Shenandoah National Park follows the crest of the Blue Ridge Mountains, and its forests are a refuge for wildlife that was nearly lost from this region. After European settlement, hunting and land clearing wiped out American bison by about 1798 and elk by 1855, and beavers and river otters were gone by the late 1800s. White-tailed deer, wild turkeys, black bears and bobcats also declined sharply, but most of these animals have since come back through natural recovery or reintroductions elsewhere in Virginia. Today more than 50 species of mammals live in the park. Nearly every visitor sees white-tailed deer and gray squirrels, while big brown bats and striped and spotted skunks mostly come out after dark, and black bears and bobcats tend to stay deep in the forest even when active by day. Coyotes are newcomers; they have recently expanded their range in Virginia and now range throughout the park.
More than 190 species of birds use the park, and about half of them nest here, including eighteen species of warblers. Tufted titmice, Carolina chickadees, red-tailed hawks, barred owls and wild turkeys are among the roughly thirty species that stay all year, and the forested ridge is an important nesting area and travel corridor for neotropical migrants. Some birds can be found only at Big Meadows. Reptiles include the eastern box turtle, the timber rattlesnake and the broad-headed skink. The park’s most famous amphibian is the Shenandoah salamander, the only federally endangered animal in the park, which lives on high-elevation talus slopes in just three areas of the central section of the park and nowhere else in the world. Most of the park’s roughly 90 small streams hold native eastern brook trout, and these protected mountain streams are one of the species’ last strongholds. Keep reading to see featured photos of Shenandoah’s wildlife and to learn more about wildlife photography.
Featured Shenandoah National Park Wildlife Photographs
Have a National Park Wildlife photograph you’d like featured? Contact us today to learn more!
Wildlife Photography Tips
Wildlife photography in the US National Parks offers a unique and enriching experience, as these protected areas are havens for diverse species and pristine natural landscapes. Capturing wildlife in such settings requires preparation and respect for both the environment and its inhabitants. Photographers should familiarize themselves with the specific animals and ecosystems of the park they are visiting, as each park hosts different species and behaviors. Early mornings and late afternoons, known as the golden hours, provide the best light and increased wildlife activity. Different seasons also offer different wildlife viewing opportunities. Patience and stillness are key, as the best moments often come to those who wait quietly.
If wildlife does present itself, always make sure to maintain a safe distance. Using a telephoto lens allows for close-up shots without intruding on the animals’ space. If you already own or want to own a professional grade mirrored camera like the Canon EOS 5D Mark IV Full Frame Digital SLR, we recommend using a Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM Lens zoom lens for wildlife photography. If you have or are interested in a newer mirrorless model like the Canon EOS R5 Full-Frame Mirrorless Camera, we recommend using a Canon RF100-400mm F5.6-8 IS USM Black for long distance shots.
Not quite ready to invest in traditional professional-grade camera equipment but want to enhance the quality of your cell phone photographs? Consider using a Moment Tele 58mm Mobile Lens II for improved reach, and use a Moment camera case with a lens mount to attach it to your phone. Since cell phones generally cannot provide the same reach as a dedicated telephoto camera lens, never compensate by moving dangerously close to wildlife. As with any visit to a national park, it’s important to follow park regulations, practice “Leave No Trace” principles, and prioritize safety while photographing wildlife.
Want to take your wildlife photos further? Featured photographer Vella Torvik shares her field-tested advice on gear, camera settings, light, composition and safely approaching wildlife in our Wildlife Photography 101: Insider Tips From the Field masterclass.
