Animals in United States

Below you can find a complete list of USA animals. We currently track 663 animals in United States and are adding more every day!

The list of indigenous United States animals is long and includes well known creatures like coyotes and raccoons, and lesser known animals like the glass lizard and adorable pika. The incredible 2,972 estimated animals native to the United States makes it one of only 17 megadiverse countries in the world. The United States features over 400 known mammals, nearly 800 birds, over 300 reptiles, nearly 300 amphibians, and over 1,100 fish species!

The Two National Animals Of The United States

Surprisingly, the United States is one of a few countries that has TWO national animals. The first is the well known Bald Eagle. Once on the verge of extinction, the Bald Eagle population has rebounded in recent years and is widely considered the ultimate success of the Endangered Species Act.

Originally, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, and John Adams were tasked with choosing a new seal for the nascent United States, but after failing to do so, the responsibility fell to Charles Thomson, the secretary of Congress. Thomson made an American Bald eagle sketch, originally holding an olive branch and arrows in each talon, these represented the power of peace and war. His design was accepted and the Bald Eagle became the national bird of the United States on September 16, 1782.

The second United States national animal is the American Bison, the largest land mammal in North America. The American Bison was declared the national mammal of the United States much more recently, on May 9, 2016.

Once abundant across the country with millions spanning all across North America, the American Bison population once fell as low as a few hundred. After aggressive conservation efforts total populations have rebounded, but still remains near threatened today. There are 17 known bison herds in the United States that number about 10,000 today.

Other countries with more than one national animal include Australia, the Bahamas, and Canada.

Where to Find The Top Wild Animals In the United States

With so much land area and so many different environments, the list of animals native to the USA is long and diverse. Here is a list of where you can see some of the most famous wild animals in the United States.

Bald Eagle – After a resurgence in the population Bald Eagles can now be found in many US states, most commonly near bodies of water like reservoirs, rivers, lakes, and coastal waters. The Klamath Basin Refuges in California is home to the largest known concentration of Bald Eagles, with up to 1,000 birds present there.
American Bison – With a herd of nearly 5,000, Yellowstone National Park is the best place to see American Bison in the United States. The Lamar and Hayden Valleys are the most consistent area of bison sightings. The National Bison Range in Montana is another good place to view American Bison
Grey Wolves – Grey Wolves are hard to spot in the United States. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife service estimates the total population at around 13,000, including Alaska. For the best chance of a grey wolf sighting in the US visit Yellowstone and Grand Teton national parks.
Beaver – The semiaquatic American Beaver is found through most US states near rivers, marshes, ponds, and other slow moving bodies of water. They are most active at night and can frequently be heard slapping their tails to warn of danger before they can be seen.
American Black Bear – The most widely distributed bear species in the United States the black bear is a common sight in trees forests, swamps, and mountains, particularly in the northeastern part of the United States. Though, black bears can can also be found through the midwest, rocky mountain region, and as far south as Georgia.
Cougar – The North American cougar can be found in the Western United States and parts of Florida. After spartan populations for many years cougars are also starting to rebound in parts of the US midwest. Though the animal is not endangered, populations are low and sightings rare.

The Most Dangerous Animals In the United States Today

While many of the US animals are non-threatening, there are a few dangerous ones as well. The most dangerous animals in the USA include:

Killer Bees – estimated to have killed 1,000 people in recent decades. Killer Bees are not actually a naturally occurring type of bee, but the result of a hybrid bee created by Biologist Warwick E. Kerr. Imported in the 1950’s, these bees are significantly more aggressive than other bee types and have been known to chase humans for long distances when defending their hives
Grizzly bears – Grizzly’s cause an average of 3 fatal attacks in the United States each year, despite being largely isolated to Alaska and the northwestern part of the United States. But the enormous size of bears at nearly 500 pounds, surprising speeds of up to 35mph, and the highly protective instincts of mother bears make them a very deadly creature to cross when cubs are near.
Black Widow Spiders – Black widows are abundant throughout the United States. In 2013 alone there were 1,866 reported bites alone. While only a minority of bites are deadly, the powerful neurotoxins can still be damaging. Symptoms include cramping, headaches, fever, and nausea.
Rattlesnakes – Rattlesnakes can be found all over North America and The United States. There are an estimated 5 deaths and 7,000 – 8,000 reported bites by rattlesnakes in the US every year. As human populations expand the number of rattlesnake and human encounters is increasing dramatically. Fortunately there is a nearly guaranteed survival rate from a rattlesnake bite if anti-venom is administered within two hours.