Pennsylvania’s diverse landscapes, including dense forests, rolling farmlands, and numerous waterways, provide a rich variety of habitats for animal life. This geographical diversity, encompassing mountains, valleys, and river systems, fosters a vibrant biodiversity. The state’s ecosystems support a broad spectrum of species, each adapted to its environment.
Mammals Flourishing in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania is home to over 60 native mammal species. The white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) is abundant, found in forests, farmlands, and suburban areas, feeding on grasses and other plants. Adult male deer can weigh up to 200 pounds. Black bears (Ursus americanus), one of Pennsylvania’s largest land mammals, inhabit forests, wetlands, and mountain regions, weighing up to 400 pounds. They are opportunistic feeders with a largely vegetarian diet, consuming fruits, nuts, insects, and plant roots, and hibernate in late fall.
Common mammals also include coyotes, foxes, and raccoons, often seen in various habitats, including urban fringes. Raccoons are adaptable, thriving in both rural and developed areas. Squirrels, such as the Eastern gray squirrel and fox squirrel, are common in woodlands and residential areas. These rodents play a role in seed dispersal by burying nuts.
Various smaller rodents, including mice and voles, also inhabit the state. The white-footed mouse (Peromyscus leucopus) and meadow vole (Microtus pennsylvanicus) are common across diverse landscapes. Meadow voles are small, stocky, and primarily vegetarian, often found in fields and gardens. Deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus) are common in rural areas and may enter homes near forests. These small mammals serve as a food source for various predators.
Birds Soaring and Nesting in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania’s diverse environments support a rich bird population, including both resident and migratory species, with over 400 recorded. Common songbirds include the American Robin (Turdus migratorius), Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis), and Eastern Bluebird (Sialia sialis). Northern Cardinals are year-round residents, often visiting bird feeders. American Robins are adaptable, found in various habitats from forests to backyards.
The state is also home to various raptors, or birds of prey. Bald eagles (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) have made a significant comeback, nesting along major waterways like the Susquehanna River. Other raptors include hawks and owls, which control rodent populations. Waterfowl, such as ducks and geese, frequent Pennsylvania’s numerous lakes, rivers, and wetlands. Mallards (Anas platyrhynchos) and Canada geese (Branta canadensis) are common in these aquatic environments.
Game birds like the wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) are widespread across Pennsylvania’s woodlands. The ruffed grouse (Bonasa umbellus), Pennsylvania’s state bird, prefers young forests and brushy conditions. Woodpeckers, including the Downy Woodpecker (Picoides pubescens) and Red-bellied Woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus), are common, foraging for insects on tree trunks. Many bird species utilize the state’s forests and open spaces for nesting and finding food.
Reptiles, Amphibians, and Fish of Pennsylvania’s Waters and Lands
Pennsylvania’s varied aquatic and terrestrial habitats support a diverse array of reptiles, amphibians, and fish. The state is home to approximately 40 species of reptiles and 36 species of amphibians. Common reptiles include snakes and turtles. Eastern garter snakes (Thamnophis sirtalis) are frequently encountered near freshwater sources and human settlements. The Eastern copperhead (Agkistrodon contortrix) is venomous but rarely fatal, preferring deciduous forests and rocky outcroppings. Turtles, such as the common snapping turtle (Chelydra serpentina) and painted turtle (Chrysemys picta), inhabit ponds, lakes, and slow-moving rivers.
Amphibians are represented by frogs, toads, and salamanders. Common frogs include the American bullfrog (Lithobates catesbeianus), green frog (Lithobates clamitans), and spring peeper (Pseudacris crucifer), found near permanent bodies of water. The American bullfrog is one of the largest amphibians in the state. Toads like the American toad (Anaxyrus americanus) and Fowler’s toad (Anaxyrus fowleri) are common in gardens and woodlands. Salamanders, such as the Eastern hellbender (Cryptobranchus alleganiensis), the largest salamander in North America, inhabit clear, cold mountain streams.
Pennsylvania’s extensive network of rivers, lakes, and streams provides habitat for numerous freshwater fish species. Common game fish include trout, bass, and catfish. The brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) is the state fish, found in many of the state’s 4,000 miles of rivers and streams. Other fish species like largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) and channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) are popular among anglers and inhabit various aquatic environments. These fish play a role in the aquatic food web.
The Hidden World of Pennsylvania’s Invertebrates
Pennsylvania’s ecosystems rely on a vast world of invertebrates, numbering over 11,500 species. These creatures, lacking backbones, perform many crucial functions for environmental health. Insects represent a large portion of this group and are found in nearly every habitat. Butterflies, such as the monarch (Danaus plexippus) and various swallowtails, are common pollinators, moving pollen between plants as they feed on nectar.
Bees, including honey bees (Apis mellifera) and native bumblebees, are also important pollinators, contributing to the reproduction of flowering plants and agricultural crops. Beetles, a diverse order, include decomposers that break down organic matter, returning nutrients to the soil. Spiders, with over 500 species in Pennsylvania, such as wolf spiders and common house spiders, control insect populations. These arachnids are found in various microhabitats, from gardens and forests to human dwellings. Other arthropods, like millipedes and centipedes, also contribute to decomposition and nutrient cycling within the soil.