Shenandoah Wildlife Education and Resources
Want to learn more about Shenandoah National Park and the wildlife that inhabits it? Check out these guides & books:
- Peterson Field Guide To Mammals Of North America: Fourth Edition (Peterson Field Guides)
- Peterson Field Guide to Birds of Eastern and Central North America, Seventh Edition (Peterson Field Guides)
- Bird Songs: 250 North American Birds in Song
- Peterson Field Guide to Reptiles and Amphibians of Eastern and Central North America, Fourth Edition (Peterson Field Guides)
- Peterson Field Guide to Freshwater Fishes, Second Edition (Peterson Field Guides)
- Animal Tracks: A Folding Pocket Guide to the Tracks & Signs of Familiar North American Species (Wildlife and Nature Identification)
Please note, by making purchases through our affiliate links, you are supporting our mission to celebrate and showcase our National Parks and the photographers who frequent them. As an Amazon Associate, National Park Photographer earns from qualifying purchases at no cost to you. We appreciate your support.
Shenandoah National Park Species List
The wildlife at Shenandoah National Park is beautiful and diverse. There are a variety of mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and fish to view. Check out all the incredible species this park has to offer! Click on the links below to see the different animal species that inhabit Shenandoah National Park:
Species Spotlight
Photo posts of animals you’ll find in Shenandoah.
Shenandoah National Park Mammals
55 species
- Allegheny Woodrat(Neotoma magister)
- American Beaver(Castor canadensis)
- American Black Bear Photo post(Ursus americanus)
- American Mink(Neovison vison)
- Appalachian Cottontail(Sylvilagus obscurus)
- Big Brown Bat(Eptesicus fuscus)
- Black Rat(Rattus rattus)
- Bobcat Photo post(Lynx rufus)
- Coyote Photo post(Canis latrans)
- Deer Mouse(Peromyscus maniculatus)
- Eastern Chipmunk(Tamias striatus)
- Eastern Cottontail(Sylvilagus floridanus)
- Eastern Gray Squirrel(Sciurus carolinensis)
- Eastern Mole(Scalopus aquaticus)
- Eastern Red Bat(Lasiurus borealis)
- Eastern Small-footed Myotis(Myotis leibii)
- Eastern Spotted Skunk(Spilogale putorius)
- Fisher(Martes pennanti)
- Fox Squirrel(Sciurus niger)
- Gray Fox(Urocyon cinereoargenteus)
- Hairy-tailed Mole(Parascalops breweri)
- Hoary Bat(Lasiurus cinereus)
- House Mouse(Mus musculus)
- Indiana Bat(Myotis sodalis)
- Least Shrew(Cryptotis parva)
- Least Weasel(Mustela nivalis)
- Little Brown Bat(Myotis lucifugus)
- Long-tailed Weasel(Mustela frenata)
- Masked Shrew(Sorex cinereus)
- Meadow Jumping Mouse(Zapus hudsonius)
- Meadow Vole(Microtus pennsylvanicus)
- Muskrat(Ondatra zibethicus)
- Northern Long-eared Bat(Myotis septentrionalis)
- Northern Short-tailed Shrew(Blarina brevicauda)
- Norway Rat(Rattus norvegicus)
- Pygmy Shrew(Sorex hoyi)
- Raccoon(Procyon lotor)
- Red Fox Photo post(Vulpes vulpes)
- Red Squirrel(Tamiasciurus hudsonicus)
- River Otter(Lontra canadensis)
- Silver-haired Bat(Lasionycteris noctivagans)
- Smoky Shrew(Sorex fumeus)
- Southeastern Shrew(Sorex longirostris)
- Southern Flying Squirrel(Glaucomys volans)
- Southern Red-backed Vole(Clethrionomys gapperi)
- Star-nosed Mole(Condylura cristata)
- Striped Skunk(Mephitis mephitis)
- Tri-colored Bat(Perimyotis subflavus)
- Virginia Opossum(Didelphis virginiana)
- Water Shrew(Sorex palustris)
- White-footed Mouse(Peromyscus leucopus)
- White-tailed Deer Photo post(Odocoileus virginianus)
- Woodchuck(Marmota monax)
- Woodland Jumping Mouse(Napaeozapus insignis)
- Woodland Vole(Microtus pinetorum)
No mammals match.
