Wildlife
What lives in Great Smoky Mountains
Last verified NPS species database
Every animal below comes from the National Park Service’s own species list for Great Smoky Mountains: 83 mammals, 229 birds, 41 reptiles, 54 amphibians and 83 fish recorded as present. Status words (present, unconfirmed, not in park) are the NPS’s, not ours.
Animals people ask about
Black bear
Ursus americanus · Common
Coyote
Canis latrans · Common
Bobcat
Lynx rufus · Common
Elk
Cervus elaphus · Uncommon
Rattlesnakes
Crotalus horridus · Common · any rattlesnake species
Bald eagle
Haliaeetus leucocephalus · Uncommon
Golden eagle
Aquila chrysaetos · Occasional
Mountain lion
Puma concolor
Gray wolf
Canis lupus · Historical
Bison
Bison bison
By group
Species counts
Present or probably present per the NPS list. “Listed” includes species the NPS has evaluated but marks unconfirmed or not in park.
- Mammals
- 86
- 99 listed · 6 non-native
- Birds
- 232
- 267 listed · 8 non-native
- Reptiles
- 41
- 45 listed
- Amphibians
- 56
- 65 listed · 1 non-native
- Fish
- 88
- 110 listed · 7 non-native
Endangered Species Act
7 threatened or endangered species
Federal listing status as recorded in the NPS species database.
| Species | Scientific name | Status in park | Abundance | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carolina northern flying squirrel | Glaucomys sabrinus coloratus | Rare | Endangered | |
| GRAY MYOTIS | Myotis grisescens | Endangered | ||
| Northern Myotis | Myotis septentrionalis | Rare | Endangered | |
| Indiana Myotis | Myotis sodalis | Rare | Endangered | |
| DUSKYTAIL DARTER | Etheostoma percnurum | Rare | Endangered | |
| SMOKY MADTOM | Noturus baileyi | Rare | Endangered | |
| YELLOWFIN MADTOM | Noturus flavipinnis | Rare | Threatened |
Mammals
All 86 mammals recorded in Great Smoky Mountains
Most abundant first, as the NPS rates them.
| Species | Scientific name | Status in park | Abundance | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BLACK BEAR | Ursus americanus | Common | ||
| BOBCAT | Lynx rufus | Common | ||
| Common gray fox | Urocyon cinereoargenteus | Common | ||
| Common raccoon | Procyon lotor | Common | ||
| COYOTE | Canis latrans | Common | ||
| DEER MOUSE | Peromyscus maniculatus | Common | ||
| EASTERN CHIPMUNK | Tamias striatus | Common | ||
| Eastern cottontail | Sylvilagus floridanus mallurus | Common | ||
| EASTERN COTTONTAIL | Sylvilagus floridanus | Common | ||
| Eastern gray squirrel | Sciurus carolinensis | Common | ||
| Eastern red bat | Lasiurus borealis | Common | ||
| HAIRY-TAILED MOLE | Parascalops breweri | Common |
Show the other 74 mammals ↓The other 74
| Species | Scientific name | Status in park | Abundance | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LONG-TAILED WEASEL | Mustela frenata | Common | ||
| Masked Shrew | Sorex cinereus | Common | ||
| MUSKRAT | Ondatra zibethicus | Common | ||
| Northern Short-tailed Shrew | Blarina brevicauda | Common | ||
| RED SQUIRREL | Tamiasciurus hudsonicus | Common | ||
| Smokey Shrew | Sorex fumeus | Common | ||
| Sorex cinereus cinereus | Sorex cinereus cinereus | Common | ||
| SOUTHERN FLYING SQUIRREL | Glaucomys volans | Common | ||
| Southern red-backed vole | Myodes gapperi | Common | ||
| SOUTHERN RED-BACKED VOLE | Clethrionomys gapperi | Common | ||
| STRIPED SKUNK | Mephitis mephitis | Common | ||
| Virginia opossum | Didelphis virginiana | Common | ||
| WHITE-FOOTED MOUSE | Peromyscus leucopus | Common | ||
| WHITE-TAILED DEER | Odocoileus virginianus | Common | ||
| Wild hog | Sus scrofa | Common | Non-native | |
| American beaver | Castor canadensis | Uncommon | ||
| BIG BROWN BAT | Eptesicus fuscus | Uncommon | ||
| COTTON MOUSE | Peromyscus gossypinus | Uncommon | ||
| Eastern Mole | Scalopus aquaticus aquaticus | Uncommon | ||
