List of fauna of Oklahoma facts for kids

Oklahoma is a state in the United States that is home to many different kinds of animals. The word "fauna" means all the animals that live in a particular region or time. Oklahoma's diverse landscapes, from mountains to prairies and forests, create perfect homes for a wide variety of creatures. This article will introduce you to some of the amazing animals you can find living in Oklahoma.

Animals Without Backbones (Invertebrates)

Invertebrates are animals that do not have a backbone. This group includes insects, spiders, worms, and many other fascinating creatures. They play a very important role in nature, helping plants grow and serving as food for other animals.

Crustaceans

Crustaceans are mostly aquatic animals, meaning they live in water. They often have hard outer shells, like crabs and lobsters. In Oklahoma, you can find smaller crustaceans, such as crayfish.

Decapods

Decapods are a group of crustaceans that have ten legs.

• The Delaware County cave crayfish (Cambarus subterraneus) is a special type of crayfish that lives in caves in Delaware County, Oklahoma. They are adapted to life in the dark.
• The Swamp dwarf crayfish (Cambarellus puer) is a much smaller crayfish that lives in swampy areas.

Insects

Insects are the largest group of animals on Earth! They have six legs and usually have wings. Oklahoma is buzzing with many different kinds of insects.

Bees and Wasps (Hymenoptera)

This group includes bees, wasps, and ants. Bees are super important because they help pollinate plants, which means they help plants make seeds and fruits.

• The Eastern carpenter bee (Xylocopa virginica) is a large, shiny black bee often seen around wooden structures.
• Bumble bees (Bombus species) are fuzzy, social bees that live in colonies. Oklahoma is home to several types, including:
  • Morrison's bumble bee (Bombus morrisoni)
  • American bumble bee (Bombus pensylvanicus)
  • Black-and-gold bumble bee (Bombus auricomus)
  • White-shouldered bumble bee (Bombus appositus)
  • Variable cuckoo bumble bee (Bombus variabilis)
  • Indiscriminate bumble bee (Bombus insularis)
  • Southern plains bumble bee (Bombus fraternus)
  • Brown-belted bumble bee (Bombus griseocollis)
  • Common eastern bumble bee (Bombus impatiens)
  • Two-spotted bumble bee (Bombus bimaculatus)
  • Half-black bumble bee (Bombus vagans)

Butterflies and Moths (Lepidoptera)

This group is known for its beautiful wings. Oklahoma has many colorful butterflies and moths.

• You can find a full list of these amazing insects in the List of butterflies of Oklahoma.

Dragonflies and Damselflies (Odonata)

These insects are known for their large eyes and long bodies. They are often seen flying near water.

• The Familiar bluet (Enallagma civile) is a common type of damselfly, often blue.
• The Citrine forktail (Ischnura hastata) is another small damselfly.

Animals With Backbones (Vertebrates)

Vertebrates are animals that have a backbone, just like humans. This group includes fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals.

Amphibians

Amphibians are animals that can live both in water and on land. They usually have moist skin and lay their eggs in water.

• The Three-toed amphiuma (Amphiuma tridactylum) is a long, eel-like amphibian with tiny legs.
• The Green toad (Anaxyrus debilis) is a small toad with green markings.
• The Oklahoma salamander (Eurycea tynerensis) is a salamander found in streams and springs.
• The Lesser siren (Siren intermedia) is another eel-like amphibian with feathery gills.
• The Plains spadefoot toad (Spea bombifrons) is a toad that can dig into the ground with a special "spade" on its foot.

Birds

Oklahoma is a great place for birdwatching, with many different species flying through its skies.

Mammals

Mammals are warm-blooded animals that usually have fur or hair. Female mammals produce milk to feed their young.

Reptiles

Reptiles are cold-blooded animals, meaning their body temperature changes with their surroundings. They usually have scales and lay eggs on land.

• The Common alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) is a large reptile found in the southeastern parts of Oklahoma, usually near water.

Lizards and Snakes (Squamata)

This is the largest group of reptiles, including all lizards and snakes.

• The Common collared lizard (Crotaphytus collaris) is a colorful lizard and is the official state reptile of Oklahoma! It's known for the dark bands around its neck.
• The Copperhead (Agkistrodon contortrix) is a type of snake found in many parts of Oklahoma.
• The Texas night snake (Hypsiglena torquata jani) is a small, shy snake that is active at night.