List of fauna of Oregon facts for kids

Welcome to the amazing world of animals found in Oregon! This article will introduce you to some of the cool creatures that live in this U.S. state, from tiny earthworms to giant sharks. Get ready to explore Oregon's wild side!

Amphibians: Frogs, Toads, and Salamanders

Amphibians are amazing animals that can live both in water and on land. They start their lives in water, often as tadpoles, and then grow up to live on land, though they still need moist places to survive.

Salamanders of Oregon

Salamanders look a bit like lizards but have smooth, moist skin. Oregon is home to several types, including:

• Oregon slender salamander - This salamander is known for its long, thin body.

Reptiles: Snakes and Turtles

Reptiles are cold-blooded animals, meaning their body temperature changes with their surroundings. They are covered in scales or scutes. Oregon has many interesting reptiles, especially snakes and turtles.

Snakes of Oregon

Snakes are fascinating reptiles that don't have legs. They move by slithering and can be found in many different habitats across Oregon. Here are some of the snakes you might find:

• California mountain kingsnake - This snake is native to Oregon and has striking bands of color.
• Common garter snake - A very common snake found throughout Oregon.
• Common kingsnake - Another native Oregon snake, known for eating other snakes.
• Gopher snake - These snakes are native to Oregon and often live in burrows.
• Ground snake - You can find this small snake near the Owyhee River.
• Night snake - This snake is native to Oregon and is active at night.
• Northwestern garter snake - A native Oregon snake, often found near water.
• Pacific rattlesnake - This venomous snake is native to Oregon.
• Racer - A fast-moving snake native to Oregon.
• Ringneck snake - This small, native Oregon snake has a distinctive ring around its neck.
• Rubber boa - A unique snake native to Oregon that feels rubbery to the touch.
• Sharptail snake - This small snake is native to Oregon.
• Striped whipsnake - A long, slender snake native to Oregon.
• Western rattlesnake - Found in Eastern Oregon, this is another type of rattlesnake.
• Western terrestrial garter snake - A common garter snake found across Oregon.

Turtles of Oregon

Turtles are reptiles with hard shells that protect them. Oregon has both native and introduced turtle species.

• Snapping turtle - This turtle was introduced to Oregon and is not originally from here.
• Western painted turtle - This beautiful turtle is native to Oregon and has colorful markings.

Annelids: Worms

Annelids are segmented worms, like the earthworms you might see in your garden. They play a very important role in keeping soil healthy.

Earthworms of Oregon

• Oregon giant earthworm - This amazing worm is much larger than typical earthworms and is found in Oregon.

Birds

Oregon is a fantastic place for birdwatching, with many different types of birds living here or passing through.

• List of birds of Oregon - You can find a full list of Oregon's birds here.

Crustaceans: Tiny Water Creatures

Crustaceans are mostly water-dwelling animals with hard outer shells, like crabs and shrimp. Some tiny crustaceans live in Oregon's waters.

Tadpole Shrimp

• Branchinecta lynchi - This small crustacean is also found in California.
• Lepidurus packardi - Mostly found in California, but also seen in Jackson County, Oregon.

Fish: Life in Oregon's Waters

Oregon's rivers, lakes, and coastal waters are home to a wide variety of fish, from tiny minnows to large sharks.

Suckers (Fish)

Suckers are a type of freshwater fish often found at the bottom of lakes and rivers.

• Warner sucker - Found in Oregon, California, Arizona, and Nevada.
• Shortnose sucker - Also found in California.
• Lost River sucker - Also found in California.
• Modoc sucker - Also found in California.

Sturgeons: Ancient Fish

Sturgeons are very large, ancient fish with bony plates on their bodies.

• Green sturgeon - Found in the Rogue River in Oregon.
• White sturgeon - Found in the Umpqua River in Oregon.

Sharks of the Oregon Coast

The waters off the Oregon coast are home to several types of sharks.

• Common thresher - Found along the Oregon coast.
• Great white shark - These large sharks can be found off the Oregon coast.
• Basking shark - A very large, filter-feeding shark found off the Oregon coast.

Skates: Flat Fish

Skates are flat, cartilaginous fish that look a bit like rays. They live on the ocean floor.

• Broad skate - Found off the Oregon coast.
• Fine-spined skate - Found off the Oregon coast.
• Pacific white skate - Found off the Oregon coast.
• Roughtail skate - Found off the Oregon coast.
• Deepsea skate - Found off the Oregon coast.
• Sandpaper skate - Found off the Oregon coast.

Other Ocean Fish

• Calico surfperch - Found along the Oregon coast.
• Brown catshark - A small shark found off the Oregon coast.

Sculpins: Bottom Dwellers

Sculpins are small, bottom-dwelling fish, often found in rocky areas.

• Mosshead sculpin - Found along the Oregon coast.
• Pit sculpin - Found in Goose Lake, Drews Creek, and Thomas Creeks.
• Prickly sculpin - Found in various river drainages.

Lampreys: Jawless Fish

Lampreys are ancient, jawless fish that look a bit like eels.

• Pacific lamprey - Native to Oregon.
• Lampetra ayresii - Native to Oregon.
• Western brook lamprey - Native to Oregon.

Insects: Tiny Wonders

Insects are the most diverse group of animals on Earth, and Oregon has many fascinating species.

Dragonflies and Damselflies (Odonata)

These insects are known for their beautiful wings and amazing flying skills.

• Canada darner - Native to Oregon and common across America.
• Paddle-tailed darner - Native to Oregon and common across America.
• Shadow darner - Native to Oregon and common across America.
• Common green darner - Native to Oregon and common across America.
• Sooty dancer - Native to Oregon.
• Paiute dancer - Native to Oregon.
• River jewelwing - Native to Oregon and common across America.
• Taiga bluet - Native to Oregon and common across America.

Crickets and Grasshoppers (Orthoptera)

• Jerusalem cricket - Found in the desert regions of Central and Eastern Oregon.

Bees, Wasps, and Ants (Hymenoptera)

• Franklin's bumble bee - This important pollinator is found in Southern Oregon.

Mammals: Furry Friends

Mammals are warm-blooded animals with fur or hair, and they feed their young with milk. Oregon is home to many different mammals, from tiny shrews to large bison.

Rodents: Gnawing Animals

Rodents are a large group of mammals known for their constantly growing front teeth.

• Baird's shrew - This tiny mammal is found only in northwest Oregon.
• Camas pocket gopher - This gopher lives only in the Willamette Valley in northwest Oregon.
• Fog shrew - Can also be found in northern California.
• Gray-tailed vole - This small rodent is found only in Oregon.
• Pacific shrew - Found only in western Oregon.
• White-tailed antelope squirrel - Found in the desert regions of central, eastern, and south-eastern Oregon.
• Mountain beaver - Found in Western Oregon, this is the largest rodent native to North America.
• California kangaroo rat - Found in the Sierra Nevada Mountains in Oregon.
• Chisel-toothed kangaroo rat - Found in South Eastern Oregon.
• Ord's kangaroo rat - Found in Eastern Central Oregon.

Bats: Flying Mammals

Bats are the only mammals that can truly fly.

• Pallid bat - Native to Oregon and common in the western United States.

Hoofed Mammals

• American bison - These large animals used to live in Oregon but are no longer found wild in the region.

Rabbits and Hares

• Pygmy rabbit - This tiny rabbit is found in North Eastern Oregon.