Shenandoah National Park Birds
196 species
- Acadian Flycatcher(Empidonax virescens)
- Alder Flycatcher(Empidonax alnorum)
- American Bittern(Botaurus lentiginosus)
- American Black Duck(Anas rubripes)
- American Crow(Corvus brachyrhynchos)
- American Goldfinch(Spinus tristis)
- American Kestrel(Falco sparverius)
- American Pipit(Anthus spinoletta)
- American Redstart(Setophaga ruticilla)
- American Robin Photo post(Turdus migratorius)
- American Tree Sparrow(Spizella arborea)
- American Woodcock(Scolopax minor)
- Bald Eagle Photo post(Haliaeetus leucocephalus)
- Baltimore Oriole(Icterus galbula)
- Bank Swallow(Riparia riparia)
- Barn Swallow(Hirundo rustica)
- Barred Owl(Strix varia)
- Bay-breasted Warbler(Setophaga castanea)
- Belted Kingfisher(Megaceryle alcyon)
- Black Vulture(Coragyps atratus)
- Black-and-white Warbler(Mniotilta varia)
- Black-billed Cuckoo(Coccyzus erythropthalmus)
- Black-capped Chickadee(Poecile atricapillus)
- Black-crowned Night-Heron(Nycticorax nycticorax)
- Black-throated Blue Warbler(Setophaga caerulescens)
- Black-throated Green Warbler(Setophaga virens)
- Blackburnian Warbler(Setophaga fusca)
- Blackpoll Warbler(Setophaga striata)
- Blue Grosbeak(Passerina caerulea)
- Blue Jay(Cyanocitta cristata)
- Blue-gray Gnatcatcher(Polioptila caerulea)
- Blue-headed Vireo(Vireo solitarius)
- Blue-winged Teal(Anas discors)
- Blue-winged Warbler(Vermivora cyanoptera)
- Bobolink(Dolichonyx oryzivorus)
- Broad-winged Hawk(Buteo platypterus)
- Brown Creeper(Certhia americana)
- Brown Thrasher(Toxostoma rufum)
- Brown-headed Cowbird(Molothrus ater)
- Canada Goose(Branta canadensis)
- Canada Warbler(Cardellina canadensis)
- Cape May Warbler(Setophaga tigrina)
- Carolina Chickadee(Poecile carolinensis)
- Carolina Wren(Thryothorus ludovicianus)
- Caspian Tern(Sterna caspia)
- Cattle Egret(Bubulcus ibis)
- Cedar Waxwing(Bombycilla cedrorum)
- Cerulean Warbler(Setophaga cerulea)
- Chestnut-sided Warbler(Setophaga pensylvanica)
- Chimney Swift(Chaetura pelagica)
- Chipping Sparrow(Spizella passerina)
- Cliff Swallow(Petrochelidon pyrrhonota)
- Common Grackle(Quiscalus quiscula)
- Common Nighthawk(Chordeiles minor)
- Common Raven(Corvus corax)
- Common Redpoll(Carduelis flammea)
- Common Yellowthroat(Geothlypis trichas)
- Connecticut Warbler(Oporornis agilis)
- Cooper’s Hawk(Accipiter cooperii)
- Dark-eyed Junco(Junco hyemalis)
- Double-crested Cormorant(Phalacrocorax auritus floridanus)
- Downy Woodpecker(Picoides pubescens)
- Eastern Bluebird(Sialia sialis)
- Eastern Kingbird(Tyrannus tyrannus)
- Eastern Meadowlark(Sturnella magna)
- Eastern Phoebe(Sayornis phoebe)
- Eastern Screech-Owl(Megascops asio)
- Eastern Towhee(Pipilo erythrophthalmus)
- Eastern Whip-poor-will(Antrostomus vociferus)
- Eastern Wood-Pewee(Contopus virens)
- European Starling(Sturnus vulgaris)
- Evening Grosbeak(Coccothraustes vespertinus)
- Field Sparrow(Spizella pusilla)
