Louisiana is a coastal state in the southern regions of the United States. Vast expanses of marshes and swamplands characterize the state. The expansive Mississippi River delta is located here, which means around half of its lands are formed by the sediments of the Mississippi River. Louisiana has mild winters and hot, humid summers, which along with its unique geology, has fostered the development of unique flora and fauna.
These swamps and bayous are home to hundreds of wild native animals, including alligators, water and wading birds, frogs, salamanders, aquatic mammals, and birds of prey. The Kisatchie National Forest, Atchafalaya National Wildlife Refuge, and Toledo Bend Reservoir are some of the best places to take a closer look at the state’s wildlife.
List of Different Types of Animals Found in Louisiana
Mammals
Louisiana Black Bear
Bobcat
Raccoon
Louisiana Red Wolf
Gray Fox
White-tailed Deer
Eastern Gray Squirrel
Eastern Fox Squirrel
Southern Flying Squirrel
Eastern Cottontail
Swamp Rabbit
Southern Short-tailed Shrew
Southeastern Shrew
North American Least Shrew
Muskrat
Virginia Opossum
Nine-banded Armadillo
Striped Skunk
Eastern Mole
Eastern Chipmunk
Big Brown Bat
Eastern Red Bat
Evening Bat
Northern River Otter
Birds
Roseate Spoonbill
Brown Pelican
Great Blue Heron
American Bittern
Snowy Egret
Great Horned Owl
Barred Owl
Northern Cardinal
Blue Jay
Northern Harrier
Bald Eagle
Red-cockaded Woodpecker.
Reptiles
Louisiana is the only place where the rare wild leucistic alligators can be found.
American Alligator
Alligator Snapping Turtle
Common Snapping Turtle
Razor-backed Musk Turtle
Chicken Turtle
Gopher Tortoise
Louisiana Pine Snake
Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake
Eastern Copperhead
Cottonmouth
Western Pigmy Rattlesnake
Canebrake Rattlesnake
Eastern Coral Snake
Eastern Yellowbelly Racer
Northern Scarlet Snake
Rainbow Snake
Buttermilk Racer
Tan Racer
Broad-headed Skink
Coal Skink
Green Anole
Slender Glass Lizard
Amphibians
Eastern Tiger Salamander
Southern Red-backed Salamander
Northern-dusky Salamander
Gulf Coast Waterdog
Dwarf Salamander
Three-toed Amphiuma
American Green Tree Frog
Pig Frog
Striped Chorus Frog
Bronze Frog
American Bullfrog
Southern Leopard Frog
Hurter’s Spadefoot Toad
Southern Toad
Fishes
Hundreds of fish are found in the state, including marine species and sharks that visit the state’s coastal waters. The following list includes both native and non-native fishes that can be seen in Louisiana:
White Perch
Largemouth Bass
Striped Bass
Bluegill
Channel Catfish
Blue Catfish
White Crappie
Red Drum
Black Drum
Speckled Trout
Flounder
Gulf Menhaden
Sheepshead
Alligator Gar
Bowfin
Cobia
Tarpon
Red Snapper
Spanish Mackerel
Blacktip Shark
Lemon Shark
Tiger Shark
Bull Shark
Insects and Invertebrates
Honeybee
Cottonwood Borers
Eastern Lubber Grasshopper
Pavement Ant
Carpenter Ant
Odorous House Ant
Cow Killer Wasp
Wolf Spider
Blister Beetle
Eastern Hercules Beetle
Luna Moth
Ticks
Mosquitoes
Banded Garden Spider
Brown Recluse Spider
Blue Crab
State Animals of Louisiana
State Mammal
Louisiana Black Bear
State Bird
Brown Pelican
State Reptile
American Alligator
State Crustacean
Crawfish
State Amphibian
Green Tree Frog
State Fish
White Perch
State Insect
Honeybee
State Dog
Catahoula Leopard Dog
FAQ
What are the most dangerous animals in Louisiana?
Large predatory animals like the American alligator and Louisiana brown bears are the deadliest animals in the state. Venomous snakes like the eastern copperhead, cottonmouth, pigmy rattlesnake, canebrake rattlesnake, and eastern coral snake are no less dangerous. And then there are venomous spiders like the brown recluse.
What are the common invasive animals in Louisiana?
Some common animals considered invasive in this state are monk parakeets, nutria, and red fire ants.
Are there any endangered animals in Louisiana?
The Louisiana black bear, a subspecies of the American black bear, has been taken off the list of endangered species in 2016, as the measures taken to protect and revive their population in the state have had positive results. The species continues to remain a protected species, and hunting them is illegal. The state also has a small population of mountain lions, which has been growing in recent years.
Other animals classified as threatened or endangered in the state are the brown pelican, American bald eagle, and red-cockaded woodpecker.
