Acadia National Park Animals

-

Animals in Acadia National Park | Wildlife of Acadia National Park

Acadia National Park is home to a diverse range of wildlife, from white-tailed deer and red foxes in its forests to peregrine falcons soaring above coastal cliffs. Its forests, wetlands, rocky shores, and surrounding Atlantic waters support mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and marine species throughout the year.


Located on Mount Desert Island, parts of the mainland, and several offshore islands, Acadia contains a variety of habitats within a relatively small area. This diversity makes the park an important refuge for wildlife and gives visitors opportunities to encounter animals in very different natural settings.



1. Mammals of Acadia National Park

Acadia supports around 40 species of mammals, many of which are commonly seen by park visitors. These include both native forest creatures and animals adapted to rocky shorelines and wetlands. Visitors may encounter some of these creatures during their hikes or scenic drives.


Herbivores:

  • White-Tailed Deer
  • Moose
  • Snowshoe Hare
White-Tailed Deer in Acadia National Park
White-Tailed Deer in Acadia National Park

Moose in Acadia National Park
Moose in Acadia National Park


Carnivores:

  • Red Foxes
  • Coyotes
  • Raccoons
  • Striped Skunks
  • Bobcats
  • Otters
  • Mink
  • Fishers
  • Pine Martens
  • Black Bears
Red Fox in Acadia National Park
Red Fox in Acadia National Park

Rodents:

  • North American Beavers
  • Woodchucks
  • Porcupines
  • Muskrats
  • Voles
  • Chipmunks
  • Squirrels
  • Flying Squirrels


Bats:

  • Little Brown Bats
  • Eastern Small-Footed Bats


Marine Mammals:

  • Seals
  • Whales
  • Porpoises
Seals in Acadia National Park
Seals in Acadia National Park


Other Mammals:

  • Intertidal creatures (sea stars, lobsters, sea anemones)




2. Birds of Acadia National Park

Acadia’s diverse habitats, from coastal cliffs to freshwater ponds, support an impressive variety of bird species. For birdwatchers, the park is a paradise, especially during migration seasons when numerous species pass through.


Songbirds and Woodpeckers:

  • Warblers
  • Vireos
  • Chickadees
  • Thrushes


Birds of Prey:

  • Eagles
  • Ospreys
  • Vultures
  • Hawks
  • Owls
  • Falcons


Shorebirds:

  • Sandpipers
  • Plovers
  • Gulls
  • Terns
  • Guillemots
  • Cormorants
  • Eiders
  • Herons
Gulls in Acadia National Park
Gulls in Acadia National Park

Waterfowl:

  • Loons
  • Mallards
  • Mergansers




3. Amphibians and Reptiles

Acadia’s wetlands and ponds support a number of amphibian and reptile species, which play an important role in the park’s ecosystem.


Snakes:

  • Garter Snake
  • Smooth Green Snake
  • Redbelly Snake
  • Ringneck Snake
  • Eastern Milksnake


Turtles:

  • Common Snapping Turtle
  • Eastern Painted Turtle




4. Marine Life

Acadia’s coastal location provides unique opportunities to observe marine wildlife, particularly along its shores and in its tide pools.


Marine Mammals:

  • Harbor Porpoise
  • Gray Seal
  • Harbor Seal


Marine Invertebrates:

  • Blue Mussel
  • Common Periwinkle
  • Barnacles
  • Hermit Crab
  • Green Crab and Asian Shore Crab