Wildlife

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  Louisiana black bear. Credit: Pam McIlhenny, used with permission.

  Louisiana black bear

  The Louisiana black bear is the state mammal for Louisiana, and it is one of 16 subspecies of the American black bear. While the American black bear can be found across North America, the Louisiana black bear subspecies is only known to occur in Louisiana, East Texas and western Mississippi. Compared to other black bears, the Louisiana black bears skull is longer, narrower and flatter, with larger molar teeth.  Visit the species profile...

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  Close-up of endangered mussel from the Ohio River. Photo by Craig Stihler, USFWS.

  Pink mucket

  The Appalachian elktoe has a thin, kidney-shaped shell, extending to about 4 inches. Juveniles generally have a yellowish-brown periostracum (outer shell surface), while the periostracum of the adults is usually dark brown to greenish-black in color.  Visit the species profile...

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  A Florida manatee calf sticks close to its mother in shallow water. Photo: Keith Ramos, USFWS

  West Indian manatee

  Manatees are large, elongated marine mammals with paired flippers and a large round or spoon-shaped tail. They can reach lengths of over 14 feet and weights of over 3,000 pounds  Visit the species profile...