Which animals live in the Appalachian Mountains?

The Appalachian Mountains support a diverse range of wildlife. While species such as bison, elk, and wolves were once common, they largely disappeared from the region, though elk have since returned to the northern mountains.1

Today, the region is home to a variety of animals, including:

• Mammals: Black bear, white-tailed deer, wild boar, fox, raccoon, and beaver, along with numerous smaller animals. In the northernmost corners of the range, caribou and moose can still be found.1
• Birds: The region supports an abundant bird population. For instance, the Great Smoky Mountains alone host approximately 200 varieties of game birds and songbirds.1

The southern Appalachians historically served as a vital refuge for northern life forms during the Pleistocene Epoch, when glacial ice sheets forced many species to migrate south to survive.2