What kind of critters are in West Virginia?

The most common animals you're likely to see are rabbits, gray foxes, opossums, skunks, raccoons, black bears, white-tail deer, and squirrels. Eastern coyotes, red foxes, ermines, and weasels live all over the state. The mountain streams are home to trout, walleyes, perches, bluegills, and catfish.

1. What animal is West Virginia known for?
2. What big cats live in West Virginia?
3. Does WV have moose?
4. Are there Wolverines in West Virginia?
5. Are there alligators in West Virginia?
6. Are there wolves in West VA?
7. Are there black panthers in WV?
8. Are there grizzly bears in West Virginia?
9. Are porcupines in WV?
10. Is there mountain lions in WV?
11. Are there sloths in West Virginia?
12. Are there mink in WV?
13. Are there wild pigs in West Virginia?
14. Do Fisher Cats live in WV?
15. Are there Fisher Cats in WV?

What animal is West Virginia known for?

Black Bear - West Virginia's State Animal. The Black Bear was selected as West Virginia's official State Animal by a poll of students, teachers and sportsmen conducted by the Division of Natural Resources in 1954-1955.

What big cats live in West Virginia?

The bobcat (Felis rufus) is the only native feline predator in West Virginia. The eastern mountain lion used to reside in the Mountain State in the 1800s but that species is now extinct, except for a small isolated population in Florida.

Does WV have moose?

Several eastern states have reintroduced elk and now West Virginia is joining the ranks. ... The West Virginia elk herd is off and running. Elk are members of the deer family Cervid, along with whitetail and mule deer, moose and caribou.

Are there Wolverines in West Virginia?

Wolverines are indigenous to the Pacific North West, so they are very unlikely to be found in Virginia.

Are there alligators in West Virginia?

All of southern West Virginia is buzzing about the big gator found at Upper Mud River Reservoir. The area manager for the Upper Mud River Wildlife Management Area killed the alligator, which measured more than five feet in length after finding the reptile on the banks of the popular fishing water.

Are there wolves in West VA?

Gray wolves have been extirpated in West Virginia since 1900. Wolves are the largest members of the Canidae family and are closely related to coyotes, foxes and jackals, officials said. ... In addition to the gray wolf pups, the Wildlife Center is home to nearly 30 species of native and once-native species, officials said.

Are there black panthers in WV?

The West Virginia DNR doesn't officially recognize the black panther or any other large cat as still being part of the West Virginia wildlife. Many years ago, mountain lions did roam the hills in sufficient numbers to make them a major player in the state's ecosystem.

Are there grizzly bears in West Virginia?

The American black bear is the only bear known to inhabit West Virginia, and they are not regarded as aggressive in comparison to the distantly related polar bears and grizzly bears. ... Today, most of the remaining grizzly bears in North America are in Alaska and western Canada.

Are porcupines in WV?

Porcupines are not a protected species in West Virginia. In Pennsylvania, the state game commission instituted a hunting season on porcupines a few years ago.

Is there mountain lions in WV?

The mountain lion no longer exists here in West Virginia at least in a naturally reproducing state." That said, however, Johansen adds that when he hears the occasional story about a sighting in West Virginia he doesn't doubt them.

Are there sloths in West Virginia?

The scientific name for the giant West Virginia sloth is "Megalonyx jeffersonii." It's more casually referred to as "Jefferson's ground sloth" (even though he had nothing really to do with making the discovery).

Are there mink in WV?

“Mink occur throughout West Virginia occupying wetland habitats where woody or brushy shoreline vegetation along with emergent vegetation is present. ... “Mink are considered a furbearer in West Virginia and can be legally trapped during the trapping season.

Are there wild pigs in West Virginia?

Feral swine are found in small populations scattered around West Virginia. Feral swine make up one of the two populations of “wild pigs” that exist within the state; the other population is wild boar. Wild boar occur in the four-county area of Boone, Raleigh, Logan and Wyoming counties.

Do Fisher Cats live in WV?

Few West Virginians will ever see a fisher, but chances are they've been closer to one than they think. ... “Fishers disappeared in West Virginia due to habitat destruction and unregulated trapping,” said Rich Rogers, the Division of Natural Resources' furbearer project leader.

Are there Fisher Cats in WV?

Fishers are about the size of a large house cat. They are a member of the weasel family, which also includes minks, martens, otters, and wolverines. Fishers are estimated to live up to 10 years. ... Of 55 counties in West Virginia there are 22 open counties for controlled trapping of Fishers.