Oklahoma, located in the south-central region of the United States, is home to hundreds of amazing wildlife species. Most of the state is located within the Tornado Alley, with its borders covering parts of the Great Plains, Interior Highlands, and the Cross Timber. As a result, Oklahoma offers various habitats, including vast grasslands, dense forests, and riparian areas along rivers where the native flora and fauna can thrive.
There are over 50 state and national parks, with some famous ones being the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge, Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge, and Beavers Bend State Park.
List of Different Types of Animals Found in Oklahoma
Mammals
American Black Bear
Red Fox
Gray Fox
Bobcat
Coyote
American Bison
White Tailed Deer
Southern Flying Squirrel
Eastern Gray Squirrel
American Beaver
Eastern Chipmunk
Virginia Opossum
Nine-banded Armadillo
Groundhog
Striped Skunk
Western Spotted Skunk
Eastern Spotted Skunk
Eastern Cottontail Rabbit
Common Raccoon
White-tailed Deer
Eastern Mole
Muskrat
American Mink
Plains Pocket Gopher
Northern River Otter
Long-tailed Weasel
Least Shrew
Hispid Cotton Rat
Western Harvest Mouse
Black-tailed Jackrabbit
Mexican Free-tailed Bat
Eastern Pipistrelle Bat
Big Brown Bat
The State Mammal, American bison was reintroduced to the state, having a stable population at present. Animals like cougars, grizzlies, and gray wolves were once at large in Oklahoma, but their population has been extirpated.
Birds
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher
Northern Cardinal
Blue Jay
American Crow
American Robin
Bald Eagle
Red-tailed Hawk
Sharp-shinned Hawk
Green Heron
Great Blue Heron
Lesser Prairie Chicken
Reptiles
American Alligator
Common Snapping Turtle
Common Box Turtle
Western Mud Turtle
Common Map Turtle
Copperhead
Cottonmouth
Western Diamondback
Timber Rattlesnake
Prairie Rattlesnake
Massasauga
Pygmy Rattlesnake
Western Coachwhip
Eastern Garter Snake
Plains Garter Snake
Western Rat Snake
Western Ribbon Snake
Smooth Green Snake
Rough Green Snake
Great Plains Skink
Central Plains Milk Snake
Eastern Hog-nosed Snake
Texas Brown Snake
Speckled Kingsnake
Eastern Worm Snake
Common Kingsnake
Eastern Collared Lizard
Texas Horned Lizard
Texas Spiny Lizard
Eastern Fence Lizard
Five-lined Skink
Broad-headed Skink
Amphibians
American Bullfrog
Northern Spring Peeper
Green Frog
Eastern Gray Tree Frog
American Toad
Eastern Narrow-mouthed Toad
Spotted Salamander
Cave Salamander
Oklahoma Salamander
Red-spotted Newt
Three-toed Amphiuma
Four-toed Salamander
Fishes
Largemouth Bass
Smallmouth Bass
Channel Catfish
Blue Catfish
Flathead Catfish
White Bass
Spotted Bass
Striped Bass
Bluegill
Redear Sunfish
Longear Sunfish
Green Sunfish
White Crappie
Black Crappie
Rainbow Trout
Paddlefish
Northern Pike
Walleye
Sauger
Saugeye
Gar
Freshwater Drum
Bowfin
Yellow Perch
Insects And Invertebrates
European Honey Bee
Eastern Carpenter Bee
Common Eastern Bumble Bee
Black Swallowtail
Spicebush Swallowtail Butterfly
Silver-spotted Skipper Butterfly
Luna Moth
Scissors Grinder Cicada
Obscure Bird Grasshopper
Eastern Hercules Beetle
Red-legged Buprestis
Southern Green Stink Bug
Green Eyed Robber Fly
Common True Katydid
Familiar Bluet
Citrine Forktail
Striped Bark Scorpion
Southern Black Widow
Brown Recluse
Black And Yellow Garden Spider
Dark Fishing Spider
State Animals Of Oklahoma
State Mammal
American Bison
State Furbearer Animal
Common Raccoon
State Flying Mammal
Mexican Free-tailed Bat
State Game Animal
White-tail Deer
State Bird
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher
State Game Bird
Wild Turkey
State Raptor
Red-tailed Hawk
State Fish
White Bass
State Reptile
Collared Lizard
State Amphibian
American Bullfrog
State Insect
European Honey Bee
State Butterfly
Black Swallowtail
FAQ
What are the most dangerous animals in Oklahoma?
Oklahoma is home to several venomous snakes, including 5 deadly rattlesnakes. These are the western diamondback, Massasauga, timber, prairie, and pygmy rattlesnakes. Additionally, the venomous copperheads and cottonmouths also live here. There are deadly spiders like the black widow and brown recluse as well. The sole scorpion native to Oklahoma, the striped bark scorpion, is not considered lethal, but it can still inflict a painful sting.
Larger predatory animals like black bears and crocodiles are among the most dangerous.
What are some rare animals living in Oklahoma?
Oklahoma has over two dozen native animals considered endangered, with their numbers dwindling. This means they are rarely spotted in the wild. The piping plover, whooping crane, red knot, and red-cockaded woodpecker are among the endangered birds in the state. The northern-longnose bat, gray bat, and longnose darter are some other rare and endangered animals.
What are some common invasive animals in Oklahoma?
The wild boar is an invasive mammal threatening the local ecosystem of the state. Among aquatic animals, several carp species, like the bighead and grass carp, are invasive in Oklahoma waters.
