9 Iconic Animals You Might Not Know Are Native to the US

Ocelot

The ocelot, also known as the dwarf leopard, is a small wild cat that used to roam as far as Arkansas and Louisiana. Today, they can be found in southern Texas and Arizona.

Collared Peccary

Often mistaken for a wild pig, the collared peccary, or javelina, is found in the southwestern U.S., including Texas, Arizona, and New Mexico.

Ringtail

The ringtail, a member of the raccoon family despite its feline nickname, lives in the southern and western U.S. 

Jaguarundi

Once found in southern Texas, the jaguarundi is now mostly found in Mexico and Central America. Though it hasn’t been seen in the U.S. since 1986

Flying Squirrel

Three species of flying squirrels are native to the U.S.: the northern, southern, and Humboldt’s flying squirrels.

Coati

The white-nosed coati is another raccoon relative found in the southwestern U.S. They are social creatures, with females and young living in groups.

Luna Moth

The striking green luna moth is found in the eastern U.S. It’s one of the largest moths in North America.

Jaguar

Jaguars once roamed from California to North Carolina but were wiped out in the early 1900s. Conservation efforts are underway to reestablish these big cats in Arizona.

Thick-billed Parrot

The thick-billed parrot, the only native parrot species in North America, was once found in Arizona and New Mexico but now only lives in Mexico.