Discovering Vermont’s Unique Wildlife

Vermont is an amazing state with a rich and diverse wildlife population. From majestic moose to playful river otters, the Green Mountain State offers an incredible array of animals to discover. Whether you’re a nature enthusiast, a birdwatcher, or a hunter, you’ll find plenty of interesting creatures to explore. Here are some of the unique wildlife to be found in Vermont.

Mountain Lions

Although not commonly seen, mountain lions are occasionally spotted in the wilds of Vermont. These large cats are solitary, secretive animals, and they are rarely seen during the day. They tend to hunt at night, preying on deer and other small animals. If you are lucky enough to spot a mountain lion, remember to keep your distance and admire it from afar.

Because of their elusive nature, it can be difficult to track mountain lion populations in Vermont. The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department estimates that there are only a few dozen mountain lions living in the state. While their numbers remain small, mountain lions are still an important part of Vermont’s unique wildlife.

Mountain lions are a protected species in Vermont, so it is illegal to hunt them. If you spot a mountain lion, it’s best to leave it alone and report your sighting to the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department.

Moose

The majestic moose is one of Vermont’s most iconic animals. These large, antlered animals are a common sight in the Green Mountain State, especially in the northern and eastern regions. Moose are herbivores and they often browse on aquatic plants along Vermont’s many rivers and lakes.

Moose are often seen in pairs or small groups, and they are usually most active at dawn and dusk. Moose can be dangerous animals, so it’s important to remember to keep your distance if you spot one. While they may look slow and lumbering, moose can run up to 35 miles per hour and they have been known to attack people when they feel threatened.

The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department estimates that there are around 4,500 moose living in the state. Moose are an important part of Vermont’s natural heritage and they are a protected species in the state.

American Black Bears

American black bears are an iconic species in Vermont, and they can be found throughout the state. These large, omnivorous mammals are mainly nocturnal, and they are often seen foraging for food in the woods. Bears are opportunistic eaters, and they often feed on nuts, berries, insects, and small animals.

Bears can be dangerous, so it’s important to remember to keep your distance if you spot one. The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department encourages people to keep their distance from bears and to never feed them. If you encounter a bear, it’s best to back away slowly and make yourself as big as possible.

The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department estimates that there are around 5,000 American black bears living in the state. While they can sometimes be a nuisance, bears are an important part of Vermont’s wildlife and they are a protected species in the state.

River Otters

River otters are a common sight in Vermont’s rivers, lakes, and streams. These playful animals are often seen sliding down muddy banks and splashing in the water. River otters are active during the day and they are usually seen in small groups. They are carnivores, and they often hunt for fish and other small aquatic animals.

River otters are an important part of Vermont’s aquatic ecosystems, and they are a protected species in the state. If you are lucky enough to spot a river otter, remember to keep your distance and admire it from afar. The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department estimates that there are around 1,500 river otters living in the state.

Beavers

Beavers are a common sight in Vermont’s lakes and rivers, and they are a familiar symbol of the Green Mountain State. These large rodents are active during the day and they are often seen building and maintaining their dams. Beavers are mainly herbivores, and they feed on tree bark, aquatic plants, and other vegetation.

Beavers are an important species in Vermont, and they are a protected species in the state. If you are lucky enough to spot a beaver, remember to keep your distance and admire it from afar. The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department estimates that there are around 3,000 beavers living in the state.

White-Tailed Deer

White-tailed deer are a common sight in Vermont, and they can be found throughout the state. These large, hoofed animals are mainly herbivores, and they feed on grasses, leaves, and other vegetation. White-tailed deer are active during the day and they are often seen in small groups.

White-tailed deer are an important part of Vermont’s wildlife, and they are a protected species in the state. If you are lucky enough to spot a deer, remember to keep your distance and admire it from afar. The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department estimates that there are around 100,000 white-tailed deer living in the state.

Wild Turkeys

Wild turkeys are a common sight in Vermont, and they can be found throughout the state. These large birds are mainly omnivores, and they feed on nuts, berries, insects, and other small animals. Turkeys are active during the day and they are often seen in small groups.

Wild turkeys are an important part of Vermont’s wildlife, and they are a protected species in the state. If you are lucky enough to spot a wild turkey, remember to keep your distance and admire it from afar. The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department estimates that there are around 20,000 wild turkeys living in the state.

Bobcats

Bobcats are a rare sight in Vermont, but they can occasionally be spotted in the wilds of the Green Mountain State. These small cats are mainly nocturnal, and they are rarely seen during the day. Bobcats are carnivores, and they often hunt for rabbits, mice, and other small animals.

Bobcats are a protected species in Vermont, so it is illegal to hunt them. If you are lucky enough to spot a bobcat, remember to keep your distance and admire it from afar. The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department estimates that there are only a few hundred bobcats living in the state.

Bald Eagles

Bald eagles are an iconic species in Vermont, and they can occasionally be spotted in the skies above the Green Mountain State. These large raptors are mainly fish-eaters, and they often hunt for fish in the state’s rivers and lakes. Bald eagles are active during the day and they are usually seen soaring in pairs.

Bald eagles are an important part of Vermont’s wildlife, and they are a protected species in the state. If you are lucky enough to spot a bald eagle, remember to keep your distance and admire it from afar. The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department estimates that there are around 400 bald eagles living in the state.

Fishers

Fishers are a rare sight in Vermont, but they can occasionally be spotted in the wilds of the Green Mountain State. These large, weasel-like animals are mainly nocturnal, and they are rarely seen during the day. Fishers are carnivores, and they often hunt for rabbits, mice, and other small animals.

Fishers are a protected species in Vermont, so it is illegal to hunt them. If you are lucky enough to spot a fisher, remember to keep your distance and admire it from afar. The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department estimates that there are only a few hundred fishers living in the state.

Peregrine Falcons

Peregrine falcons are an iconic species in Vermont, and they can occasionally be spotted in the skies above the Green Mountain State. These large birds of prey are mainly birds-eaters, and they often hunt for other birds in the state’s forests and fields. Peregrine falcons are active during the day and they are usually seen soaring in pairs.

Peregrine falcons are an important part of Vermont’s wildlife, and they are a protected species in the state. If you are lucky enough to spot a peregrine falcon, remember to keep your distance and admire it from afar. The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department estimates that there are around 100 peregrine falcons living in the state.

Summary

Vermont is a beautiful state with a rich and diverse wildlife population. From majestic moose to playful river otters, the Green Mountain State offers an incredible array of animals to discover. Whether you’re a nature enthusiast, a birdwatcher, or a hunter, you’ll find plenty of interesting creatures to explore. Mountain lions, moose, American black bears, river otters, beavers, white-tailed deer, wild turkeys, bobcats, bald eagles, fishers, and peregrine falcons are just some of the unique wildlife to be found in Vermont.