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.
List of Different Types of Animals Found in Ohio
The list includes all the common and noteworthy animals native to this state.
Mammals
White-tailed Deer
Bobcat
Coyote
American Black Bear
Raccoon
Red Fox
Eastern Gray Fox
Beaver
Striped Skunk
Spotted Skunk
Virginia Opossum
Eastern Chipmunk
Eastern Cottontail
Gray Squirrel
Eastern Fox Squirrel
Northern Flying Squirrel
Eastern Mole
Muskrat
American Badger
North American River Otter
Eastern Woodrat
Groundhog
Eastern Harvest Mouse
Meadow Jumping Mouse
Eastern Red Bat
Big Brown Bat
Little Brown Bat
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
Eastern Box Turtle
Common Snapping Turtle
Common Musk Turtle
Eastern Massasauga
Timber Rattlesnake
Eastern Copperhead
Northern Water Snake
Eastern Garter Snake
Eastern Ribbon Snake
Eastern Rat Snake
Northern Black Racer
Smooth Green Snake
Eastern Hognose Snake
Red-bellied Snake
Queen Snake
Northern Ringneck Snake
Common Brown Snake
Smooth Earthsnake
Rough Earthsnake
Black Rat Snake
Milk Snake
Eastern Worm Snake
Eastern Fence Lizard
Five-lined Skink
Amphibians
North American Bullfrog
American Toad
Green Frog
Pickerel Frog
Northern Leopard Frog
Spring Peeper
Gray Treefrog
Eastern Red-backed Salamander
Spotted Salamander
Eastern Newt
Northern Slimy Salamander
Marbled Salamander
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 HarvestmanÂ
Black Widow
Brown Recluse
State Animals Of Ohio
State Animal
White-tailed Deer
State Bird
Northern Cardinal
State Reptile
Black Racer
State Amphibian
Spotted Salamander
State Frog
American Bullfrog
State Insect
Ladybug
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.
