Grand Canyon National Park is not just rich with scenery; it’s also rich with wildlife! Within the Grand Canyon Ecosystem, 75 species of mammals, 50 species of reptiles and amphibians, 25 species of fish, and over 300 species of birds exist.  Come learn a little about a lot of these critters. Throughout the park, mule deer are commonly seen on the rim. In addition, desert bighorn inhabit the remote slopes of the inner canyon but are occasionally seen on established trails. Bobcats and coyotes range from rim to river, and a healthy population of mountain lion exists in the park. Among the smaller mammals that inhabit Grand Canyon are Kaibab squirrels, ringtails (related to raccoons), beavers, chipmunks, rabbits and a whopping 20 species of bats. In addition, many reptiles and amphibians are represented by a wide variety of lizards, snakes (including the unique Grand Canyon "pink" rattlesnake), turtles, frogs, toads and salamanders.

Grand Canyon National Park is home to a number of threatened and endangered species.  Management of these species can be particularly difficult due to their small and often isolated populations.  One of the park's most celebrated endangered species is the California condor, which was re-introduced back into the ecosystem in 1996 and continues to flourish.  In addition, native Colorado River fishes have been affected as a result of changes in water volume, temperature, and sediment load since the completion of Glen Canyon Dam in 1963.  These fishes include the humpback chub, which is the only extant endangered fish remaining in Grand Canyon proper. This class will focus on field identification, natural history, and research and conservation measures of many species of Grand Canyon wildlife.