FLATWOODS SALAMANDER

Salamanders are amphibians.

This salamander is found in pine woodlands & cypress swamps of the Coastal Plain. It eats earthworms and insects. It needs shallow winter ponds (without fish) to breed.

HELLBENDER

Hellbenders have internal gills, which make them aquatic.

The Hellbender is found in the Mountain Region. It eats crayfish, salamanders, snails, aquatic insects, and fish. It can be found under large rocks and logs in large, fast-flowing streams.

STRIPED NEWT

Newts have internal gills, which make them aquatic.

The Striped Newt is found throughout the lower Coastal Plain of Georgia. The Striped Newt eats small insects, worms, frog eggs, and tadpoles. This newt requires shallow, unpolluted water and some vegetation.

OAKTOAD

The Oak Toad lives in the sandy pine woods of the Coastal Plain. It needs water to lay eggs, and it eats insects.

MOUNTAIN CHORUS FROG

This frog is only found in a small area of Georgia (near Ellijay).

The Mountain Chorus Frog lives in the Mountain Region. It eats insects and other small invertebrates. It is found in moist wooded areas at elevations up to 3,500 feet.

LEATHERBACK TURTLE

This turtle has been found at depths of more than 3,00 feet!

The Leatherback Turtle is found in the Atlantic Ocean. They come to shore to lay their eggs on the beach. The Leatherback eats mainly jellyfish, but they will also eat crustaceans, squid, octopus, and small fish.

NORTHERN YELLOW BAT

The Northern Yellow Bat is found in the Coastal Plain of Georgia. It feeds on flies, dragonflies, beetles, true bugs, and wasps. The Barn Owl is a known predator of Northern Yellow Bats.

GRAY SQUIRREL

This squirrel makes two types of nests – one for raising their young and the other for a temporary shelter in the summer and winter.

The Gray Squirrel is found in the Mountain and Piedmont Region. They eat nuts, acorns, fruits, and flowers. Their main predators include hawks, owls, coyote, foxes, bobcat, and sometimes weasels, raccoons, and snakes.

RIGHT WHALE

There are only about 300 Right Whales alive now because of the whaling industry in the late 1800’s.

The Right Whale can be found in the Atlantic Ocean. Right whales eat plankton they get from the water by filtering the water through their mouths (like Whale Sharks)

BOTTLENOSE DOLPHIN

Dolphins use echolocation to communicate with each other.

The Bottlenose Dolphin lives in the Atlantic Ocean. The Bottlenose Dolphin feeds primarily on fish, but will also eat shrimp, crabs, and squid.

MARSH RABBIT

Notice the color of this rabbit. How do you think this helps him in the wild?

The Marsh Rabbit lives in the Coastal Plain. It eats cane, cattail, rushes, and the leaves and twigs of woody plants. Predators of Marsh Rabbits include hawks, owls, small carnivores, and alligator. The babies are often eaten by large snakes.

SOUTHEASTERN

POCKET GOPHER

The Pocket Gopher gets its name from its cheek pouches.

The Southeastern Pocket Gopher is only found in the Coastal Plains of GA, parts of AL and FL – where the ground is sandy and easy to dig. It eats roots, stems, and other plant materials. Their tunnels are very fancy – with chambers for food and a deep one for a restroom! Snakes, weasels, bobcats, coyote, hawks, and owls eat Pocket Gophers.

ROUNDTAIL MUSKRAT

Muskrats build lodges (live beavers) with fine grasses. They have 2 entrances that exit underwater. They also build feeding platforms just above the surface of the water.

Muskrats live in shallow freshwater marshes that have sandy bottoms and plenty of aquatic vegetation. Aquatic grasses make up the bulk of its diet but stems, roots, and seeds are also eaten. Major predators of the Roundtail Muskrat are herons, owls, hawks, snakes, and bobcats.

SHORT-FINNED

PILOT WHALE

The Short-finned Pilot Whale is a very social animal, usually seen in a group (pod).

The Short-Finned Pilot Whale lives in the Atlantic Ocean. They eat squid, cuttlefish, and fish. Pilot whales communicate by making a variety of sounds (squealing, whistling, whining, and snoring).

WHITE TAILED DEER

The White-Tailed Deer is found in all habitats, from high mountain forests to coastal marshes. Their favorite areas have forests, old fields, and active crops. The White-tailed Deer is a browser, feeding on leaves, buds, twigs, acorns, fruits, mushrooms, and many plants. Crops like alfalfa, corn, and soybeans are also eaten.

Eastern cottontail

The Eastern Cottontail will use abandoned burrows of other animals to escape predators and severe weather .

The eastern Cottontail lives in all parts of Georgia. It lives in meadows and near the edges of the forest. It eats grasses, twigs, and tree bark. Many animals eat rabbits, including owls, hawks, raccoon, coyote, snakes, and opossum.

RACCOON

The raccoon is one of the most adaptable mammals, found in urban & rural habitats, from marshes to forests.

The Raccoon lives in all areas of Georgia. In the wild, it makes its den in a hollow tree. Its diet includes fruits, berries, nuts, acorns, insects, small mammals, birds and their eggs, crayfish, crabs, frogs, turtle eggs, and fish. Predators of raccoons include bobcats, coyotes, foxes, and owls.

BEAVER

If the Beaver is scared, it will slap the surface of the water with its tail.

The Beaver lives in freshwater throughout Georgia. The Beaver eats leaves, twigs, sapling trees, and plants. It builds dams to maintain a pool around its lodge. The lodge is made of branches and mud and provides protection from predators and weather.

EASTERN BOX TURTLE

During freezing temperatures, the Box Turtle burrows into loose soil, old stump holes, mammal burrows, or the mud of shallow pond and stream bottoms.

