Wildlife
on Open Space & Mountain Parks
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Fantastic for Wildlife!
Open Space and Mountain Parks is one of the most diverse wildlife areas in all of Colorado, providing critical habitat for a variety of species. Boulder is unique among Front Range cities due to the preservation of the mosaic of ecosystems that form the foothills backdrop. Animal diversity tends to be higher in the low foothills of Open Space and Mountain Parks because of the mild climate and abundance of food and cover. A wide array of species inhabits Open Space and Mountain Parks, and their survival depends in part upon your actions while visiting their home. Please help us to keep our wildlife wild--do not approach or feed animals, and enjoy them from a respectful distance. By staying on designated trails, respecting trail/area closures, and following posted dog regulations, you can help us to preserve and protect critical wildlife habitat. Please familiarize yourself with Wildlife Watching Ethics to assure that the joy you feel observing and photographing wildlife doesn't come at their expense!
Mammals
At least 59 mammal species have been documented on Open Space and Mountain Parks. The area provides a haven for many species as precious habitat shrinks with increasing development of surrounding areas. It is critical to provide 
these creatures with living space, food, water and shelter, as well as corridors to other areas with similar attributes. Many mammal species are elusive and shy. You will have a much better chance of catching a glimpse of them if you are quiet, patient, and keep your distance. Please remember that if animals move away from you or appear to be disturbed, you are too close. Learn to read the landscape to look for tracks and signs of wildlife--you will be amazed at how much you see! Some of our most frequently seen mammals include mule deer, golden-mantled ground squirrel, Colorado chipmunk, deer mouse, fox squirrel, chickaree, rock squirrel, striped skunk, raccoon, pine squirrel, and Abert's or tassel-eared squirrel. Occasionally, visitors are fortunate enough to catch a glimpse of (or hear!) such species as coyote, red fox, white-tail deer, marmot, long-tail weasel, elk, and porcupine. Rarely seen are the secretive bobcat, mountain lion and black bear. We are fortunate to have some of our flying mammals on Open Space and Mountain Parks as well. Several species of bats hibernate and roost in the area and help to keep insect populations in check. Contrary to popular belief, bats do not get caught in hair, and only about one-half of 1% of bats carry rabies (less than the rate in striped skunk or red fox populations). Rare bat species do occur on Open Space and Mountain Parks, and areas may be closed to public access to protect maternity bat colonies. Please help us to protect wildlife by respecting trail/area closures.
Reptiles and Amphibians
on Open Space and Mountain Parks, we are fortunate to have a good representation of "herptiles"--the reptiles and amphibians. Probably our most well-known reptile is the venomous prairie rattlesnake. Although feared by many, mounting scientific evidence indicates the importance of this snake in the food chain. Red-tailed hawks, badgers, coyotes, golden eagles, and other snakes all prey upon the prairie rattlesnake. Far too frequently, this animal is killed on sight by people out of fear and ignorance. The buzzing of the rattle strikes fear into the hearts of many, but there have actually been few documented reports of Colorado fatalities among bitten adults. If you are bitten, don't panic, immobilize the bitten area, and seek prompt medical attention. The prairie rattlesnake is frequently confused with the harmless bullsnake. Besides lacking the distinctive rattles, the bullsnake is generally larger than the prairie rattlesnake, sometimes reaching lengths of up to nine feet. By mimicking the coloration and behavior of the rattlesnake (even shaking its rattle-free tail and making a buzzing sound with its mouth!), the bullsnake discourages predators. These snakes are fairly common, and help to keep rodent populations in check. The beautiful milksnake is also present on Open Space and Mountain Parks, and is occasionally a victim of mistaken identity. Milksnakes sport red, black and yellow bands that resemble the colors of the venomous coral snake. Coral snakes are not found in Colorado, and there is no reason to fear the harmless milksnake. Other Mountain Parks snakes and lizards include the eastern yellowbelly racer, garter snake, lined snake, northern water snake, smooth green snake, plains blackhead snake, short-horned lizard, and red-lipped prairie lizard. 
Sawhill Ponds is a great place to glimpse turtles sunning themselves. This wetland is home to a number of species, including western box turtle, painted turtle, and snapping turtle. Sawhill Ponds also provides marvelous habitat for our amphibians--the frogs, toads, and salamanders. In the spring and early summer months, listen for the peeping of tiny striped chorus frogs and the "barrumph" of bullfrogs. Beautiful spotted leopard frogs may also be seen at Sawhill Ponds, along with Woodhouse's toad and plains spadefoot toads. The colorful tiger salamander is occasionally glimpsed in moist woods and wet areas.