| EASTERN MOLE | Scalopus aquaticus | Uncommon | ||
| Elk | Cervus elaphus | Uncommon | ||
| GOLDEN MOUSE | Ochrotomys nuttalli | Uncommon | ||
| HOARY BAT | Lasiurus cinereus | Uncommon | ||
| Horse | Equus caballus | Uncommon | Non-native | |
| Humans | Homo sapiens | Uncommon | Non-native | |
| LEAST SHREW | Cryptotis parva | Uncommon | ||
| LONG-TAILED OR ROCK SHREW | Sorex dispar | Uncommon | ||
| Mink | Neovison vison | Uncommon | ||
| NORTHERN RIVER OTTER | Lutra canadensis | Uncommon | ||
| PYGMY SHREW | Sorex hoyi | Uncommon | ||
| RAFINESQUE'S BIG-EARED BAT | Corynorhinus rafinesquii | Uncommon | ||
| RED FOX | Vulpes vulpes | Uncommon | ||
| RIVER OTTER | Lontra canadensis | Uncommon | ||
| Rock vole | Microtus chrotorrhinus carolinensis | Uncommon | ||
| ROCK VOLE | Microtus chrotorrhinus | Uncommon | ||
| SILVER-HAIRED BAT | Lasionycteris noctivagans | Uncommon | ||
| SOUTHERN BOG LEMMING | Synaptomys cooperi | Uncommon | ||
| WOODCHUCK | Marmota monax | Uncommon | ||
| WOODLAND JUMPING MOUSE | Napaeozapus insignis | Uncommon | ||
| WOODLAND VOLE | Microtus pinetorum | Uncommon | ||
| APPALACHIAN COTTONTAIL | Sylvilagus obscurus | Rare | ||
| BLACK RAT | Rattus rattus | Rare | Non-native | |
| Carolina northern flying squirrel | Glaucomys sabrinus coloratus | Rare | Endangered | |
| Common Cotton Rat | Sigmodon hispidus hispidus | Rare | ||
| Eastern fox squirrel | Sciurus niger | Rare | ||
| EASTERN HARVEST MOUSE | Reithrodontomys humulis | Rare | ||
| EASTERN PIPISTRELLE | Pipistrellus subflavus | Rare | ||
| Eastern small-footed Myotis | Myotis leibii | Rare | ||
| EASTERN SPOTTED SKUNK | Spilogale putorius | Rare | ||
| EASTERN WOODRAT | Neotoma floridana | Rare | ||
| EVENING BAT | Nycticeius humeralis | Rare | ||
| HOUSE MOUSE | Mus musculus | Rare | Non-native | |
| Indiana Myotis | Myotis sodalis | Rare | Endangered | |
| Little brown bat | Myotis lucifugus | Rare | ||
| MEADOW JUMPING MOUSE | Zapus hudsonius | Rare | ||
| MEADOW VOLE | Microtus pennsylvanicus | Rare | ||
| Northern Myotis | Myotis septentrionalis | Rare | Endangered | |
| NORWAY RAT | Rattus norvegicus | Rare | Non-native | |
| Seminole bat | Lasiurus seminolus | Rare | ||
| SOUTHEASTERN SHREW | Sorex longirostris | Rare | ||
| STAR-NOSED MOLE | Condylura cristata | Rare | ||
| Tricolored bat | Perimyotis subflavus | Rare | ||
| WATER SHREW | Sorex palustris | Rare | ||
| Deer mice | Peromyscus | |||
| Domestic Cat | Felis catus | Probably Present | ||
| GRAY MYOTIS | Myotis grisescens | Endangered | ||
| Least weasel | Mustela nivalis | |||
| Marsh Rice Rat | Oryzomys palustris palustris | Probably Present | ||
| Meadow Mice | Microtus | |||
| MINK (OR WEASEL) | Mustela | |||
| MISSISSIPPI MYOTIS | Myotis austroriparius | Probably Present | ||
| Mouse-eared Bats | Myotis | |||
| Nine-banded armadillo | Dasypus novemcinctus | |||
| Pack rats | Neotoma |
Birds
232 birds — show the list ↓
Birds
232 birds — show the list ↓
| Species | Scientific name | Status in park | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cooper's Hawk | Accipiter cooperii | ||
| Northern Goshawk | Accipiter gentilis | ||
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | Accipiter striatus | ||
| Spotted Sandpiper | Actitis macularia | ||
| Northern Saw-whet Owl | Aegolius acadicus | ||
| Red-winged Blackbird | Agelaius phoeniceus | ||
| Wood Duck | Aix sponsa | ||
| Grasshopper Sparrow | Ammodramus savannarum | ||
| LeConte's Sparrow | Ammospiza leconteii | Probably Present | |
| Northern Pintail | Anas acuta | ||
| American Wigeon | Anas americana | ||
| Northern Shoveler | Anas clypeata | ||
| Green-winged Teal | Anas crecca | ||
| Blue-winged Teal | Anas discors | ||
| Mallard | Anas platyrhynchos | ||
| American Black Duck | Anas rubripes | ||
| Gadwall | Anas strepera | ||
| American Pipit | Anthus rubescens | ||