The Eastern Box turtle lives in forests throughout Georgia. It eats fruits, mushrooms, grasses, insects, spiders, slugs, snails, earthworms, and small vertebrates. Predators of its eggs and young include skunks, foxes, raccoons, crows, snakes, owls, and hawks.

GOPHER TORTOISE

Because of habitat loss, their population is getting smaller.

Gopher Tortoise burrows are used by over 100 species of animals.

The Gopher Tortoise lives in the Coastal Plain region. In 1989, it was named the GA State Reptile. They eat grasses, fungi, fruits, and carrion. Gopher Tortoise eggs and young are eaten by a variety of small mammals such as raccoons, skunks, armadillos, foxes, opossums, and even fire ants!

OPOSSUM

The Opossum is related to kangaroos - it rears its young in a pouch.

The prehensile tail and opposable thumb on the hind feet help the Opossum climb trees in search of bird eggs and young.

The Opossum lives in all areas of Georgia. The opossum eats plants and animals; fruits, berries, insects, crayfish, small rodents, and carrion. Hawks, owls, foxes, bobcats, and coyote find the opossum a tasty meal.

HONEYBEE

The Honeybee is the state insect of GA,

KS, AK, MN, MS, MI, NB, NJ, NC, OK, SD, TN, UT, and VT!

The Honeybee lives all over the place! The honeybee was named the Georgia State Insect in 1975 because of its honey production and helping with agriculture pollination.

LIVE OAK

In 1937, the Live Oak was named Georgia’s State tree.

The Live Oak grows in sandy soils of the Coastal Plains. Birds and animals eat the acorns.

TIGER SWALLOWTAIL BUTTERFLY

The Tiger Swallowtail became the state symbol in 1988.

The Tiger Swallowtail Butterfly lives in all regions of Georgia. The swallowtail eats the leaves of Wild Cherry, Tulip Trees, Birch, Poplar, and Ash Trees.

TOOTHACHE TREE

Toothache Tree grows along the coast of Georgia. It is common in Maritime Forests and on sand dunes. It grows in sandy soils near marshes, rivers, and streams. It’s summer fruits are food to many birds, and deer eat the leaves.

MOUNTAIN LAUREL

Evergreen foliage provides cover for birds and mammals.

The Mountain Laurel is a popular tree in the Mountain Region. It grows on rocky slopes and stream banks in the Georgia Mountains.

Ruffed grouse and deer feed extensively on the leaves, twigs, and flower buds.

BOTTLEBRUSH BUCKEYE

The Bottlebrush Buckeye grows naturally in the Coastal Plain. Its flowers attract hummingbirds and butterflies. Squirrels and other small mammals eat the seeds.

AMERICAN YELLOWWOOD

The Yellowwood tree only grows in the Blue Ridge and Ridge and Valley regions of Georgia.

The American Yellowwood Tree is found in the Mountain Region of Georgia. It is often on limestone cliffs and ridges and in Appalachian cove forests. When there are blooms, bees visit the flowers for nectar.
EASTERN REDBUD

The Eastern Redbud Tree can be found in the Mountain and Piedmont Regions. It needs drier soils than that of the Coastal Plains. Its petals are the main food for Henry’s elfin butterfly larvae. Bees use the flowers for honey, and birds eat the seeds.

SWAMP DOGWOOD

This tree is in the Dogwood Family, but it grows along swamps and stream banks.

The Swamp Dogwood thrives in the Marsh/Swamp Region. Its fruits are a favorite among a variety of birds, and deer browse its leaves.

LEATHERWOOD

The Leatherwood blooms before other plans, providing much needed nectar and pollen for bees.

The Leatherwood grows throughout Georgia. It needs moist soil and is often found along stream banks.

BUTTERFLYWEED

As its name suggests, the flowers of the Butterfly weed provide nectar for hummingbirds and butterflies.

This hearty plant grows in all regions of Georgia. It stays green year round (evergreen), giving cover to birds and mammals. Deer love its leaves, twigs, and buds.

RIVEROATS

Riveroats are found throughout Georgia. This plant does best in rich, moist woods, especially along rivers and streams. Birds look for this plant for many reasons – cover, nesting, and food (seeds).

CORAL HONEYSUCKLE

The flowers on this plant attract hummingbirds. Other birds come to eat the berries.

Honeysuckle is found in all regions of Georgia. This is a vine, and can be seen growing on fences along the road.

GREAT BLUE HERON

This heron will quickly grab his meal of fish, crayfish, frog, or lizard with its long beak.

The Heron lives in the Okefenokee Swamp and other marsh areas of Georgia.

CYPRESS TREES

Cypress Trees are found throughout the swamp and marsh areas of Georgia.
CLIMBING HYDRANGEA

The petals of the flowers on the hydrangea are the main source of food for Henry’s Elfin Butterfly caterpillars.

Because the Climbing Hydrangea needs a warm, humid climate, it thrives in the swamps of Georgia. Bees visit this plant for honey, and birds eat the seeds.

COLUMBINE

The flowers of this plant provide nectar for ruby-throated hummingbirds. Finches eat the seeds.

The Columbine lives in the Mountain and Piedmont Region of Georgia. It is found in dry, rocky woodlands.

AMERICAN ALLIGATOR

The babies in each clutch of alligator eggs are the same gender.

The American Alligator lives in the Okefenokee Swamp. It eats fish, rabbits, raccoons, fawns, and any other animal that gets too close to the water.

SHRIMP

Shrimp spend their ‘childhood’ in the marsh, hiding in the grass from many predators.

If they make it to adulthood, they venture into the Atlantic Ocean.