Wildlife on the Appalachian Trail won’t just announce itself. A rustle in the undergrowth, the snap of a twig or perhaps the low call of an owl once the sun has set – these are the signs that you’ve got company. Hike with headphones in, and you’ll miss half the experience, not to mention the cues that keep you safe on the trails.
Just shy of 3,540km (2,200 miles), the Appalachian Trail travels through 14 eastern states of the US, beginning in Georgia in the south and ending in the northern reaches of Maine. It’s the longest hiking-only footpath in the world, so there’s no danger of being run over by an overexuberant mountain biker. Stay quiet, and you’ll have the chance of hearing – and hopefully seeing – some of North America’s most exciting wildlife.
White-tailed deer may cross your path at first light, coyotes travel through areas of high elevation at dusk. Stay alert, take in your surroundings, and resist the urge to tune out. The more attention you pay, the better – and safer – the journey becomes.
What animals can you see on the Appalachian Trail?
Black bears
You have the chance to see black bears at any point along the Appalachian Trail, with the densest populations found in the Shenandoah National Park, Great Smoky Mountains National Park and around New Jersey. Although their presence may be intimidating, black bears are often shy and tend to keep their distance.
Because of the presence of black bears along the trail, make sure you are properly equipped for your hike with hard-sided bear canisters to store your food. Keep your food and trash packed away properly.
If you encounter a bear in a campsite or shelter area and it has damaged property, acted aggressively, followed you, or behaved strangely, submit a report to the Appalachian Trail team.
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White-tailed deer
These medium-sized deer are found across America and are a common sight in the steep mountains of the Shenandoah National Park, particularly around dawn and dusk.
On some parts of the Appalachian Trail, hunters will chase white-tailed deer – but hunting is not allowed in the National Parks, such as Shenandoah, where they are often found.
Moose
Moose inhabit the northern sections of the Appalachian Trail, from Vermont and travelling further north into New Hampshire and Maine. Sightings are rarer than other species, as they tend to avoid people.
If you do come across a moose on your hike, keep your distance as they can be highly aggressive – particularly during mating and calving season, from late spring into autumn. They can run up to 30mph, so if they do begin to charge, stay calm and hide behind a large tree.
Coyotes
One of the world’s biggest wild dogs, the coyote lives in family groups across North America and is found across the entire length of the Appalachian Trail. Sightings of these elusive animals aren’t very common, but you’re most likely to see one at dawn or dusk in areas of high elevation. Look out for their bushy tails, which are tipped with black fur.
Raccoons
Because of their nocturnal nature and wariness of humans, raccoons aren’t often spotted on the Appalachian Trail – but they will be bold and brazen if food is around, so be sure to keep your food raised off the ground to keep it safe from raccoons (and bears). They’re often found near wooded streams.
Barred owls
The stunning barred owl has been seen at various points along the Appalachian Trail, particularly in the ridges and hollows of the Southern Appalachians. This North American bird is one of the more vocal owl species, with several unusual vocalisations. They are relatively large, and live in forested habitats often near water.
Skunks
Two of the five North American species of skunk (one of the world's smelliest animals) have made their home along the Appalachian Trail: the spotted skunk and the striped skunk. The striped skunk is the larger of the two, with two thick stripes that conjoin at the top of the head. Like raccoons, skunks can carry rabies, so it’s definitely wise to keep your distance.
Eastern chipmunks
Among the smaller mammals found along the Appalachian Trail, the eastern chipmunk is one of the most charming. This woodland creature is usually found in the deciduous forests of the trail, often in rocky areas or around shrubs with cover. As chipmunks are unable to accumulate enough body fat to survive through the winter months, they must stockpile seeds from oak, beech and maple trees in the approach to winter, transporting the seeds in their cheeks before storing them in an underground burrow.
American red squirrels
As well as eastern grey squirrels, fox squirrels and northern and southern flying squirrels, hikers may also see American red squirrels along the trail. The red squirrel is the smallest of the lot, with a reddish coat and white/greyish underside and a bright red tail. The American red squirrel is native to North America, and is generally smaller than its European counterpart.
Porcupines
Porcupines have been sighted along the Appalachian Trail – but they're not a common occurrence. These shy rodents are solitary by nature, generally keeping to themselves unless they’re under threat. At this point, they employ one of the animal kingdom’s toughest defence systems: raising its 30,000 quills, chattering its teeth and emitting a foul smell from the skin above its tail.
Bobcats
Rarely seen by hikers, bobcats are elusive, solitary and nocturnal – but they are, in fact, the most common wildcat found along the trail, abundant in nearly every state. These night hunters prey on hares, rabbits, porcupines and squirrels along the Appalachian Trail.
Grayson Highland ponies
The wild ponies of Grayson Highlands State Park in Virginia were introduced in 1975 to tend to the open mountain landscape. These small-statured, hardy horses are a classic Appalachian Trail sighting, with many hikers heading to this area with the ponies in mind. The herd has 1,500 acres in which to roam, maintaining the habitat by eating grasses and shrubs. While they can seem friendly, it’s important to keep your distance as, like any wild horses, they can kick or bite.
Golden eagles
A small population of eastern golden eagles inhabits the Appalachian Trail, particularly in areas of steep forested ridges in Virginia and West Virginia. They use the updrafts from these ridges to migrate south from Canada, where they live during the breeding months of March to November. They spend the winter months in the Appalachian Mountains. Head to Hawk Mountain Sanctuary in Pennsylvania for a prime golden eagle viewing spot.
Snakes
Snakes are common on the Appalachian Trail, particularly during the warmer months. Hikers should keep an eye on where they are stepping, and where they are placing their hands on rocky scrambles, particularly when it is warm and sunny.
Timber rattlesnakes and eastern copperheads are the two main venomous species found in the area, while there are also other non-venomous snakes, including garter snakes and eastern rattlesnakes.
Top image credit: Jared Lloyd/Getty Images
