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23 North American Animals That Start With B

Are you curious about North American animals that start with B? There are plenty of examples, including the largest animal on earth! Some you might be familiar with while others are probably new to you. Read on to find out interesting facts about 23 species native to North America and where you can see them in the wild.

23 animals that start with B

From birds to whales, learn more about 23 animals starting with b that you can find in North America.

1.Bearded seal

Bearded seal | image by Gonzalo Malpartida via Flickr | CC BY-SA 2.0

Scientific name: Erignathus barbatus

The largest Arctic seal species, the bearded seal, grows up to 8 feet long and 800 pounds. Their long, thick white whiskers on their short snouts give them a “bearded” appearance. You can find them in Alaska’s Chuckchi, Bering, and Beaufort seas, where they prefer to forage food in the lowest parts of the waters.


2.Bobcat

image: Pixabay.com

Scientific name: Lynx rufus

Bobcats are tan to gray-brown with stripes or spots and tufted ears. You can find these wild cats in southern Canada, most of the U.S., and Oaxaca in Mexico. While they prefer woodlands, they sometimes wander into urban areas and are excellent tree climbers. They typically live alone and are very territorial.


3.Bighorn sheep

bighorn sheep on a mountain

Scientific name: Ovis canadensis

As their name suggests, bighorn sheep have a pair of large, curved horns that can weigh up to 30 pounds. They are North America’s largest wild sheep, commonly found in western Canada, western U.S. states, Baja California, and Sonora, Mexico.


4.Barking tree frog

Barking tree frog | image by Ashley Wahlberg (Tubbs) via Flickr | CC BY-ND 2.0

Scientific name: Hyla gratiosa

Barking tree frogs are one of the largest and heaviest tree frogs worldwide. You can commonly find them in Florida, South Carolina, Georgia, and nearby states. Living in trees near pinelands and swampy woods, they are known for their loud, barking call.


5.Blanchard’s cricket frog

Blanchard’s cricket frog | image: USFWS Midwest Region

Scientific name: Acris crepitans

Named after herpetologist Frank Nelson Blanchard, the Blanchard’s cricket frog is a species of tree frog. They are identifiable by the dark triangular mark on top of their head between their eyes. These small, warty-skinned frogs also make a series of clicks that gradually increase in speed.


6.Botta’s pocket gopher

Botta’s pocket gopher | image by Chuck Abbe via Flickr | CC BY 2.0

Scientific name: Thomomys bottae

Botta’s pocket gophers are California’s most widespread pocket gophers and can be found throughout most western states. They get their names from the cheek pouches in their mouth that act as pockets to carry food. These gophers feed mostly on roots, plants, and bulbs.


7.Black-tailed prairie dog

Image by Lolame from Pixabay

Scientific name: Cynomys ludovicianus

Black-tailed prairie dogs live in the North American Great Plains, from the border of Canada down to the Mexican border. You can sometimes find these ground-dwelling animals above ground during the midwinter. They get their names from the black fur on the tips of their tails.

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8.Brush rabbit

Riparian brush rabbits | image: USFWS Pacific Southwest Region

Scientific name: Sylvilagus bachmani

A small to medium cottontail, brush rabbits live in North America’s western coastal area, from Oregon’s Columbia River down to the southern tip of Baja California. They typically come out of the brush after sunset and are active all night until the early mornings. These rabbits eat only vegetation, such as clover, buds, bark, and grasses.


9.Beluga whale

Image by nikkikeldsen from Pixabay

Scientific name: Delphinapterus leucas

The beluga whale, sometimes called the white whale, is one of the smallest whale species. They have big protruding foreheads and can be found in the Arctic Ocean around Alaska and Canada. These sociable animals migrate, hunt, and live together in pods that can be a group of hundreds of individuals.


10. Blue whale

Scientific name: Balaenoptera musculus

Blue whales grow up to 100 feet long and 200 tons, making them one of the largest animals on earth. Despite their size, they are graceful swimmers with a top speed of 31 miles per hour. They live in every ocean except the Arctic and are often sighted in the shelf waters of eastern U.S. states and eastern Canada.


11. Berlandier’s tortoise

Texas tortoise | image by Valley Nature Center via Flickr | CC BY 2.0

Scientific name: Gopherus berlandieri

Berlandier’s tortoises, or Texas tortoises, are one of four tortoise species native to North America. You can find them in southern Texas and three states in Mexico. These docile animals have yellowish-orange, horned plates on their shells and enjoy eating fruit from cacti, such as prickly pears.