| Chuck-will's-widow | Antrostomus carolinensis | ||
| Eastern Whip-poor-will | Antrostomus vociferus | ||
| Golden Eagle | Aquila chrysaetos | ||
| Limpkin | Aramus guarauna | ||
| Ruby-throated Hummingbird | Archilochus colubris | ||
| Great Blue Heron | Ardea herodias | ||
| Short-eared Owl | Asio flammeus | ||
| Long-eared Owl | Asio otus | ||
| Lesser Scaup | Aythya affinis | ||
| Redhead | Aythya americana | ||
| Ring-necked Duck | Aythya collaris | ||
| Canvasback | Aythya valisineria | ||
| Tufted Titmouse | Baeolophus bicolor | ||
| Upland Sandpiper | Bartramia longicauda | ||
| Cedar Waxwing | Bombycilla cedrorum | ||
| Ruffed Grouse | Bonasa umbellus | ||
| American Bittern | Botaurus lentiginosus | ||
| Canada Goose | Branta canadensis | ||
| Great Horned Owl | Bubo virginianus | ||
| Bufflehead | Bucephala albeola | ||
| Common Goldeneye | Bucephala clangula | ||
| Red-tailed Hawk | Buteo jamaicensis | ||
| Red-shouldered Hawk | Buteo lineatus | ||
| Broad-winged Hawk | Buteo platypterus | ||
| Green Heron | Butorides virescens | ||
| Lapland Longspur | Calcarius lapponicus | ||
| Chestnut-collared Longspur | Calcarius ornatus | Non-native | |
| Least Sandpiper | Calidris minutilla | ||
| Canada Warbler | Cardellina canadensis | ||
| Wilson's Warbler | Cardellina pusilla | ||
| Northern Cardinal | Cardinalis cardinalis | ||
| Purple Finch | Carpodacus purpureus | ||
| Turkey Vulture | Cathartes aura | ||
| Veery | Catharus fuscescens | ||
| Hermit Thrush | Catharus guttatus | ||
| Grey-cheeked Thrush | Catharus minimus | ||
| Swainson's Thrush | Catharus ustulatus | ||
| Henslow's Sparrow | Centronyx henslowii | ||
| Brown Creeper | Certhia americana | ||
| Chimney Swift | Chaetura pelagica | ||
| Semipalmated Plover | Charadrius semipalmatus | ||
| Killdeer | Charadrius vociferus | ||
| Snow Goose | Chen caerulescens | ||
| Ross's Goose | Chen rossii | ||
| Common Nighthawk | Chordeiles minor | ||
| Bonaparte's Gull | Chroicocephalus philadelphia | ||
| Northern Harrier | Circus cyaneus | ||
| Marsh Wren | Cistothorus palustris | ||
| Sedge Wren | Cistothorus platensis | ||
| Evening Grosbeak | Coccothraustes vespertinus | ||
| Yellow-billed Cuckoo | Coccyzus americanus | ||
| Black-billed Cuckoo | Coccyzus erythropthalmus | ||
| Northern Flicker | Colaptes auratus | ||
| Northern Bobwhite | Colinus virginianus | ||
| Rock Dove | Columba livia | Non-native | |
| Olive-sided Flycatcher | Contopus cooperi | ||
| Eastern Wood Pewee | Contopus virens | ||
| Black Vulture | Coragyps atratus | ||
| American Crow | Corvus brachyrhynchos | ||
| Common Raven | Corvus corax | ||
| Blue Jay | Cyanocitta cristata | ||
| Bobolink | Dolichonyx oryzivorus | ||
| Pileated Woodpecker | Dryocopus pileatus | ||
| Gray Catbird | Dumetella carolinensis | ||
| Little Blue Heron | Egretta caerulea | ||
| Swallow-tailed Kite | Elanoides forficatus | ||
| Alder Flycatcher | Empidonax alnorum | ||
| Least Flycatcher | Empidonax minimus | ||
| Willow Flycatcher | Empidonax traillii | ||
| Acadian Flycatcher | Empidonax virescens | ||
| Horned Lark | Eremophila alpestris | ||
| Rusty Blackbird | Euphagus carolinus | ||
| Brewer's Blackbird | Euphagus cyanocephalus | ||
| Merlin | Falco columbarius | ||
| Peregrine Falcon | Falco peregrinus | Non-native | |
| American Kestrel | Falco sparverius | ||
| American Coot | Fulica americana | ||
| Wilson's Snipe | Gallinago delicata | ||
| Common Loon | Gavia immer | ||
| Kentucky Warbler | Geothlypis formosa | ||
| Mourning Warbler | Geothlypis philadelphia | ||
| Common Yellowthroat | Geothlypis trichas | ||
| Sandhill Crane | Grus canadensis | ||
| House Finch | Haemorhous mexicanus | Non-native | |
| Bald Eagle | Haliaeetus leucocephalus | ||
| Worm-eating Warbler | Helmitheros vermivorus | ||
