Nature Activities for Kids in Central Ohio: Native Plants and Wildlife
OHIO IS KNOWN FOR ITS DIVERSE LANDSCAPE, WHICH INCLUDES FORESTS, WETLANDS, PRAIRIES, AND RIVERS.
THE STATE IS HOME TO A WIDE RANGE OF NATIVE WILDLIFE, INCLUDING MANY SPECIES OF MAMMALS, BIRDS, REPTILES, AND FISH.
Some of the most common mammals found in Ohio include white-tailed deer, raccoons, opossums, squirrels, and skunks. Ohio is also home to several species of bats, including the little brown bat and the big brown bat.
Ohio's avian wildlife is abundant and diverse, with species such as the cardinal, blue jay, downy woodpecker, and red-tailed hawk being commonly seen throughout the state. In the summer, visitors can observe a variety of migratory songbirds, such as warblers and thrushes.
Reptiles are also an important part of Ohio's wildlife, with species like the Eastern box turtle, Northern water snake, and five-lined skink being common. The state is also home to several species of frogs, including the American toad, bullfrog, and green frog.
Ohio's rivers and lakes provide habitat for a variety of fish species, including bass, catfish, and bluegill. The state's numerous wetlands are also important habitats for aquatic mammals like beavers and muskrats, as well as waterfowl like ducks and geese.
OVERALL, OHIO'S NATURE AND NATIVE WILDLIFE OFFER A WEALTH OF OPPORTUNITIES FOR OBSERVATION, STUDY, AND ENJOYMENT. VISITORS TO THE STATE CAN EXPERIENCE THIS RICH NATURAL HERITAGE BY VISITING STATE PARKS, NATURE RESERVES, AND WILDLIFE AREAS.