Animals That Live In The Woods

Last Updated on April 9, 2022 by

In this article, we are going to look at many incredible woodland animals from all around the world.

From the cunning fox to the playful otter, we have a whole host of fascinating animals you can learn about on our list.

So, let’s get started!

Deer

Deer are hoofed animals, with long legs and antlers on their heads. Deer are herbivores and eat plants such as grasses. They have been known to attack people when cornered or surprised.

Their most notable characteristic is their ability to run very fast. In some cases, they can reach speeds of up to 60 miles per hour (100 km/h). Deer are found across many parts of the world.

There are over many species of deer worldwide. Some of them include white-tailed deer, mule deer, elk, fallow deer, red deer, reindeer, sika deer, chital deer, roe deer, musk deer, water deer, and Père David’s deer.

Fox

A fox is an animal belonging to the genus Vulpes; it has sharply pointed ears and small eyes. Foxes have short tails and fur which varies in color from light brown to black.

The skin around the neck is covered by hair called mange. The fox is a carnivore that feeds mostly on rodents, birds, fish, insects, and carrion. It also lives off vegetable matter such as fruits and berries.

Many types of foxes exist throughout the world, including Arctic foxes, African bush dogs, American gray foxes, Asian red foxes, Australian dusky foxes, and many others.

Woodpecker

The woodpecker is any one of about 150 species of bird which use their beaks to excavate into trees for food.

Woodpeckers were once considered pests because of their tendency to damage bark and create holes in wooden structures.

However, today, woodpeckers are widely admired as beautiful creatures with interesting habits. They feed primarily on insects, although some will take fruit and nuts.

Most woodpeckers live in forests, but there are also several species of woodpeckers that live in deserts, marshes, swamps, and other wet areas.

Orangutan

An Orangutan is a great ape native to Southeast Asia. Its name means “person of the forest” in Indonesian.

Orangutans are highly intelligent and social primates who live in large groups called troops. They spend most of their time in the treetops eating fruits, leaves, flowers, buds, seeds, nectar, and honey.

They communicate using grunts, squeaks, hoots, screams, laughter, and songs. Orangutans make nests out of branches and roots and sleep in these nests during the day.

They enjoy playing, climbing, swinging from tree to tree, and enjoying the company of their friends. Orangutans sometimes come down to ground level to look for food and water.

Pine Marten

Pine martens are mammals that belong to the weasel family. They are found mainly in Europe, northern Africa, and western North America.

Pine martens are small animals that weigh between 7–12 lb (3–5 kg) and measure 3–4 ft (1–1.2 m) in length. Like all weasels, pine martens are nocturnal hunters that catch prey by ambushing it.

They usually hunt rabbits and hares, but will also eat smaller mammals like mice, shrews, squirrels, frogs, lizards, snakes, and even birds. 

Wild Boar

The wild boar is an omnivorous mammal that belongs to the order of Artiodactyla. Wild boars are members of the pig family, Suidae.

They are part of the subfamily Potamochinae, along with domestic pigs and warthogs. The wild boar was originally distributed across much of Eurasia, Africa, and Australia.

Today, the wild boar population has been reduced due to hunting and habitat loss. 

In addition, diseases such as porcine epidemic diarrhea virus, canine distemper, and Japanese encephalitis can affect the wild boar population.

Some people believe that wild boars are dangerous because they carry diseases or can cause crop damage. However, there are many benefits from having wild boars living near you.

These benefits include helping control weeds, reducing soil erosion, providing natural fertilizer, protecting watersheds, and cleaning up after your pet dog.

Bobcats

A bobcat is a medium-sized member of the cat family that lives throughout North America. It is often confused with mountain lions, which have shorter legs and tails than bobcats.

Bobcats are solitary animals that live alone or in pairs. They are active at night and are mostly nocturnal hunters. Their diet includes rodents, reptiles, amphibians, fish, birds, eggs, berries, and nuts. 

Moose

A moose is a large deer that belongs to the genus Alces. Moose are found in the boreal forest regions of Canada and Alaska. Moose are known for their size, strength, intelligence, and beauty.

This makes them very popular among tourists and locals alike. Moose are herbivores and feed on grasses, shrubs, herbs, mosses, sedges, ferns, and lichens.

Moose are not aggressive animals; however, if they feel threatened, they may charge or kick. 

Bear

A bear is any species in the family Ursidae. Bears are carnivores that eat meat. There are more than 30 different kinds of bears that live in various parts of the world today.

Most of them live in forests, although some live in mountains, deserts, and jungles. Bears are considered one of the largest land predators in the world.

A grizzly bear’s weight can range from 600 to 1000 lbs (270–550 kg).

Although they are sometimes called “polar bears”, polar bears actually spend most of their time in the Arctic tundra, where they hunt seals and other marine mammals. 

Grizzly bears are larger than brown bears, but both species look similar. Brown bears are bigger than black bears. Both types of bears have long snouts and short ears.

Their fur ranges in color from light tan to dark brown.

Owls

An owl is a bird that belongs to the order Strigiformes and family Strigidae. Owls are usually nocturnal hunters that prey on small animals and insects. They have keen eyesight and excellent hearing.

