West Virginia’s Common Garter Snake is a rather bland looking species and easy to identify basically because it’s the primary species in most East Coast states. Photos of wildlife and scenery from around West Virginia. Bounties were paid on their "scalps" in West Virginia through the late 1890s with the last recorded one being killed by Stofer Hamrick in Randolph County in January 1900. You’ll want to watch out for the black spiders. West Virginia is home to at least 70 different wild mammals. Share this . The life zones of West Virginia allow for a diversity of habitats for fauna (animal life), varying from large lowland farming valleys bordered with forest and meadow to highland ridge flats and heavy forestland, some with rocky ridge-line peaks. Use our West Virginia map directory to locate a professional in the city or county nearest you. The animals are not caged or injured, the pictures are of wild animals taken in the wild. West Virginia has 150 species of fish, many of which are members of the minnow and darter families that aren't commonly encountered. 13 Photos Of Wildlife In West Virginia That Will Drop Your Jaw. Rabies is a preventable disease that affects the brain. It is the West Virginia burrowing mayfly (Ephemera triplex) along with the mountain stream's terrestrials and the other insects. Most spiders can’t harm you with their venom, but the black widow is an exception. It is okay to watch wild animals from … If this is accurate, they were nonetheless certainly gone by 1880 when the subspecies as a whole is considered to have been completely exterminated. The state of West Virginia is home to 72 wild mammal species. West Virginia > Animal isn't actually causing a problem, but its presence is causing me concern > Fox. The 66 species of native wild mammals in West Virginia represent seven of the 10 orders of mammals found in North America. Several additional species are rare in the state and warrant close monitoring. West Virginia has about 100 cases of animal rabies per year. Those animals are the gray wolf, the elk and the bison. Some of the more dangerous animals of West Virginia are now completely extinct, such as the mammoth, giant bear, vampire bat, and Jefferson’s ground sloth. My brain wanted to say it was a wild dog or a deer, but it was not. Also doing well are mammals that prefer farm and early successional habitats. The neighboring state of Kentucky actively reintroduced elk (various subspecies from Canada, Arizona, Kansas, North Dakota, New Mexico, Oregon and Utah[17]) to their eastern woodlands in 1997, and by 2009 the population had increased to over 10,000 animals. With 1.6 million acres (6,475 square kilometers) of protected land in the state, there are lots of places to get outdoors and enjoy the wildlife, from nature preserves and parks to wildlife refuges and the forests. [11][12][13] Recently, the eastern cougar was federally listed as "endangered" in West Virginia and sporadic, unconfirmed accounts of its presence (tracks and sightings) continued to be reported. (The local subspecies has been called the eastern wood bison (Bison bison pennsylvanicus) by some experts). “ The walk through zoo near the top has a good variety of animals goats, kangaroos, monkeys, tigers, giraffes etc. Four species (or subspecies) – the Virginia big-eared bat, the Indiana bat, the West Virginia northern flying squirrel and the (potentially extirpated) eastern cougar – are federally listed as endangered. West Virginia Division of Natural Resources. They survived longer in this area, however, than in other parts of the eastern United States. The squirrel were back in the area this day. A study group considering limits on ownership of dangerous animals in Virginia recommended Wednesday restricting ownership of elephants, rhinos, Komodo … The larger megafauna which once inhabited the High Alleghenies — elk, bison, mountain lion — were all exterminated during the 19th century. Click on a number to view those needing rescue in that state. & Ospina-Garces, S. 2016. Benefits of Bats. Rehab Wild Animals in need in West Virginia. They were rare in West Virginia by around 1900, with the last reports coming from the high elevation red spruce forests. Linzey, A.V. Man vs. However, deer are very numerous and black bear have increased in number in recent years. Virginia (southern) white-tail deer Deep in the heart of the state's mountains is a unique natural botanical treasure. West Virginia plans to ban, tax and regulate a wide range of animals. Check these awesome shots that photographers took right here in the Mountain State. Mammals in the region today include whitetail deer, chipmunk, raccoon, skunk, groundhog, opossum, weasel, field mouse, flying squirrel, cottontail rabbit, gray foxes, red foxes, gray squirrels, red squirrels and several types of bat. The following letters indicate the likelihood of finding each animal in West Virginia: In addition, the International Union for Conservation of Nature classifies one of these species as vulnerable (VU) and five as near-threatened (NT). Most wild animals keep their distance from people, and you should keep your distance from wildlife. The most common rabid animals are raccoons, skunks, foxes and bats. What to do if I see a wild animal. 407 likes. While actual attacks by wildlife are unlikely, they most often occur when animals are sick, startled, feel threatened, or become accustomed to people. West Virginia’s tourism motto is “wild and wonderful,” and the state really is. Can be commonly seen in suitable habitat within current range. The cave crayfish (Cambarus nerterius) is endemic to caves within the Greenbrier and Elk River drainages in West Virginia for example. Wilderness wildlife in West Virginia are quite rare and include the mountain lion (now absent), golden eagle, and timber rattlesnake. Painted turtles live in most ponds and brooks. Several additional species are rare in the state and warrant close monitoring. Also doing well are mammals that prefer farm and early successional habitats. The next day I go back and look for blood, tracks, or any sign of movement through the area. “ After that there is a 1.5 mile hike through the woods where you can see many different animals including: black bear, mountain lions, bald eagles, wolves, and other animals native to Appalachia. Because of this, the state prohibits a person from possessing a dangerous wild animal unless the animal was owned prior to June 1, 2015 and the owner obtained a permit. & NatureServe (Hammerson, G., Whittaker, J.C. & Norris, S.J.) Dr. Thomas Walker recorded that 13 bison were killed during his 1743 expedition of the area west of the Alleghenies. 2008. Naturalist John James Audubon reported that by 1851 a few eastern elk(Cervus canadensis canadiensis) could still be found in the Alleghany Mountains of what became West Virginia, but that by then they wer… Family: Viperidae includes: Crayfish amount to eight different species in the stream both above and below ground. Seldom seen because habitat restricted and/or behavior secretive. Fisher Cranberry Mountain Nature Center at (304)653-4826 and during the winter months at the Gauley Ranger District at (304)846-2695. Family: Colubridae includes: The three hybrid sport fish are the Hybrid Striped Bass (Morone chrysops x M. saxatilis), Hybrid Saugeye (Stizostedion canadense x S. vitreum) and Hybrid Tiger Musky (Esox lucius x E. masquinony). Icterid birds visit West Virginia has over twenty species of fish of these large species have since disappeared from High. 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