Red Rock Lakes National Wildlife Refuge is located in a remote section of Beaverhead County in southwestern Montana. The area contains 44,100 acres at the base of the Continental Divide and is administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Lakes and ponds cover 9,000 acres of the refuge. The remaining acreage consists of diversified wildlife habitat ranging from marshes to stabilized sand dunes and from conifer and aspen timber types up to subalpine. Elevations vary from 6,600 to nearly 10,000 feet.
A cross section of mammals associated with the life zones of the region is found on the refuge. Some indigenous species have disappeared; bighorn sheep are only memories while fisher have not been seen for a generation. For specific information on the status and distribution of mammals on the Refuge, contact the Refuge Manager.
Since common names for mammals show regional variation, scientific names have been included. Names follow those used in Montana Mammals (1978, 5pp, mimeo) by Dr. Phillip Wright, Professor of Zoology at the University of Montana.
INSECTIVORES
Water Shrew (Sorex palustris) . Found in timbered areas.
Masked Shrew (Sorex cinereus). Found along fast mountain streams.
BATS
Little Brown Myotis (Myotis lucifugus). Most common at Lakeview.
PIKAS , RABBITS AND HARES
Pika (Ochotona princeps). Found in high elevation rock elide areas.
Snowshoe Rabbit (Lepus americanus). Found in forested areas.
White-tailed Jackrabbit (Lepus townsendii). Found in low shrub habitat.
Pigmy Rabbit (Sylvilagus idahoensis). Historical record from 1940.
RODENTS
Wyoming Ground Squirrel (Spermophilus elegans). Common in grasslands.
Northern Flying Squirrel (Glaucomys sabrinus). Rare in timbered areas.
Golden-mantled Ground Squirrel (Spermophilus lateralis). Found in Douglas Fir.
Yellow-bellied Marmot (Marmota flaviventris). Common around rock outcrops.
Bushy-tailed Wood Rat (Neotoma cinerea). Historical account from 1942.
Gapper's Red-backed Mouse (Clethrionomys gapperi). Found in damp habitats.
Western Jumping Mouse (Zapus princeps). Uncommon.
Deer Mouse (Peromyscus maniculatus). Our most common rodent.
Meadow Vole (Microtus pennsylvanicus). Found in wet meadows.
Long-tailed Vole (Microtus longicaudus). Found in damp habitats.
Least Chipmunk (Eutamias minimus). Primarily in sagebrush areas.
Yellow Pine Chipmunk (Eutamias amoenus). Common along woodland fringes.
Red Pine Squirrel (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus). Common in coniferous timber.
Northern Pocket Gopher (Thomomys talpoides). Found in well drained areas.
Beaver ( Castor canadensis). Found on all timbered or willow lined streams.
Muskrat (Ondatra zibethicus). Common in marsh habitat.
Porcupine (Erethizon dorsatum). Found in all timbered areas.
CARNIVORES
Black Bear (Ursus americanus). Rare, found in forest habitats.
Grizzly Bear (Ursus arctos). Very rare, seldom seen.
Marten (Martes americana). Historical account from the 1920'a.
Short-tailed Weasel (Mustela erminea). Seen along south aide of Refuge.
Long-tailed Weasel (Mustela frenata). Seen mostly in the winter.
Mink (Mustela vison). Found along moving water.
Badger (Taxidea taxus). Found throughout the uplands.
River Otter (Lutra canadensis). Occasionally seen.
Fisher (Martes pennanti). Historical records from early 1900's.
Wolverine (Gulo gulo). Rare, found in forested areas.
Striped skunk (Mephitis mephitis). Common below 6,900 feet.
Wolf (Canis lupus). Historical records, possible recent movements into area.
Red Fox ( Vulpes vulpes). Found in the uplands and marsh edges.
Coyote (Canis latrans). Commonly heard and seen throughout the Refuge.
Cougar (Felis concolor). Infrequently sighted in timbered areas.
Lynx (lynx lynx). Rare, found in timbered areas.
Bobcat (Lynx rufus). Occasionally seen in upland habitats.
Raccoon (Procyon lotor). Very rare, individuals seen in 1979 and 1986.
UNGULATES
Elk (Cervus elaphus). Found mostly in the open timbered areas.
White-tailed Deer (Odocoileus virginianus). Seen along woodland edges.
Mule Deer (Odocoileus hemionus). Seen along woodland edges.
Moose (Alces alces) . Found in willow bottoms and in the timber.
Pronghorn Antelope (Antilocapra americana). Common on the dry uplands.
Bison (Bison bison). An occasional drifter from Yellowstone area is seen.
Bighorn Sheep (Ovis canadensis). Historical records, last reported in 1912.
