Mammals of the SmokiesGreat Smoky Mountains National Park is home to 70 mammal species, ranging from the pygmy shrew, the smallest mammal in North America, to the elk, which is the largest mammal in the park, tipping the scales at nearly 700 pounds. Many mammals in the park are seldom seen due to their elusiveness or nocturnal behavior. Some of the mammals most commonly encountered when visiting the park are white-tailed deer, American black bear, elk, red and gray squirrels, chipmunks, woodchucks, raccoons, opossums, and coyotes. 
Betty Blanton American black bearThe American black bear is the largest predator in the park and a beloved symbol of the Smokies. With over 1,900 individuals, the park has the densest black bear population in North America. If you average it out, that is about two bears per square mile. These intelligent and adaptable animals can be found anywhere in the park. If you see a black bear, make sure to keep at least 50 yards away for both yours and the bears safety. 
NPS BatsBats are the only mammals capable of true flight, a unique adaptation that allows them to play a vital role in ecosystems. In Great Smoky Mountains National Park, all 13 bat species feed exclusively on insects, helping to control pest populations. During the colder months, some species hibernate in park caves, hollow trees, or in leaf litter on the ground, while others migrate out of the park. The big brown bat, eastern red bat, and tri-colored bat are the most commonly seen in the park. The park is also home to Tennessee’s largest colony of the federally endangered Indiana myotis. Many of the park’s caves serve as critical bat habitats, and to protect these sensitive areas, public entry is prohibited. Bats face serious threats, including white-nose syndrome, a deadly fungal disease. 
NPS BobcatSlightly larger than a house cat, this elusive wild feline is known for its short, bobbed tail and secretive nature and is the only wild feline in the Smokies. Native to North America, it thrives in a variety of habitats, its coat color varying by region; ranging from sandy tan in desert areas to gray-brown in forested ecosystems like the Smokies. Its coat is patterned with distinctive black spots and streaks that provide excellent camouflage and help biologist distinguish between individuals. 
CoyoteThe coyote is the largest wild canine in the park. Their coat colors range from gray and beige to rusty red, sometimes leading to confusion with red wolves, which no longer live in the park. Originally native to the western United States, coyotes expanded eastward as farmland and development spread. They likely arrived in the Smokies in the late 1900s and now play a vital role in controlling small animal populations. 
Paul Driessche ElkOnce extirpated from the region due to overhunting, elk, the largest animal in the park, were successfully reintroduced to the Smokies in 2001 through a five-year experimental program. Today, they are most commonly seen in Cataloochee Valley and Oconaluftee, especially during early morning or late evening hours. Recognizable by their towering stature, dark brown necks, and light-colored rump patches, elk are a symbol of successful conservation in the park. Their return reflects broader efforts to restore balance to the Smokies’ ecosystems. 
Clarence Carvell - 2015 Artist in Residence FoxesTwo species of foxes call the Smokies home, though both are elusive. The red fox is the more recognizable of the two, with its vivid orange-red coat, bushy white-tipped tail, and black “stockings." Red foxes are highly adaptable and known for their cunning behavior, especially their excellent hearing, which allows them to detect small animals underground. The gray fox, has a more muted gray coat with hints of rust and black. What truly sets it apart is its ability to climb trees, thanks to its strong, hooked semi-retractable claws. Gray foxes tend to favor denser forests and are more secretive than their red cousins. Both species are omnivores, feeding on a mix of small mammals, birds, insects, fruits, and nuts, and they play an important role in maintaining the balance of ecosystems. 
Jean-François Petit Insectivores (shrews and moles)The park’s 11 shrew and mole species are insectivores that are rarely seen as they tunnel in search of invertebrate prey beneath the soil and vegetation mats. The park host one of the only venomous mammal species in the world, the northern short-tailed shrew (Blarina brevicauda). 
Warren Bielenberg Mustelids and allies (otters, minks, weasels, and skunks)The Smokies are home to a group of small carnivores, which include skunks, weasels, and river otters. Among them are two species of skunks: the striped skunk and the rarer, eastern spotted skunk. Another member of this group is the American mink, a semi-aquatic mustelid with a dark brown coat, bearing a resemblance to the otter. The long-tailed weasel and the least weasel are two small but fierce predators, both capable of taking down prey larger than themselves. Though they look similar, the long-tailed weasel is noticeably larger—about two to three times the size of the least weasel. The least weasel is also one of the most recently documented species in the park. Both species are masters of seasonal camouflage, with coats that shift from brown and cream in summer to pure white in winter. The northern river otter, once absent from the Smokies due to habitat loss and unregulated trapping, has made a comeback since 137 individuals were reintroduced into the park between 1986 and 1994. These playful and agile swimmers primarily feed on crayfish, but their diet also includes fish such as hogsuckers and stonerollers. Want to help us learn more about otters in the Smokies? Join our citizen science project and become an Otter Spotter. 
