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No confirmed photo of Allegheny Woodrat
Allegheny Woodrat
Neotoma magister
- Conservation
- NC State Protection Status: SC
North Carolina Mammals: Species List With Pictures
Last checked November 3, 2026 against official sources.
On this page
This page lists 88 mammals: all from N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission's 2025 SWAP Appendix 3 Table 3-6 MAMMALS SGCN and Priority Species List. 7 are nonnative.
Which mammals can hurt you
Official sources single out these mammals in North Carolina, in their own words:
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Photo: Mirko Schoenitz · CC0 1.0 · iNaturalist Striped Skunk
Disease (rabies vector species). “Skunks are a rabies vector species in North Carolina, but encounters with rabid skunks are uncommon.” N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission
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Photo: Cullen Hanks · CC BY 4.0 · iNaturalist Feral Swine
Disease. “Feral swine also carry a variety of diseases that pose substantial risk to livestock, wildlife, humans, and pets.” N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission
-
Elk
May be aggressive. “Elk are wild animals that are unpredictable and some-times aggressive, especially during the fall breeding season.” N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission
-
Photo: National Marine Sanctuaries · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons Bobcat
May become aggressive if habituated. “Once a bobcat becomes habituated, it loses its natural wariness of people and may become bold and aggressive.” N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission
-
Photo: MartinKlippel · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons · resized Nine-banded Armadillo
Disease exposure (handling precaution). “To reduce exposure to diseases, the Commission recommends that gloves be worn when in direct contact with any wild animal, including armadillos.” N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission
-
Bats
Disease (rabies vector species). “Bats are rabies vector species in North Carolina, though most bats do not carry the virus.” N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission
-
Photo: Gaurav Vaidya from Chapel Hill, USA · CC BY 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons Coyote
May become bold or aggressive if habituated. “Once a coyote becomes habituated, it loses its natural wariness of people and may become bold or aggressive.” N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission
All 88 mammals
From A to Z. Do not handle them.
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American Beaver
Castor canadensis
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American Black Bear
Ursus americanus
- Size
- Smokies: males average about 6 ft long, 3 ft at the shoulder and 250 lb in summer; females usually just over 100 lb. Missouri: 46 to 78 inches long, 86 to 600 lb.
- How to recognize it
- Straight facial profile, rounded erect ears, very short tail
- Short curved claws for climbing
American Mink
Neovison vison
No confirmed photo of an undescribed Shrew
an undescribed Shrew
Sorex sp. 1
No confirmed photo of Appalachian Cottontail
Appalachian Cottontail
Sylvilagus obscurus
No confirmed photo of Big Brown Bat
Big Brown Bat
Eptesicus fuscus
Bobcat
Lynx rufus
- Danger to people
- “Once a bobcat becomes habituated, it loses its natural wariness of people and may become bold and aggressive.” N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission
- Size
- Total length 18 to 50 inches, tail 3 to 8 inches, weight 8 to 49 pounds (Missouri). About twice the size of a house cat.
- How to recognize it
- Short 'bobbed' tail, 4 to 8 inches, with a black tip and white underneath (Arizona). New Mexico instead describes black bars on top, white underneath and a white tip.
- Pointed ears with tufts at the tips, often with cheek tufts
- Backs of the ears are black with a light central spot
No confirmed photo of Brazilian Free-tailed Bat
Brazilian Free-tailed Bat
Tadarida brasiliensis
Brown Rat
Rattus norvegicus
No confirmed photo of Buxton Woods White-footed Deermouse
Buxton Woods White-footed Deermouse
Peromyscus leucopus buxtoni
- Conservation
- NC State Protection Status: SC
No confirmed photo of Carolina Northern Flying Squirrel
Carolina Northern Flying Squirrel
Glaucomys sabrinus coloratus
- Conservation
- Federal ESA Protection Status: E; NC State Protection Status: E
Common Muskrat
Ondatra zibethicus
Common Raccoon
