Wildlife indigenous to the eastern hardwood ecosystem is well represented at Effigy Mounds National Monument. Common sightings of whitetail deer, turkey, squirrel, raccoon, turkey vultures and chipmunks abound. Rare sightings of gray fox, coyote, ruffed grouse, and bald eagles occur, while rare or endangered species such as mountain lion, bobcat, black bear, and river otter are seldom seen but evidence exists that they occur in the area.