The Great Smoky Mountains lie like a group of slumbering giants along the border of North Carolina and Tennessee in the south-east of the United States.
This vast mountain range, named after the natural 'smoky' fog that often sits in the valleys and around the peaks, is almost entirely protected by the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
According to the National Park Service, "Over 19,000 species have been documented in the park and scientists believe an additional 80,000-100,000 species may live here", making the 'Smokies' the most biodiverse park in the US national park system.
Large animals that live within the range include black bears, elk and white-tailed deer. Then there are the smaller – yet no less spectacular – creatures, such as chipmunks, bats, newts, owls and bluebirds.
These 15 photos capture the beauty of wild animals in the Great Smoky Mountains.
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Great Smoky Mountains wildlife
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