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  • Idaho is still a place where thundering herds and large predators still roam, where sage grouse still strut and salmon still spawn. Join us in this photographic tour of some of Idaho’s wildlife wonders. Working together, we can ensure that our state remains a place where the wild things are.
  • Pronghorns, evolved to outrun extinct cheetahs and long-legged hyenas, are also long-distance athletes: Each year, they migrate from Craters of the Moon through the Pioneers into Montana, a distance of 160+ miles—one of the longest mammal migrations in North America.
  • Each spring, male sage grouse strut to attract females at display grounds known as leks, one of Idaho’s most impressive wildlife spectacles. Protecting and restoring sagebrush habitat will ensure that these grouse continue to thrive in places like the Owyhees and Crooked Creek Valley.
  • Each spring and fall, Idaho wetlands fill with the sounds of quacks, honks and whistles of waterfowl. A variety of duck species, like the northern shoveler (above), rest or nest in Idaho--requiring plenty of healthy habitat to thrive.
  • Prior to European settlement, red foxes were very rare in Idaho. But these foxes are able to adapt to humanity, and thrive in areas where large predators are absent. They are quite common around farms, resorts and even in large cities.
  • Badgers are never easy to find, but you have a great chance in Idaho: They exist at their highest densities on earth in the Morley Nelson Snake River Birds of Prey National Conservation Area.
  • Kokanee salmon return to Ball Creek Ranch Preserve near Bonners Ferry to spawn after an absence of decades. Many of our Idaho's rivers and streams remain places salmon, trout and other fish would, quite literally, die for.
  • Sturgeon have been a part of North America's rivers since the time of the dinosaurs. Altered water flows threaten them, but surely we can find a way to protect a fish that has survived so much over its 200 million years of existence.
  • Not every critter is a welcome encounter! Most people would just as soon avoid the Western rattlesnakes. But this snake plays an important role in controlling rodent populations. Fortunately, rattlesnakes give plenty of warning when you’re getting too close. Give them space and enjoy the experience.
  • In Idaho, you never know what creature might be around the next bend in the trail. Your support of The Nature Conservancy helps ensure that Idaho remains a place where the wild things are--now and for future generations.
Idaho: Where the Wild Things Are
Fun facts and photos of Idaho's wildlife.