Forest Atlas Of The United States

What Else Lives in the Forest?

Forests provide habitat for a wide variety of birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and even fish. Every organism plays an important role in the ecological web that is the forest. Different types of forests support different numbers and types of animals. Each animal species is uniquely adapted to its environment through its morphology, physiology, and behavior.

The space and function or role that an animal occupies in an ecological system is called its “ecological niche.” Some animals occupy a wide niche and are called “habitat generalists.” These species are able to use many different forest types and stages of growth to meet their needs; examples include white tailed deer, black bear, raccoon, northern mockingbird, and American robin. Omnivores – species that eat both plants and animals – are usually habitat generalists and often have abundant populations; humans could be considered as habitat generalists. Other animals occupy narrow niches and are called “habitat specialists.” These species require very specific forest types and stages of growth. Examples of habitat specialists include marten, Kirtland’s warbler, wood thrush, red-cockaded woodpecker, and pygmy salamander. Habitat specialists often have small populations that may be threatened or endangered.

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American black bear
American black bear
American black bear American black bear (Ursus americanus) are primarily found near forested areas where their main food sources of plants, fruits, nuts, and insects are readily available.
Gray tree frog
Gray tree frog
Gray tree frog Gray tree frogs (Hyla versicolor) live in moist eastern forests where their diet of moths, crickets, ants, and other insects is found.
Clark’s nutcracker
Clark’s nutcracker
Clark’s nutcracker Clark’s nutcracker (Nucifraga columbiana) mainly eat seeds from the cones of western US pines, and they specialize in collecting and storing seeds for year-round use.
Eastern indigo snake
Eastern indigo snake
Eastern indigo snake Eastern indigo snake (Drymarchon couperi) is a threatened species and is found in grasslands and pine forests of the southeastern US.
Sockeye salmon
Sockeye salmon
Sockeye salmon Sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) is an anadromous Pacific Ocean fish that starts and ends its life in fresh water streams and lakes in the forests of the Pacific Northwest.
Cougar
Cougar
Cougar Cougars (Puma concolor), known regionally as mountain lions and pumas, are solitary large cats that depend on the cover of boulders, dense brush, and forests to ambush their prey.
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FORESTS SUPPORT WILDLIFE. Wildlife habitat is composed of a combination of biological resources and environmental conditions that allow different species to survive and reproduce. Forests support many classes of vertebrate wildlife including mammals, birds, amphibians, reptiles, and fish.

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