Many owls also use echolocation to find food. Owls have a curved bill used for capturing prey. They nest in trees, caves, buildings, and under bridges. They lay two to five white or grayish eggs.

Squirrels

A squirrel is a rodent that belongs to the family Sciuridae. Squirrels are native to Central and South America. Squirrel friends are fun to watch and play with, but be careful: they bite!

Squirrels are tree-dwelling animals that eat nuts, seeds, fruits, leaves, flowers, mushrooms, roots, and bark. Squirrels are active during the day and sleep at night. They are good climbers and jumpers.

Squirrels make nests out of twigs and grasses. They have soft, furry bodies covered with hair that helps protect them from cold weather. Squirrels are nocturnal hunters.

Chipmunks

A chipmunk is an animal belonging to the family Tamanduidae. Chipmunks are small rodents that belong to the suborder Rodentia.

Chipmunks are most commonly seen in wooded areas because they like to burrow into holes. They have bushy tails that help them balance when climbing up steep slopes.

These little creatures are omnivorous, meaning they will eat both plant material and animal matter. They are often mistaken for mice, but they are much smaller.

They are about 10 inches tall and weigh between 1/4 – 3/8 pounds (1–14 g).

Monkeys

A monkey is an animal that belongs to the primate order Primates. Monkeys are members of the cat family. Monkeys are mostly vegetarian.

Some monkeys are arboreal (tree-dwelling) while others are terrestrial (ground-dwelling).

The majority of monkeys live in tropical rainforests; however, there are many types of monkeys living all over the world. Monkey groups are very social and live together in large numbers.

Monkeys are highly intelligent and adaptable. They are found throughout the tropics.

Weasels

A weasel is a mammal that belongs to the family Mustelidae. Weasels are related to badgers and otters. Weasels are medium-sized mammals that are not as big as ferrets.

They have a wide body and long legs. Weasels have sharp teeth that are used for catching and killing their food. Weasels have three layers of skin. The fur color varies by region.

Weasels are nocturnal hunters that feed mainly on rodents, rabbits, birds, and fish. They prefer to stay close to water sources. They are known for being quite aggressive towards other animals.

Raccoons

A raccoon is an omnivorous mammal that belongs to the subfamily Procyonidae. Raccoons are one of the largest North American carnivores. This animal has short rounded ears.

It is a member of the dog family Canidae. Its tail is curled over its back. Raccoons are nocturnal animals. Most raccoons are solitary animals. They can climb trees and swim well.

Their habitat ranges from coastal marshes to mountainous forests. Raccoons primarily eat nuts, berries, fruit, insects, eggs, frogs, reptiles, amphibians, and small game.

Raccoons use tools such as sticks or rocks to dig for prey. They are also known to communicate using vocalizations.

Beavers

A beaver is a rodent that belongs to the family Castoridae. Beavers are aquatic mammals that are closely related to muskrats. Beavers build dams to create ponds and wetlands.

Beaver dams are usually made from mud and branches. Beaver dams serve two purposes: provide shelter and filter nutrients from the water.

These animals construct dams in streams and rivers, lakes, swamps, ponds, and even ditches. A pair of beavers can build a dam every year.

Badger

A badger is a mustelid that belongs to the family Melesmelidae. Badgers are generally solitary animals. They are native to Europe and Asia.

The badger’s diet consists of roots, fruits, insects, worms, snails, bird eggs, carrion, and grass. They are territorial animals that range in size from 2-3 feet long.

They have long powerful claws which aid them in digging. Badgers are nocturnal hunters. They move slowly through dense undergrowth making heavy sounds with their paws.

They have a thick fur coat that protects them against cold temperatures. Badgers hibernate during the winter months.

Skunks

A skunk is a mammal that belongs to the family Mephitidae. Skunks are typically solitary animals. These animals have a strong odor they produce by spraying it out of their anal glands.

Skunks are nocturnal animals that spend most of the day sleeping. Skunks are often mistaken for house cats.

They are called “skunks” because they spray a foul-smelling liquid when threatened or annoyed. Skunks are considered beneficial because they destroy insect pests.

Otters

An otter is a mammalian carnivore that belongs to the family Lutrinae. Otters are aquatic mammals that live near the shoreline. Otters are the smallest members of the order Carnivora.

The otters are nocturnal animals and are found throughout the world. These animals are also known as sea wolves because they mostly hunt at night. 

Otters are very intelligent animals. They play games with each other. Otters have large eyes that allow them to see well underwater. Otters are excellent swimmers.

Their favorite foods are fish, mollusks, crabs, crayfish, lobsters, and clams.

Virginia Opossums

The Virginia Opossum is a marsupial that belongs to the family Didelphimorphia. Opossums are non-flying mammals. They are herbivorous animals. Opossums sleep all day and are active only at night.

They are social animals that tend to travel in groups. Opossums are good climbers because they have long limbs and long fingers for gripping tree trunks and vines.

Opossums are highly adaptable animals. They can live in different habitats including deserts, woodlands,  rainforests, swamps, grasslands, mountains, and urban areas.

Final Thoughts

These animals are part of our ecosystem. They help keep us safe by eating bugs. They protect our environment by cleaning up waste. We should try to learn more about these creatures.

It will benefit us as humans. We hope that you enjoyed reading this article and learning about a few amazing animals that live in the woods.