Procyon lotor
No confirmed photo of Cotton Deermouse
Cotton Deermouse
Peromyscus gossypinus
Coyote
Canis latrans
- Danger to people
- “Once a coyote becomes habituated, it loses its natural wariness of people and may become bold or aggressive.” N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission
- Size
- About 3.5 to 4 feet long including the tail and roughly 2 feet tall at the shoulder; weight varies by region: Arizona 20 to 30 lb, Florida average about 28 lb, Georgia 25 to 45 lb
- How to recognize it
- Large pointed ears, long narrow nose, bushy black-tipped tail
- Like a slender medium-sized dog, much smaller than a wolf
- Paw track about 2 inches long (Florida)
No confirmed photo of Dismal Swamp Meadow Vole
Dismal Swamp Meadow Vole
Microtus pennsylvanicus nigrans
No confirmed photo of Dismal Swamp Southeastern Shrew
Dismal Swamp Southeastern Shrew
Sorex longirostris fisheri
No confirmed photo of Dismal Swamp Southern Bog Lemming
Dismal Swamp Southern Bog Lemming
Synaptomys cooperi helaletes
Eastern Chipmunk
Tamias striatus
Eastern Cottontail
Sylvilagus floridanus
Eastern Fox Squirrel
Sciurus niger niger
Eastern Fox Squirrel
Sciurus niger pop. 1
Eastern Gray Squirrel
Sciurus carolinensis
No confirmed photo of Eastern Harvest Mouse
Eastern Harvest Mouse
Reithrodontomys humulis
No confirmed photo of Eastern Mole
Eastern Mole
Scalopus aquaticus
Eastern Red Bat
Lasiurus borealis
Eastern Small-footed Bat
Myotis leibii
- Conservation
- NC State Protection Status: SC
No confirmed photo of Eastern Spotted Skunk
Eastern Spotted Skunk
Spilogale putorius
No confirmed photo of Eastern Woodrat
Eastern Woodrat
Neotoma floridana
- Conservation
- NC State Protection Status: T
No confirmed photo of Elk
Elk
Cervus canadensis
- Danger to people
- “Elk are wild animals that are unpredictable and some-times aggressive, especially during the fall breeding season.” N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission
No confirmed photo of Evening Bat
Evening Bat
Nycticeius humeralis
Feral Hog
Sus scrofa
- Danger to people
- “Feral swine also carry a variety of diseases that pose substantial risk to livestock, wildlife, humans, and pets.” N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission
- Size
- Adults average 75 to 250 pounds, but some get twice as large. They can stand up to 3 feet tall and reach 5 feet long, and males (boars) are larger than females (sows). FWC says Florida wild hogs can weigh more than 150 pounds and be 5 to 6 feet long. Ohio State Extension says Ohio adults typically weigh 125 to 200 pounds.
- How to recognize it
- Look much like domestic hogs but are generally thinner, with thicker hides of coarse, bristly hair and longer tusks
- Four continuously growing tusks, 2 on top and 2 below
- Russian (Eurasian) boar type: long, straight, narrow snout; dark-colored or camouflage coat; light-tipped bristles
Golden Mouse
Ochrotomys nuttalli
No confirmed photo of Gray Bat
Gray Bat
Myotis grisescens
- Conservation
- Federal ESA Protection Status: E; NC State Protection Status: E
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Gray Fox
Urocyon cinereoargenteus
No confirmed photo of Hairy-Tailed Mole
Hairy-Tailed Mole
Parascalops breweri
No confirmed photo of Hispid Cotton Rat
Hispid Cotton Rat
Sigmodon hispidus
Hoary Bat
Lasiurus cinereus
- Conservation
- Federal ESA Protection Status: At-Risk
House Mouse
Mus musculus
No confirmed photo of Indiana Bat
Indiana Bat
Myotis sodalis
- Conservation
- Federal ESA Protection Status: E; NC State Protection Status: E
No confirmed photo of Least Shrew
Least Shrew
Cryptotis parva
No confirmed photo of Least Weasel
Least Weasel
Mustela nivalis
No confirmed photo of Little Brown Bat
Little Brown Bat
Myotis lucifugus
- Conservation
- Federal ESA Protection Status: At-Risk; NC State Protection Status: E
Long-tailed Weasel
Neogale frenata
Marsh Rabbit
Sylvilagus palustris
No confirmed photo of Marsh Rice Rat
Marsh Rice Rat
Oryzomys palustris
No confirmed photo of Masked Shrew
Masked Shrew
Sorex cinereus
No confirmed photo of Meadow Jumping Mouse
Meadow Jumping Mouse
Zapus hudsonius
No confirmed photo of Meadow Vole
Meadow Vole
Microtus pennsylvanicus pennsylvanicus
Nine Banded Armadillo
Dasypus novemcinctus
- Danger to people
- “To reduce exposure to diseases, the Commission recommends that gloves be worn when in direct contact with any wild animal, including armadillos.” N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission
- Size
- Cat-sized: 15-17 in long not counting the tail, 8-17 lb (FWC); 24-32 in including a 9.5-14.5 in tail (UGA).
