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Mammals of Montana

The mammals most often spotted in Montana, ranked by recent research-grade observations.

71,087
recent observations
50
species listed
50
mammals

Naturalists have logged 71,087 research-grade observations across the 50 most-recorded species in Montana. The most frequently seen is the American Bison, with 11,385 recorded sightings.

Rarer finds confirmed in Montana include Grizzly Bear, Gray Wolf and Bobcat - uncommon enough that a sighting is worth logging.

Grizzly BearGray WolfBobcat

Most-observed mammals in Montana

American Bison
Bos bison
11,385 observations · iNaturalist
Wapiti
Cervus canadensis
7,141 observations
American Black Bear
Ursus americanus
4,214 observations
Mule Deer
Odocoileus hemionus
4,027 observations
Pronghorn
Antilocapra americana
3,791 observations
Bighorn Sheep
Ovis canadensis
3,508 observations
White-tailed Deer
Odocoileus virginianus
3,322 observations
Moose
Alces alces
2,879 observations
Brown Bear
Ursus arctos
2,722 observations
Mountain Goat
Oreamnos americanus
2,599 observations
American Red Squirrel
Tamiasciurus hudsonicus
2,566 observations
Columbian Ground Squirrel
Urocitellus columbianus
2,467 observations
Common Golden-mantled Ground Squirrel
Callospermophilus lateralis
2,265 observations
Coyote
Canis latrans
2,153 observations
Yellow-bellied Marmot
Marmota flaviventris
1,879 observations
Uinta Ground Squirrel
Urocitellus armatus
1,572 observations
Gray Wolf
Canis lupus
1,455 observations
Red Fox
Vulpes vulpes
1,235 observations
Hoary Marmot
Marmota caligata
1,008 observations
Black-tailed Prairie Dog
Cynomys ludovicianus
985 observations
American Pika
Ochotona princeps
732 observations
Mountain Cottontail
Sylvilagus nuttallii
629 observations
American Beaver
Castor canadensis
623 observations
Eastern Fox Squirrel
Sciurus niger
576 observations
Muskrat
Ondatra zibethicus
571 observations
Snowshoe Hare
Lepus americanus
515 observations
Least Chipmunk
Neotamias minimus
470 observations
American Badger
Taxidea taxus
407 observations
Richardson's Ground Squirrel
Urocitellus richardsonii
365 observations
Yellow-pine Chipmunk
Neotamias amoenus
322 observations
North American Porcupine
Erethizon dorsatum
318 observations
Common Raccoon
Procyon lotor
275 observations
Mountain Lion
Puma concolor
199 observations
Striped Skunk
Mephitis mephitis
187 observations
North American River Otter
Lontra canadensis
181 observations
Long-tailed Weasel
Neogale frenata
175 observations · iNaturalist
American Mink
Neogale vison
145 observations
Western Deer Mouse
Peromyscus sonoriensis
141 observations
White-tailed Jackrabbit
Lepus townsendii
131 observations
Uinta Chipmunk
Neotamias umbrinus
123 observations
Bobcat
Lynx rufus
111 observations
Pacific Marten
Martes caurina
111 observations
Northern Pocket Gopher
Thomomys talpoides
106 observations
Domestic Horse
Equus caballus
92 observations
Desert Cottontail
Sylvilagus audubonii
91 observations
Domestic Cat
Felis catus
79 observations
Bushy-tailed Woodrat
Neotoma cinerea
72 observations
European Rabbit
Oryctolagus cuniculus
60 observations
Red-tailed Chipmunk
Neotamias ruficaudus
59 observations
American Ermine
Mustela richardsonii
48 observations

Built from recent research-grade iNaturalist observations. Identifications are community-sourced and may occasionally be wrong, and the ranking reflects where people record and photograph wildlife, so a species seen often here is not necessarily rare elsewhere. Some plants and animals are only out in certain seasons. Treat this as a lively snapshot of what people are finding, not a formal checklist.

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