Ohio is home to many different types of animals that live in a diverse set of habitats and ecosystems. These include forests, wetlands, grasslands, prairies, and more.
These habitats were formed by the glacier that covered most of Ohio until about 10,000 years ago. The glaciers left behind many different types of soil that are perfect for growing many different kinds of plants. These plants have provided food for animals for thousands of years.
Are there endangered species in Ohio?
Ohio is a land of incredible natural beauty. But excessive development and unsustainable land use have fragmented many natural areas, reducing their ability to support biodiversity.
Here are ten endangered animals that the Nature Conservancy is working to protect in Ohio:
- Allegheny Woodrat
- Karner Blue Butterfly
- Green Salamander
- Indiana Bat
- Sandhill Cranes
- Timber Rattlesnake
- Lark Sparrow
- Massasauga Rattlesnake
- Henslow’s Sparrow
- Painted Trillium
The American Bison
The American Bison (Bison bison), which once roamed freely across much of North America but has now been relegated to protected areas such as Yellowstone National Park.
The Most Dangerous animals in Ohio
You might not think of Ohio as the epicenter of snakes, but it is. In fact, there are 45 species of snakes that live in the state, and only three are deadly: the northern copperhead (Agkistrodon contortrix), the eastern massasauga rattlesnake (Sistrurus catenatus), and the timber rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus).
The Common Snapping Turtle (Chelydra serpentina) The Common Snapping Turtle will bite a toe or finger off if handled without proper care. It’s best to leave these beasts alone.
The North American Black Bear (Ursus americanus) is a medium-sized bear. A full-grown adult may be more than 6 feet long and weigh up to 600 pounds.
Although an adult black bear is easily capable of killing a human, American black bears typically avoid confronting humans. In fact, it’s rare for a black bear to attack a human except in self-defense or when their cubs are threatened.
The bear is not too common anymore because their habitat has shrunk considerably.
White-tail deer (Odocoileus virginianus) – causes more than 1,00,000 auto accidents every year. According to one study done by the Insurance Information Institute, there were over 2 million deer-vehicle collisions between 2007 and 2009 alone. That’s over 2 million cars that were damaged by deer! And according to III’s estimates, those accidents caused damage costing more than $7 billion dollars—on top of the 300 human lives lost due to deer-related driving accidents.
Mammals
The state of Ohio is home to a wide variety of mammals, including 70 species. Some of these species are common throughout most of the region; others are limited to certain parts of the state.
Amphibians
There are so many different kinds of reptiles in Ohio that it’s hard to know where to start looking for them. There are 40 species in total.
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Reptile
There are so many different kinds of reptiles in Ohio that it’s hard to know where to start looking for them. There are 50 species in total.
Fish
Ohio is a place where the rivers run deep, and the fish are plentiful. Stretching more than 40,000 miles of streams and over 2.4 million acres of Lake Erie, and a massive 450 miles of the Ohio River, Ohio supports a diverse amount of fish and represents more than 160 species.
Birds
As of the year 2021, there were 442 species and two species pairs on the official list.
Best places to see animals and other wildlife in Ohio
Ohio has 75 state parks where you can easily spot many of the state’s wild, majestic, furry, and strange species. You can also tour safari parks, farms, ranches, and wildlife preserves that showcase many of the state’s most popular species.
Animal Sanctuaries in Ohio
Ohio is home to several animal sanctuaries.
An animal sanctuary is a magical little place of refuge for animals who have been rescued from abuse or neglect or are unable to be released into the wild. In sanctuaries, many different types of animals are provided with food, water, and shelter, along with medical care if needed.
Some sanctuaries also provide enrichment activities to keep the animals physically and mentally active, including games of fetch or hide-and-seek. Some sanctuaries also have volunteer programs so that people can come in and spend time with the animals.
Some even offer educational opportunities for children so that they can learn about animal welfare firsthand.
Consider visiting, volunteering, or even donating to your local animal sanctuary.
Here’s a list of a few of Ohio’s animal sanctuaries:
Happy Trails Farm Animal Sanctuary
Noah’s Lost Ark Animal Sanctuary
Stahl’s No Harm Farm Animal Sanctuary
Whispering Acres Farm Animal Sanctuary
Sanctuary of Ohio Animal Rescue
Forever Safe Farm Animal Education Center
Operation orphan wildlife rehabilitation
The Homestead Animal Sanctuary
Shop animal nonprofits here.