- How to recognize it
- Bony skin plates that form a shell, which make it easy to identify
- Long scaly tail, deer-like ears, long pig-like snout
- Tail encased in 12 bony rings; no canine or incisor teeth
North American Deermouse
Peromyscus maniculatus
North American River Otter
Lontra canadensis
No confirmed photo of Northern Long-eared Bat
Northern Long-eared Bat
Myotis septentrionalis
- Conservation
- Federal ESA Protection Status: E; NC State Protection Status: E
No confirmed photo of Northern Short-tailed Shrew
Northern Short-tailed Shrew
Blarina brevicauda
No confirmed photo of Northern Yellow Bat (incl Florida Yellow Bat)
Northern Yellow Bat (incl Florida Yellow Bat)
Lasiurus intermedius (incl L.i. floridanus)
- Conservation
- NC State Protection Status: SC
No confirmed photo of Rafinesque's Big-eared Bat - CP Pop
Rafinesque's Big-eared Bat - CP Pop
Corynorhinus rafinesquii macrotis
- Conservation
- NC State Protection Status: SC
No confirmed photo of Rafinesque's Big-eared Bat - Mtn Pop
Rafinesque's Big-eared Bat - Mtn Pop
Corynorhinus rafinesquii rafinesquii
- Conservation
- NC State Protection Status: T
Red Fox
Vulpes vulpes
Red Squirrel
Tamiasciurus hudsonicus
Red Wolf
Canis rufus
- Conservation
- Federal ESA Protection Status: E (Expn); NC State Protection Status: T
No confirmed photo of Rock Shrew
Rock Shrew
Sorex dispar
Roof Rat
Rattus rattus
No confirmed photo of Seminole Bat
Seminole Bat
Lasiurus seminolus
Silver-haired Bat
Lasionycteris noctivagans
No confirmed photo of Smoky Shrew
Smoky Shrew
Sorex fumeus
No confirmed photo of Southeastern Bat
Southeastern Bat
Myotis austroriparius
- Conservation
- NC State Protection Status: SC
No confirmed photo of Southeastern Shrew
Southeastern Shrew
Sorex longirostris longirostris
No confirmed photo of Southern Appalachian Woodrat
Southern Appalachian Woodrat
Neotoma floridana haematoreia
No confirmed photo of Southern Bog Lemming
Southern Bog Lemming
Synaptomys cooperi stonei
No confirmed photo of Southern Flying Squirrel
Southern Flying Squirrel
Glaucomys volans
No confirmed photo of Southern Pygmy Shrew
Southern Pygmy Shrew
Sorex hoyi winnemana
No confirmed photo of Southern Red-backed Vole
Southern Red-backed Vole
Myodes gapperi
No confirmed photo of Southern Rock Vole
Southern Rock Vole
Microtus chrotorrhinus carolinensis
- Conservation
- NC State Protection Status: SC
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Southern Short-tailed Shrew
Blarina carolinensis
No confirmed photo of Southern Water Shrew
Southern Water Shrew
Sorex palustris punctulatus
No confirmed photo of Star-nosed Mole
Star-nosed Mole
Condylura cristata (incl C.c. parva)
- Conservation
- NC State Protection Status: SC
No confirmed photo of Star-nosed Mole
Star-nosed Mole
Condylura cristata pop. 1
Striped Skunk
Mephitis mephitis
- Danger to people
- “Skunks are a rabies vector species in North Carolina, but encounters with rabid skunks are uncommon.” N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission
Tricolored Bat
Perimyotis subflavus
- Conservation
- Federal ESA Protection Status: PE; NC State Protection Status: E
No confirmed photo of Virginia Big-eared Bat
Virginia Big-eared Bat
Corynorhinus townsendii virginianus
- Conservation
- Federal ESA Protection Status: E; NC State Protection Status: E
Virginia Opossum
Didelphis virginiana
- Size
- Weighs 4 to 7 lb and stands 6 to 8 inches high at the shoulder (South Carolina DNR); about the size of a house cat
- How to recognize it
- Long pointed nose, black hairless ears, dark eyes, nearly hairless grasping (prehensile) tail
- Long scaly tail and a pointed snout ending in a pink nose
- Opposable thumb-like big toe (hallux) on each hind foot
West Indian Manatee
Trichechus manatus
- Size
- Adults typically 9-10 ft long and about 1,000 lb; can exceed 13 ft and 3,500 lb. Calves weigh about 60-70 lb at birth.
