Oklahoma Wildlife

Bison sp.
American buffalo, or American bison is an integral part of American history. The Native American tribes of the Great Plains relied on buffalo for food, shelter, clothing, and as a powerful spirit animal.

Dasypus novemcinctus
The nine-banded armadillo is significant to Oklahoma because it is the only armadillo found in the United States. Only two species of armadillo can roll into a ball and unfortunately, the nine-banded armadillo is not one of them.

Oklahoma is home to rats, gophers, and shrews. A unique insectivore of the south is the Short-tailed Shrew. It is one of only a few mammals that can produce venom for paralyzing prey. Shrews may appear similar to rats and mice, but they are more closely related to hedgehogs and moles.

Crotaphytus collaris
The collared lizard is Oklahoma’s state reptile. This colorful specimen can be spotted in most wildlife parks and refuges in Oklahoma, sunning on the top of a rock or fence post. The collared lizard is one of the few lizards that can run on their hind legs.

Lynx rufus
Another mammal found in Oklahoma is the bobcat. It is found throughout North America, and is named for its tail, which appears to be "bobbed."

Tyrannus forficatus
In Oklahoma it is not uncommon to see the scissor-tailed flycatcher swooping around in the sky. This long-tailed bird was dubbed our state bird in 1951 and has even been printed on the US Mint Oklahoma state quarter.