Wildlife of
United States

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 make 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 remain 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 in 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 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 are 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 1950s, 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 – Grizzlys 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, the midwest, 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 rattlesnakes 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.

The 7 Rarest Animals in the United States

With so many animals in the United States for centuries, some have become endangered and on the verge of extinction. Here are the top 7 rarest animals you will see in the United States:

• Florida Panther — This animal is the only species from the puma family that breeds in the United States. Florida panthers are easily the most dominant land predators in their home range. They can run up to 35 miles per hour and can leap more than 15 feet. This animal was one of the first listed under the Endangered Species Act in 1973.
• Red Wolf — This wolf species is native to the southeastern United States, though its habitat once extended from Texas in the west down to Florida and up into the Midwest. There are only 100 red wolves left in the wild, making it one of the rarest in the world. Its size is between the coyote and the gray wolf, its close cousin.
• Florida Manatee — Though they are called called sea cows, the Florida manatee more closely relates to an elephant. While they don’t have many natural predators, humans are a huge threat to these creatures. Florida manatees spend much of their time grazing on vegetation in shallow water and can eat as much as 10% to 15% of their body weight each day.
• Black-Footed Ferret — These solitary animals are actually big talkers! They communicate with one another by chattering, hissing, and whining. You probably won’t see them often as they sleep 21 hours each day and are only active at night. Their habitat is Wyoming, Montana, South Dakota, and Arizona, and their main food group is prairie dogs.
• Loggerhead Sea Turtle — This sea turtle species is the world’s largest hard-shelled turtle. The largest ever seen weighed 1,202 lbs. They are widespread throughout the world, but as far as the U.S., they make their home in the southern Atlantic ocean around Florida, Georgia, and North & South Carolina.
• Mississippi Gopher Frog — Also called the dusky gopher frog, it is only found in the state of Mississippi. There are only about 100-250 members of the population left in the wild. Sadly, this amphibian is almost extinct, and conservationists are making big strides to bring the population of this frog back.
• Woodland Caribou — Often called reindeer, these animals live in Washington state and Idaho. Surpisingly both males and females have antlers and their fur color largely depends on where they live. The reason for their endangered status has to do with being hunted often for their meat.

The 5 Largest Animals in the United States

The United States has some pretty big animals, as we have mentioned above. Do you know the largest animals in this country? Here are 5:

• Blue Whale — Tipping the scales at 448,000 pounds, the blue whale’s tongue alone can weigh as much as an adult elephant! It is the largest animal in the world. However, it is usually harmless to humans, instead eating krill, up to 8,000 pounds of them per day.
• Great White Shark — These sharks are the largest predatory fish species in the world, known to grow to more than 26 feet long, weigh more than 4,000 pounds, and swim up to 15 mph. The great white shark is often called a “man-eater” because up to half of the annual shark attacks on humans reportedly are caused by this species.
• Alaska Moose — The largest of the deer species and the tallest mammals in North America, moose can stand 6 feet from ground to shoulder as fully grown adults. Adult male moose weigh between 1200 and 1800 pounds and can actually run up to 35 mph. Watch out for those antlers! They also can grow up to 6 feet long.
• American Alligator — Mostly living in Florida and Louisiana, these fearsome creatures can grow up to 15 feet in length. They also can live as long as 50 years! Don’t get too close; they can move up to 15 mph on land and are not afraid to attack humans.
• California Condor — These are the largest bird in the United States and have been around for at least 40,000 years. With a 9-foot-long wingspan, the California condor soar in the sky over the wild open country of the Southwest. Condors scavenge the carcasses of deer and moose for their dinner.

The Flag of the United States of America

The flag of the United States of America is comprised of thirteen horizontal stripes, six in white and seven in red. The upper left corner has a blue square with fifty white stars representing the fifty US states. The colors themselves have rich meanings with red symbolizing valor and hardiness, blue representing justice and perseverance, and white for purity and high ideals.

There are a few nicknames for the flag including the Stars and Stripes, Old Glory, and the Star-Spangled Banner.

As to who designed the first flag, it is hard to say. Betsy Ross did not, in fact, sew the first American flag, as the rumor goes. There is also another young woman, Rebecca Young, who claimed to have sewn the first flag. She was, in fact, a flag seamstress during the American Revolution and her daughter, Mary Pickersgill, is known to have made the famous Star-Spangled Banner Flag.

Another person, a man named Fracis Hopkinson of New Jersey, was rumored to have designed the first U.S. flag, in addition to a flag for the U.S. Navy. He also was a signer of the Declaration of Independence.

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