| Barn Swallow | Hirundo rustica | ||
| Harlequin Duck | Histrionicus histrionicus | Non-native | |
| Wood Thrush | Hylocichla mustelina | ||
| Yellow-breasted Chat | Icteria virens | ||
| Northern Oriole | Icterus galbula | ||
| Orchard Oriole | Icterus spurius | ||
| Mississippi Kite | Ictinia mississippiensis | ||
| Least Bittern | Ixobrychus exilis | Probably Present · Historical | |
| Dark-eyed Junco | Junco hyemalis | ||
| Loggerhead Shrike | Lanius ludovicianus | ||
| Herring Gull | Larus argentatus | ||
| Ring-billed Gull | Larus delawarensis | ||
| Tennessee Warbler | Leiothlypis peregrina | ||
| Nashville Warbler | Leiothlypis ruficapilla | ||
| Short-billed Dowitcher | Limnodromus griseus | ||
| Swainson's Warbler | Limnothlypis swainsonii | ||
| Hooded Merganser | Lophodytes cucullatus | ||
| Red Crossbill | Loxia curvirostra | ||
| Belted Kingfisher | Megaceryle alcyon | ||
| Eastern Screech-owl | Megascops asio | ||
| Red-bellied Woodpecker | Melanerpes carolinus | ||
| Red-headed Woodpecker | Melanerpes erythrocephalus | ||
| White-winged Scoter | Melanitta deglandi | ||
| Wild Turkey | Meleagris gallopavo | ||
| Swamp Sparrow | Melospiza georgiana | ||
| Lincoln's Sparrow | Melospiza lincolnii | ||
| Song Sparrow | Melospiza melodia | ||
| Common Merganser | Mergus merganser | ||
| Red-breasted Merganser | Mergus serrator | ||
| Northern Mockingbird | Mimus polyglottos | ||
| Black-and-white Warbler | Mniotilta varia | ||
| Brown-headed Cowbird | Molothrus ater | ||
| Townsend's Solitaire | Myadestes townsendi | ||
| Great Crested Flycatcher | Myiarchus crinitus | ||
| Double-crested Cormorant | Nannopterum auritum | ||
| Yellow-crowned Night-Heron | Nyctanassa violacea | ||
| Black-crowned Night-heron | Nycticorax nycticorax | ||
| Connecticut Warbler | Oporornis agilis | ||
| Orange-crowned Warbler | Oreothlypis celata | ||
| Ruddy Duck | Oxyura jamaicensis | ||
| Osprey | Pandion haliaetus | ||
| Louisiana Waterthrush | Parkesia motacilla | ||
| Northern Waterthrush | Parkesia noveboracensis | ||
| House Sparrow | Passer domesticus | Non-native | |
| Savannah Sparrow | Passerculus sandwichensis | ||
| Fox Sparrow | Passerella iliaca | ||
| Blue Grosbeak | Passerina caerulea | ||
| Indigo Bunting | Passerina cyanea | ||
| Cliff Swallow | Petrochelidon pyrrhonota | ||
| Red Phalarope | Phalaropus fulicarius | Non-native | |
| Red-necked Phalarope | Phalaropus lobatus | ||
| Rose-breasted Grosbeak | Pheucticus ludovicianus | ||
| Downy Woodpecker | Picoides pubescens | ||
| Hairy Woodpecker | Picoides villosus | ||
| Eastern Towhee | Pipilo erythrophthalmus | ||
| Scarlet Tanager | Piranga olivacea | ||
| Summer Tanager | Piranga rubra | ||
| Snow Bunting | Plectrophenax nivalis | ||
| Pied-billed Grebe | Podilymbus podiceps | ||
| Black-capped Chickadee | Poecile atricapillus | ||
| Carolina Chickadee | Poecile carolinensis | ||
| Blue-gray Gnatcatcher | Polioptila caerulea | ||
| Vesper Sparrow | Pooecetes gramineus | ||
| Sora | Porzana carolina | ||
| Purple Martin | Progne subis | ||
| Common Grackle | Quiscalus quiscula | ||
| Virginia Rail | Rallus limicola | ||
| Ruby-crowned Kinglet | Regulus calendula | ||
| Golden-crowned Kinglet | Regulus satrapa | ||
| Bank Swallow | Riparia riparia | ||
| Eastern Phoebe | Sayornis phoebe | ||
| American Woodcock | Scolopax minor | ||
| Ovenbird | Seiurus aurocapilla | ||
| Rufous Hummingbird | Selasphorus rufus | ||
| Northern Parula | Setophaga americana | ||
| Black-throated Blue Warbler | Setophaga caerulescens | ||
| Bay-breasted Warbler | Setophaga castanea | ||
| Cerulean Warbler | Setophaga cerulea | ||
| Hooded Warbler | Setophaga citrina | ||
| Yellow-rumped Warbler | Setophaga coronata | ||
| Prairie Warbler | Setophaga discolor | ||
| Yellow-throated Warbler | Setophaga dominica | ||
