Animals

Red-shouldered hawk

NPS Photo, by Daniel Winings

Chickasaw National Recreation Area is located between the eastern hardwood forests and the western prairies. Some common trees in this national park area include. Oak, Hickory,Eastern Red Cedar, Elm, and Sycamore. Open areas within the forest provide a place for the mixed grasses and wildflowers of the prairie to prosper. These prairie plants include Sideoats Grama, Little Bluestem, Indian Blanket,Yucca, and Coneflowers. A variety of animals utilize these forests and prairies. The Hermit Thrush and Flying Squirrel remain in the deep woods,while the White-tailed Deer will venture from the interior to the forest edge to increase foraging success. Some prairie spiecies such as the Eastern Meadowlark, Bull Snake, and the Nine-banded Armadillo will also be found near the edge. Here at Chickasaw National Recreation Area, in south central Oklahoma, these two ecosystems form a blend of forest and prairie known as an ecotone. This ecotone increases the diversity of animals that can be found here in Chickasaw National Recreation Area.