidewater goby, a small fish (about 2 inches long) found only in California, also live in the park. Steller's sea lions, which make a low roar instead of a bark, enjoy Redwood's coast lines.
Threatened Animals
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The brown pelican is struggling to recover from endangerment.
california brown pelican image by Xavier MARCHANT from Fotolia.com
The brown pelican, which has been de-listed from the endangered species list due to Redwood's conservation efforts calls the waters of Redwood home. The American Peregrine Falcon is no longer endangered, but considered threatened. Roosevelt's elk, named after Theodore Roosevelt (who took a special interest in Redwood Park and declared it a national park), is showing significant numbers after approaching extinction with a dozen or two members in the early 1900s.
On Land
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The gray fox is one of the few dog family members that can climb trees.
fox image by DOLPHIN from Fotolia.com
Hundreds, if not thousands, of animal species call Redwood's home. Some notable residents include: the bobcat, a 20-lb feline version of the domestic cat; the grey fox, one of the few canines able to climb trees, according to the National Park Service; raccoons; western gray squirrels; Sonoma chipmunks; dusky-footed wood rats, which make nests among the redwood trees; the black-tailed deer, which has a black stripe on it's tail; and the black bear, which the National Park Service states is very shy. The Pacific giant salamander and banana slugs are among the reptiles and animal life in the park.
Redwood's Air Residents
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Stellar's Jay has a black hood for a distinct appearance.
colorado blue jay image by Earl Robbins from Fotolia.com
The lush canopy of Redwood's trees is home to varied birds, insects and a mammal--the bat. According to Redwood National Park, since it is "cool and shady, the coniferous forests provide important habitat to the area's many species," of wildlife. Some of the birds that rely on the redwoods include the chestnut-backed chickadee; the winter wren; the turkey vulture, who scavenges dead and rotting animals; and Stellar's Jay, which has a blue body with black head and throat. The Jay makes a home in the redwoods with nests of twigs and mud. Monarch butterflies travels between California and Canada, sheltering occasionally underneath the giant trees.
Redwood's Waters
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Green ameones are creatures with algae living inside.
green anemone image by Lucid_Exposure from Fotolia.com
Redwood National Park encompasses shorelines, ocean waters and streams teeming with life of their own. Among the wildlife encountered in Redwood's diverse waters are the Pacific gray whale, the common dolphin, and the surf scoter, a seldom studied black and white sea-duck. Tidepools burst with mussels, purple shore crabs and giant green anemones. Streams in Redwood host species such as coastal cutthroat trout (which are vulnerable to over-logging and poor logging practice in the redwoods), Pacific lamprey and frogs, such as the Pacific tree frog and red-legged frog.
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Related Searches
References
- Redwood National Park: Information Page
- Redwood National and State Parks: Wildlife
- National Park Service: Intro to Redwood Animals Guide (pictorial) (PDF)
- Explore Del Norte: The Wildlife of Redwood National and State Parks (especially endangered species)
- Best California Beach: Redwood National Park - Exploring the Coast and the Redwood Forest
Resources
- Photo Credit Redwoods image by Towards Ithaca from Fotolia.com sea lion image by Evan Meyer from Fotolia.com california brown pelican image by Xavier MARCHANT from Fotolia.com fox image by DOLPHIN from Fotolia.com colorado blue jay image by Earl Robbins from Fotolia.com green anemone image by Lucid_Exposure from Fotolia.com
