North Carolina, the southeastern US state, has a diverse geography divided into three main biomes — the coastal region on the east, Piedmont extending across the state’s central region, and the Blue Ridge Mountains of the Appalachian Mountain range in the west.
The coastal region is inhabited by all the semiaquatic and aquatic animals like alligators, river otters, beavers, whales, fishes, and birds. The Piedmont region is home to white-tailed deer, lizards, turtles, and many birds. Mountain animals like black bears, bobcats, elks, and small mammals inhabit the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge, and the Nantahala National Forest are noteworthy places to watch for wildlife.
List of Different Types of Animals Found in North Carolina
Mammals
White-tailed Deer
American Black Bear
Bobcat
Red Wolf
Gray Fox
Red Fox
Raccoon
Striped Skunk
Virginia Opossum
Nine-banded Armadillo
North American Beaver
Eastern Chipmunk
Eastern Cottontail Rabbit
Appalachian Cottontail
Eastern Gray Squirrel
Southern Flying Squirrel
Eastern Mole
Star-nosed Mole
Eastern Woodrat
Eastern Harvest Mouse
Woodland Jumping Mouse
Eastern Shrew
Short-tailed Shrew
American Red Squirrel
Least Weasel
Long-tailed Weasel
American Mink
North American Porcupine
North American River Otter
Eastern Pipistrelle Bat
Big Brown Bat
Eastern Small-footed Bat
Little Brown Bat
Red wolves and the state animal, North American beavers, have been reintroduced to the state with established populations. Other animals, like fishers, cougars, bison, and snowshoe hares, have been extirpated.
One noteworthy animal introduced to the state is the Rocky Mountain elk.
Birds
Northern Cardinal
White-breasted Nuthatch
Eastern Bluebird
Eastern Towhee
Carolina Wren
American Crow
Brown Pelican
American White Ibis
Northern Harrier
Broad-winged Hawk
Least Tern
Piping Plover
Reptiles
American AlligatorÂ
Eastern Box Turtle
Eastern Painted Turtle
Common Snapping Turtle
Eastern River Cooter
Leatherback Sea Turtle
Green Sea Turtle
Eastern Diamondback
Carolina Pygmy Rattlesnake
Timber Rattlesnake
Copperhead Snake
Eastern Cottonmouth
Eastern Kingsnake
Eastern Rat Snake
Northern Black Racer
Eastern Garter Snake
Eastern Worm Snake
Eastern Hognose Snake
Eastern Coral Snake
Rough Green Snake
Eastern Fence Lizard
Broadhead Skink
Common Five-lined Skink
Southeastern Five-lined Skink
Amphibians
American Bullfrog
Southern Leopard Frog
Eastern Narrow-mouthed Toad
Green Frog
Pickerel Frog
Eastern Gray Treefrog
Pine Barrens Tree Frog
Eastern Spadefoot
Fowler’s Toad
Four-toed Salamander
Red-spotted Newt
Eastern Newt
Marbled Salamander
Eastern Tiger Salamander
Southern Two-lined Salamander
Carolina Anole
Fishes
Largemouth Bass
Smallmouth Bass
Striped Bass
Blue Catfish
Channel Catfish
Flathead Catfish
White Perch
Yellow Perch
Chain Pickerel
American Shad
Hickory Shad
Red DrumÂ
Pumpkinseed
Bluegill
Green Sunfish
Warmouth
Southern Appalachian Brook Trout
Rainbow Trout
Brown Trout
Speckled Trout
Amberjack
Atlantic Tarpon
Blue Marlin
Gray Triggerfish
Yellowfin Tuna
King Mackerel
Red Grouper
Red Snapper
Blacktip Shark
Bull Shark
Hammerhead Shark
Giant Manta Ray
Insects and Invertebrates
Eastern Tiger Swallowtail
Carolina Mantis
European Honey Bee
American Bumblebee
Eastern Carpenter Bee
Red Paper Wasp
Eastern Cicada Killer
Red Velvet Ant
Eastern Pondhawk
Northern Black Widow
Southern Black Widow
False Black Widow
Cellar Spiders
State Animals of North Carolina
State Mammal
Eastern Gray Squirrel
State Marsupial
Virginia Opossum
State Bird
Northern Cardinal
State Freshwater Trout
Southern Appalachian Brook Trout
State Saltwater Fish
Channel Bass (Red Drum)
State Reptile
Eastern Box Turtle
State Frog
Pine Barrens Tree Frog
State Salamander
Marbled Salamander
State Insect
Western Honey Bee
State Butterfly
Eastern Tiger Swallowtail
State Shell
Scotch Bonnet
State Dog
Plott Hound
State Horse
Colonial Spanish Mustang
FAQ
What are the most dangerous animals in North Carolina?
North Carolina is home to several large predators, including the black bear, American alligator, and red wolf. There are also several deadly poisonous snakes and spiders, including copperheads, cottonmouths, eastern diamondbacks, Carolina pygmy, timber rattlesnakes, and black widows.
Are there any endangered animals in North Carolina?
Over 100 threatened or endangered animals in North Carolina are protected by state laws. These include the leatherback and green sea turtles, North Atlantic right whale, northern flying squirrel, gray bat, and giant manta ray. Since their populations are under threat, these animals are pretty rare to see.
What are some common invasive animals in North Carolina?
Some native animals in this state include the red imported fire ant, emerald ash borer, zebra mussels, wild boar, and nutria.
What nocturnal animals are you likely to encounter in North Carolina?
Some animals you will likely encounter at night are bats, owls, raccoons, skunks, bobcats, wolves, badgers, opossums, and foxes.
