Children of the Night: Nocturnal Animals of Jackson Hole

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 is still not something you want to run into in the middle of the night. It’s one of several creatures of the darkness you’ll find lurking around Jackson. Now, we at Flat Creek don’t really condone going after animals in the middle of the night, or approaching them at any time. But that doesn’t mean you can’t get cozy, turn the lights down low, and learn all about the nocturnal animals of Jackson Hole. 

Coyotes

Known for their eerie yips and howls, coyotes roam the valley under the cover of darkness, hunting rodents and rabbits. If you hear them, they’re likely miles away, but their call carries on the crisp night air.  Coyotes are very good hunters with keen senses. A single coyote can take down an adult deer, especially in deep snow. They do it by repeatedly biting at the back legs and hindquarters, then finishing off their prey with a bite to the throat. It would be cool if deer became vampires after this, but they don’t, sorry. 

Great Horned Owls

With their haunting hoots, these owls are a common sight (and sound) around Jackson Hole. They’re rarely seen due to their nighttime habits and excellent camouflage, but keep an ear out for their deep calls near forested areas or along river banks. They go after large prey, including raptors such as ospreys, falcons, and other owls. They’re also tough birds: when clenched, a great horned owl’s strong talons need a force of 28 pounds to open again. They use this power to sever the spine of larger prey. 

Bats

Watch for these winged hunters darting through the air, feeding on insects that hover over water at dusk. You should also look for them in caves (obviously) or under bridges or other human structures. Bats are misunderstood little creatures (thanks a lot, Dracula!), but they actually play a crucial role in the ecosystem. In fact, just one little brown bat can eat over 1,200 insects in one hour, and a nursing mother brown bat eats more than 4,000 (talk about a pregnancy craving)!

Moose

While moose are active during the day, they are known to wander quietly at night, putting them solidly among the ranks of Jackson Hole's nocturnal animals. Use caution when driving or walking near wooded areas—they’re massive but surprisingly stealthy. If you accidentally surprise a moose, the best thing to do is to not have done it in the first place, because a moose will not take kindly to this.

Got any nighttime encounter stories with scary (or not-so-scary nocturnal animals)? Let us know in the comments. Happy Halloween from Flat Creek Inn!

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Ryan Kunz is a copywriter and freelance writer who writes on a variety of topics, including media, the outdoors, and whatever else strikes his fancy. He's on a definite Halloween kick right now, which mostly means lots of Stephen King novels.