Animals in Oregon

Oregon, located in the Pacific Northwest, is the 9th largest state in the US. It has the Columbia River flowing along its northern border, while the Snake River marks the eastern border. The state meets the Pacific Ocean on its western side. The state also hosts parts of the Blue Mountain and Klamath Mountain regions. The Cascade Range also extends through Oregon.

Thanks to its diverse geography, the state’s landscape consists of rugged coastlines, lush forests, high desert plateaus, and volcanic peaks.

Renowned for its stunning natural beauty, Oregon’s wildlife is no less amazing, with animals like black bears, cougars, bighorn sheep, and hundreds of birds, frogs, lizards, and fishes calling it their home.

The Crater Lake National Park, Malheur National Wildlife Refuge, and Hart Mountain National Antelope Refuge are only a few places you can visit to get a closer look at the state’s flora and fauna.

Animals in Oregon (OR)

List of Different Types of Animals Found in Oregon 

Mammals

Grizzlies, bison, wolverines, and Canada lynxes lived in this state until their populations got extirpated. Some animals, like the bighorn sheep and mountain goats, have a stable population after being reintroduced.

Birds

Reptiles

  • Painted Turtle
  • Western Pond Turtle
  • Northern Alligator Lizard
  • Western Skink
  • Western Fence Lizard
  • Northern Pacific Rattlesnake
  • Gopher Snake
  • Ring-neck Snake
  • Eastern Racer
  • Common Kingsnake
  • Rubber Boa
  • Common Garter Snake
  • Terrestrial Garter Snake

Amphibians

Fishes

  • Chinook Salmon
  • Coho Salmon
  • Steelhead Trout
  • Rainbow Trout
  • Cutthroat Trout
  • Brook Trout
  • Northern Pikeminnow
  • Largemouth Bass
  • Smallmouth Bass
  • Bluegill
  • Pumpkinseed
  • Black Crappie
  • White Crappie
  • Yellow Perch
  • Walleye
  • Northern Pike
  • Channel Catfish
  • Blue Catfish
  • White Sturgeon
  • Green Sturgeon
  • Surfperch
  • Halibut
  • Pacific Herring
  • Sardine
  • Salmon Shark
  • Pacific Sleeper Shark
  • Brown Catshark
  • Spiny Dogfish

Though there are several sharks native to the waters off the Oregon coast, they are not commonly encountered by regular beachgoers.

Insects and Invertebrates

  • Oregon Swallowtail
  • Oregon Silverspot Butterfly
  • Western Tiger Swallowtail
  • Mourning Cloak Butterfly
  • Western Boxelder Bug
  • Western Conifer Seed Bug
  • Western Tent Caterpillar
  • Western Flower Thrips
  • Douglas-fir Tussock Moth
  • Western Honey Bee
  • Bumblebee
  • Western Carpenter Ant
  • Western Paper Wasp
  • Western Yellowjacket
  • Pacific Coast Iris Borer Moth
  • Oregon Spotted Sphinx Moth
  • Common Green Lacewing
  • Western Boxelder Leafhopper
  • Meadowhawk Dragonfly
  • Giant House Spider
  • Western Black Widow
  • Dungeness Crab
State Animals of Oregon

State Animals Of Oregon

State AnimalAmerican beaver
State BirdWestern Meadowlark
State RaptorOsprey
State FishChinook salmon
State InsectOregon swallowtail
State CrustaceanDungeness crab
State SeashellOregon hairy triton

FAQ

1. What are the most dangerous animals in Oregon?

Oregon has several large to medium predatory carnivores, including cougars, black bears, gray wolves, and coyotes. Additionally, there are deadly venomous snakes and spiders like the northern Pacific rattlesnake, black widow, and brown recluse. 

2. Are there any endangered animals living in Oregon?

Over a dozen native animals are considered to be threatened or endangered, including the gray wolf, white-tailed deer, snowy plover, northern spotted owl, and western pond turtle.

3. What are some common invasive animals in Oregon?

The Virginia opossum and nutria are two invasive mammals, while the American bullfrog is an invasive amphibian in Oregon. Some more animals threatening the native ecosystem are the common snapping turtle, Chinese mitten crab, Asian carp, and Silver carp.

More on Animals in This State

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