Yosemite Wildlife - by Beth Pratt (Hardcover)

About the Book

"The first comprehensive book in more than a century devoted to wildlife in Yosemite National Park and the Sierra Nevada region, since publication of Grinnell and Storer's 1924 work, "Animal Life in the Yosemite.""-- Provided by publisher.

Book Synopsis

The first comprehensive book in more than a century dedicated entirely to Yosemite's remarkable wild animal world. "Exquisite." --Shelf Awareness

Countless books have been written about Yosemite National Park's renowned scenery, yet as incredible as it is to us, Half Dome is also somebody's home. Social media is flooded with people all over the world sharing their excitement about the antics of the park's distinctive residents: black bears causing traffic in "bear jams," mule deer grazing in Ahwahnee Meadow, and coyotes sauntering in the shadow of El Capitan. Yosemite Wildlife goes beyond the field guides and offers extensive portraits of the park's creatures--a remarkable new publication sure to be welcomed by the more than 4 million annual park visitors and anyone interested in the Sierra Nevada.

Readers will discover:

• 150+ species, including mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and insects
• 300+ photographs and archival images
• Commonly and rarely seen animals
• Rewilding success stories
• Profiles of the park scientists and others who protect wildlife

This lively and accessible blend of storytelling, the latest research, natural history, and compelling wildlife photographs fills a 100-year gap in publishing that will deeply connect people to this world-renowned national park in California. Crafted over decades by writer and conservation leader Beth Pratt to fulfill her vision of continuing the legacy of Grinnell & Storer's landmark 1924 work, Animal Life in the Yosemite. Beth's writing is accompanied by the work of naturalist-photographer Robb Hirsch, who spent more than 30 years in the field photographing animals so as not to impact them by his presence; his photography tells a distinct story of the park's dazzling wildlife at its most undisturbed.

Yosemite Wildlife shines a spotlight on species that not only make their homes in the park but also come with only-in-Yosemite stories such as those charismatic bears, the peregrine falcons brought back from the brink of extinction in part by big-wall rock climbers, and the tiny amphibians that persist on the tallest peaks.

The book celebrates decades of conservation and observation, by visitors and professionals, through highlighting charming and nostalgic pieces from the park's Archive, such as reproductions of handwritten wildlife observation cards and articles excerpted from the beloved Yosemite Nature Notes magazine. Some of this archival material has never been published!

This image-rich, engagingly readable volume is a feast for the eyes and has been crafted to appeal to anyone eager to dip in and find out more about Yosemite's enchanting wildlife. Yet the breadth and depth of information will also serve as an excellent reference for educators and scientists.

Yosemite is one of America's most precious resources. Yosemite Wildlife does this distinction proud, showcasing the creatures of the park that are as captivating as the spray of Yosemite Falls, the dizzying heights of Glacier Point, or the iconic Half Dome.

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Review Quotes

GOLD WINNER - 2026 Independent Book Publishers Association Book Awards, Nature/Environment category

"Pratt's book is designed to be more than a coffee-table tome. Each chapter features stories, facts and intimate insights about a different animal. The book isn't necessarily meant to be read cover to cover. Rather, she was inspired by the encyclopedias she got lost in as a child. Paired with hundreds of photos from naturalist-photographer Robb Hirsch, as well as archival images, natural history and research, her storytelling transports readers into a world they don't often have access to." --Gabrielle Cannon, The Guardian

"From the cute but ferocious river otter to the gliders of the night, the Humboldt's flying squirrel, this striking book is the first comprehensive work in more than a century dedicated to the park's animal kingdom." --Associated Press

"With more than 300 images, Yosemite Wildlife is also rich in Pratt's accessible prose; this thorough survey of observations and storytelling is designed to update a 1924 publication for the historical record. As a beautifully produced, large-format, glossy presentation, it also exhibits Pratt's and Hirsch's expertise and passion for a place that is much more than just its famous geology and dramatic scenery. With plentiful archival records, historical images, and personal stories from park staff and naturalists, it's an informative document as well as a stunning visual feast. . . . Exquisite." --Julia Kastner of pagesofjulia for Shelf Awareness

About the Author

Beth Pratt, wildlife advocate and author, has worked in environmental leadership roles for over thirty years, and in two of the country's largest national parks: Yosemite and Yellowstone. Pratt leads the National Wildlife Federation's #SaveLACougars campaign to build the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing outside of Los Angeles. Her innovative conservation work has been featured by the New Yorker, the Wall Street Journal, the Washington Post, BBC World Service, CNN, CBS This Morning, the Los Angeles Times, Men's Journal, the Guardian, NPR, AP News, and more. She is also the author of I Heart Wildlife and When Mountain Lions are Neighbors. Beth makes her home outside of Yosemite, her "north star," with her dogs and cats, and the mountain lions, bears, foxes, frogs, and other wildlife that frequent her backyard.

Robb Hirsch studied ecology and worked as a field biologist for the California State Parks, USGS, and private biology firms prior to his nature photography career. He publishes his images in books, calendars and magazines and leads photography workshops throughout the Sierra Nevada. His primary focus is using quality imagery for outreach, education and conservation, facilitating a deeper appreciation of the natural world. Robb is the author/photographer of The Nature of Yosemite: A Visual Journey. He and his wife, Regina, own Mountain Sage, a gallery-café-plant nursery in the Yosemite gateway community of Groveland, CA, where he lives.