| Blackburnian Warbler | Setophaga fusca | ||
| Magnolia Warbler | Setophaga magnolia | ||
| Palm Warbler | Setophaga palmarum | ||
| Chestnut-sided Warbler | Setophaga pensylvanica | ||
| Yellow Warbler | Setophaga petechia | ||
| Pine Warbler | Setophaga pinus | ||
| American Redstart | Setophaga ruticilla | ||
| Blackpoll Warbler | Setophaga striata | ||
| Cape May Warbler | Setophaga tigrina | ||
| Black-throated Green Warbler | Setophaga virens | ||
| Eastern Bluebird | Sialia sialis | ||
| Red-breasted Nuthatch | Sitta canadensis | ||
| White-breasted Nuthatch | Sitta carolinensis | ||
| Brown-headed Nuthatch | Sitta pusilla | ||
| Yellow-bellied Sapsucker | Sphyrapicus varius | ||
| Pine Siskin | Spinus pinus | ||
| American Goldfinch | Spinus tristis | ||
| Dickcissel | Spiza americana | ||
| Chipping Sparrow | Spizella passerina | ||
| Field Sparrow | Spizella pusilla | ||
| Northern Rough-winged Swallow | Stelgidopteryx serripennis | ||
| Barred Owl | Strix varia | ||
| Eastern Meadowlark | Sturnella magna | ||
| Common Starling | Sturnus vulgaris | Non-native | |
| Tree Swallow | Tachycineta bicolor | ||
| Carolina Wren | Thryothorus ludovicianus | ||
| Brown Thrasher | Toxostoma rufum | ||
| Solitary Sandpiper | Tringa solitaria | ||
| House Wren | Troglodytes aedon | ||
| Winter Wren | Troglodytes troglodytes | ||
| American Robin | Turdus migratorius | ||
| Scissor-tailed Flycatcher | Tyrannus forficatus | ||
| Eastern Kingbird | Tyrannus tyrannus | ||
| Barn Owl | Tyto alba | Probably Present | |
| Golden-winged Warbler | Vermivora chrysoptera | ||
| Blue-winged Warbler | Vermivora cyanoptera | ||
| Yellow-throated Vireo | Vireo flavifrons | ||
| Warbling Vireo | Vireo gilvus | ||
| White-eyed Vireo | Vireo griseus | ||
| Red-eyed Vireo | Vireo olivaceus | ||
| Philadelphia Vireo | Vireo philadelphicus | ||
| Blue-headed Vireo | Vireo solitarius | ||
| Yellow-headed Blackbird | Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus | ||
| Mourning Dove | Zenaida macroura | ||
| White-throated Sparrow | Zonotrichia albicollis | ||
| White-crowned Sparrow | Zonotrichia leucophrys |
Reptiles
41 reptiles — show the list ↓
Reptiles
41 reptiles — show the list ↓
| Species | Scientific name | Status in park | Abundance | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NORTHERN COPPERHEAD | Agkistrodon contortrix mokasen | Common | ||
| NORTHERN GREEN ANOLE | Anolis carolinensis carolinensis | Common | ||
| Eastern Spiny Softshell | Apalone spinifera spinifera | Uncommon | ||
| Eastern Six-lined Racerunner | Aspidoscelis sexlineatus sexlineatus | Common | ||
| Eastern Wormsnake | Carphophis amoenus amoenus | Common | ||
| Northern Scarletsnake | Cemophora coccinea copei | Rare | ||
| Eastern Snapping Turtle | Chelydra serpentina | Common | ||
| MIDLAND PAINTED TURTLE | Chrysemys picta marginata | Common | ||
| Northern Black Racer | Coluber constrictor constrictor | Common | ||
| TIMBER RATTLESNAKE | Crotalus horridus | Common | ||
| Northern Ring-necked Snake | Diadophis punctatus edwardsii | Common | ||
| Northern Map Turtle | Graptemys geographica | Rare | ||
| Eastern Earth Snake | Haldea valeriae valeriae | Uncommon | ||
| Eastern Hog-nosed Snake | Heterodon platirhinos | Uncommon | ||
| MOLE KINGSNAKE | Lampropeltis calligaster rhombomaculata | Uncommon | ||
| Eastern Black Kingsnake | Lampropeltis getula | Common | ||
| Black Kingsnake | Lampropeltis nigra | Common | ||
| MILK SNAKE | Lampropeltis triangulum | Uncommon | ||
| NORTHERN WATER SNAKE | Nerodia sipedon sipedon | Common | ||
| Northern Rough Greensnake | Opheodrys aestivus aestivus | Common | ||
| EASTERN SLENDER GLASS LIZARD | Ophisaurus attenuatus longicaudus | Common | ||
| Eastern Rat Snake | Pantherophis alleghaniensis | Common | ||
| Corn Snake | Pantherophis guttatus | Common | ||
