Natural History

Fauna of West Virginia

The life zones of West Virginia allow for a diversity of habitats for fauna (animal life), varying from large lowland farming valleys bordered with forest and meadow to highland ridge flats and heavy forestland, some with rocky ridge-line peaks. The "Mountain State" harbors at least 56 species and subspecies of mammals. The state has more than 300 types of birds and more than 100 species of fish. Many common insects of the Eastern United States can be found in West Virginia; 15 species of beetles, more than 70 species of odonate, 12 species of stonefly, and about 17 moth species. Other invertebrates include some 18 species of spider and a little over seven dozen species of cave-dwellers. The West Virginia Division of Wildlife (WVDNR) uses hunting and fishing license fees for wildlife habitat conservation. The state has guidelines for persons applying for West Virginia scientific collecting permits.

Also on this shelf

See also

• ▸African striped weasel
• ▸Acanthus (plant)
• ▸Castle Rock Lake

Uncatalogued shelf

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