North Carolina (NC) shares its state with a wealth of animals. We never know what type of animals we’ll see when we leave our homes or on the side of the road. Some are, of course, more recurring, like cats, dogs, and squirrels. While others come out to play more infrequently, like groundhogs and whitetail deer.
Specific animal sightings can enhance a walk on the greenway, a boat on the water, a mountain drive, etc. Basically, any activity that can be done in NC.
To this very day, I still look out the window, hoping to glimpse one of the extremely impressive varieties. To yell, “Did you see that?” to whoever is in the car after the moment has passed. We’ve all done that. But never mind; now for the list.
Here’s my list of seven animal sightings that should instantly improve any NC experience (from a car’s safety or distance). We don’t want to see some of these animals up close and personal.
Alligator
Of course, there are no alligators in the mountains. Whenever I’m at the coast, I peered into the marshes and wet ponds, hoping to spot one or two or three. But always from the safety of a road or boardwalk. Who wants to outrun a 13-foot gator?
Armadillo
There are many road-killed armadillos along the interstates between Florida and South Carolina. I just saw this coming back from Florida on Memorial Day Weekend. I was surprised to learn that we have them in NC now. They encroached on NC. According to the NC Wildlife Resource Commission, about a quarter of the 100 counties in NC have confirmed armadillo observations, including where I live. I’ve never seen a live one, and I now do.
Black Bears
Black bears are the only bears we have in NC. They mostly live in the mountains and on the coast but have entered the Piedmont region. I’ve had my three sightings in Hickory and Lake James. One ran out in front of me near Lenoir-Rhyne University, whose mascot is a bear. I don’t believe this was some first-year student in a black bear mascot costume. Either way, this occurrence was from the safety of my car. I don’t think I want to meet one on a hiking trail. Yikes!
Bobcat
I’ve never seen one of these medium-sized cats in the wild, although they live throughout North Carolina. I really want to see one. Make it so!
Eagle
These eagles aren’t large enough to carry dwarves and hobbits but are still enormous birds. These raptors can grow 3 feet tall and have a 7 to 8 feet wide wingspan. The few eagles I’ve seen live along rivers and lakes. So look up next time you’re beside one.
Elk
The elk’s range is the Great Smoky Mountain National Park, especially in the Cataloochee Valley and around Cherokee. Elk are the largest mammals in NC and can be easily viewed. Check out my quick guide to elk watching in NC.
Fox
Foxes come in gray and in red. All of our state counties are sly as a fox. Meaning that we have them throughout the state. I’ve seen them in cities, the countryside, and the forest. I last saw one a few months ago, walking on a greenway with my girlfriend. I only caught the tail, but I’m still counting it.
Seeing any of these animals around should absolutely improve any experiences I had in NC. Six of the seven animals I have seen alive certainly did this for me.
So keep your eyes open when you are out and about, and you may catch a fox or bobcat. Humans are attracted to rare things, so why can this be animal sightings and viewings? I wonder what we look like to them. It could be the reverse. Humans are on their list of animal sightings that should instantly improve any NC experience.
For more information on these and other NC animals can be found on this NC Wildlife Resource Commission website: https://www.ncwildlife.org/learning/species
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