Which Animals Live in the Smoky Mountains?

Highly-prized and 4,400 feet above sea level lies the southern Appalachian Mountains, which for countless generations have provided thriving Eco-systems for all sorts of living organisms in Tennessee. As for wildlife, one might wonder which species of animal can survive at such a high elevation. Well, the answer is many.

Continue reading to learn some facts about the animals that live in the Smoky Mountains, and what to do if you are experiencing nuisance wildlife tampering in or around your Tennessee property.

Smoky Mountain Wildlife Control Nashville Tennessee 615-610-0962
Smoky Mountain Wildlife Control Nashville Tennessee 615-610-0962

Common Species of Smoky Mountain Wildlife

Some of the most common species of wildlife native to the Smoky Mountain range, including the Cataloochee and Cades Cove areas, are spotted skunks, red squirrels, eastern chipmunks, jumping mice, gray foxes, and even bobcats. But that’s not all! From the bare grassy meadows and big River to the ridge tops, high meadows, high forests, and everywhere in between, there are countless species of wildlife thriving all year round.

Birds and Bats

In the high meadow and high forest areas, it is common to see several species of birds and bats flying around at different parts of the day. During the daytime hours, you can spot magnificent birds, such as the American peregrine falcon, red crossbills, ravens, warblers, red-breasted nut hatches, and even snow buntings.

Of all the birds that are native to the Smoky Mountain areas, warblers are among the most widespread. Common species of warblers include the spotted warbler, black-throated blue warbler, magnolia warbler, Canada warbler, and black-throated green warbler.

At dusk and nightfall, you can spot Big Brown Bats flying around and darting for prey such as mosquitoes, flies, gnats, moths, and more. Gray bats and Indiana bats are additional species native to the Tennessee and southern Appalachian Mountain ranges.

In the Smoky Mountain Cataloochee and Cades Cove regions, you can also find wild turkeys. You might even catch a rare glimpse at the Saw-whet owl in the high forest areas!

Animals on Foot

If you are in the open areas of Cataloochee and Cades Cove, you can spot white-tailed deer, groundhogs, and raccoons. You might also see elk and black bears during certain times of the year. In fact, around 1,500 black bears call Smoky Mountain National Park home.

Although the Red Wolf used to also call the Smoky Mountain areas home, they are now extinct. We hunted them to extinction in the southeast part of the United States, and although there was an attempt to bring the species back to the Cades Cove, efforts were ineffectual. There are now no wolves in Tennessee.

Are you dealing with nuisance wildlife in or around your Tennessee property? If so, contact Smoky Wildlife Control at 615-610-0962 for TWRA licensed critter control services in Nashville, Tennessee, and its surrounding areas. We serve both residential and commercial clients with the most competitive prices around.

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Smoky Wildlife Control Nashville Tennessee
Smoky Wildlife Control Nashville Tennessee 615-610-0962

Frequently Asked Questions About Opossums in Tennessee

When you spot an opossum sneaking around your backyard, driveway, or front porch, you might get a little creeped out. Opossums are funny looking creatures, and the nighttime light reflects off their eyes in a way that makes them look almost possessed. This leaves many homeowners asking, “what’s the deal with opossums?”

Continue reading to review some frequently asked questions about opossums, including how to get rid of opossums in Nashville when they become a nuisance around your property.

Nashville Tennessee Opossum Removal 615-610-0962
Nashville Tennessee Opossum Removal 615-610-0962

Opossum FAQS You Need to Know

Whether you are experiencing heightened level of opossum activity around your property lately, or you have a passel of opossums taking shelter somewhere within your premises, you should be immediately motivated to get rid of opossums as fast as possible. Not only can they be highly destructive, but they are also common carriers of several transmissible diseases that can affect both people and pets.

Hopefully these frequently asked questions about opossums can help you quickly resolve a nuisance opossum problem, safely and humanely.

What Type of Animal is an Opossum?

An opossum is a marsupial, similar to a kangaroo. In fact, they are the only marsupial here in North America. They even carry their babies in a little pouch on their bellies. After 65 days or so, babies leave their mother’s pouch and climb onto her back, where they will take a free ride until they are old enough to fend for themselves.

Where Do Opossums Live?

The most common habitat for opossums here in Tennessee includes hollowed trees, abandoned animal dens, wide rock crevices, beneath porches, under decks, and even in dumpsters.

Do Opossums Use Their Tail to Hang Upside Down?

Due to media and cartoons, many people wrongly assume that opossums hang upside down from their tails. But this is not true. Opossums do use their long, rat-like tails for other reasons, such as balancing and climbing.

Our Opossums Dangerous?

Opossums are considered dangerous in the wild because they are known carriers of several transmissible diseases, such as rabies virus, leptospirosis, bacterial infections, and more. These types of diseases can be transmitted through saliva, blood, or even air. It is important to keep your pets accident all times against such diseases.

Will An Opossum Attack Me?

Although opossums are deemed dangerous, they are not aggressive animals. In fact, they are quite peaceful and docile, only likely to attack if they feel provoked, threatened, or if they are protecting their young. You have likely heard the phrase playing possum, which is derived from the opossum’s primitive instinct to drop and pretend they are dead in the presence of perceived danger.

How Do I Get Rid of Opossums?

The best way to get rid of opossums is to remove or obstruct access to the things they want on your property. This includes shelter, water sources, and food sources. Speak with a professional Nashville Tennessee critic control company for professional advice on getting rid of opossums, safely.

Are you experiencing heightened opossum activity in or around your Tennessee property? Contact Smoky Wildlife Control at 615-610-0962 for safe and affordable opossum removal in Nashville, TN and its surrounding counties. We serve residential and commercial clients.

You Should Also Read:

Why You Should Not Feed the Wild Animals Around Your House
What is Tunneling and Digging Under My Lawn?
FAQS About Animal Damages and Clean Up

Smoky Wildlife Control Nashville Tennessee
Smoky Wildlife Control Nashville Tennessee 615-610-0962