Every year, over 500 bald eagles migrate from their home in Alaska to feeding areas within Southern Oregon and Northern California. Numerous bald eagles can be counted feeding in the fields of Tule Lake National Wildlife Refuge.
Raptors are birds of prey that are know for their predatory habits of feeding on other animals. Raptors possess several unique anatomical characteristics such as excellent sensory abilities and binocular visor that enable them to detect prey. There are 30 species of hawks, falcons and eagles that are in the Pacific Northwest and around half of those can be seen at the Refuge.
Ducks and geese migrate during the winter months and make Tule Lake National Wildlife Refuge a main stop along their journey.
The Lower Klamath National Wildlife Refuge has become home to many mammals including, mule deer, beaver, muskrat, badger, bobcat, coyote, skunk, raccoon, jackrabbit, cottontail, and a wide variety of rodents. Other mammals that have been documented on the refuge include pronghorn and elk.
Twenty-four reptile and amphibian species are found in the Upper Klamath Basin. The Western Rattlesnake and the Night Snake are the only venomous reptiles present in the Basin. Visitors should be aware of their presence but not become overly concerned as they are uncommon and normally not aggressive. Some species that may be seen are, Long-toed Salamander, Rough-skinned Newt, Great Basin Spadefoot, Cascade Frog, Oregon Spotted Frog,Western Toad, Pacific Treefrog and Bullfrog.
The Lost River sucker is a long-lived sucker living up to 43 years and is also one of the largest suckers growing up to 1 meter in length.
Shortnose suckers mature when they are between 5 and 8 years old and do not spawn until then. Spawning is related to peak river flows, usually between April and May.