12. Blanding’s turtle

Image by PublicDomainImages from Pixabay

Scientific name: Emydoidea blandingii

Blanding’s turtles are native to the eastern and central areas of the U.S. and Canada. These semi-aquatic turtles live in marshy areas and wetlands where they feed on crayfish, snails, small fish, insects, and tadpoles. They can be identified by their bright yellow throat and chin.


13. Black-footed ferret

black-footed ferret

Scientific name: Mustela nigripes

Black-footed ferrets eat prairie dogs for food and spend around 90 percent of their time underground. Their population has reduced significantly over the years but still exists in South Dakota, Wyoming, Montana, and Arizona. These slender and vocal animals have not only black feet but also black-tipped tails and black facemasks.


14. Blue catfish

blue catfish – photo by USFWS Mountain-Prairie

Scientific name: Ictalurus furcatus

Blue catfish are large river fish native to Missouri, Mississippi, Ohio, and the Rio Grande river basins. However, they’ve been introduced to other areas, especially as recreational fishing targets. They are the largest North American catfish species, growing up to 65 inches and weighing 150 pounds.


15. Brown recluse spider

brown recluse spider
brown recluse spider

Scientific name: Loxosceles reclusa

You can find brown recluse spiders throughout the midwestern and south-central U.S states. They are the most common and widespread brown spiders and are well-known for their poisonous bite. You can identify them by their 6 eyes (instead of 8) and the dark violin shape on their abdomen.


16. Baird’s rat snake

Image by JUSTIN SMITH from Pixabay

Scientific name: Pantherophis bairdi

Baird’s rat snakes are slow-moving and nonvenomous snakes that are not aggressive but will hiss or strike if threatened. They are usually dark salmon, orange, or yellow, with four stripes running the length of their bodies. You can find them in southwestern U.S states and northeastern Mexico.

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17. Broad-banded watersnake

Broad-banded Water Snake | Melissa McMasters | Flickr | CC BY 2.0

Scientific name: Nerodia fasciata confluens

Broad-banded watersnakes get their name from the irregular, broad blotches or bands on their back. They aren’t venomous but may bite you if threatened. You can find these semi-aquatic snakes near water bodies in most of the southern states, including Kentucky, Oklahoma, and Texas.


18. Bald eagle

Bald Eagle

Scientific name: Haliaeetus leucocephalus

Bald eagles are the national bird of the U.S. They have populations in Canada, Alaska, Great Lakes states, Greater Yellowstone area, the Pacific Northwest, Chesapeake Bay region, and Florida. Bald eagles generally live near water bodies, hunting for fish, shorebirds, turtles, and small mammals. They nest in large trees and typically mate for life.


19. Black-bellied whistling-duck

Image by Robert Woeger from Pixabay

Scientific name: Dendrocygna autumnalis

Black-bellied whistling-ducks are noisy and sociable waterfowl with long legs and a long neck. You can commonly find them by the Texas coast and northern Mexico regions. However, their population is increasing, including in Arizona and Florida. Although they are wild birds, these odd-looking ducks are relatively tame.


20. Blue jay

Scientific name: Cyanocitta cristata

Blue jays are loud, adaptable, and intelligent songbirds known for their various shades of blue and perky crest. They are territorial birds known to attack smaller bird species or even bats. These birds are native to the eastern and central U.S. and southern Canada areas. While you can find them in different forests, they particularly like oak trees.


21. Brown pelican

Brown Pelicans

Scientific name: Pelecanus occidentalis

Brown pelicans are large aquatic birds that love the coast and are rarely seen inland. These birds with oversized bills will plunge dive into the water to stun small fish and scoop them up for food. They live on the Pacific, Gulf, and Atlantic coasts from New Jersey to the Amazon River and British Columbia to south-central Chile.


22. Barn owl

Scientific name: Tyto alba

Barn owls are nocturnal, pale birds with heart-shaped faces and rasping shrieks. They are the most widespread owl species, living on all continents except Antarctica. These owls often roost in barns or church belfries since they prefer perching on wood or stone.


23. Bearded dragons

Genus: Pogona

These medium sized lizards that are native to Australia, but have become quite popular in the pet reptile industry all over the world. Bearded dragons are the most popular lizard to keep as a pet in the United States. They’re a unique and social animal that can even be walked on a leash!

Bearded dragons can grow to 2 feet as adults and live up to 10 years in captivity. They are omnivores and enjoy eating insects and larvae, but also relish many types of plants, fruits, and vegetables.

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