Animals in Ohio

Ohio is in the Midwestern United States, bounded by the Ohio River and the Allegheny Plateau. As a result, the state boasts a diverse terrain characterized by grasslands, forests, wetlands, and rolling hills.

It provides a home to a rich array of flora and fauna – and there are lots of wildlife reserves and national parks where you can take a closer look. The Cuyahoga Valley National Park in Northeast Ohio, the Lake Erie shoreline in the north, and the Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge in the northwest are a few places that attract wildlife enthusiasts.

Animals in Ohio (OH)

List of Different Types of Animals Found in Ohio

The list includes all the common and noteworthy animals native to this state.

Mammals

Many animals, like the eastern wolf, elk, fisher, and American marten, used to live in the state, but their populations have been extirpated.

Birds

  • Northern Cardinal
  • Wild Turkey
  • Blue Jay
  • Black-capped Chickadee
  • Downy Woodpecker
  • Blue-winged Warbler
  • Golden Eagle
  • Bald Eagle
  • Eastern Screech Owl

Reptiles

Amphibians

Fishes

  • Largemouth Bass
  • Smallmouth Bass
  • Bluegill
  • Channel Catfish
  • Flathead Catfish
  • Blue Catfish
  • White Crappie
  • Black Crappie
  • Yellow Perch
  • Walleye
  • Northern Pike
  • Muskellunge
  • Rock Bass
  • Pumpkinseed
  • Green Sunfish
  • Redear Sunfish
  • Longnose Gar
  • Bowfin
  • Freshwater Drum
  • Yellow Bullhead
  • Brown Bullhead
  • Rainbow Trout
  • Brown Trout
  • Brook Trout
  • Lake Sturgeon
  • Blue Sucker
  • Mooneye
  • Golden Shiner

Insects And Invertebrates

  • Monarch Butterfly
  • Eastern Tiger Swallowtail Butterfly
  • Honeybee
  • Ladybug
  • Eastern Carpenter Bee
  • Eastern Tent Caterpillar
  • Luna Moth
  • Green Darner Dragonfly
  • Eastern Lubber Grasshopper
  • Eastern Cicada Killer Wasp
  • Praying Mantis
  • Eastern Amberwing Dragonfly
  • Firefly
  • Black-legged Tick
  • Eastern Dobsonfly
  • Eastern Harvestman 
  • Black Widow
  • Brown Recluse
State Animals of Ohio

State Animals Of Ohio

State AnimalWhite-tailed Deer
State BirdNorthern Cardinal
State ReptileBlack Racer
State AmphibianSpotted Salamander
State FrogAmerican Bullfrog
State InsectLadybug

FAQ

What are the most dangerous animals in Ohio?

Venomous snakes like the eastern Massasauga and timber rattlesnakes are deadly enough to kill you. Spiders like black widows and brown recluses also live in the state but are rare. Large carnivores like the American black bear and coyote can also be dangerous.

Are there any endangered animals in Ohio?

Over 100 native animals and birds are considered threatened in the state, including the eastern Massasauga, timber rattlesnake, eastern mudpuppy, whopping crane, and Kirtland’s warbler. Additionally, there are several mollusks among the protected specie in the state.

What are some common invasive animals in Ohio?

The typical animals considered invasive in other states of the US are also present in Ohio as invasive species. These include: spotted lanternflies, Asian long-horn beetles, and wild boars.

What nocturnal animals are you likely to encounter in Ohio?

Some animals you may encounter at night are bats, owls, raccoons, skunks, bobcats, wolves, badgers, opossums, and foxes.

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