Natural History Sampler
These eight pages sample the abundant life of the Smokies, from flowering plants and shrubs to birds, mammals, reptiles, and amphibians.
Species are shown for various reasons. You may want to identify the common species you see in the wild. Other species are uncommon and you are not likely to see them. Still others are uncommonly beautiful, and we don’t want you to miss seeing at least their pictures.
Information, drawings, and photographs of bears and wild boars are found in the [Bears, Boars and Acorns chapter].
Jack-in-the-pulpit
Scarlet painted-cup
Painted trillium
Coreopsis
Turk’s-cap lily
Bird’s-foot violet
Pink lady’s-slipper
Orange hawkweed
Passion-flower
Fringe-tree
Flame azalea
Mountain silverbell
Dog-hobble
Redbud
Witch-hobble
Umbrella magnolia
Catawba rhododendron
Yellow-poplar
Flowering dogwood
Fire cherry
Mountain laurel
Barred owl
Wild turkey
Common flicker
Cardinal
Yellow warbler
Tufted titmouse
Spotted skunk
Cottontail rabbit
Deermouse
Whitetail deer
Bobcat
Opossum
Fence lizard
Leopard frog
Midland mud salamander
Ringneck snake
Gray treefrog
Marbled salamander
Timber rattlesnake
Pine snake
Red-cheeked salamander
Copperhead
American toad
Spotted salamander
Oak trees add the brilliance of their turning leaves to fall’s burst of colors. The oaks’ acorn crop is also important winter food for several forest creatures. Chestnuts once supplied winter food, too, but a blight virtually eliminated the chestnut trees earlier this century, adding to the importance of acorns.