America's Animals

Information and Photos

Coyote

This relative of both dogs and wolves is found all across the U.S., in every state except Hawaii. They hunt individually for small prey, such as mice, and also hunt in packs to bring down larger prey, such as deer. They have also been known to eat the eggs of ground-nesting birds, such as Canada geese. Their wiliness and adaptability allow them to survive in a wide variety of situations, sometimes even near human habitations. Like their bigger cousins, the wolves, coyotes communicate with each other with a variety of vocalizations. Listening to their howling at night is part of classic Western tradition.

Peregine Falcon

These large falcons are known for the speeds they reach when diving out of the sky onto prey, which is almost always other, smaller birds. At over 200 mph, this dive speed makes the peregrine the world's fastest animal. (Cheetahs are the fastest land animal, but even their top speed doesn't approach that of a swooping peregrine falcon.) The peregrine has been known in falconry for nearly 3,000 years. Several decades ago, their numbers were seriously impacted by the use of the pesticide DDT, which caused such fragile eggshells that few chicks survived long enough to hatch. The banning of this pesticide in the U.S. and some other countries, and a dedicated conservation effort has produced a remarkable rebound in their status, and they were removed from the Endangered Species List in 1999.

North American River Otter

For some people, the very word "predator" conjures up thoughts of flashing teeth, talons, blood, and death. But although they are certainly predators to the fish, crustaceans, turtles, and amphibians they share the waterways with, there is an undeniable "cute" factor to these members of the weasel family. They are very playful, and seem to love sliding down muddy or snowy hills, particularly into water. Although their status is not currently threatened, their numbers have been considerably reduced by trapping for their fur, habitat loss, and their sensitivity to pollution.

White-tailed Deer

Although some small populations of completely white deer of this species exist, most of them have the bright white coloration only on the underside of their tails. When a frightened deer begins to run, it raises its tail, the white flash of color broadcasting a silent alarm for any other deer who can see it. The rest of a white-tail deer's coat is usually more of a chestnut brown in summer, and gray-brown in the winter. These medium-size deer are found across the U.S. from north to south, but are mainly found east of the Rockies.

Canada Goose

Despite their name, Canada geese are found throughout the U.S. as well as Canada. There is a particularly large population of them in the Great Lakes area. They make twice-yearly migrations, and when a flock is flying, they form a characteristic V-shape in the sky. Their honking calls to each other can sometimes be heard by people on the ground. Although they may take the very occasional small fish, they are almost entirely herbivorous, eating grains, grasses and other plants, both on land and in the water.

Red-eared Slider Turtle

Although they are from the southern part of the U.S., red-eared slider turtles are well-known in the rest of the country, and across the world, as these are the ones most frequently seen as pet turtles. Their name comes from the bright blocks of red color seen on the sides of their heads, and from their habit of swiftly sliding into the water from rocks or muddy banks, if they perceive approaching danger. They are mostly aquatic, but will leave the water to sun themselves, or to breed. Young turtles are more brightly colored green than the adults, and more carnivorous. Adult turtles can be dark green to brown, and are more herbivorous.