Wildlife

When you picture the wildlife of the South, most images include birds such as flamingos (even though they are not native), pelicans, and egrets, along with alligators, shrimp and crayfish, and the manatee. Up north, you picture black bear, deer, elk, moose, and the wolf. 

The species may differ here and there, but squirrels, skunk, otter, deer, rabbits, raccoons, and opossums thrive throughout the land. The Deep South, however, has lots of coastal areas so dolphins and whales can at times be spotted either from shore, a dock, or on a small boat. We don't have those up north, until you get way east to the ocean.

Both areas have coyote, but if you are in the North Woods and hear a howl, you're thinking wolf. 

Some critters are distinctive to the area - you don't find armadillo up in the North Woods, and you won't see porcupines down in the Deep South. 

Other distinct animals are iconic to the region, such as the aforementioned moose and manatee.

 
Bobcats are found in both areas. Up north, however, you might see a lynx. 

Wild pigs are found primarily in the South, but badgers are a northern critter. Deer are overall larger in the north, but are a favorite of hunters in both regions.

A lot of southern wildlife is familiar to a northern transplant, but there are enough differences that you know you’re not in Kansas anymore.