January 2021 Wildlife Log
January is the heart of winter in Jackson Hole. We've recently enjoyed wolf sightings on the National Elk Refuge, in addition to the thousands of elk wintering in the valley. Few moose still retain antlers, though deer and elk will hold onto theirs for a few more months. Bison are moving through Grand Teton National Park, and waterfowl are concentrating in open water along Flat Creek and the Snake River. Check back for more wildlife updates from January in Jackson Hole!
Why Do Wolves Howl?
For us, there's nothing like the howl of a wolf that better embodies the wildness of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. Though wolves howl throughout the year, it picks up in mid-winter, during the wolf mating season, with research showing wolves howl four times as much in February as they do in May!
Last week, the Wapiti wolf pack treated us to a rousing performance during our Winter Wolves and Wildlife of Yellowstone Adventure. At about 600 yards away, we used our Maven S.1A spotting scopes to get a close look while the howls of at least 15 wolves filled the air.
Watch the video to hear the call of the wild and learn why wolves howl from EcoTour Adventures Naturalist Josh Metten.
In winter we most often see coyotes hunting small mammals such as mice and voles or scavenging carcasses. Recently however, guide Laura Kruseski watched as a coyote walked onto thin ice and swiftly snagged a young trumpeter swan! At 20-30lbs, Trumpeters are the largest waterfowl in the world, weighing nearly as much as an adult coyote, making them formidable prey. Learn more about coyotes and trumpeter swans from the video.
This short is from our popular Wildlife Wednesday Monthly Round-up, a Facebook live event on the first Wednesday of every month at 5:30 pm MST.