- Fish Crow(Corvus ossifragus)
- Fox Sparrow(Passerella iliaca)
- Golden Eagle(Aquila chrysaetos)
- Golden-crowned Kinglet(Regulus satrapa)
- Golden-winged Warbler(Vermivora chrysoptera)
- Grasshopper Sparrow(Ammodramus savannarum)
- Gray Catbird(Dumetella carolinensis)
- Gray-cheeked Thrush(Catharus minimus)
- Great Blue Heron(Ardea herodias)
- Great Crested Flycatcher(Myiarchus crinitus)
- Great Egret(Ardea alba)
- Great Horned Owl(Bubo virginianus)
- Green Heron(Butorides virescens)
- Green-winged Teal(Anas crecca)
- Hairy Woodpecker(Picoides villosus)
- Henslow’s Sparrow(Ammodramus henslowii)
- Hermit Thrush(Catharus guttatus)
- Herring Gull(Larus argentatus)
- Hooded Warbler(Setophaga citrina)
- Horned Lark(Eremophila alpestris)
- House Finch(Haemorhous mexicanus)
- House Sparrow(Passer domesticus)
- House Wren(Troglodytes aedon)
- Indigo Bunting(Passerina cyanea)
- Kentucky Warbler(Geothlypis formosa)
- Killdeer(Charadrius vociferus)
- Lapland Longspur(Calcarius lapponicus)
- Least Flycatcher(Empidonax minimus)
- Lincoln’s Sparrow(Melospiza lincolnii)
- Long-eared Owl(Asio otus)
- Louisiana Waterthrush(Parkesia motacilla)
- Magnolia Warbler(Setophaga magnolia)
- Mallard(Anas platyrhynchos)
- Merlin(Falco columbarius)
- Mourning Dove(Zenaida macroura)
- Mourning Warbler(Geothlypis philadelphia)
- Nashville Warbler(Oreothlypis ruficapilla)
- Northern Bobwhite(Colinus virginianus)
- Northern Cardinal(Cardinalis cardinalis)
- Northern Flicker(Colaptes auratus)
- Northern Goshawk(Accipiter gentilis)
- Northern Harrier(Circus cyaneus)
- Northern Mockingbird(Mimus polyglottos)
- Northern Parula(Setophaga americana)
- Northern Rough-winged Swallow(Stelgidopteryx serripennis)
- Northern Saw-whet Owl(Aegolius acadicus)
- Northern Shrike(Lanius excubitor)
- Northern Waterthrush(Parkesia noveboracensis)
- Olive-sided Flycatcher(Contopus cooperi)
- Orange-crowned Warbler(Oreothlypis celata)
- Orchard Oriole(Icterus spurius)
- Osprey(Pandion haliaetus)
- Ovenbird(Seiurus aurocapilla)
- Palm Warbler(Setophaga palmarum)
- Peregrine Falcon(Falco peregrinus)
- Philadelphia Vireo(Vireo philadelphicus)
- Pied-billed Grebe(Podilymbus podiceps)
- Pileated Woodpecker(Dryocopus pileatus)
- Pine Grosbeak(Pinicola enucleator)
- Pine Siskin(Spinus pinus)
- Pine Warbler(Dendroica pinus)
- Prairie Warbler(Setophaga discolor)
- Purple Finch(Haemorhous purpureus)
- Purple Martin(Progne subis)
- Red Crossbill(Loxia curvirostra)
- Red-bellied Woodpecker(Melanerpes carolinus)
- Red-breasted Nuthatch(Sitta canadensis)
- Red-eyed Vireo(Vireo olivaceus)
- Red-headed Woodpecker(Melanerpes erythrocephalus)
- Red-shouldered Hawk(Buteo lineatus)
- Red-tailed Hawk(Buteo jamaicensis)
- Red-winged Blackbird(Agelaius phoeniceus)
- Ring-billed Gull(Larus delawarensis)
- Ring-necked Pheasant(Phasianus colchicus)
- Rock Pigeon(Columba livia)
- Rose-breasted Grosbeak(Pheucticus ludovicianus)
