09. Animals of the Forest

Many, many types of animals make their home in the cove forest, including amphibians, reptiles, mammals and birds. Click on the topics below to see some of the various species that live in the cove forest.

Within this Series

Short-Tailed Shrew | The Cove Forest

Video

This shrew is very common and is one of the largest of the various shrew species weighing 11- 30 g. Food consists mainly of invertebrates such as earthworms, snails, and insects. However, these shrews...
Spotted Salamander | The Cove Forest

Video

(Ambystoma maculatum) The spotted salamander is one of the most colorful of the ambystomid salamanders. The shiny black back of the animal has a series of large yellow/yellow orange spots. These...
Two-Lined Salamander | The Cove Forest

Video

(Eurycea bislineata) The two-lined is one of the smallest salamanders in the cove forest. This species is found under logs and rocks in the moist soil conditions, usually near water. Breeding occurs...
Wood Frog | The Cove Forest

Video

(Rana sylvatica) This medium sized frog is primarily a northern species with its most southerly distribution associated with the cove forests of the mountain of SC. It is ieasily identifiied by its...
Acadian Flycatcher | The Cove Forest
Acadian Flycatcher | The Cove Forest

Photo

(Empidonax virescens) This flycatcher prefers deciduous forests that are associated with relatively moist habitats such as those found along rivers. High affinity for sites with high shrub densities...
Black-Throated Blue Warbler | The Cove Forest
Black-Throated Blue Warbler | The Cove Forest

Photo

(Dendroica caerulescens) This warbler prefers to forages in the shrub layer associated with the cove forests, especially rhododendron thickets, hobble bush and mountain laurel. Has an affinity for...
Copperhead | The Cove Forest
Copperhead | The Cove Forest

Photo

(Agkistrodon contortrix) The copperhead is the primary poisonous snake in the cove forest. The pit located on each side of the head between the eye and the nasal opening is a heat sensor. The prey...
Eastern Chipmunk | The Cove Forest
Eastern Chipmunk | The Cove Forest

Photo

(Tamias striatus) This ground squirrel is a burrowing mammal but is adept at climbing through trees. Nuts and seeds are the primary food sources; however, flowers, leaves, fungi and small amphibians...
Eastern Garter Snake | The Cove Forest
Eastern Garter Snake | The Cove Forest

Photo

(Thamnophis sirtalis) This snake has a wide geographic range and is the only snake that extends its range into the northern reaches of Canada. Frogs and salamanders are the primary prey of the garter...
Flying Squirrel | The Cove Forest
Flying Squirrel | The Cove Forest

Photo

(Glaucomys volans) This squirrel is one of the most common squirrels in the cove forests. Few are seen since they are strictly nocturnal. The flying squirrel does not fly, rather it glides by using...