During severe winters, elk and mule deer move into the desert. Moose are locally important in the dense willow thickets along the desert watercourses of eastern Idaho and western Wyoming. This region is an important breeding and resting ground for migrating waterfowl. Mallards, pintails, green-winged teal, and gadwalls are most common. Canada geese are locally important.
Sage grouse are the most abundant upland game bird.
Reptiles include sagebrush lizard, horned lizard, and prairie rattlesnake.