| Northern Pinesnake | Pituophis melanoleucus melanoleucus | Rare | ||
| Skink | Plestiodon | |||
| Coal Skink | Plestiodon anthracinus | Rare | ||
| Common Five-lined Skink | Plestiodon fasciatus | Common | ||
| Southeastern Five-lined Skink | Plestiodon inexpectatus | Rare | ||
| Broadhead Skink | Plestiodon laticeps | Common | ||
| QUEEN SNAKE | Regina septemvittata | Uncommon | ||
| NORTHERN FENCE LIZARD | Sceloporus undulatus hyacinthinus | Common | ||
| Little Brown Skink | Scincella lateralis | Common | ||
| Stinkpot | Sternotherus odoratus | Rare | ||
| Stripe-necked Musk Turtle | Sternotherus peltifer | Rare | ||
| Midland Brownsnake | Storeria dekayi | Common | ||
| Northern Red-bellied Snake | Storeria occipitomaculata occipitomaculata | Common | ||
| SOUTHEASTERN CROWNED SNAKE | Tantilla coronata | Uncommon | ||
| EASTERN BOX TURTLE | Terrapene carolina carolina | Common | ||
| Eastern Garter Snake | Thamnophis sirtalis sirtalis | Common | ||
| CUMBERLAND SLIDER | Trachemys scripta troostii | Rare | ||
| Trachemys scripta trootsi | Trachemys scripta trootsi |
Amphibians
56 amphibians — show the list ↓
Amphibians
56 amphibians — show the list ↓
| Species | Scientific name | Status in park | Abundance | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mole Salamanders | Ambystoma | |||
| SPOTTED SALAMANDER | Ambystoma maculatum | Uncommon | ||
| MARBLED SALAMANDER | Ambystoma opacum | Uncommon | ||
| Mole Salamander | Ambystoma talpoideum | Rare | ||
| Eastern American Toad | Anaxyrus americanus | Abundant | ||
| Fowler's Toad | Anaxyrus fowleri | Uncommon | ||
| GREEN SALAMANDER | Aneides aeneus | |||
| Woodhouse's toad | Bufo woodhousei | |||
| EASTERN HELLBENDER | Cryptobranchus alleganiensis alleganiensis | Uncommon | ||
| Dusky Salamander | Desmognathus | |||
| Great Smokies Mountain Dusky Salamander | Desmognathus adatsihi | Common | ||
| Seepage salamander | Desmognathus aeneus | Rare | ||
| Southern shovel-nosed dusky salamander | Desmognathus aureatus | Probably Present | ||
| Spotted Dusky Salamander | Desmognathus conanti | Common | ||
| Spotted Dusky Salamander | Desmognathus fuscus complex | |||
| Cherokee Black-Bellied Salamander | Desmognathus gvnigeusgwotli | Common | ||
| IMITATOR SALAMANDER | Desmognathus imitator | Common | ||
| Black Shovel-nosed Salamander | Desmognathus intermedius | Uncommon | ||
| SHOVEL-NOSED SALAMANDER | Desmognathus marmoratus | Uncommon | ||
| Pisgah black-bellied salamander | Desmognathus mavrokoilius | Uncommon | ||
| SEAL SALAMANDER | Desmognathus monticola | Common | ||
| Black-bellied Salamander | Desmognathus quadramaculatus | Common | ||
| Santeelah Dusky Salamander | Desmognathus santeetlah | Common | ||
| Max Patch Dusky Salamander | Desmognathus tilleyi | Probably Present | ||
| Pigmy Salamander | Desmognathus wrighti | Common | ||
| Cope's Gray Treefrog | Dryophytes chrysoscelis | Uncommon | ||
| Green Treefrog | Dryophytes cinereus | Uncommon | Non-native | |
| Brook Salamanders | Eurycea | |||
| THREE-LINED SALAMANDER | Eurycea guttolineata | Rare | ||
| JUNALUSKA SALAMANDER | Eurycea junaluska | Rare | ||
| LONGTAIL SALAMANDER | Eurycea longicauda | Uncommon | ||
| CAVE SALAMANDER | Eurycea lucifuga | Rare | ||
| Blue Ridge Two-lined Salamander | Eurycea wilderae | Common | ||
| Eastern Narrow-mouthed Toad | Gastrophryne carolinensis | Rare | ||
| SPRING SALAMANDER | Gyrinophilus porphyriticus | Uncommon | ||
| Four-toed Salamander | Hemidactylium scutatum | Uncommon | ||
| Holarctic Treefrogs | Hyla | |||
| American Water Frogs | Lithobates | |||
| American Bullfrog | Lithobates catesbeianus | Common | ||
| Green Frog | Lithobates clamitans melanota | |||
| Pickerel Frog | Lithobates palustris | Uncommon | ||
| Wood Frog | Lithobates sylvaticus | Common | ||
