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No confirmed photo of Allegheny Wood Rat
Allegheny Wood Rat
Neotoma magister
- Conservation
- WV State Wildlife Action Plan species of greatest conservation need; state rank S3; Priority 1 (2015 list)
West Virginia Mammals: Species List With Pictures
Last checked November 3, 2026 against official sources.
On this page
WVDNR: Seventy-four species of mammals are currently found in the Mountain State.
This page lists 78 mammals: 73 from WVDNR's Mammals of West Virginia Field Checklist; Mammals and 5 named in other official sources. 7 are nonnative. WVDNR gives a total of 74; the 78 here are the mammals official sources name one by one.
Which mammals can hurt you
Official sources single out these mammals in West Virginia, in their own words:
-
Photo: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service - Midwest Region · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons Black Bear
Will defend itself if approached. “Bears are naturally curious and likely are just looking for food, but they will defend themselves if you get too close to them.” WVDNR
-
Raccoons, foxes and skunks
Rabies. “Rabies can be found in mammals such as raccoons, foxes and skunks.” WVDNR
-
Photo: Cullen Hanks · CC BY 4.0 · iNaturalist -
Photo: Sawyer Baran · CC BY 4.0 · iNaturalist Feral and outdoor cats
Rabies carrier among domestic animals and a public-health threat. “Feral and outdoor cats are a major threat to native wildlife and public health” WVDNR
All 78 mammals
From A to Z. Do not handle them.
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American Beaver
Castor canadensis
No confirmed photo of Appalachian Cottontail
Appalachian Cottontail
Sylvilagus obscurus
- Conservation
- WV State Wildlife Action Plan species of greatest conservation need; state rank S2 (2015 list)
No confirmed photo of Big Brown Bat
Big Brown Bat
Eptesicus fuscus
Bison
- Conservation
- Extirpated, per WVDNR
Black Bear
Ursus americanus
- Danger to people
- “Bears are naturally curious and likely are just looking for food, but they will defend themselves if you get too close to them.” WVDNR
- 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
Black Rat
Rattus rattus
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Bobcat
Lynx rufus
- 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
Common Porcupine
Erethizon dorsatum
- Size
- Adults about 30 inches including a 6- to 10-inch tail, 9 to 15 pounds, older adults up to 20 pounds (Pennsylvania). Massachusetts: 25-31 inches, averaging 12 pounds in early spring to 20 in fall. Minnesota: 24 to 40 inches, 18 to 35 pounds.
- How to recognize it
- Coat of quills; up to 30,000
- Only North American mammal with coat hairs modified as quills
- Short legs, long claws, high-arching back
- Conservation
- WV State Wildlife Action Plan species of greatest conservation need; state rank S3 (2015 list)
Common Raccoon
Procyon lotor
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Coyote
Canis latrans
- 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)
Deer Mouse
Peromyscus maniculatus
No confirmed photo of Domesticated Goat
Domesticated Goat
Capra hircus
Eastern Chipmunk
Tamias striatus
Eastern Cottontail
Sylvilagus floridana
Eastern Gray Squirrel
Sciurus carolinensis
No confirmed photo of Eastern Harvest Mouse
Eastern Harvest Mouse
Reithrodontomys humulis
- Conservation
- WV State Wildlife Action Plan species of greatest conservation need; state rank SH (2015 list)
No confirmed photo of Eastern Mole
Eastern Mole
Scalopus aquaticus
Eastern Pipistrelle
Pipistrellus subflavus
- Conservation
- Proposed federally endangered as tricolored bat (WVDNR list revised 2022). Check current status.
