There are approximately 355 bird, 89 mammal, 47 reptile, 9 amphibian, 17 fish (including five native species), and thousands of aquatic and terrestrial invertebrate species in the park.

Grand Canyon National Park spans nearly 8,000 ft. in elevation, from the Mohave desertscrub regions along the Colorado River in the park's western end to the Kaibab Plateau's subalpine conifer forests on the North Rim. As a result, three broad wildlife habitats exist: the Colorado River corridor and inner canyon riparian areas (Riparian), inner canyon desert uplands (Desert Scrub), and the coniferous forests (Coniferous Forest). The individual animal species found in each of these habitats are discussed under their specific animal subcategory.

Approaching, feeding, hunting or removing wildlife from the park is against the law. A current state fishing license is required to catch fish. Special artificial lure regulations and bag limits apply to various stretches of the Colorado River.