AUTO TOUR 



111 



SOME WILDLIFE AND PLANTS OF YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK 



One of the most common animals 

 seen in the park is the mule deer, es- 

 pecially evident in Yosemite Valley and 

 occasionally along roads above the val- 

 ley. Although less frequently seen, black 

 bear are not uncommon in the valley 

 and are seen occasionally outside of this 

 area. Although these animals are inter- 

 esting photographic subjects they are 

 still wild animals and are dangerous. 

 Regulations against feeding them are 

 for your protection. You may also see 

 various squirrels and chipmunks, coy- 

 otes, bobcats, porcupines, marmots, and 

 a variety of small rodents. Rarely you 

 may catch a glimpse of the mountain 

 lion (cougar). A more complete account 

 of these, together with other kinds of 

 mammals in the park, is given in "Mam- 

 mals of Yosemite" which, along with 

 "Reptiles and Amphibians of Yosemite 

 National Park" and "Birds of Yosemite," 

 is available at the museums and gift 

 shops. 



PONDEROSA PINE — Easily recognized by 

 the large jig saw puzzle-like sections of 

 bark. 



BLACK OAK — Characterized by the almost 

 clear trunk. It's many spreading branches 

 often 1 feet or more from the ground. 



Lizards and their relatives will be 

 seen scampering over warm rocks at 

 stopping points. Numerous toads and 

 frogs furnish a lusty spring chorus from 

 the wet meadows. Seen infrequently 

 will be snakes, all of which are interest- 

 ing and even beautiful. 



Fishing is an important phase of rec- 

 reation in the park. The 5 game fish are 

 trout and include rainbow, brown, east- 

 ern brook, cutthroat, and golden. You 

 may read more about them in "Fishes of 

 Yosemite." 



Thirty-five species of trees are native 

 to the park. Of these 18 are broad-leaved, 

 dropping their leaves in autumn, and 17 

 cone-bearing evergreens. The dominant 

 forest trees along the park roads are in- 

 dicated throughout this guide. More 

 complete descriptions can be had in the 

 pamphlets "Cone-bearing Trees" and 

 "Broad-leaved Trees." 



