Washington State’s extreme geographical diversity, bisected by the Cascade Mountain Range, contributes to its rich and varied animal life. This division creates a dramatic climatic shift, ranging from the wet, temperate rainforests of the Pacific coast to the arid shrub-steppe of the interior. This unique arrangement of biomes, encompassing marine waters, dense forests, and high deserts, supports a diverse fauna.
Marine and Coastal Wildlife
The waters off Washington’s coast and within the inland Salish Sea support a complex web of marine life. The Southern Resident Killer Whale, a genetically distinct population of orcas, primarily inhabits the Puget Sound and nearby waters. These fish-eating whales rely heavily on Chinook salmon, the largest and most calorie-rich of the five Pacific salmon species found in Washington. The other four species also migrate through these coastal systems, supporting a wide range of predators and fisheries.
The five Pacific salmon species found in Washington are:
- Chinook (King)
- Coho
- Sockeye
- Chum
- Pink
Other marine mammals, such as Harbor Seals and California Sea Lions, are abundant along the coast and inland waterways. Harbor Seals are resident year-round, often seen hauled out on rocky shorelines and docks. California Sea Lions migrate north from breeding grounds to feed in the Salish Sea during the winter and spring. These pinnipeds consume salmon, creating competition for the limited prey resources that also sustain the endangered orca population. Invertebrate life is also important, including the Dungeness crab and various species of clams and oysters harvested from the nutrient-rich mudflats and estuaries of the Puget Sound.
The Cascade and Olympic Forest Ecosystems
The dense, temperate rainforests and high-altitude peaks of the Cascade and Olympic mountain ranges are home to the state’s largest terrestrial mammals. The Roosevelt Elk, one of the largest subspecies of elk in North America, thrives in the western rainforests, with the largest population residing in Olympic National Park. These massive herbivores graze on grasses and browse on young trees, influencing the structure of the forest understory. They share this habitat with the Cougar, a solitary predator that preys primarily on deer and elk, and the American Black Bear, an omnivore that forages on berries, insects, and salmon during spawning season.
The Gray Wolf has been naturally recolonizing the forested areas, particularly in the eastern Cascades, contributing to a recovery that is closely monitored. In the high alpine zones above the tree line, smaller, specialized mammals find refuge in the rocky terrain. Olympic Marmots, an endemic species found only in the Olympic Mountains, hibernate for up to eight months of the year. The smaller Pika, a relative of the rabbit, stores haypiles of vegetation to survive the long, cold winters. The non-native Mountain Goat also inhabits the rugged alpine landscape, though management efforts are aimed at reducing their population due to their impact on sensitive alpine vegetation.
Wildlife of the Arid East
East of the Cascade crest, the landscape transitions into the Columbia Basin’s shrub-steppe and high desert environment, supporting species adapted to the hot, dry climate. The Northern Pacific Rattlesnake, the state’s only venomous snake, is found throughout the drier, rock-strewn habitats of this region. These reptiles emerge from communal dens in the spring, relying on their camouflage and ability to detect prey. They are ambush predators whose diet consists mainly of small rodents, which are abundant in the sagebrush flats.
Predators like the Coyote are common across the eastern plains, feeding on rabbits, hares, and various rodents. The Ferruginous Hawk, the largest soaring hawk in North America, is a notable bird of prey in the Columbia Basin shrub-steppe. This hawk’s diet is largely dependent on ground squirrels and pocket gophers, and it builds large, stick-based nests on cliffs, utility structures, or isolated trees. The specialized nature of the arid environment means many species face challenges related to habitat fragmentation and the availability of prey resources.
Conservation Spotlight: Protecting Iconic Washington Species
Conservation efforts in Washington focus on the recovery of species whose populations have been limited by human activity and habitat loss. The Southern Resident Killer Whale is at the forefront of these efforts, with the population currently hovering at approximately 73 individuals. Protection strategies concentrate on increasing the availability of their primary food source, Chinook salmon, by restoring river habitat and managing fisheries, and reducing vessel noise and chemical contaminants in the Salish Sea.
The Gray Wolf population is a success story in progress, though management is complex as their numbers increase and their range expands. As these predators return, they begin to restore ecological balance by influencing the behavior and distribution of large herbivores like elk. Another major undertaking is the restoration of the Grizzly Bear to the North Cascades Ecosystem, where they have been functionally extirpated. A recent decision finalized a plan to actively restore the bears through translocation, aiming to establish an initial population of 25 bears. This long-term effort seeks to re-establish a self-sustaining population.