Which Animals Are Woodland Animals?

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Wooded areas around the world are full of all kinds of creatures, from the birds that chirp above the tree branches to the tiny chipmunks that burrow holes beneath those same trees. Since woodland spaces are often home to plenty of sunlight and rainfall, they can support incredible amounts of biodiversity. Learning more about woodland animals can help you recognize woodsy animals and environments all across the globe.

TL;DR (Too Long; Didn't Read)

TL;DR (Too Long; Didn't Read)

The list of woodland animals is extensive, and includes creatures like bears, deer, moose, foxes, raccoons, owls, chipmunks, ants and butterflies.

Biodiversity in the Woodlands

The term woodlands usually refers to an in-between area, one that has more trees and shrubbery than grasslands or deserts, but not as many as dense forests or jungles. This allows for a climate that’s not as hostile as a desert, where the hot sun burns down on its inhabitants all day, but one that is still sunnier than a dark forest, where the large amount of trees creates a canopy that makes it difficult for sunlight to penetrate. The healthy amount of sunlight allowed into a woodland area helps support trees that grow food like fruit and nuts. That food serves as nutrients for animals like bears, deer, rodents, squirrels and many types of birds. And while the woodlands do allow in the sun, there is also still enough shade and tree protection to house nocturnal animals like owls and raccoons.

The Woodsy Animals

This mix of sun and shade means that the woodland creatures list is wide and varied. Flying through the air and building nests in trees and shrubs are several types of birds. Common woodland birds include cardinals, woodpeckers, blue jays, hawks, goldfinches and owls. Bigger birds that walk on two feet, such as turkeys, can also sometimes be found in woodland areas.

Also crawling or buzzing around the trees are several types of insects, including spiders, slugs, ants, mosquitoes, dragonflies and caterpillars that, after munching on the abundance of leaves, turn into butterflies.

All types of four-legged mammals make their homes down at the ground floor. They can be bigger animals, like bear, deer, elk and moose, or, as in the case with woodland creatures fox, coyotes, skunks, raccoons, chipmunks, rabbits and mice, they can also be smaller. And not all of the woodland animals down at the ground floor walk – some of them slither. Unlike many woodsy creatures, snakes are well suited to live in hostile environments like deserts. But there are also many varieties of snakes, like non-venomous grass snakes, that live in wooded areas.

Woodland Animals Decor

A woodland theme is popular in home decor. It’s especially beloved for children’s rooms, where designers can make wallpaper, pillows and stuffed animals emblazoned with the cute faces of animals like foxes, raccoons, deer and owls. In this way, children can recognize and learn about animals that they may have been lucky enough to see right in their own neighborhood.


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