Being the 3rd largest continent in the world, it is not surprising that North America is home to many diverse species. The sheer variety in habitats includes grasslands, forests, swamps, mountains, deserts, tundra, seas, and oceans. North America is simultaneously home to species like the cold-loving polar bear and the rattlesnakes that thrive in the deserts.
Canada, the northernmost part of North America, is primarily cold, with many animals living in snowy conditions. Still, places with slightly higher temperatures, like temperate forests and grasslands, exist. The central part of North America, the United States, has the most variety of biomes, including deserts, swamps, and mountains. Mexico, the southern part of North America, tends to be hot with places like deserts and rainforests.
List of Animals Native to North America
Mammals
Amphibians
Birds
Invertebrates
- Arizona Bark Scorpion
- Atlantic Horseshoe Crab
- Giant Hairy Scorpion
Reptiles
Insects
- Black Widow Spider
- Luna Moth
- Monarch Butterfly
Fish
Threats faced by Animals living in North America
Until the introduction of the 1973 Endangered Species Act in the US and the Canada Wildlife Act in Canada, several species were brought near extinction due to the expansion of urban areas. Notable species nearly wiped out were the bison in the United States and the local population of Canadian beavers, which were rendered extinct.
Nowadays, despite protections being in place, several species are still close to extinction due to the growing human population and the degradation of natural habitats. These include the red wolf, the North American manatee, the California condor, and the Hawaiian monk seal.
FAQs
Q. What are some of the most deadliest animals living in North America? A. Grizzly bear, American bison, American alligator, Arizona bark scorpion, Black Widow spider, Mojave rattlesnake, Bull shark
Q. What is the fastest animal on land in North America? A. The pronghorn; reaching maximum speeds of 60 mph
Q. What is the largest animal living in North America? A. The American alligator; ranging from 9.8 to 15 feet in length
Q. Which animals are found in the deserts of North America? A. Desert cottontail, Desert bighorn sheep, Desert horned lizard, Desert kangaroo rat
Q. Which animals inhabit the forests of North America? A. Canada lynx, Snowshoe hare, American black bear
Q. What are the most endangered animals in North America? A. O’ahu tree snail, Red wolf, Kemp’s ridley sea turtle, Rabbs’ fringe-limbed treefrog
Q. Which animals live in the tundra regions? A. Arctic fox, Arctic wolf, Polar bear
Q. What is the rarest animal in North America? A. Black-footed Ferret