| Mudpuppy | Necturus maculosus | Rare | ||
| Red-spotted Newt | Notophthalmus viridescens viridescens | Common | ||
| Woodland Salamanders | Plethodon | |||
| Northern Slimy Salamander | Plethodon glutinosus | Common | ||
| Red-cheeked Salamander | Plethodon jordani | Common | ||
| Southern Gray-cheeked Salamander | Plethodon metcalfi | Common | ||
| Southern Red-backed Salamander | Plethodon serratus | Common | ||
| Southern Appalachian Slimy Salamander | Plethodon teyahalee | Common | ||
| Southern Zigzag Salamander | Plethodon ventralis | Uncommon | ||
| NORTHERN SPRING PEEPER | Pseudacris crucifer crucifer | Common | ||
| Upland Chorus Frog | Pseudacris feriarum feriarum | Uncommon | ||
| Eastern Mud Salamander | Pseudotriton montanus | |||
| BLACKCHIN RED SALAMANDER | Pseudotriton ruber schencki | Common | ||
| EASTERN SPADEFOOT | Scaphiopus holbrookii holbrookii | Rare |
Fish
88 fish — show the list ↓
Fish
88 fish — show the list ↓
| Species | Scientific name | Status in park | Abundance | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ROCK BASS | Ambloplites rupestris | Common | ||
| Black bullhead | Ameiurus melas | |||
| YELLOW BULLHEAD | Ameiurus natalis | Rare | ||
| Freshwater drum | Aplodinotus grunniens | |||
| Stonerollers | Campostoma | |||
| Central stoneroller | Campostoma anomalum | Common | ||
| Largescale Stoneroller | Campostoma oligolepis | |||
| GOLDFISH | Carassius auratus | Rare | Non-native | |
| White sucker | Catostomus commersoni | Uncommon | ||
| White Sucker | Catostomus commersonii | Uncommon | ||
| Tennessee Dace | Chrosomus tennesseensis | Rare | ||
| Smoky Dace | Clinostomus funduloides | Uncommon | ||
| Smoky dace | Clinostomus sp. 1 | Rare | ||
| MOTTLED SCULPIN | Cottus bairdii | Common | ||
| BANDED SCULPIN | Cottus carolinae | Common | ||
| WHITETAIL SHINER | Cyprinella galactura | Uncommon | ||
| Common carp | Cyprinus carpio | Non-native | ||
| GIZZARD SHAD | Dorosoma cepedianum | Uncommon | ||
| Smoothbelly darters | Etheostoma | |||
| GREENSIDE DARTER | Etheostoma blennioides | Common | ||
| GREENFIN DARTER | Etheostoma chlorobranchium | Common | ||
| Fantail darter | Etheostoma flabellare | Rare | ||
| Tuckasegee darter | Etheostoma gutselli | |||
| DUSKYTAIL DARTER | Etheostoma percnurum | Rare | Endangered | |
| REDLINE DARTER | Etheostoma rufilineatum | Common | ||
| SNUBNOSE DARTER | Etheostoma simoterum | Uncommon | ||
| SWANNANOA DARTER | Etheostoma swannanoa | Rare | ||
| Tennessee Snubnose Darter | Etheostoma tennesseense | Uncommon | ||
| Wounded darter | Etheostoma vulneratum | |||
| BANDED DARTER | Etheostoma zonale | Rare | ||
| NORTHERN STUDFISH | Fundulus catenatus | |||
| Eastern Mosquitofish | Gambusia affinis | Rare | ||
| Eastern mosquitofish | Gambusia holbrooki | Rare | ||
| Flame chub | Hemitremia flammea | Rare | ||
| BIGEYE CHUB | Hybopsis amblops | Uncommon | ||
| Northern hog sucker | Hypentelium nigricans | Common | ||
| Mountain brook lamprey | Ichthyomyzon greeleyi | Rare | ||
| BLUE CATFISH | Ictalurus furcatus | Probably Present · Historical | ||
| CHANNEL CATFISH | Ictalurus punctatus | Probably Present · Historical | ||
| BROOK SILVERSIDE | Labidesthes sicculus | Rare | ||
| Lactarius | Lactarius | |||
| AMERICAN BROOK LAMPREY | Lampetra appendix | Rare | ||
| Longnose gar | Lepisosteus osseus | Probably Present · Historical | ||
| REDBREAST SUNFISH | Lepomis auritus | Uncommon | Non-native | |
| Green Sunfish | Lepomis cyanellus | Rare | ||
| Warmouth | Lepomis gulosus | Rare | ||
| BLUEGILL | Lepomis macrochirus | Uncommon | ||
| Redear Sunfish | Lepomis microlophus | Rare | ||
| STRIPED SHINER | Luxilus chrysocephalus | Rare | ||
| WARPAINT SHINER | Luxilus coccogenis | Common | ||
| SMALLMOUTH BASS | Micropterus dolomieu | Common | ||
| SPOTTED BASS | Micropterus punctulatus | Rare | ||
