Animals
Elk
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- Elk that were in the area perished, skeleton seen here had to be dug out of the ash. [1 year after the eruption]
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- Elk that were outside the area quickly returned after the eruption.
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- Elk returned to forage in clearcuts and meadows.
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- Rapid resprouting of fireweed on clearcuts provided an important early food source for elk.
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- Elk movements were tracked using radio collars.
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- Elk viewing is a popular activity. Bring your binoculars.
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- Elk move across the monument following developing vegetation as the season progresses.
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- Elk trails are common.
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- In the spring when forage is scarce, elk browse back evergreen trees, delaying forest establishment.
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- Elk droppings on the Pumice Plain.
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- Elk carcasses provide food for coyotes and other scavengers and an important source of calcium in the system. [29 years after eruption]
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- In heavy snow years followed by a late spring, little forage is available and weaker animals starve.
Small Mammals
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- Incredibly, ground dwelling animals like northern pocket gophers managed to survive even on heavily blasted ridges
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- Countless animals perished. [photo 1 month after eruption]
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- Ground squirrels are thriving despite the negative effects of being overfed by visitors.
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- Northern pocket gophers survived the eruption in their underground burrows.
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- Generalist species like the deer mouse thrived because they were able to feed on a wide variety of food sources.
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- Gopher mounds were among the first signs of life observed in the blast zone.
Insects and Spiders
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- Ballooning spiders and carabid beetles survived by feeding on the carcasses of a variety of insects blown in by the wind.
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- Spiders and scavengers like this carabid beetle survived by feeding on the carcasses of wind- blown insects.
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- Seeds and insects on the crater floor demonstrate the effectiveness of wind-dispersal in the blast zone.
Birds
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- Ground foraging birds like the dark-eyed junco are thriving.
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- Snags provide excellent habitat for birds like the Red Breasted Sapsucker.
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- Birds like the mountain bluebird nest in cavities in standing dead trees.
Amphibians
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- Western toad tadpoles group together along the shoreline of Meta Lake.
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- Adult tailed frog
