Arkansas, often called “The Natural State,” is home to a rich variety of wildlife sustained by its diverse geography. The state encompasses the rugged, forested terrain of the Ozark and Ouachita Mountains in the north and west. This contrasts sharply with the low-lying, water-rich regions of the Arkansas Delta and the Gulf Coastal Plain to the east and south. This blend of upland forests, rocky hillsides, and expansive river systems supports a wide range of mammals, reptiles, birds, and aquatic life.
Iconic and Large Mammals
The White-tailed Deer is the state’s most common large mammal, with populations estimated at nearly one million animals. Deer are found across Arkansas, adapting to habitats from dense forests to agricultural edges, and serve as a primary food source for many of the state’s predators.
The American Black Bear rebounded from a population low of about 50 individuals in the 1920s. Following a successful relocation program in the 1950s, the current population has grown to over 5,000 animals, primarily concentrated in the Ozark and Ouachita National Forests. The Elk was also reintroduced to the state and is mostly confined to the area surrounding the Buffalo National River in the Ozarks, with surveys reporting over 400 animals.
Two smaller predators found across the state are the Bobcat and the Coyote. The Bobcat is a secretive, solitary feline whose diet consists mainly of small prey such as rabbits and rodents. Coyotes are found in every county and possess an omnivorous and opportunistic diet, consuming everything from white-tailed deer fawns and rabbits to fruits.
Aquatic Life and Wetland Species
The state’s extensive network of rivers and lakes supports many native sport species. These include the Largemouth Bass, a popular target for anglers in the state’s many reservoirs and oxbow lakes. Catfish, such as the Blue, Channel, and Flathead, are also native and thrive in the deep, sluggish rivers and turbid waters of the lowlands.
A unique resident of these large, low-gradient rivers is the Paddlefish, a primitive species recognizable by its elongated, paddle-shaped rostrum. This snout is covered in electroreceptors that help the fish detect the weak electrical fields of its planktonic prey. The recovery of the American Alligator is a notable story, with the large reptile thriving in the marshy areas of the Mississippi Alluvial Plain and the South Central Plains after being nearly extirpated a century ago.
Wetland areas are home to semi-aquatic mammals like the River Otter, which has made a strong comeback thanks to habitat protection and management. Otters often benefit from the North American Beaver, whose dam-building activity creates the deep, stable water impoundments that otters favor for foraging and denning.
Common Reptiles and Amphibians
Arkansas is home to approximately 40 snake species, though only six are venomous. The Copperhead is the most commonly encountered venomous snake, found in diverse habitats statewide. The Cottonmouth is a semi-aquatic pit viper primarily found in the slow-moving water and swamps of the eastern and southern regions.
The state also harbors three species of Rattlesnakes—the Timber, Western Diamondback, and Western Pygmy Rattlesnake—and the secretive Texas Coral Snake, the only venomous species that is not a pit viper. Non-venomous species include the Speckled Kingsnake and the Black Rat Snake, both of which are beneficial for controlling rodent populations.
The amphibian population features 25 species of frogs and toads and 32 species of salamanders and newts. The American Bullfrog is the state’s largest frog, found around permanent bodies of water throughout the state. Smaller species like the Pickerel Frog are known for a mild skin toxin that deters predators.
Salamanders also show diversity, particularly in the mountainous regions. The Ozark Hellbender is a permanently aquatic salamander found only in a limited number of northern streams. Other common examples, such as the Western Slimy Salamander, are lungless and live in the moist leaf litter and under rocks of the upland forests.
Diverse Bird Species and Migration Routes
Arkansas’s position along the Mississippi Flyway makes it a resting and feeding ground for millions of migrating birds. The flyway funnels waterfowl, songbirds, and raptors through the state twice a year. Winter brings an influx of species, with agricultural fields and wetlands hosting large flocks of Snow and Canada Geese.
The Bald Eagle is a prominent winter visitor, arriving to find open water for fishing between December and February. The state also maintains a stable population of over 150 nesting pairs of eagles year-round. Other common raptors include the Red-tailed Hawk and the Broad-winged Hawk, which are frequently seen soaring over the state’s diverse woodlands.
Year-round residents include the Northern Mockingbird, which is the official state bird known for its mimicry. Common woodland birds include the Red-bellied Woodpecker and the Downy Woodpecker, which play an important role in the forest ecosystem by foraging for insects in tree trunks.