Species

Gray Fox

Scientific Name: Urocyon cinereoargenteus
Classification: Game species  
Abundance: Common throughout state
Photo Credits: Mark Buckler
 

Gray Squirrel

Scientific Name: Sciurus carolinensis
Classification: Small game
Abundance: Abundant-statewide

Groundhog

Scientific Name: Marmota monax
Classification: Nongame
Abundance: Locally abundant

Long-tailed Weasel

Scientific Name: Mustela frenata
Classification: Furbearer 
Abundance: Common throughout the state
Photo Credits Becky Matsubara
 

Marsh Rabbit

Scientific Name: Sylvilagus palustris
Classification: Small game
Abundance: Locally abundant
Photo Credits: Mark Buckler

Mink

Scientific Name: Mustela vison
Classification: Furbearer Species 
Abundance: Found throughout the state;
more common in coastal marshes and swamps

Muskrat

Scientific Name: Ondatra zibethicus

Classification: Furbearer species 

Abundance: Found throughout the state; rare in coastal areas of southeastern NC

North American River Otter

Scientific Name: Lontra canadensis
Classification: Furbearer
Abundance: Located statewide

Nutria

Scientific Name: Myocaster coypus bonariensis
Classification:  Game
Abundance: Locally abundant
Photo Credits: Ken Taylor
 

Raccoon

Scientific Name: Procyon lotor
Classification: Game Species and Furbearer 
Abundance: Common throughout state

Red Fox

Scientific Name: Vulpes vulpes
Classification: Game Species 
Abundance: Common throughout state

The red fox is the one of two types of foxes found in North Carolina. The other is the gray fox.

Southern Flying Squirrel

Scientific Name: Glaucomys volans
Classification: nongame
Abundance: Found throughout NC
Photo Credits: Amy Young

Striped Skunk

Scientific Name: Mephitis mephitis
Classification: Furbearer and game species
Abundance: Occupies most of the state (green); rare to absent in certain Coastal Plain counties

Virginia Opossum

Scientific Name: Didelphis virginiana
Classification: Game species and furbearer 
Abundance: Common throughout state

White-tailed Deer

Scientific Name: Odocoileus virginianus
Abundance: Common throughout state

No wild animal in North Carolina is as recognizable as the white-tailed deer. Whether a mature buck with splendid antlers, a graceful doe or a spotted fawn running with its mother, the white-tailed deer is one of the most popular of animals.