Weird Animal Encounters in Jackson Hole
We’ve written at length about the magnificent wildlife abundant in Grand Teton National Park. With over 60 mammals and 300 different species of birds in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, we could keep writing about them for a long time. With all our blogs, however, we’ve never covered these elusive animals. Keep reading for a look at some of the weird animal encounters in Jackson Hole.
The Swiping Sneakerhead
The most wily animal in our series is still on the loose. Just days ago, rangers in Grand Teton National Park posted warnings about a kleptomaniac with a passion for sweaty footwear. The culprit? A fox (or foxes). When the shoe count reached nineteen, rangers posted warnings asking visitors to store their stinky kicks in bear boxes or locked vehicles. Instead, the warning backfired, and as of July 11, the fox in question had swiped over thirty shoes.
Park officials aren’t sure why the fox keeps taking shoes. It could be that they’re attracted to the salt in the sweat. Or it could be that the fox has a foot fetish. Maybe they’re just trying to add to their shoe collection. Whatever the reason, park officials would like to remind you to keep your shoes out of the paws of foxes.
The Dental Dazzler
On a chilly fall day, wildlife photographer Jorn Vangoidtsenhoven captured the image of a lifetime when he stumbled upon a bull moose who had just (we assume) left the dentist. This guy was beaming from ear to ear when he had his picture taken for what he surely hoped was the “No Cavity Club!”
In actuality, this look is called the “flehmen response,” and occurs when animals are trying to detect an “odor message.” Vangoidtsenhoven submitted the photo to the Comedy Wildlife Awards, where it reached the final round.
The Boarding Bullwinkle
It’s no secret that Jackson has some of the best skiing on earth. So good, in fact, that the wildlife like to get in on the action. Last winter, a moose decided to test out the slopes, which was a surprise for all bipedal skiers and snowboarders. After a flawless run, he decided he wasn’t really into the sport and went in search of the best hot chocolate in town.
While these are funny occurrences, we’d like to remind you of the importance of respecting wildlife and keeping your distance. Interaction with animals, even seemingly harmless ones, can put both humans and animals at risk.
This post brought to you by Flat Creek Inn.
Breanne Kunz was raised in the Pacific Northwest but grew up spending summers in Idaho and frequently visiting Jackson Hole, Grand Teton National Park, and Yellowstone National Park. She is a wife and mom who likes to write and travel and wants to travel more. She has a toddler, so she has all the weird animal encounters a person needs.
