Mississippi, characterized by its humid subtropical climate, is home to a diverse array of animal life. Its diverse landscapes, including forests, floodplains, wetlands, and coastal areas along the Gulf of Mexico, provide a multitude of habitats.
Mammals of Mississippi
Mississippi supports a variety of mammalian species. White-tailed deer are widespread, thriving across diverse habitats from forests to suburban green spaces. Their population was estimated at 1.6 million in 2024. Eastern gray and eastern fox squirrels are common in hardwood and coniferous forests, relying on mast crops for sustenance.
Raccoons and opossums are common and highly adaptable to human-modified landscapes like suburban areas, wetlands, and forests. Opossums, North America’s only marsupial, are generalists found in similar environments. Predatory mammals like coyotes and bobcats also inhabit the state. They prefer early successional habitats, including pine plantations and beaver swamps, where they find abundant prey. Their diets include smaller mammals like cottonrats, mice, and rabbits, with coyotes also consuming white-tailed deer.
Birds of Mississippi
Mississippi is a significant location for avian populations, serving as a major migratory route within the Mississippi Flyway. This flyway sees between 320 and 350 species annually, spanning from the Gulf of Mexico to Canada. Its varied landscapes, including wetlands and forests, offer essential resting and feeding grounds for migratory birds.
Resident bird species are also abundant. The Northern Mockingbird, Mississippi’s state bird, is a common year-round resident known for its diverse vocalizations. Songbirds like Northern Cardinals, Blue Jays, and Eastern Bluebirds are frequently observed in backyards and wooded areas.
Various raptors, such as bald eagles and several hawk species, are present. Waterfowl, including mallard ducks and Canada geese, are prominent in the state’s wetlands and rivers. Other common birds include woodpeckers, wrens, and various sparrows.
Reptiles and Amphibians
Mississippi’s warm, humid climate and diverse aquatic and terrestrial environments support a substantial population of reptiles and amphibians. The state is home to 84 reptile species, including turtles, snakes, lizards, and one crocodilian. The American alligator, once endangered, is now a common sight in Mississippi’s freshwater rivers, lakes, and swamps.
Snakes are diverse, with common non-venomous species like the Eastern garter snake found in various habitats. Mississippi also hosts six venomous snake species: the cottonmouth, Eastern copperhead, pygmy rattlesnake, canebrake rattlesnake, Eastern diamondback rattlesnake, and coral snake. Lizards, such as broad-headed skinks, slender glass lizards, green anoles, and Eastern fence lizards, are widely distributed in woodlands and areas with leaf litter. The state’s turtle populations are diverse, including snapping turtles and various box turtles, inhabiting both aquatic and terrestrial environments.
Amphibians include numerous species of frogs, toads, and salamanders. Frogs such as the American bullfrog (the state’s largest) and green frogs are commonly found near permanent water bodies. Other prevalent frogs include spring peepers, gray treefrogs, and Southern toads, often found in moist woodlands and suburban areas.
Salamanders thrive in Mississippi’s moist environments, with species like the four-toed salamander found in hardwood forests near bogs. Spotted salamanders typically reside underground, emerging during wet periods. The two-toed and three-toed amphiumas, eel-like salamanders, are also present, often inhabiting aquatic environments.
Aquatic Inhabitants
Mississippi’s extensive freshwater systems and its Gulf Coast marine environments host a rich variety of aquatic animal life. Over 280 species of fish inhabit the state’s freshwater lakes, rivers, creeks, and ponds. Popular freshwater game fish include various species of bass, such as largemouth, smallmouth, and striped bass, commonly found in lakes like Pickwick Lake and Ross Barnett Reservoir.
Catfish, including blue and flathead catfish, are prominent in the state’s rivers, with some growing to considerable sizes. Other common freshwater fish include crappie (white and black) and sunfish like bluegill, frequently found in vegetated and deeper waters. Ancient fish like paddlefish and several gar species, including the alligator gar, are also notable inhabitants of Mississippi’s rivers.
Freshwater crustaceans like crawfish are abundant in many waterways, forming a significant part of the aquatic food web. Along Mississippi’s Gulf Coast, the marine environment supports a diverse array of saltwater species, including marine fish, shrimp, and crabs, which are integral to the coastal ecosystem and local economy. Marine mammals, such as dolphins, can also be observed in the state’s coastal waters. The rich estuaries along the coast serve as nurseries for many finfish and shellfish, benefiting from the freshwater inflow from the Mississippi River.