NPS RacoonsThis nocturnal mammal is known for its adaptability, intelligence, dexterous front paws, and distinctive 'mask.' Raccoons thrive in a variety of habitats; from forests and wetlands to urban neighborhoods. As omnivorous and opportunistic feeders, they forage at night for fruits, insects, small animals, and unfortunately, human garbage. Storing food and trash properly not only protects black bears, but also helps prevent other wildlife, such as racoons, from becoming dependent on human food sources, which can be dangerous. 
Betty Blanton RabbitsTwo rabbit species inhabit the park: the Eastern cottontail, which is commonly seen in open meadows, grassy fields, and along roadsides; and the Appalachian cottontail a rare and elusive species that prefers dense, high-elevation forests and thickets. The Eastern cottontail is highly adaptable and often spotted during dawn and dusk, while the Appalachian cottontail, which is endemic (only found in this area) to the Appalachian Mountains, is more secretive. 
Warren Bielenberg RodentsThere are 27 species of rodents in the park, the most of any other mammal order. Signs of the park’s largest rodent, the beaver, are evident in cuttings and dams along the western side of the park and the Foothills Parkway. However, most beavers in the park den in burrows along streams instead of living in dams or lodges. The deer mouse and white-footed mouse are the most common mammals in the park along with eastern chipmunks, gray squirrels, and red squirrels. The solitary woodchuck, also known as a groundhog, is less common but can be seen in open meadows and along mowed roadsides at lower elevations. The federally endangered Carolina northern flying squirrel is night active in the yellow birch and conifer forests of the upper elevations. 
Betty Blanton Virginia opossumsThe Virginia opossum is the only marsupial native to North America, often seen at night and known for raising large litters of babies. This adaptable animal plays a vital ecological role by helping control insect populations. Remarkably, opossums are resistant to rabies, which sets them apart from many other mammals. One of their most famous behaviors is “playing possum” a defense mechanism known as thanatosis. When threatened, opossums involuntarily enter a state that mimics death. Their bodies go limp, their mouths hang open, and they may emit a foul smell to deter predators. 
Betty Blanton White-tailed deerWhite-tailed deer are one of three hoofed mammals in the Smokies. They are commonly seen in open areas like Cades Cove and Cataloochee Valley. Deer living in the southern Appalachians give birth in late June to newborn fawns which have no defense beyond camouflage and their lack of scent in their first several days of life. Deer populations can change quickly. Local over-population leads to widespread disease and starvation. Predation by coyotes, bears, and bobcats help reduce threats associated with overpopulation. Lost Natives and New ArrivalsWhile Great Smoky Mountains National Park remains a sanctuary for wildlife diversity, not all of its original inhabitants still roam the landscape. Several iconic mammals—such as mountain lions, gray wolves, red wolves, fishers, and bison—once thrived here but have since disappeared. Their loss reflects a broader story of human impact, driven by unregulated hunting in the 19th and early 20th centuries, along with widespread deforestation and habitat loss. In contrast, some species have expanded their range into the park in recent decades. Coyotes and nine-banded armadillos, for example, were not historically found in the Smokies but have arrived on their own, aided indirectly by human-driven changes such as habitat fragmentation and agricultural development. While not native in the traditional sense, some ecologists argue these species should be considered “naturalized” due to their self-directed migration and adaptation to the region. The park also faces challenges from truly invasive species, such as the wild European hog. Introduced by humans in the early 20th century, these hogs cause extensive ecological damage by rooting through soil, disturbing native plant communities, and degrading water quality. Although complete eradication is unlikely, park biologists actively manage their population through trapping to reduce their impact. Despite these challenges, the Smokies have seen notable conservation successes. Elk, once extirpated from the region, were reintroduced in 2001 and now roam the Cataloochee Valley. Northern river otters have also made a successful return. However, not all efforts have succeeded. A red wolf reintroduction in the 1990s ultimately failed due to low reproduction, high pup mortality, and competition with coyotes. The remaining wolves were relocated to North Carolina’s Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge, where conservation efforts continue for this critically endangered species. Learn More
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Last updated: October 21, 2025