The state of Georgia, located in the southeastern region of the US, boasts rich flora and fauna thanks to its diverse terrain. From the Blue Ridge Mountains in the north to the barrier islands along the Atlantic coast and the rolling hills of Piedmont, each state region is home to hundreds of animals and birds.
The Appalachian Scenic Trail is one of the state’s most notable places for wildlife watching. Here is a list of native animals you may come across on your wildlife-watching tour in Georgia.
List of Different Types of Animals Found in Georgia
Mammals
Black Bear
Coyote
White-tailed Deer
Cumberland Island Horse
Wild Boar
Gray Fox
Red Fox
Bobcat
Raccoon
Virginia Opossum
Eastern Chipmunk
Striped Skunk
Eastern Fox Squirrel
Eastern Gray Squirrel
Eastern Gray Fox Squirrel
Southern Flying Squirrel
Southeastern Shrew
Eastern Cottontail Rabbit
Eastern Mole
Eastern Spotted Skunk
Nine-banded Armadillo
American Beaver
Muskrat
North American Porcupine
American Mink
Eastern Harvest Mouse
Meadow Jumping Mouse
Woodland Vole
Least Weasel
Eastern Mole
Southern Bog Lemming
Little Brown Bat
Big Brown Bat
Brazilian Free-tailed Bat
Gray Bat
Northern Long-eared Bat
Eastern Small-footed Bat
Eastern Red Bat
Eastern Pipistrelle
River Otter
West Indian Manatee
Atlantic Right Whale
The eastern cougar was also found in this state, but their populations are believed to have been extirpated.
Birds
Brown Thrasher
Northern Mockingbird
White-breasted Nuthatch
Song Sparrow
Blue Jay
Bobwhite Quail
Red-tailed Hawk
Osprey
Mallard
Northern Pintail
Reptiles
American Alligator
Eastern Worm Snake
Eastern Indigo Snake
Eastern Copperhead
Cottonmouth
Eastern Diamondback
Timber Rattlesnake
Pigmy Rattlesnake
Eastern Coral Snake
Island Glass Lizard
Mimic Glass Lizard
Eastern Fence Lizard
Green Anole
Five-lined Skink
Broadhead Skink
Southeastern Five-lined Skink
Mediterranean Gecko
Six-lined Racerunner
Gopher Tortoise
Alligator Snapping Turtle
Amphibians
American Bullfrog
American Green Tree Frog
Southern Leopard Frog
Pickerel Frog
Spring Peeper
Gray Treefrog
Northern Cricket Frog
Pine Woods Frog
Carpenter Frog
Brimley’s Chorus Frog
Eastern Spadefoot
Gulf Coast Toad
Dwarf American Toad
Eastern Narrow-mouthed Toad
American Toad
Fowler’s Toad
Spotted Salamander
Georgia Blind Salamander
Pigeon Mountain Salamander
Southern Red-backed Salamander
Eastern Box Turtle
Eastern Mud Turtle
Eastern Snapping Turtle
Fishes
Largemouth Bass
Bluegill
Channel Catfish
Black Crappie
Redbreast Sunfish
Etowah Darter
Cherokee Darter
White Crappie
Rainbow Trout
Southern Appalachian Brook Trout
Longnose Gar
Striped Bass
White Bass
Yellow Perch
Chain Pickerel
Redear Sunfish
Brown Bullhead
Warmouth
Black Bullhead
Blue Catfish
Smallmouth Bass
Spotted Bass
Suckerfish
Red Drum
Flounder
King Mackerel
Cobia
Red Snapper
Black Sea Bass
Tarpon
Atlantic Croaker
Bluefish
Bonnethead Shark
Lemon Shark
Blacknose Shark
Insects And Invertebrates
Honeybee
White-marked Tussock Moth
Northern Paper Wasp
Eastern Tiger Swallowtail
Blue Dasher
Gulf Fritillary Butterfly
Brown Recluse
Wolf Spider
Southern Black Widow
Northern Black Widow
Green Lynx Spider
Yellow Garden Spider
Chinese Mantis
Knobbed Whelk (Mollusk)
State Animals of Georgia
State Marine Mammal
North Atlantic Right Whale
State Bird
Brown Thrasher
State Game bird
Bobwhite Quail
State Reptile
Gopher Tortoise
State Amphibian
American Green Tree Frog
State Fish
Largemouth Bass
State Saltwater Fish
Red Drum
Coldwater Game Fish
Southern Appalachian Brook Trout
State Insect
Honeybee
State Butterfly
Eastern Tiger Swallowtail
State Seashell
Knobbed Whelk
FAQ
What are the most dangerous animals in Georgia?
Plenty of deadly animals exist in the state, including predatory mammals like black bears, coyotes, red foxes, and bobcats. Wild boars can also be pretty dangerous if provoked. The state also has a lot of venomous snakes and spiders, including the eastern diamondback, copperhead, timber, and pigmy rattlesnakes, black widow, brown recluse, and wolf spiders. The fire ants also make the list of dangerous insects.
What are some rare animals in Georgia?
The North Atlantic right whale and all the turtle species found in the state are considered threatened or endangered by the IUCN, and their populations are dwindling, making them quite rare in the state.
What are some common invasive species in Georgia?
Some of the most common invasive animals in the state include cane toad, brahminy blind snake, emerald ash borer, Argentine ant, and red imported fire ant.
Are there any animals that are endemic to Georgia?
The Pigeon Mountain salamander, Etowah darter, and Cherokee darter are endemic to the state of Georgia. The feral breed of Cumberland Island horse is also unique to this state.