| LARGEMOUTH BASS | Micropterus salmoides | Rare | ||
| White bass | Morone chrysops | |||
| Redhorse Suckers | Moxostoma | |||
| Smallmouth Redhorse | Moxostoma breviceps | Rare | ||
| RIVER REDHORSE | Moxostoma carinatum | Rare | ||
| BLACK REDHORSE | Moxostoma duquesnei | Common | ||
| GOLDEN REDHORSE | Moxostoma erythrurum | Uncommon | ||
| Smallmouth Redhorse | Moxostoma macrolepidotum | Rare | ||
| Sicklefin redhorse | Moxostoma sp. 1 | Rare | ||
| RIVER CHUB | Nocomis micropogon | Common | ||
| TENNESSEE SHINER | Notropis leuciodus | Common | ||
| Silver shiner | Notropis photogenis | Rare | ||
| SAFFRON SHINER | Notropis rubricroceus | Common | ||
| MIRROR SHINER | Notropis spectrunculus | Uncommon | ||
| TELESCOPE SHINER | Notropis telescopus | Uncommon | ||
| SMOKY MADTOM | Noturus baileyi | Rare | Endangered | |
| YELLOWFIN MADTOM | Noturus flavipinnis | Rare | Threatened | |
| Stonecat | Noturus flavus | Probably Present · Historical | ||
| RAINBOW TROUT | Oncorhynchus mykiss | Common | Non-native | |
| Yellow Perch | Perca flavescens | Non-native | ||
| Tangerine darter | Percina aurantiaca | Rare | ||
| Logperch | Percina caprodes | Rare | ||
| Gilt darter | Percina evides | Uncommon | ||
| OLIVE DARTER | Percina squamata | Rare | ||
| Lampreys | Petromyzontidae | |||
| Fatlips minnow | Phenacobius crassilabrum | Rare | ||
| Fathead Minnow | Pimephales promelas | Rare | Non-native | |
| Black crappie | Pomoxis nigromaculatus | Rare | ||
| Flathead Catfish | Pylodictis olivaris | Probably Present | ||
| Longnose dace | Rhinichthys cataractae | Common | ||
| Western Blacknose Dace | Rhinichthys obtusus | Common | ||
| BROWN TROUT | Salmo trutta | Common | Non-native | |
| BROOK TROUT | Salvelinus fontinalis | Uncommon | ||
| Sauger | Sander canadensis | |||
| CREEK CHUB | Semotilus atromaculatus | Rare | ||
| Walleye | Stizostedion vitreum | Rare |
Where this comes from
NPSpecies is the National Park Service’s database of the species documented in each park. We show its vertebrate lists as published: a species is “present” when the park has confirmed it, “unconfirmed” when reports exist without verification, and “not in park” when the NPS has ruled it out (often tagged “historical” for animals that once lived there). Lists lag reality by months or years and seeing an animal is never guaranteed. Plants, insects and other invertebrates are not included here. Browse the full NPSpecies list for Great Smoky Mountains.
Sources · 2
- 1.NPSpecies — the National Park Service species database (IRMA), full and detail species lists — Great Smoky Mountains (GRSM) · National Park Service (U.S. Department of the Interior)
- 2.Great Smoky Mountains National Park — Nature & wildlife (nps.gov) · National Park Service
FAQ
Great Smoky Mountains wildlife questions
- Are there bears in Great Smoky Mountains?
- Yes. The NPS species list for Great Smoky Mountains records black bear as present, listed as common.
- Are there wolves in Great Smoky Mountains?
- No. The NPS species list marks gray wolf as "not in park" for Great Smoky Mountains (NPS tag: Historical).
- Are there mountain lions in Great Smoky Mountains?
- Unconfirmed. Mountain lion appear on the park's NPS species list as "unconfirmed" — reported but not verified in the park.
- Are there rattlesnakes in Great Smoky Mountains?
- Yes. The NPS species list for Great Smoky Mountains records rattlesnakes as present, listed as common.
- How many animal species live in Great Smoky Mountains?
- The NPS species database lists 83 mammal, 229 bird, 41 reptile, 54 amphibian and 83 fish species as present or probably present in Great Smoky Mountains, including 7 federally threatened or endangered species. Plants and invertebrates are not counted here.
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