List of mammals of West Virginia

The northern flying squirrel (Glaucomys sabrinus)
The Virginia big-eared bat, also known as Townsend's big-eared bat (Corynorhinus townsendii)
The Indiana bat (Myotis sodalis)
The eastern cougar (Puma concolor couguar) was deemed extinct by the USF&WS in 2011.
The Virginia opossum (Didelphis virginiana)
The eastern coyote (Canis latrans var.) is expanding its range in West Virginia.
The American, or northern, short-tailed shrew (Blarina brevicauda)
The woodland vole (Microtus pinetorum)
The snowshoe hare (Lepus americanus), typical of Canada, reaches its southernmost distribution in West Virginia.
The American black bear (Ursus americanus) has been the West Virginia state animal since 1973[1]
The river otter (Lontra canadensis) has been reestablished in West Virginia.

The state of West Virginia is home to 72 wild mammal species. Four – the Virginia big-eared bat, the Indiana bat, the West Virginia northern flying squirrel and the extinct eastern cougar – are federally listed as endangered. Several additional species are rare in the state and warrant close monitoring.

Some mammals which have thrived despite human disturbance include the opossum, which is more abundant and more widely distributed due to human activities. Also doing well are mammals that prefer farm and early successional habitats. The coyote is expanding its range eastward in the United States and now occurs throughout the state.

Many examples of West Virginia's present and former megafauna are on display at the West Virginia State Wildlife Center, a small zoo featuring native animals.

  1. ^ "State Symbols". West Virginia Legislature. Retrieved 2 September 2011.. Selected as West Virginia's official State Animal by a poll of students, teachers and sportsmen conducted by the WV Division of Natural Resources in 1954–1955. It was officially adopted by the State Legislature during the 1973 Regular Session with the approval of House Concurrent Resolution 6.