Please enjoy the mountains with caution. Always carry bear spray if biking or hiking in the outdoors and respect posted notices of any wildlife in known areas! If you see a bear, or any wildlife from your car, don’t get out (for your safety and theirs).
If you have questions before heading out contact the Banff Information Centre for the latest updates and safety recommendations. Phone (403) 762-1550 or drop by at 224 Banff Avenue between 8 am and 8 pm daily.
Banff and the surrounding area is full of abundant wildlife. Below is a checklist of animals you might get lucky enough to see on your own.
To improve your chances of seeing wildlife, and learn more about animals in the National Park you may want to join a guided tour.
Visit Discover Banff Tours for Details »
Pika
– about the size of a small gopher
– likes to stay in rock slides at higher elevations found at 5,800-7,700 feet, normally bleak and inhospitable surroundings
– likes the sun
– shy, alert, difficult to approach
– will dry cut grass on rocks in the sun to make ‘hay’ for their Winter home under the rocks
– active at night to avoid predators
Hoary Marmot
– found at about 7,200 feet, at or above the treeline
– likes rock slides
– are cautious, difficult to approach
– hibernates from September to April/May
Columbian Ground Squirrel
– part of the rodent family
– can be found in grassland, treeless flats, rocky slopes, forest glades and above the treeline 3,600-8,000 feet
– are large in numbers
– holes are easy to spot
– can be quite bold
– hibernate early September to April/May
Canada Beaver
– largest of the North American rodents
– adults can weigh from 35-45 pounds, older ones can reach 60-70 pounds
– likes forests, foothills, eastern rockies slope
– excellent engineering skills in construction of dams and lodges
– are a great service to water and flood control
– they preserve habitats for many species including muskrat, mink otter and numerous water fowl
– Summer food includes eating bark, stream side plants and aquatic vegetation
– Winter food includes eating willows, branches and upper trunks of deciduous trees piled beside their lodge for easy under water access when they are iced over
– work both day and night, mostly at night to help avoid predators