- Rough-legged Hawk(Buteo lagopus)
- Ruby-crowned Kinglet(Regulus calendula)
- Ruby-throated Hummingbird(Archilochus colubris)
- Ruffed Grouse(Bonasa umbellus)
- Rusty Blackbird(Euphagus carolinus)
- Savannah Sparrow(Passerculus sandwichensis)
- Scarlet Tanager(Piranga olivacea)
- Sharp-shinned Hawk(Accipiter striatus)
- Short-eared Owl(Asio flammeus)
- Snow Bunting(Plectrophenax nivalis)
- Solitary Sandpiper(Tringa solitaria)
- Song Sparrow(Melospiza melodia)
- Spotted Sandpiper(Actitis macularia)
- Summer Tanager(Piranga rubra)
- Swainson’s Thrush(Catharus ustulatus)
- Swamp Sparrow(Melospiza georgiana)
- Tennessee Warbler(Oreothlypis peregrina)
- Tree Swallow(Tachycineta bicolor)
- Tufted Titmouse(Baeolophus bicolor)
- Tundra Swan(Cygnus columbianus columbianus)
- Turkey Vulture(Cathartes aura)
- Upland Sandpiper(Bartramia longicauda)
- Veery(Catharus fuscescens)
- Vesper Sparrow(Pooecetes gramineus)
- Virginia Rail(Rallus limicola)
- Warbling Vireo(Vireo gilvus)
- White-breasted Nuthatch(Sitta carolinensis)
- White-crowned Sparrow(Zonotrichia leucophrys)
- White-eyed Vireo(Vireo griseus)
- White-throated Sparrow(Zonotrichia albicollis)
- White-winged Crossbill(Loxia leucoptera)
- Wild Turkey(Meleagris gallopavo)
- Willow Flycatcher(Empidonax traillii)
- Wilson’s Snipe(Gallinago gallinago)
- Wilson’s Warbler(Cardellina pusilla)
- Winter Wren(Troglodytes troglodytes)
- Wood Duck(Aix sponsa)
- Wood Thrush(Hylocichla mustelina)
- Worm-eating Warbler(Helmitheros vermivorum)
- Yellow Warbler(Setophaga petechia)
- Yellow-bellied Flycatcher(Empidonax flaviventris)
- Yellow-bellied Sapsucker(Sphyrapicus varius)
- Yellow-billed Cuckoo(Coccyzus americanus)
- Yellow-breasted Chat(Icteria virens)
- Yellow-rumped Warbler(Setophaga coronata)
- Yellow-throated Vireo(Vireo flavifrons)
- Yellow-throated Warbler(Setophaga dominica)
No birds match.
Shenandoah National Park Reptiles
24 species
- Broad-headed Skink(Eumeces laticeps)
- Common Five-lined Skink(Eumeces fasciatus)
- Common Garter Snake(Thamnophis sirtalis)
- Common Ribbonsnake(Thamnophis sauritus)
- Common Watersnake(Nerodia sipedon)
- Copperhead(Agkistrodon contortrix)
- Eastern Box Turtle(Terrapene carolina)
- Eastern Fence Lizard(Sceloporus undulatus)
- Eastern Hognose Snake(Heterodon platirhinos)
- Eastern Kingsnake(Lampropeltis getula)
- Eastern Ratsnake(Elaphe alleghaniensis)
- Eastern Wormsnake(Carphophis amoenus)
- Milksnake(Lampropeltis triangulum)
- Mole Kingsnake(Lampropeltis calligaster rhombomaculata)
- North American Racer(Coluber constrictor)
- Painted Turtle(Chrysemys picta)
- Red Cornsnake(Elaphe guttata)
- Red-bellied Snake(Storeria occipitomaculata)
- Ring-necked Snake(Diadophis punctatus)
- Rough Greensnake(Opheodrys aestivus)
- Smooth Greensnake(Opheodrys vernalis)
- Snapping Turtle(Chelydra serpentina)
- Spotted Turtle(Clemmys guttata)
- Timber Rattlesnake(Crotalus horridus)
No reptiles match.