Birds
More than 100 species of breeding birds have been reported on Open Space and Mountain Parks, including golden eagles, peregrine and prairie falcons, wild turkeys, goshawks, and flammulated owls. Many of our bird species are migratory, flying northward from Mexico and Central America along the base of the mountains in the spring, and returning south in the fall. Many remain throughout the year, although some, such as Townsend's solitaire, may move from the plains to the mountains during breeding season. Year-round residents include black-billed magpie, Steller's jay, mountain and black-capped chickadee, pygmy nuthatch, red- and white-breasted nuthatch, pine siskin, evening grosbeak, brown creeper, canyon wren, great horned owl, northern flicker, common raven, American robin, American crow, and dark-eyed junco. Some of our more common summer visitors include broad-tailed hummingbird, western wood-peewee, mountain bluebird, yellow-rumped warbler, western tanager and spotted towhee. Winter visitors include cedar waxwing, bald eagle, rough-legged hawk, and ferruginous hawk. Bird watching is a popular activity on Open Space and Mountain Parks. Not only does this provide tremendous personal satisfaction and an opportunity to get outdoors, but also valuable insights on environmental health. Birds are excellent indicators of environmental conditions, and the presence or absence of certain species may be the first hint that the environment is changing.
Insects
The insect world is incredibly rich and diverse. Here you will find the tiny Gaillardia Moth, an insect whose red head and yellow body match the colors of the gaillardia or blanket flower. The butterflies present in the summer bring as much color to the meadows and hillsides as the wildflowers. Look for Spring Azures, tiny radiantly blue butterflies that gather around puddles in early summer, making hikers wary of misplaced footsteps. The summer breezes are filled with orange and black checkered fritillaries, monarchs, and brown eye spotted wood nymphs, and yellow and black swallowtails soar in command of the air. As you hike on Chautauqua Meadow trails, watch for a praying mantis' slow but deliberate stalking of prey, spittle bugs froth on plant stems, and dragonflies patrolling clearings hoping to snatch a careless mosquito. Listen, too, for the sounds of cicadas filling a forest with their chatter. From jumbo bumble bees bullying their way into flowers to caterpillars building silken condos in the chokecherry bushes, the mysteries of Open Space and Mountain Parks insects await the curious and observant.
In the Fall:
The summits of Green Mountain, Bear Peak, and South Boulder Peak become a mass of orange, crowded and congested with "ladybugs" meeting and greeting their kin in preparation for hibernation. Ladybird beetles, the correct name for these insects, converge on rocks, trees, and around every crevice near the peaks to seek warmth, safety by numbers, and the chance to find a mate. The mass of squirming orange and black bodies is a phenomenon among a world of wildlife that goes ignored by most park visitors.
In the Winter:
The cold and snow are difficult conditions to endure for organisms that cannot regulate or provide their own internal warmth. It is a time of waiting and hibernation until the sun shines longer and brighter. Another generation of insects is present as the eggs and pupae that await the warmer weather beneath dead leaf litter, in bark crevices and on shrub and plant stems. The few insects that overwinter as adults--the mourning cloak butterfly, for example--may become active in stretches of warmer weather that occasionally break up the winter months and tease us about the coming of spring. Curious about potential hazards in OSMP? Visit our hazards web page.
Mountain Pine Beetle:
The state of Colorado (and many areas in the west) is experiencing a large scale mountain pine beetle epidemic that is killing a large percentage of the mature lodgepole pines. In the past two years, beetle populations have dramatically increased in Boulder County and are killing lodgepole pines at the county's higher elevations. Click below to learn more about the mountain pine beetle epidemic from the City of Boulder.
Mountain Pine Beetle Fact Sheet 35.33 Kb
Frequently Asked Questions 20.47 Kb
Mountain Pine Beetle Photo and Life Cycle 149.48 Kb
Learn about the Boulder County "Seasonal Slash Drop-off" program.
Learn about Open Space and Mountain Parks Forest Ecosystem Management Plan
More Wildlife Links
»Wildlife Watching Ethics
»Bears & Mountain Lions
»Rare and Sensitive Species
»Wildlife Protected by Area Closures
»Bats
Ask Coyote Bob
If you have questions about the plants, animals, rocks, or history of OSMP, he's the coyote with the answers!
Click here to ask Coyote Bob a question.
Last Updated on Monday, 24 August 2009 10:40
Open Space & Mtn Parks