Mammals

White tailed deer can be found in many habitats and in most of the lower 48 states. In North Carolina, they are the most commonly hunted game species. Although white tailed deer are selective browsers, they can find food in wetland swamp, wet pine savanna, and upland forest habitat. Look for this mammal to be running through the savanna or browsing for food in the wetland swamp along Moores Creek.

The common gray fox is not often seen by park visitors as it is nocturnal. This species is native to North Carolina, unlike nonnative red foxes. The two species can be differentiated by skill, as the gray fox can climb trees and red foxes cannot. Although not often seen, this species leaves behind a footprint similar to the domestic cat with the addition of claw marks. Look for this species and its tracks in bottomland forests such as the swamp along the boardwalk.

The eastern red bat is mostly nocturnal, but may be seen flying at dawn or dusk. Like other bats, this species uses echolocation to locate prey. The Eastern red bat is the most common bat in North Carolina. It may be found anywhere in America with trees East of the Rock Mountains, as far South as central Florida.