Eastern Red Bat
Lasiurus borealis
- Conservation
- WV State Wildlife Action Plan species of greatest conservation need; state rank S4; Priority 1 (2015 list)
Eastern Small-footed Myotis
Myotis leibii
- Conservation
- WV State Wildlife Action Plan species of greatest conservation need; state rank S1; Priority 1 (2015 list)
No confirmed photo of Eastern Spotted Skunk
Eastern Spotted Skunk
Spilogale putorius
- Conservation
- WV State Wildlife Action Plan species of greatest conservation need; state rank S1; Priority 1 (2015 list)
No confirmed photo of Elk
Elk
- Where in West Virginia
- Southwestern West Virginia WVDNR
No confirmed photo of Evening Bat
Evening Bat
Nycticeius humeralis
- Conservation
- WV State Wildlife Action Plan species of greatest conservation need; state rank S1 (2015 list)
No confirmed photo of Feral or domestic Dog
Feral or domestic Dog
Canis familiaris
Feral or house cat
Felis catus
- Danger to people
- “Feral and outdoor cats are a major threat to native wildlife and public health” WVDNR
Fisher
Martes pennanti
Fox Squirrel
Sciurus niger
Golden Mouse
Ochrotomys nuttalli
- Conservation
- WV State Wildlife Action Plan species of greatest conservation need; state rank S2; Priority 1 (2015 list)
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Gray Fox
Urocyon cinereoargenteus
No confirmed photo of Gray Myotis
Gray Myotis
Myotis grisescens
- Conservation
- Federally endangered; accidental in WV (WVDNR list revised 2022)
No confirmed photo of Gray Wolf
Gray Wolf
- Conservation
- Extirpated, per WVDNR
No confirmed photo of Hairy-tailed Mole
Hairy-tailed Mole
Parascalops breweri
Hoary Bat
Lasiurus cinereus
- Conservation
- WV State Wildlife Action Plan species of greatest conservation need; state rank S3; Priority 1 (2015 list)
House Mouse
Mus musculus
No confirmed photo of Indiana Myotis
Indiana Myotis
Myotis sodalis
- Conservation
- Federally endangered (WVDNR list revised 2022)
No confirmed photo of Least Shrew
Least Shrew
Cryptotis parva
- Conservation
- WV State Wildlife Action Plan species of greatest conservation need; state rank S2 (2015 list)
No confirmed photo of Least Weasel
Least Weasel
Mustela nivalis
No confirmed photo of Little Brown Myotis
Little Brown Myotis
Myotis lucifugus
No confirmed photo of Long-tailed Shrew
Long-tailed Shrew
Sorex dispar
- Conservation
- WV State Wildlife Action Plan species of greatest conservation need; state rank S2S3 (2015 list)
Long-tailed Weasel
Mustela frenata
No confirmed photo of Masked Shrew
Masked Shrew
Sorex cinereus
No confirmed photo of Meadow Jumping Mouse
Meadow Jumping Mouse
Zapus hudsonius
- Conservation
- WV State Wildlife Action Plan species of greatest conservation need; state rank S3 (2015 list)
No confirmed photo of Meadow Vole
Meadow Vole
Microtus pennsylvanicus
Mink
Mustela vison
Mountain Lion or Cougar
Puma concolor
- Size
- Total length 5 to 8.5 feet including a 21 to 37.5 inch tail; males 79 to 265 lb, females 64 to 141 lb (Missouri Department of Conservation).
- How to recognize it
- Very large, slender cat with a small head, small rounded ears without tufts and a long, heavy tail.
- The tail may be one-third of the total length; much larger than a bobcat or lynx.
- Tracks: 2.75 to 3.75 inches wide, three lobes at the bottom of the heel pad, claw marks usually absent.
- Conservation
- Extirpated; WVDNR says USFWS considers it extinct in West Virginia
Muskrat
Ondatra zibethicus
No confirmed photo of Northern Myotis
Northern Myotis
Myotis septentrionalis
- Conservation
- Federally listed; shown under endangered with footnote "Proposed change; currently threatened" (WVDNR list revised 2022). Check current status.
