Animals in Colorado

Colorado can be considered a haven for wildlife enthusiasts, with hundreds of amazing animals living in all different terrains and habitats. The Rocky Mountains, encompassing the state’s northeast region, are home to most of the mountain animals in the state, like the bighorn sheep, cougar, white-tailed deer, black bear, and coyote.

Like in all the other western US states, many small mammals and rodents like porcupines, rabbits, beavers, chipmunks, and rats inhabit Colorado. The state also boasts a rich reptile population, including rattlesnakes, whiptails, and turtles.

Most of the animals in the following list are native to this state. There are some invasive species, like the American Bullfrog and the Emerald Ash Borer, that have invaded most of the United States.

Animals in Colorado (CO)

List of Different Types of Animals Found in Colorado

Mammals

The eastern cottontail rabbit is an invasive mammal living in this state, while posing a threat to the native species New England cottontail. Here are the most notable mammals of colorado:

Birds

Reptiles

  • Painted Turtle
  • Common Snapping Turtle
  • Ornate Box Turtle
  • Prairie Rattlesnake
  • Eastern Massasauga
  • Common Garter Snake
  • Bullsnake
  • Plains Garter Snake
  • Milk Snake
  • Western Hognose Snake
  • Terrestrial Garter Snake
  • Northern Watersnake
  • Common Kingsnake
  • Great Plains Rat Snake
  • Desert Night Snake
  • Smooth Green Snake
  • Eastern Racer
  • Western Coachwhip
  • Sonoran Whipsnake
  • Eastern Collared Lizard
  • Western Fence Lizard
  • Plateau Fence Lizard
  • Desert Spiny Lizard
  • Side-blotched Lizard
  • Western Skink
  • Western Whiptail
  • Common Checkered Whiptail
  • Western Banded Gecko

Amphibians

Fishes

  • Colorado Pikeminnow
  • Razorback Sucker
  • White Sucker
  • Bluehead Sucker
  • Longnose Sucker
  • Mountain Sucker
  • Speckled Dace
  • Brassy Minnow
  • Rainbow Trout
  • Brown Trout
  • Brook Trout
  • Greenback Cutthroat Trout
  • Bonytail
  • Mountain Whitefish
  • Kokanee Salmon
  • Sockeye Salmon
  • Yellow Perch
  • Humpback Chub
  • Lake Chub
  • Longnose Dace
  • Black Crappie
  • White Crappie
  • Largemouth Bass
  • Smallmouth Bass
  • Salmonmouth Bass
  • Channel Catfish
  • Bullhead Catfish
  • Walleye
  • Saugeye
  • Gizzard Shad

Insects And Invertebrates

State Animals of Colorado

Colorado State Animals
State MammalRocky Mountain bighorn sheep
State BirdLark Bunting
State ReptileWestern Painted Turtle
State AmphibianWestern Tiger Salamander
State FishGreenback Cutthroat Trout
State InsectColorado Hairstreak Butterfly

FAQ

1. What are the most dangerous animals in Colorado?

Large wild carnivores, like the cougar, black bear, and coyote, are often considered the most dangerous animals. The elk, moose, and deer found in this region can also be potentially deadly if provoked. They have been recorded to charge and injure humans when disturbed in their natural habitat.
Colorado is also home to invertebrates like the black widow and several species of tarantula that are well-capable of endangering human life.

2. Are there any burrowing animals in Colorado?

As mentioned already, there are many rodents in this state, with the most common burrowing animals including voles, prairie dogs, ground squirrels, and pocket gophers.

3. What are the common game animals in Colorado?

The most common game animals are the several ungulates native to the Rocky Mountains, including white-tailed and mule deer, bighorn sheep, elk, moose, and pronghorn. Hunters are also allowed to go after black bears and cougars during the season.

More on Animals in This State

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