Native Western North Carolina Wildlife

We used to roam the North Carolina mountains. But due to radical predator control programs and loss of habitat, less than 30 live in a reserve on the east coast of NC today. Who are we?

We are a bird of prey but we're still endangered! A lot of rock climbing areas are closed for certain times of the year because we nest in cracks of the rock. Help save our species by respecting our nests! Who are we?

We're not even going to lie...we like to eat pretty much anything! Dead animals, rodents, insects, fruits, nuts, plants, eggs, frogs, grains. We're very resourceful. Can you believe we're only the size of a honeybee when we're born!?

You can find a lot of us in the Cherokee NC area. Keep your distance if you see us because sometimes we get scared and will attack. This could put us in danger of being killed. Please don't do that! Who are we?

We dominate the mountains of NC. With over 60 species of us living in the dense wet forests around here, it's no wonder WNC is called the "___________" capitol of the world! Who are we?

We grow everywhere around here and we're probably in your backyard! Our leaves look like tulips and you can even make cordage out of our bark. We get pretty tall. Who are we?

We are thick bushes and bloom purple, pink, and white flowers during the spring. I'm bigger than my sister Mountain Laurel and we are a part of the Heath Family. Never burn us in your fire because we let off poisonous smoke. Who are we?

We live in dark caves and use echolocation to find food and water. Dolphins and whales use echolocation too! There is a lot of research being done on us around the appalachian mountains.

We bury in the ground for the winter and even have a national day named after us! You probably see a lot of us in your yard or on the roads digging for food. We like to eat a lot different fruits, nuts, leaves, and even some insects.

We grow literally everywhere around here. We can create huge fields of ourselves in the shade of the forests. In the spring we pop up and unroll from a spiral. Who are we?

We're not even going to lie...we like to eat pretty much anything! Dead animals, rodents, insects, fruits, nuts, plants, eggs, frogs, grains. We're very resourceful. Can you believe we're only the size of a honeybee when we're born!?

We are timid creatures of these forests but sometimes we will go through your trash if you leave it out! We run away at loud noises but watch out if we have our babies! Who are we?