Editing Appalachian Mountains (section)

===Fauna===
[[File:Southern Flying Squirrel-27527-3.jpg|thumb|[[Southern flying squirrel]]]]
[[File:Wild Turkey-27527-1.jpg|thumb|A male [[Wild turkey|eastern wild turkey]]]]
Animals that characterize the Appalachian forests include five species of [[tree squirrel]]s. The most commonly seen is the low to moderate elevation [[eastern gray squirrel]] (''Sciurus carolinensis''). Occupying similar habitat is the slightly larger [[fox squirrel]] (''Sciurus niger'') and the much smaller [[southern flying squirrel]] (''Glaucomys volans''). More characteristic of cooler northern and high elevation habitat is the [[American red squirrel|red squirrel]] (''Tamiasciurus hudsonicus''), whereas the Appalachian [[northern flying squirrel]] (''Glaucomys sabrinus fuscus''), which closely resembles the southern flying squirrel, is confined to northern hardwood and spruce–fir forests.

As familiar as squirrels are the [[eastern cottontail]] rabbit (''Silvilagus floridanus'') and the [[white-tailed deer]] (''Odocoileus virginianus''). The latter in particular has greatly increased in abundance as a result of the extirpation of the [[eastern wolf]] (''Canis lupus lycaon'') and the [[North American cougar]]. This has led to the [[overgrazing]] and browsing of many plants of the Appalachian forests, as well as destruction of agricultural crops. Other deer include the [[eastern moose|moose]] (''Alces alces ''), found only in the north, and the [[elk]] (''Cervus canadensis''), which, although once [[Eastern elk|extirpated]], is now making a comeback, through transplantation, in the southern and central Appalachians. In [[Quebec]], the Chic-Chocs host the only population of [[reindeer]] (''Rangifer tarandus'') south of the [[St. Lawrence River]]. An additional species that is common in the north but extends its range southward at high elevations to Virginia and West Virginia is the varying or [[snowshoe hare]] (''Lepus americanus''). However, these central Appalachian populations are scattered and very small.

Another species of great interest is the [[North American beaver|beaver]] (''Castor canadensis''), which is showing a great resurgence in numbers after its near extirpation for its pelt. This resurgence is bringing about a drastic alteration in habitat through the construction of dams and other structures throughout the mountains.

Other common forest animals are the [[American black bear|black bear]] (''Ursus americanus''), [[striped skunk]] (''Mephitis mephitis''), [[raccoon]] (''Procyon lotor''), [[Virginia opossum|opossum]] (''Didelphis virginianus''), [[groundhog|woodchuck]] (''Marmota monax''), [[bobcat]] (''Lynx rufus''), [[gray fox]] (''Urocyon cinereoargenteus''), [[red fox]] (''Vulpes vulpes'') and in recent years, the [[coyote]] (''Canis latrans''), another species favored by the advent of Europeans and the extirpation of eastern and [[red wolf|red wolves]] (''Canis rufus''). European [[Wild boar|boars]] (''Sus scrofa'') were introduced in the early 20th century.

Characteristic birds of the forest are [[wild turkey]] (''Meleagris gallopavo silvestris''), [[ruffed grouse]] (''Bonasa umbellus''), [[mourning dove]] (''Zenaida macroura''), [[common raven]] (''Corvus corax''), [[wood duck]] (''Aix sponsa''), [[great horned owl]] (''Bubo virginianus''), [[barred owl]] (''Strix varia''), [[Scops owl|screech owl]] (''Megascops asio''), [[red-tailed hawk]] (''Buteo jamaicensis''), [[red-shouldered hawk]] (''Buteo lineatus''), and [[American goshawk|northern goshawk]], as well as a great variety of "songbirds" ([[Passeriformes]]), like the warblers in particular.

Of great importance are the many species of [[salamander]]s and, in particular, the [[lungless salamander|lungless]] species (family Plethodontidae) that live in great abundance concealed by leaves and debris, on the forest floor. Most frequently seen, however, is the [[Eastern newt|eastern or red-spotted newt]] (''Notophthalmus viridescens''), whose terrestrial eft form is often encountered on the open, dry forest floor. It has been estimated that salamanders represent the largest class of animal biomass in the Appalachian forests. Frogs and toads are of lesser diversity and abundance, but the [[wood frog]] (''Rana sylvatica'') is, like the eft, commonly encountered on the dry forest floor, while a number of species of small frogs, such as [[spring peeper]]s (''Pseudacris crucifer''), enliven the forest with their calls. Salamanders and other amphibians contribute greatly to nutrient cycling through their consumption of small life forms on the forest floor and in aquatic habitats.

Although reptiles are less abundant and diverse than amphibians, a number of snakes are conspicuous members of the fauna. One of the largest is the non-venomous [[black rat snake]] (''Elaphe obsoleta obsoleta''), while the [[common garter snake]] (''Thamnophis sirtalis'') is among the smallest but most abundant. The [[eastern copperhead]] (''Agkistrodon contortrix'') and the [[timber rattler]] (''Crotalus horridus'') are venomous [[pit viper]]s. There are few lizards, but the [[broad-headed skink]] (''Eumeces laticeps''), at up to {{convert|13|in|cm|abbr=on}} in length, and an excellent climber and swimmer, is one of the largest and most spectacular in appearance and action. The most common turtle is the [[eastern box turtle]] (''Terrapene carolina carolina''), which is found in both upland and lowland forests in the central and southern Appalachians. Prominent among aquatic species is the large [[common snapping turtle]] (''Chelydra serpentina''), which occurs throughout the Appalachians.

Appalachian streams are notable for their highly diverse freshwater fish life. Among the most abundant and diverse are those of the minnow family (family [[Cyprinidae]]), while species of the colorful [[Etheostomatinae|darters]] (''Percina'' spp.) are also abundant.<ref>Page, Lawrence M. and Brooks M. Burr 1991, ''A Field Guide to Freshwater Fishes, North America, North of Mexico'', Houghton Mifflin Co., Boston</ref>

A characteristic fish of shaded, cool Appalachian forest streams is the [[Brook trout|wild brook or speckled trout]] (''Salvelinus fontinalis''), which is much sought after as a game fish.<ref>{{Cite thesis |title=Brook trout (''Salvelinus fontinalis'') movement and habitat use in a headwater stream of the central Appalachian Mountains of West Virginia |url=http://dx.doi.org/10.33915/etd.1798 |publisher=West Virginia University Libraries |first=Marisa Nel |last=Logan|date=2003 |doi=10.33915/etd.1798 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Brook Trout (''Salvelinus fontinalis'') - Species Profile |url=https://nas.er.usgs.gov/queries/FactSheet.aspx?SpeciesID=939 |access-date=2024-06-02 |website=USGS Nonindigenous Aquatic Species Database}}</ref>