New York, located in the northeastern region of the United States, boasts diverse geography with rich flora and fauna. The state is divided into two main parts – Upstate and Downstate New York. Downstate is the most populous part, with the New York City metropolitan area. Most of the wildlife is in Upstate New York, with the Great Lakes on one side and Lake Champlain on the other. This is also where the Adirondack Mountains and the Catskill Mountains are located. The state’s varied terrain includes dense forests, fertile farmlands, and stunning waterways like Lake Ontario and the Hudson River.
The Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge and Fire Island National Seashore are excellent places for wildlife watching in the state. Visiting the mountain ranges for a hike can also bring you closer to various wild animals.
List of Different Types of Animals Found in New York
All the animals in the list below are native to the state of New York.
Some potentially dangerous animals you are likely to come across, even in urban areas, are common snapping turtles, raccoons, and skunks. There are few large predators in the state, except black bears, which you are only likely to encounter if you visit their wild habitat. There are also venomous and deadly snakes like the timber rattlesnake, Massasauga, and eastern copperhead. Moose and white-tailed deer can also be pretty aggressive if provoked, especially if their babies are around.
Plenty of animals are considered threatened or endangered in the state of New York, which makes them quite rare. These include mammals like the Indiana bat, Allegheny woodrat, and all the whales. Protected bird species include the golden eagle, piping plover, and black rail, while insects include the Karner blue butterfly and American burying beetle.
What are some common invasive animals in New York?
Some of the most common invasive species threatening the native wildlife and ecosystem of the state are insects like the hemlock woolly adelgid, spotted lanternfly, and spongy moth. Fish like the round goby and crustaceans like the Chinese mitten crab are also considered invasive and nuisance.
