The Outer Banks is a haven for wildlife, with miles of pristine beaches and sprawling dunes. Birds are especially prevalent, and the area is home to more than 120 species of songbirds, as well as waterfowl, raptors, and shorebirds.
The beaches are also popular nesting sites for loggerhead turtles, and visitors may spot these gentle giants laying their eggs in the sand. In the waters off the coast, dolphins and whales can often be seen playing or feeding. And on land, visitors may encounter deer, raccoons, opossums, and other small mammals.
With so much wildlife to see, the Outer Banks is a nature lover’s paradise.
Visiting The Wild Horses of Carova
Outer Banks Mammals
Animals of the Outer Banks — Marine
Animals of the OBX — Migratory Waterfowl
Outer Banks Fish
Outer Banks Insects
Pelagic Birds
Purple Martins of the Outer Banks
Animals of the Outer Banks — Raptors
Outer Banks Reptiles
Shorebirds – Gulls and Others
Shorebirds - Sandpipers
Animals of the Outer Banks — Songbirds
Songbirds—The Year-Round Residents
Summer Birds of the Outer Banks
The 50’ Rule – Keeping your distance from NC’s Wild Horse
Big Birds of the Outer Banks
The King of Butterflies and the Outer Banks
The Osprey of the Outer Banks
Outer Banks Shorebirds
Outer Banks Wild Horses