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Animals in Longleaf Pine Forests

No, you didn't just wake up in Canada or Minnesota. That pine forest you're standing in may very well mean you're in Georgia, Texas or South Carolina. Once the dominant ecosystem of the American South, longleaf pine forests still cover nearly about 3 million acres in the southeastern United States, according to the New Georgia Encyclopedia. These longleaf pine forests are among the most diverse forest ecosystems in the United States. Understanding the major habitat types of southeastern forests can help to prepare you for the types of animals found within each habitat.

Montane Habitat
- Eastern bluebirds are one of the montane habitat's many colorful species.
  
  Montane habitats are found in hilly, mountainous regions of northern Alabama and Georgia. Animal species in this habitat are those that thrive in hardwood, forested regions. Tree-dwelling fox squirrels and numerous bird species can be found in these forests, including the endangered red-cockaded woodpecker, sparrows, warblers, chickadees and bluebirds, The Longleaf Alliance reports. Be on the lookout for white-tailed deer, red and gray foxes, black bears, and many snakes, including scarlet king snakes and their more venomous look-alikes eastern coral snakes.
Sandhill Habitat
- Bobwhite quail do well in sandhill habitats.
  
  Primarily in the sand ridge regions of southern Virginia down to Georgia, sandhill habitats have sparsely spaced pines with a denser understory of fire-stunted oaks and grasses and shrubs. Animals here thrive along forest edges, so expect to see cottontail rabbits, bobwhite quail, gopher tortoises and hognose snakes among traditional forest animals, according to The Longleaf Alliance. Look for red-tailed hawks and turkey vultures scouring open spaces for food, Listen for eastern treefrogs and mourning doves among the trees.
Rolling Hill Habitat
- Smaller tree-loving mammals are common in the tree-plentiful rolling hill habitat.
  
  Rolling hill habitats, found at a lower altitude than montane and sandhill, are densely populated with pines and undergrowth. Smaller mammals are more likely here, such as opossums, bobcats, squirrels, weasels and raccoons, The Longleaf Alliance reports. Many woodpeckers, nuthatches and warblers are joined by eastern wild turkeys and bobwhite quail. You'll hear many singing frogs and dawn and dusk, including Southern and Florida chorus frogs.
Flatwoods and Savannah Habitat
- Even alligators can be found in forests, especially the swampy areas of flatwood forests.
  
  The region at the lowest altitude, flatwood habitats are interspersed with swampy, marshy habitats, home to many orchids and carnivorous plants. Tree-dwelling mammals are common here, as are marsh rabbits and bobcats. Many of the same birds will be found here, too. This habitat, though, contains many more reptiles and amphibians, including several venomous snake species, numerous frogs and salamanders and alligators, according to The Longleaf Alliance. This habitat is also filled with water-breeding insects such as dragonflies and mayflies.

Animals & Science