The infrared camera technology was used to monitor animal activities at four heritage sites representing cave temples and ancient buildings, from January 2018 to June 2021. A total of 10 946 independent wildlife photographs (6 orders, 13 families and 18 species) were collected within 9 463 camera-days by 22 cameras. According to the relative abundance index (RAI), the typical dominant species in Mogao Grottoes, Bingling Cave Temple, Maiji Mountain Grottoes and Zijin Nunnery were determined respectively to be:Rhombomys opimus (RAI:35.75), Columba rupestris (RAI:75.99), Sciurotamias davidianus (RAI:43.17) and Dremomys pernyi (RAI:43.65). The highest seasonal activities of the four dominant species are in summer and the lowest in winter. The highest monthly activity rhythm is in August and the lowest in January. The daily activity peaks of Rhombomys opimus, Columba rupestris, Sciurotamias davidianus and Dremomys pernyi are 8∶00~10∶00,10∶00~12∶00, 10∶00~12∶00 and 2∶00~4∶00, respectively. Mammals and birds mainly endanger cultural relics in the forms of scratches, nesting and fecal pollution, etc. Based on the above studies, targeted prevention and control measures are proposed. The results of this study could provide technological support and a scientific basis for clarifying the characteristics of animal populations, activity rhythms and animal control at heritage sites.