No confirmed photo of Northern Short-tailed Shrew
Northern Short-tailed Shrew
Blarina brevicauda
Norway Rat
Rattus norvegicus
No confirmed photo of Prairie Vole
Prairie Vole
Microtus ochrogaster
- Conservation
- WV State Wildlife Action Plan species of greatest conservation need; state rank S3 (2015 list)
No confirmed photo of Pygmy Shrew
Pygmy Shrew
Sorex hoyi
- Conservation
- WV State Wildlife Action Plan species of greatest conservation need; state rank S2S3 (2015 list)
No confirmed photo of Rafinesque’s Big-eared Bat
Rafinesque’s Big-eared Bat
Corynorhinus rafinesquii
- Conservation
- WV State Wildlife Action Plan species of greatest conservation need; state rank S1; Priority 1 (2015 list)
Red Fox
Vulpes vulpes
Red Squirrel
Tamiasciurus hudsonicus
River Otter
Lutra canadensis
- Conservation
- Extirpated, Reintroduced
No confirmed photo of Rock Vole
Rock Vole
Microtus chrotorrhinus
- Conservation
- WV State Wildlife Action Plan species of greatest conservation need; state rank S2; Priority 1 (2015 list)
No confirmed photo of Seminole Bat
Seminole Bat
- Conservation
- WV State Wildlife Action Plan species of greatest conservation need; state rank S1 (2015 list)
No confirmed photo of Short-tailed Weasel
Short-tailed Weasel
Silver-haired Bat
Lasionycteris noctivagans
- Conservation
- WV State Wildlife Action Plan species of greatest conservation need; state rank S2 (2015 list)
No confirmed photo of Smoky Shrew
Smoky Shrew
Sorex fumeus
Snowshoe Hare
Lepus americanus
No confirmed photo of Southeastern Shrew
Southeastern Shrew
Sorex longirostris
No confirmed photo of Southern Bog Lemming
Southern Bog Lemming
Synaptomys cooperi
- Conservation
- WV State Wildlife Action Plan species of greatest conservation need; state rank S3 (2015 list)
No confirmed photo of Southern Flying Squirrel
Southern Flying Squirrel
Glaucomys volans
No confirmed photo of Southern Red-backed Vole
Southern Red-backed Vole
Clethrionomys gapperi
No confirmed photo of Star-nosed Mole
Star-nosed Mole
Condylura cristata
- Conservation
- WV State Wildlife Action Plan species of greatest conservation need; state rank S2 (2015 list)
Striped Skunk
Mephitis mephitis
No confirmed photo of Virginia Big-eared Bat
Virginia Big-eared Bat
Corynorhinus townsendii
- Conservation
- Federally endangered (WVDNR list revised 2022)
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
No confirmed photo of Water Shrew
Water Shrew
Sorex palustris
- Conservation
- WV State Wildlife Action Plan species of greatest conservation need; state rank S1; Priority 1 (2015 list)
No confirmed photo of White-footed Mouse
White-footed Mouse
Peromyscus leucopus
No confirmed photo of White-tailed Deer
White-tailed Deer
Odocoileus virginianus
Wild Boar/ Feral Pig
Sus scrofa
- Danger to people
- “Destructive and aggressive feral hogs are a growing problem in southern West Virginia” WVDNR
- 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
- Where in West Virginia
- Today a population of wild boar exists in Boone, Logan, Raleigh and Wyoming counties. WVDNR
Woodchuck/ Groundhog
Marmota monax
No confirmed photo of Woodland Jumping Mouse
Woodland Jumping Mouse
Napaeozapus insignis
No confirmed photo of Woodland Vole/ Pine Vole
Woodland Vole/ Pine Vole
Microtus pinetorum
No confirmed photo of WV Northern Flying Squirrel
WV Northern Flying Squirrel
Glaucomys sabrinus
- Conservation
- Federally delisted, per WVDNR
Mammals people confuse
Bobcat or Mountain lion (cougar)?
Bobcat Not stated
Mountain lion (cougar) Not stated
Cougars are one color (yellow-brown to light cinnamon) with a long tail. The bobcat's tail is short and its coat is spotted. TWRA says cougars are many times larger and longer, with a very long tail.
Bobcat or Domestic cat?