Shenandoah National Park Amphibians
25 species
- American Bullfrog(Lithobates catesbeianus)
- Eastern American Toad(Anaxyrus americanus americanus)
- Eastern Newt(Notophthalmus viridescens)
- Eastern Red-backed Salamander(Plethodon cinereus)
- Four-toed Salamander(Hemidactylium scutatum)
- Fowler’s Toad(Anaxyrus fowleri)
- Gray Treefrog(Hyla versicolor)
- Green Frog(Lithobates clamitans)
- Jefferson Salamander(Ambystoma jeffersonianum)
- Long-tailed Salamander(Eurycea longicauda longicauda)
- Marbled Salamander(Ambystoma opacum)
- Northern Cricket Frog(Acris crepitans)
- Northern Dusky Salamander(Desmognathus fuscus)
- Northern Two-lined Salamander(Eurycea bislineata)
- Pickerel Frog(Lithobates palustris)
- Red Salamander(Pseudotriton ruber)
- Seal Salamander(Desmognathus monticola)
- Shenandoah Salamander(Plethodon shenandoah)
- Spotted Salamander(Ambystoma maculatum)
- Spring Peeper(Pseudacris crucifer)
- Spring Salamander(Gyrinophilus porphyriticus)
- Three-lined Salamander(Eurycea guttolineata)
- Upland Chorus Frog(Pseudacris triseriata feriarum)
- White-spotted Slimy Salamander(Plethodon cylindraceus)
- Wood Frog(Lithobates sylvaticus)
No amphibians match.
Shenandoah National Park Fish
41 species
- American Brook Lamprey(Lethenteron appendix)
- American Eel(Anguilla rostrata)
- Blacknose Dace(Rhinichthys atratulus)
- Bluegill(Lepomis macrochirus)
- Bluehead Chub(Nocomis leptocephalus)
- Bluntnose Minnow(Pimephales notatus)
- Brook Trout(Salvelinus fontinalis)
- Brown Bullhead(Ameiurus nebulosus)
- Brown Trout(Salmo trutta)
- Central Stoneroller(Campostoma anomalum)
- Common Carp(Cyprinus carpio)
- Common Shiner(Luxilus cornutus)
- Creek Chub(Semotilus atromaculatus)
- Cutlips Minnow(Exoglossum maxillingua)
- Fallfish(Semotilus corporalis)
- Fantail Darter(Etheostoma flabellare)
- Green Sunfish(Lepomis cyanellus)
- Greenside Darter(Etheostoma blennioides)
- Johnny Darter(Etheostoma nigrum)
- Largemouth Bass(Micropterus salmoides)
- Longear Sunfish(Lepomis megalotis)
- Longnose Dace(Rhinichthys cataractae)
- Margined Madtom(Noturus insignis)
- Mottled Sculpin(Cottus bairdii)
- Mountain Redbelly Dace(Chrosomus oreas)
- Northern Hog Sucker(Hypentelium nigricans)
- Potomac Sculpin(Cottus girardi)
- Pumpkinseed(Lepomis gibbosus)
- Rainbow Trout(Oncorhynchus mykiss)
- Redbreast Sunfish(Lepomis auritus)
- River Chub(Nocomis micropogon)
- Rock Bass(Ambloplites rupestris)
- Rosyside Dace(Clinostomus funduloides)
- Satinfin Shiner(Cyprinella analostana)
- Smallmouth Bass(Micropterus dolomieu)
- Spotfin Shiner(Cyprinella spiloptera)
- Tessellated Darter(Etheostoma olmstedi)
- Tiger Trout(Salmo trutta X Salvelinus fontinalis)
- Torrent Sucker(Thoburnia rhothoeca)
- White Sucker(Catostomus commersonii)
- Yellow Bullhead(Ameiurus natalis)
No fish match.
Note: The wildlife species included in the lists above have been confirmed with the National Park Service to be present in Shenandoah National Park. Other species may exist in the park that are currently under review or not yet known.
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