How we build each page
Every page is generated from checked research records. Here is what goes into them and the rules we follow.
On this page
Species lists
For each state we start from the wildlife agency's official checklist of each group (for example a state checklist of amphibians and reptiles, or a state bird checklist). Every species on that list appears on the state's group page. Where a state publishes no complete list, as for spiders, scorpions and insects everywhere, the page says so and covers the species that the state agency or its land-grant university Extension service names.
Counts in headlines are counts that the agency itself states, quoted in its own words. Counts of species on a page are simply the number of entries we list, and we say which list they come from.
Venomous labels
An animal is labelled venomous or non-venomous only when a state agency, an Extension service or a federal source states it for that species. The label links to the source and the exact wording is shown under "What the sources say". When no source states it, the label reads "Not stated by official sources", with a reminder not to handle the animal. We never infer venom status from a related species or another state.
Some sources call a species "mildly venomous", usually rear-fanged snakes that subdue small prey with a weak venom, or scorpions and bugs whose sting the source calls mild. We show these with a separate "Mildly venomous" label, do not count them among a state's venomous snakes, and quote what the source says about each one. Counts of venomous snakes are counts of species: where a list names two forms of one species, such as a population and the species it belongs to, they count once.
Invasive species
State pages list the nonnative animals named on the state agency's own lists, described in the list's own terms, plus the aquatic animals that the USGS Nonindigenous Aquatic Species database records as established in the state. A USGS record counts only if at least one record has the status "established".
Month bars
Month bars show how many open-licence observation records (human observations with coordinates, licensed CC0 or CC BY 4.0) GBIF holds for a species or group in each month. Bars appear for a state and species only with at least 30 records. They reflect when people see and record animals as well as when the animals are active, so they are never used to say how many animals there are or that an animal is absent. Today's month is highlighted by your browser.
Range maps
Species guides show two maps. The first shows states where an official source confirms the species (our verified state lists and official range statements). The second shows open-licence observation records on GBIF by state. Records are kept separate because a sighting is not confirmation that a population lives there. Gray means no official record in our data, not that the animal is absent. Boundaries come from the U.S. Census Bureau.
Photos
Photos show the exact species named. They come from iNaturalist research-grade observations, Wikimedia Commons and U.S. federal agencies, only under public domain, CC0, CC BY or CC BY-SA licences. Every published photo was checked by eye against the species' identification features; photos of captive, handled, dead or doubtful animals were left out. Where we could not confirm a photo, the page shows no photo rather than a doubtful one. On species guides, each caption names the species and what the photo shows. Each photo carries its author and licence; see photo credits.
Identifying animals safely
Photos, descriptions and our identification filters help you recognize an animal from a distance. They cannot confirm what an animal is, and they can never confirm that it is safe: many species vary in color, young animals can look different from adults, and some harmless snakes mimic venomous ones. Watch from a distance and never pick up, poke or corner an animal to see it better. If someone is bitten or stung, call 911 or Poison Help at 1-800-222-1222.
Question pages
Pages such as "Are there scorpions in Georgia?" answer one question with what the state's official sources say. The answer is a short, plain summary written by us; the passage it rests on is quoted under it and listed under Sources with the source's date. We publish a question page only when an official source answers it, including when the answer is no. If you think you have seen an animal, keep your distance and contact the state's wildlife agency rather than trying to catch it.
Checks and updates
Each state and species record is checked twice: once when it is researched and again in an independent second pass that re-reads every cited source and quote. Only records that pass the second check are published. Pages show the date of that check; the guide was last checked November 3, 2026. Official lists change slowly, and we re-check each state when its agency publishes a new checklist and at least once a year. Errors can be reported through corrections.