Author: <span>Ryan Kunz</span>
The Lynx: The Rarest Cat in Yellowstone
Something we at Flat Creek Inn love about Yellowstone National Park is the abundance of wildlife. What makes it even more special is the opportunity to see wildlife, especially large mammals, not often seen elsewhere. For example, bison are so common that they may be seen crossing roads in their herds (the best kind of traffic jam), and elk, bears, moose, coyotes, and more can be found in relative abundance. In fact, Yellowstone is home to the highest density of different mammals in the lowe...
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Bigfoot in Wyoming
While the Pacific Northwest has laid claim to Sasquatch, it’s far from the only region in the world where tall, hairy, two-legged creatures have been spotted striding through the woods. In fact, Bigfoot in Wyoming—or at least reported sightings of the creatures—are more common than you might suspect. Over the last 50 years or so, according to Cowboy State Daily, Wyoming has been the site of at least 28 reported instances where people have reported a tall, dark-haired, long-arm...
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In Memoriam: Grizzly 399
Grizzly 399, the famed mama bear who has been featured in our blog more than once, has died. She was struck by a vehicle on Highway 26/89 in Snake River Canyon, just south of Jackson. Her identity was confirmed via microchip. She was 29. In a world where most grizzlies don’t live past 25, Grizzly 399’s long life was remarkable. Over nearly three decades, she raised 18 cubs, with eight surviving to adulthood. Last year, she became the oldest recorded grizzly in the Greater Yellow...
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Spiders of Yellowstone
The Yellowstone ecosystem is full of life, including a species generally less appreciated, even when it's not Halloween: spiders. Let’s discuss some of the most prevalent species in the area, their potential danger to humans, and even their purpose in the web of life. You will not be bitten in the reading of this blog. Black Widow Perhaps the most infamous spider in the US, known for both its menacing black color with red markings and its venom. How dangerous is it really? Wh...
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Children of the Night: Nocturnal Animals of Jackson Hole
“Listen to them. Children of the night. . . What music they make!”—Dracula (1931) Imagine, if you will: The sun has set, the moon arisen. You’re wandering in the dark, when suddenly a howl echoes through the night. You try to scream (as someone famous once said), but terror takes the sound before you make it. You start to freeze (as the song continues) as horror looks you right between the eyes. It’s . . . a coyote? Well, it's not exactly a werewolf or vampire, but a coyote...
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