24 Awesome Animals Only Found In The US

If you happen to like the state of Hawaii, you’re in luck. Because this is the first of several critters on our list that are native to the 50th state. The Nene is also called the Hawaiian Goose … which is understandable, since it is a species of goose; and fyi, it is the rarest goose in the world. At one point in the 1950s, its population numbered only 30 individuals. Today, after some successful reintroduction programs, there are an estimated 2,500 birds extant. DId you know the Nene is the state bird of Hawaii.

#18 Alaska Marmot
You’ll find these furry rodents in the Brooks Range in Alaska. Weighing about 4 kilograms, the animals are recognized by their short neck, thick body, powerful legs, and bushy tail. They’re said to be sociable critters, living in colonies that can number up to 50 members. These rodents also have their very own day in Alaska. While February 2 is Groundhog Day for most of the US, it’s actually Marmot Day in Alaska. The idea was to create their own version of Punxsutawney Phil. If you celebrate Marmot Day, tell us about it in the comments.

#17 Pygmy Rattlesnake
This serpent makes its home in the southeastern US, and measure up to about 24 inches long. They are venomous pit vipers, they aren’t considered dangerous to humans. That’s because they produce low quantities of venom … but victims could still experience unpleasant physical effects for several days after being bitten. The temperment of these snakes seems to vary by individual … some are fierce and aggressive, while others simply appear too lethargic to even rattle a warning.

#16 Island Fox
There are 8 Channel Islands of California, that are located in the Pacific Ocean (one of the better known names might be Santa Catalina Island) … and this small fox can be found on six of them. Actually, there are six subspecies that can be found on those six islands, with each animal unique to its island. Experts think they have existed on the archipelago for upwards of 16,000 years. But its geographic isolation has made the animals with no immunity to parasites or diseases carried in from the mainland.

#15 Island Night Lizard
Foxes aren’t the only animals native to California’s Channel Islands. Also on the list is this reptile, which can be found on San Nicolas, Santa Barbara and San Clemente Islands. The can measure more than 3 inches long, and are called ‘night lizards’ because they were once thought to be active only at night (which turned out to be wrong). Rather than laying eggs, these reptiles are viviparous … animals that give birth to live young.

Let's Connect

[R-RLM]

Alligator Snapping Turtle, native only to the southeast US, is distinctly different and much larger than any Snapping Turtle; in fact, all freshwater Turtles.

[totallymightyallmight]

That alligator in the thumbnail is like. *DID YOU GUYS WENT GOLFING WITHOUT ME!?*

[heatherwise]

Alligator snapping turtle is only found in America.

[noahrobinson]

My family owns about 5 pairs of Hawaiian geese, we have a waterfowl sanctuary in which we keep more than 100 species of birds.

[aroix]

Amazing circle in the thumbnail never would have guessed what was is it

[jaredpeek]

I lived in Estes Park CO they have a lift that takes you up Chipmonk mountain.. and when you get up to the top you are surrounded by an army of cute chipmunks, squirrels and you can bring up your own peanuts and almonds with you ( it's always cheaper) but if you run out you will get ignored and they would show off by jumping/ climbing on your lap and doing backflips but they are all still wild so as long as you didn't try to catch them you were ok ( my ex did that and got bit lol)

[robertberger]

Why do hummingbirds hum ? Because they don't know the words !

[TheGrumpyChuckChannel]

You missed a few of them like the hellgremite and the red spotted newt.

[blessedbeauty]

- Bridgeport Connecticut Zoo, PT Barnum has the P. Dogs, number 13 also. There's one more place in CT that has them too but I can't remember what place. They have these clear bubbles that they pop their heads up. It's pretty cool.

[bdoglance]

no Florida Manatee? that is like the number one thing that comes to mind, and how could they not? they're giant jellybean shaped, and friendly as all get out XDD

[mickeyamf]

The thing is the afformentioned animals can be *_found_* in zoos and other countries. But are native & / or only found out of captivity in the americas

[sharkfinbite]

I am not surprised the swamp cougar can hunt a gator. Jaguars can do that too.

[incipimitusiterum]

Lol, alligators aren't aggressive they're SUPER lazy they rarely go anywhere near people and vice versa.

[yourboikaren]

I live in Hawaii. I have also seen a nene goose

[tyrrellroach]

What about the alligator snapping turtle? One of the largest fresh water turtles

[Chipper]

Not crayfish, it's Crawfish. Trust me, as a lifelong Louisianian, I know, trust me, just saw Crawfish.

[chrisegnoto]

I am working on a similar series for Pennsylvania. I just had a student show me some picks of 2 alligators in the wild that him and his dad found. :/

[corarodgers]

To imagine that Ben Franklin wanted the national Bird to be the Turkey...

[Rebuswind]

Voice over: Hopi chipmunk
Video: showing a golden mounted ground squirrel.

[marksieving]

Is the island fox a gray fox? Or does it just look like one?