The Southeastern US state Mississippi is characterized by diverse terrains, rich with abundant waterways, mountainous regions, and lush forests. The mighty Mississippi River forms its western border, while the southern border features sandy beaches as it runs along the Gulf of Mexico. Different habitats in the state include broadleaf forests, oak savannas, prairie grasslands, temperate pine forests, and delta wetlands.
Naturally, these habitats have allowed the growth of abundant flora and fauna. There are hundreds of mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians. Another special thing about the state is that it has one of the highest numbers of native fish species in its waters (over 200) – thanks to the Mississippi RIver flowing through.
There are several wildlife refuges and state parks, including the Mississippi Sandhill Crane National Wildlife Refuge, Mississippi River State Park, and Pascagoula River Audubon Center, where you can take a closer look at the state’s wildlife.
List of Different Types of Animals Found in Mississippi
The list mainly includes animals native to Mississippi, but there may be some non-native fishes, and insects with settled populations in the state.
Mammals
White-tailed Deer
American Black Bear
Coyote
Bobcat
Gray Fox
Red FoxÂ
Groundhog
Northern Shrew
North American River Otter
Beaver
Raccoon
Nine-banded Armadillo
Virginia Opossum
Striped Skunk
Fox Squirrel
Southern Flying Squirrel
Eastern Gray Squirrel
Eastern Cottontail
Southern Short-tailed Shrew
Eastern Mole
Meadow Vole
Eastern Chipmunk
Hispid Cotton Rat
Eastern Woodrat
Marsh Rice Rat
Norway Rat
Eastern Harvest Mouse
Cotton Mouse
Golden Mouse
White-footed Mouse
Deer Mouse
House Mouse
Big Brown Bat
Eastern Pipistrelle
Brazilian Free-tailed BatÂ
Seminole Bat
Hoary Bat
Atlantic Spotted DolphinÂ
Common Bottlenose Dolphin
West Indian Manatee
Sperm WhaleÂ
The wolf and cougar populations of Mississippi have been extirpated.
Birds
Red Winged Blackbird
Northern Mockingbird
Bald EagleÂ
Eastern Wild Turkey
Barred Owl
Mississippi Sandhill CraneÂ
Mississippi Kite
Blue Jay
Mourning Dove
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Least Tern
Reddish Egret
Reptiles
American AlligatorÂ
Gulf Coast Box Turtle
Red-eared Slider
Eastern Box Turtle
Common Snapping Turtle
Mississippi Diamondback Terrapin
Eastern Fence Lizard
Six-lined Racerunner
Broadhead Skink
Mississippi Green Water Snake
Eastern Cottonmouth
Southern Copperhead
Eastern DiamondbackRattlesnakeÂ
Canebrake Rattlesnake
Dusky Pygmy Rattlesnake
Black Rat Snake
Speckled Kingsnake
Gulf Coast Toadhead Agama
Northern Scarlet Snake
Eastern Coachwhip
Red-bellied Snake
Rough Green Snake
Broad-banded Watersnake
Mississippi Mud Snake
Northern Water Snake
Eastern Worm Snake
Eastern Hognose Snake
Southern Black Racer
Western Ribbon Snake
Mississippi Ringneck Snake
Amphibians
American Toad
Gulf Coast Toad
Eastern Narrow-mouthed Toad
Southern Leopard Frog
Dusky Gopher Frog
Green Tree Frog
Squirrel Tree Frog
Dwarf American Toad
Cope’s Gray Tree Frog
Northern Spring Peeper
Three-toed Amphiuma
Eastern Spadefoot
Eastern Newt
Marbled Salamander
Southern Two-lined Salamander
Southern Dusky Salamander
Lesser Siren
Mississippi Slimy Salamander
Eastern Hellbender
Fishes
Blue Catfish
Channel CatfishÂ
Largemouth Bass
Smallmouth Bass
Bayou Darter (Endemic)
Yazoo Shiner (Endemic)
Yazoo Darter (Endemic)
Slenderhead Darter
White Bass
Bluegill
Black Crappie
White Crappie
American Eel
Long-nosed Gar
MuskellungeÂ
Northern Pike
Pumpkinseed
Redear Sunfish
Longear Sunfish
Sauger
Lake Sturgeon
Shovelnose Sturgeon
Walleye
Skipjack Herring
Paddlefish
Insects and Invertebrates
Spicebush SwallowtailÂ
Monarch Butterfly
Eastern Tiger Swallowtail
Black Swallowtail
Western Honey Bee
Eastern Carpenter Bee
Firefly
Ladybug
Dragonfly
Praying Mantis
Carpenter Ant
Little Black Ant
Mosquitoes
Luna Moth
Grasshopper
Eastern Hercules Beetles
American Burying Beetle
Paper Wasp
Eastern Lubber Grasshopper
Housefly
Dog-day Cicada
Periodical Cicada
Black Widow
Brown Recluse
State Animals of Mississippi
State Land Mammals
White-tailed Deer, Red Fox
State Marine Mammal
Bottlenose Dolphin
State Bird
Northern Mockingbird
State Waterfowl
Wood Duck
State Reptile
American Alligator
State Fish
Largemouth Bass
State Insect
Western Honey Bee
State Butterfly
Spicebush Swallowtail
State Shell
Eastern Oyster
FAQ
What are the most dangerous animals in Mississippi?
Large predators like the American Alligator and black bears are the most dangerous animals in the state. Additionally, there are deadly venomous snakes like the cottonmouth, copperhead, eastern diamondback, and pygmy rattlesnake.
Are there any endangered animals in Mississippi?
There are over 80 endangered species in Mississippi, with the list including everything from clams and crayfishes to amphibians like the dusky gopher frog and hellbender and Reptiles like Gopher Tortoise, green turtle, and Mississippi diamondback terrapin. The endemic fish species bayou darter, Yazoo shiner, and Yazoo darter are also considered threatened.
Some noteworthy bird species with their populations under threat are Bachman’s warbler, Mississippi sandhill crane, and brown pelican. The American black bear and West Indian manatee are two of the most endangered mammals.
