Wildlife in Yellowstone National Park

Yellowstone National Park is home to 4,179 documented species across 16 categories, including 5 threatened or endangered species and 2076 native species.

4,179
Total Species
16
Categories
5
Threatened
2,076
Native Species

Biodiversity Overview

Species by Category

Insect1,764Vascular Plant1,444Bird330Chromista204Other Non-vertebrates80Mammal78Crab/Lobster/Shrimp64Slug/Snail61Spider/Scorpion43Fungi37Fish19Protozoa18Non-vascular Plant15Amphibian9Reptile9Bacteria4

Native vs Non-Native Species

Native: 2,076 species (50%)
Non-native: 233 species (6%)

Abundance Distribution

Abundance Level Species Count Percentage
Unknown 1,817 43.5%
Uncommon 696 16.7%
NA 668 16%
Rare 451 10.8%
Common 383 9.2%
Abundant 153 3.7%

Threatened & Endangered Species

Endangered Species List

Yellowstone National Park contains 5 species with federal threatened or endangered status.

Species Category Status Nativeness
June Sucker Fish NA Unknown
Rainbow trout Fish NA Non-native
Canada lynx, Canadian Lynx, lynx Mammal NA Native
Grizzly Bear Mammal NA Native
scrub pine, white pine, whitebark pine Vascular Plant NA Native

Conservation Priorities

Of the 4,179 species in Yellowstone National Park, 5 require active conservation management. The most species-rich category is Insect with 1,764 documented species.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many species are in Yellowstone National Park?

Yellowstone National Park has 4,179 documented species across 16 categories. Insect is the largest category with 1,764 species.

Are there endangered species in Yellowstone National Park?

Yes, Yellowstone National Park is home to 5 threatened or endangered species requiring conservation management.

What is the most common wildlife category?

The most common category is Insect (1,764 species), followed by Vascular Plant (1,444).

Data Source: National Park Service (NPS) Biodiversity Database.

Last Updated: April 10, 2026