What animals are found in Virginia?

Virginia is home to a diverse range of animals, thanks to its varied landscapes, from the Blue Ridge Mountains to the Atlantic coastline. Here are some examples, categorized by type:

Mammals:

* Large Mammals: White-tailed deer, black bear, elk (reintroduced), coyote, bobcat, red fox, gray fox, raccoon, opossum, beaver, groundhog

* Small Mammals: Squirrel (gray, fox, flying), rabbit (cottontail, snowshoe hare), chipmunk, woodchuck, vole, mouse, shrew, bat (several species)

Birds:

* Songbirds: Cardinal, blue jay, robin, woodpecker (several species), warbler (many species), sparrow, finch, owl, hawk, eagle

* Waterfowl: Duck (mallard, wood duck, black duck), geese (Canada goose, snow goose), swan (trumpeter swan)

* Shorebirds: Sandpiper, plover, oystercatcher, gull, tern

Reptiles and Amphibians:

* Reptiles: Snapping turtle, box turtle, painted turtle, musk turtle, lizard (anole, skink), snake (garter snake, copperhead, rattlesnake)

* Amphibians: Frog (green frog, bullfrog, leopard frog), toad, salamander

Fish:

* Freshwater: Bass (largemouth, smallmouth), catfish, crappie, trout, sunfish, perch

* Saltwater: Striped bass, bluefish, flounder, red drum, sea trout, shark, rays

Insects:

* Common Insects: Butterfly, moth, ant, bee, wasp, beetle, fly, spider, grasshopper, cricket

This is just a small sample of the animals found in Virginia. Many other species are present, including various invertebrates, amphibians, and fish. Virginia is a great place to explore and observe wildlife in its natural habitats.