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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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.
8.Brush rabbit
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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.
17. Broad-banded watersnake
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
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
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
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.
