Wildlife in the Upper Watershed

The climate in the highest reaches of the Tuolumne Watershed is harsh and the growing season is short, but species such as pika, yellow-bellied marmot, white-tailed hare, Clark's nutcracker, and rosy finch are adapted to these conditions and live in the upper watershed.

Wildlife species that occur in the montane zone of the Tuolumne watershed (altitude  ) include golden-mantled ground squirrel, chickaree, marten, Steller's jay, hermit thrush, and northern goshawk. Reptiles nclude rubber boa, western fence lizard, and alligator lizard.

In the lower-montane zone, due to relatively mild, lower-elevation climate wildlife species typically found in these habitats include black bear, bobcat, gray fox, mountain kingsnake, Gilbert's skink, white-headed woodpecker, brown creeper, spotted owl, and a wide variety of bat species.

At a variety of elevations, meadows provide important habitat for wildlife. Animals come to feed on the green grasses and use the flowing and standing water found in many meadows. Predators, in turn, are attracted to these areas. The interface between meadow and forest is also favored by many animal species because of the proximity of open areas for foraging, and cover for protection. Species that are highly dependent upon meadow habitat include great gray owl, willow flycatcher, Yosemite toad, and mountain beaver.

The Lower River

A diverse array of mammals, birds, amphibians, reptiles, fish and invertebrates take advantage of the ample supply of food, water and shelter along the Lower River. In addition to the more abundant wildlife, several sensitive, rare and endangered species depend on conditions provided by the Tuolumne’s riparian complex as well. These include the fall-run Chinook salmon (species of concern), steelhead trout (threatened), Riparian Brush Rabbit (endangered), Riparian Wood Rat (endangered), Valley Elderberry Longhorn Beetle (threatened), Least Bell’s Vireo (threatened), and Swainson’s Hawk (species of concern). Despite major declines in the last two decades, the river continues to host the largest naturally reproducing population of Chinook salmon in the San Joaquin Valley.