Over 60 kinds of mammals have been found in the park, including mice, rabbits, coyotes, foxes, porcupines, skunks, ringtail cats, bobcats, mountain lions, and bighorn sheep. Elk and black bears are occasionally seen on the higher plateaus. Visitors commonly see mule deer, squirrels, and a variety of bats. About 271 kinds of birds are found in the park, ranging from hummingbirds to eagles. Canyon Wrens, Black-headed Grosbeaks, and Common Flickers are easily found in Zion Canyon.
Snakes are shyer and harder to see.
Of the 12 species, only the Western Rattlesnake is poisonous. Long before Europeans came to the Southwest, there were Native Americans who lived in what are now the states of Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, and Utah. We call some of these people the Anasazi. Archeologists believe that Anasazi people first lived in Zion about 1,500 years ago. The early Anasazi are known for their fine basketry.