Bobcat Not stated
Domestic cat Not stated
TWRA says the domestic cat is smaller, usually has a longer tail and is not spotted with black. NCWRC says a bobcat is about twice as large, and South Carolina DNR says its legs are longer. Tracks of young bobcats are easily confused with house cat tracks (Missouri).
Photos show typical adults; individuals vary. Never get close to compare.
When mammals are active in West Virginia
Records of mammals in West Virginia peak in April to September. They show when people record mammals, not how many there are (about month bars).
- Black bear activity is most frequent in May and June. WVDNR
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.
Official advice from WVDNR:
How to report
Report wildlife violations to any WVDNR district office or (844) 484-7367. Report sick or dead wildlife to a local district office. For nuisance wildlife, consult a WVDNR biologist or Natural Resources Police Officer, or hire a licensed Wildlife Damage Control Agent. For pest questions, WVDA Plant Industries Division: (304) 558-2212. No dedicated WVDNR invasive-species sighting line was found. WVDNR
Common questions
What official sources say
Are there black bears in West Virginia?
Yes. The black bear is the state animal; WVDNR says encounters are becoming more common. WVDNR
“…as their population expands and human activity continues to grow, encounters between people and black bears are becoming more common”
Are there coyotes in West Virginia?
Yes. The 2001 WVDNR checklist says the coyote occurs throughout the state. WVDNR
“The coyote has expanded its range eastward across the Mississippi River and now occurs throughout the Mountain State.”
About this list
The species list comes from Mammals of West Virginia Field Checklist; Mammals (West Virginia Division of Natural Resources (WVDNR), checklist 10/2001; page modified 2026-07-21). 5 more entries come from other official sources named on each card.
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 West Virginia.
Sources
- Wildlife Diseases in West Virginia. West Virginia Division of Natural Resources (WVDNR). WordPress modified 2026-06-25; checked November 3, 2026.
- Mammals of West Virginia Field Checklist. West Virginia Division of Natural Resources (WVDNR). 10/2001; checked November 3, 2026.
Quoted passages (1)
“The coyote has expanded its range eastward across the Mississippi River and now occurs throughout the Mountain State.”
- Mammals. West Virginia Division of Natural Resources (WVDNR). WordPress modified 2026-07-21; checked November 3, 2026.
Quoted passages (1)
“Seventy-four species of mammals are currently found in the Mountain State.”
- Basics for Avoiding Human-Bear Conflicts This Spring. West Virginia Division of Natural Resources (WVDNR). April 7, 2025; checked November 3, 2026.
Quoted passages (4)
“Bears are naturally curious and likely are just looking for food, but they will defend themselves if you get too close to them.”
“Give it space – Never approach a bear, even if it seems uninterested in you.”
“…black bear activity occurs most frequently in May and June when bears emerge from their dens.”
“…as their population expands and human activity continues to grow, encounters between people and black bears are becoming more common”
- Non-Native Invasive Species. West Virginia Division of Natural Resources (WVDNR). WordPress modified 2026-04-13; checked November 3, 2026.
Quoted passages (1)
“Feral and outdoor cats are a major threat to native wildlife and public health”
- West Virginia Invasive Species Strategic Plan and Voluntary Guidelines (Appendix B). West Virginia Division of Natural Resources (WVDNR). 2014; checked November 3, 2026.
Quoted passages (1)
“Destructive and aggressive feral hogs are a growing problem in southern West Virginia”
- Nature Care: Leave Young Wildlife Alone. West Virginia Division of Natural Resources (WVDNR). posted 2023-07-07; checked November 3, 2026.
Quoted passages (2)
“Rabies can be found in mammals such as raccoons, foxes and skunks.”
“The handling of wildlife also can increase the risk of transmitting rabies, roundworms or other parasites, such as ticks, to the person handling the animal.”
- West Virginia Reptile and Amphibian Regulations (summary). West Virginia Division of Natural Resources (WVDNR). 05/2023; checked November 3, 2026.
Quoted passages (1)
“Citizens may report violations to any DNR district office or call (844) 484-7367.”
- 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.