- How to recognize it
- Two front flippers and a large, round, flattened paddle-shaped tail
- Often only the snout breaks the surface when it breathes
- Signs on the water: a swirl, or a back, snout, tail or flipper breaking the surface
- Conservation
- Federal ESA Protection Status: T; NC State Protection Status: T
No confirmed photo of White-footed Deermouse
White-footed Deermouse
Peromyscus leucopus
No confirmed photo of White-tailed Deer
White-tailed Deer
Odocoileus virginianus
Woodchuck
Marmota monax
No confirmed photo of Woodland Jumping Mouse
Woodland Jumping Mouse
Napaeozapus insignis
No confirmed photo of Woodland Vole
Woodland Vole
Microtus pinetorum
When mammals are active in North Carolina
Records of mammals in North Carolina peak in January and March to July. They show when people record mammals, not how many there are (about month bars).
- Black bears enter dens between November and January; some coastal-plain males stay active all winter. N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission
If you are bitten or stung
Call 911 or Poison Help at 1-800-222-1222 right away. Poison Help connects you to your local poison center, any time of day.
How to report
NC Wildlife Helpline (NCWRC), Monday-Friday 8 a.m.-5 p.m.: 866-318-2401; email [email protected]. Aquatic invasive species: NCWRC Aquatic Nuisance Species Reporting Tool (https://survey123.arcgis.com/share/710337fbf02140599fd788ebfdd72744). Rattlesnake sightings: [email protected] or HerpMapper. Wildlife violations / alligator emergencies: 800-662-7137. Yellow-legged hornet: www.ncagr.gov/YLH (NCDA&CS). N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission
Common questions
About this list
The species list comes from 2025 SWAP Appendix 3 Table 3-6 MAMMALS SGCN and Priority Species List (2025 WAP Revision Taxa Team Evaluations) (N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission, 2025 NC State Wildlife Action Plan (approved by USFWS January 2026)).
Venom labels come only from official sources and link to them; "Not stated" never means harmless. How labels work.
"Nonnative" and "Invasive" follow the wording of the source list. See invasive species in North Carolina.
Sources
- North Carolina's State Wildlife Action Plan (SWAP) page. N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission. 2025 SWAP approved by USFWS January 2026; checked November 3, 2026.
- 2025 SWAP Appendix 3 Table 3-6 MAMMALS SGCN and Priority Species List (2025 WAP Revision Taxa Team Evaluations). N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission. 2025 NC SWAP; checked November 3, 2026.
- Coyote (NCWRC species page). N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission. undated page; checked November 3, 2026.
Quoted passages (1)
“Once a coyote becomes habituated, it loses its natural wariness of people and may become bold or aggressive.”
- Elk (NCWRC species page). N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission. undated page; checked November 3, 2026.
Quoted passages (1)
“Elk are wild animals that are unpredictable and some-times aggressive, especially during the fall breeding season.”
- Armadillo, Nine-Banded (NCWRC species page). N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission. undated page; checked November 3, 2026.
Quoted passages (2)
“The Nine-banded Armadillo is a unique mammal, with its armor-like skin and long, scaly tail. … It has deer-like ears and and has been nicknamed ‘Armored pig’ for its long, pig-like snout”
“To reduce exposure to diseases, the Commission recommends that gloves be worn when in direct contact with any wild animal, including armadillos.”
- Bobcat (NCWRC species page). N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission. undated page; checked November 3, 2026.
Quoted passages (1)
“Once a bobcat becomes habituated, it loses its natural wariness of people and may become bold and aggressive.”
- Striped Skunk (NCWRC species page). N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission. undated page; checked November 3, 2026.
Quoted passages (1)
“Skunks are a rabies vector species in North Carolina, but encounters with rabid skunks are uncommon.”
- Feral Swine (NCWRC species page). N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission. undated page; checked November 3, 2026.
Quoted passages (1)
“Feral swine also carry a variety of diseases that pose substantial risk to livestock, wildlife, humans, and pets.”
- Bat (NCWRC species page). N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission. undated page; checked November 3, 2026.
Quoted passages (1)
“Bats are rabies vector species in North Carolina, though most bats do not carry the virus.”
- Black Bear (NCWRC species page). N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission. undated page; checked November 3, 2026.
Quoted passages (1)
“In North Carolina, den entry can occur as early as November or as late as January, though male bears in the coastal plain region may be active throughout the winter.”
- Have a Wildlife Problem? N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission. undated page; checked November 3, 2026.
Quoted passages (1)
“The Wildlife Helpline is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Call: 866-318-2401”
- GBIF.org occurrence records, human observations licensed CC0 1.0 or CC BY 4.0 only, accessed November 3, 2026. The datasets behind these counts are listed on our Sources page.