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Wildlife to watch this summer

This magnificent natural environment is full of life. Find a small selection of the animals that inhabit our Vercors mountains and discover a few facts about them.
💡 We’ll even tell you where you can spot them in Villard de Lans and Corrençon.

Published on 3 May 2022

    The plump mountain girl

    The most emblematic (if not the cutest) of our mountain animals is the marmot. Most of the time, you’ll hear the marmot before you see it, thanks to its whistling sound 🎶. With its good cheeks, slightly clumsy gait and fluffy tail, the marmot is easy to recognise! Keep your ears wide open and keep an eye out for fur balls running across the scree slopes.

    Did you know?

    Marmots hibernate for 6 months of the year (from October to March)!

    The snow hen

    If you’ve got a 4-leaf clover, now’s a good time to take it out, because you have to be pretty lucky to come across a black grouse. 🍀 The disturbance caused by our exploitation of the mountains has drastically reduced the population of this mountain animal. This pretty little snow hen digs a tunnel for shelter during the winter, which makes it even harder to come across. At the edge of the slopes, you will regularly come across no-passing signs, as these are protected areas, so please respect them.

    • Size and weight

      From 49 to 52 cm and between 0.9 and 1.3kg

    • What does the black grouse eat?

      Like the marmot, the black grouse is a vegetarian. It feeds mainly on seeds, flowers and buds.

    • Where can you see black grouse?

      There are a few black grouse in our mountains, but if you want to see them, we don’t have any locations to recommend. What’s more, if you want to leave them alone, you’ll have to play your luck against yours.

    Did you know?

    The males do their most beautiful and quite spectacular nuptial dance to seduce the females! 🕺

        The acrobat of the summits

        By remaining discreet and attentive to its surroundings, the ibex is less shy. Recognisable by their large horns and often found in groups, they are easy to spot from a distance. You can set off on a hike with the aim of coming across a few and not see one, and go on another outing and come face to face with these impressive animals. 🐐

        Did you know?

        In the 19th century, the ibex almost became extinct, but thanks to the creation of various national parks and its reintegration into its natural environment, its presence is now assured.

        The little mountain goat

        Smaller than the ibex, the chamois can be distinguished by its small black horns and dark stripes running from the muzzle to the ears. More shy, they are harder to spot. Always keep a good distance away so you can make the most of its presence. Very agile and fast, the chamois moves along rock faces with ease!

        • Size and weight

          From 1m20 to 1m30 long – from 24 to 50kg

        • What does the chamois eat?

          Chamois are also herbivores, eating grass, flowers, lichen, moss and twigs.

        • Where can you see chamois?

          Less numerous in our mountains, you can see them from a distance from the Sentier Gobert. Keep an eye on the scree slopes and listen out for the sound of falling rocks 😉

        Did you know?

        The chamois is capable of leaping over 2m high, 6m long and reaching speeds of more than 50km/h.

          The 5 golden rules

          1 – KEEP TO THE PATHS
          By not going off-piste, we can preserve quiet areas for mountain animals, limit the impact on flora and soil erosion.
          mountain animals and limit the impact on flora and soil erosion.

          2 – RESPECT BREEDING SITES
          DURING SENSITIVE PERIODS
          By assessing the vulnerability of the animals according to their needs (rutting, giving birth,
          foraging, resting areas) and weather conditions (snow depth, temperature) using
          (snow depth, temperature) using the winter wildlife disturbance scale.
          of wildlife in winter.

          3 – DON’T APPROACH
          When we see an animal, give it time to flee quietly and don’t try to get closer.
          and don’t try to get any closer. This is
          This is especially true when it’s a female with one or more young.

          4 – BE DISCREET…
          Let’s avoid making too much noise and be vigilant and observant,
          You can often avoid disturbing an animal simply by spotting it in the distance.
          animal in the distance.

          5 – BE VIGILANT WITH DOGS
          Dogs are perceived as predators of wild fauna.
          wildlife, and can cause the abandonment of nests
          or young birds. Avoid going out with a dog during
          or keep them on a lead.