Porcupines, pygmy nuthatches, red squirrels and mule deer inhabit ponderosa pine forests. Porcupines find abundant food here in the form of tree bark, buds and twigs. A slow-moving mammal, the porcupine climbs trees to escape danger. Porcupines are very fond of salt and because of this, they are often killed on roads where salt has been used to thaw ice.

Ponderosa pine forests are sometimes the subject of attacks by insects and for this reason, the pygmy nuthatch is a very beneficial resident. A mere four inches long, this small bird eats insects which may attack the pines. Nuthatches are unique to the bird world because of their ability to travel head first down trees.

Red squirrels find abundant food in pine forests in the form of pine seeds. Look around and you may see a squirrel midden. A midden is a pile of cone scales which has been left after the squirrel has eaten the seeds inside the cone. Red squirrels may also find fungus, eggs and other seeds to eat.