Animals in Virginia

Virginia (Commonwealth of Virginia) is a Mid-Atlantic US state along the eastern coast of the United States. It is located between the Appalachian Mountains in the southwest and the Atlantic Coast in the east. The state boasts a diverse terrain stretching from the Blue Ridge Mountains and Shenandoah Valley to vast Atlantic coastal plains and Chesapeake Bay.

The state is home to rich flora and fauna, with its abundant wildlife attracting nature enthusiasts during different times of the year. The Shenandoah National Park, Appalachian Trail, and Great Falls Park are the most noteworthy of its wildlife sanctuaries. Here is a list of the common animals native to the state.

List of Different Types of Animals Found in Virginia

Mammals

White-tailed Deer
Elk
American Black Bear
Gray Fox
Red Fox
Eastern Coyote
Bobcat
Mink
Raccoon
Eastern Spotted Skunk
Striped Skunk
Groundhog
Black Tailed Jackrabbit
Eastern Cottontail
Virginia Opossum
Eastern Chipmunk
Eastern Fox Squirrel
American Red Squirrel
Northern Flying Squirrel
Eastern Gray Squirrel
Eastern Harvest Mouse
Eastern Mole
Eastern Woodrat
Meadow Jumping Mouse
White-footed Mouse
Meadow Vole
Southern Bog Lemming
Southern Short-tailed Shrew
Virginia Big-eared Bat
Little Brown Bat
Eastern Small-footed Bat
Northern Long-eared Bat
North American River Otter
Harbor seal
North Atlantic Right Whale
Common Bottlenose Dolphin

Birds

Northern Cardinal
Carolina Wren
Blue Jay
Dark-eyed Junco
Common Tern
American Robin
Carolina Chickadee
Little Blue Heron
Ring-necked Duck
Cooper’s Hawk
Sharp-shinned Hawk

Reptiles

Eastern Box Turtle
Eastern Painted Turtle
Common Snapping Turtle
Spotted Turtle
Eastern Rat Snake
Northern Black Racer
Northern Water Snake
Eastern Garter Snake
Eastern Milk Snake
Northern Redbelly Snake
Eastern Wormsnake
Eastern Smooth Earthsnake
Eastern Kingsnake
Brown Snake
Ring-necked Snake
Rough Green Snake
Eastern Ribbon Snake
Eastern Hog-nosed Snake
Eastern Copperhead
Northern Cottonmouth
Timber Rattlesnake
Green Anole
Eastern Six-lined Racerunner
Eastern Glass Lizard
Common Five-lined Skink
Eastern Fence Lizard

Amphibians

Wood Frog
Eastern Cricket Frog
Gray Treefrog
Cope’s Gray Treefrog
Spring Peeper
Eastern American Toad
Spotted Salamander
Red Salamander
Eastern Red-spotted Newt
Northern Dusky Salamander
Eastern Red-backed Salamander
Eastern Hellbender

Fishes

Channel Catfish
Blue Catfish
Largemouth Bass
Smallmouth Bass
Striped Bass
Bluegill
White Crappie
Black Crappie
Brook Trout
Rainbow Trout
Brown Trout
Yellow Perch
White Perch
Chain Pickerel
Northern Pike
Muskellunge
Flathead Catfish
American Shad
Alewife
American Eel
Longnose Gar
Bowfin
Atlantic Menhaden
Golden Shiner
Warmouth
Redear Sunfish
Pumpkinseed
Redbreast Sunfish
Sandbar Shark
Bull Shark

Insects and Invertebrates

Honey Bee
Eastern Carpenter Bee
Monarch Butterfly
Tiger Swallowtail
Cabbage White Butterfly
Ladybug
Firefly
Mosquito
Boxelder Bug
House Fly
Eastern Cicada
Eastern Tent Caterpillar
Lubber Grasshopper
Eastern Dobsonfly
Eastern Tiger Beetle
Eastern Dobsonfly
Eastern Stonefly
Paper Wasp
Mud Dauber Wasp
Carpenter Ant
Black Widow
Brown Recluse
House Spider
Daddy Longlegs

State Animals of Virginia

State Bird	Northern Cardinal
State Amphibian	Red Salamander
State Snake	Eastern Garter Snake
State Fish	Brook Trout
State Saltwater Fish	Striped Bass
State Insect	Tiger Swallowtail Butterfly
State Shell	Eastern Oyster
State Bat	Virginia Big-eared Bat
State Dog	American Foxhound

FAQ

What are the most dangerous animals in Virginia?

Virginia has predatory animals like the brown bear and coyote among its native residents. There are three deadly snakes – the copperhead, cottonmouth, and timber rattlesnake. The venomous spiders, black widow, and northern recluse are also quite common in the state.

Are there any endangered animals living in Virginia?

Many of Virginia’s wildlife species are considered threatened or endangered and are protected on a state or federal level. Some common threatened/endangered animals include eastern tiger salamander, bog turtle, green sea turtle, Bachman’s sparrow, Carolina northern flying squirrel, Virginia big-eared bat, and North Atlantic right whale.

What are the common invasive animals in Virginia?

Some common invasive species living in the state are the spotted lanternfly, red imported fire ant, and zebra mussels. Larger invasive species include wild hog and nutria.