I’ve always enjoyed watching wildlife, and Arkansas never disappoints. Every time I walk outside, it feels like there’s a chance of seeing something unexpected.
Some of these animals blend in so well you almost miss them. Let’s look at the ones most likely to wander through your neighborhood.
1. White-Tailed Deer
Graceful and surprisingly bold, white-tailed deer often wander through Arkansas neighborhoods looking for tasty plants to munch on. They’re especially active during dawn and dusk when the world is quiet.
Your garden flowers and vegetable plants might attract these beautiful visitors, though they can eat quite a bit in one night. Many Arkansas residents spot them crossing streets or grazing on lawns.
If you see one, watch from a distance and never try to feed them, as they’re wild animals that need to stay independent.
2. Eastern Gray Squirrel
Acrobatic tree-climbers with bushy tails, gray squirrels are probably the most common wild animal you’ll encounter in Arkansas cities. They zip across power lines and leap between branches with incredible skill.
These clever critters build leafy nests high in trees and spend their days gathering nuts and seeds. Watch them bury acorns in your yard, creating their own personal food storage system for winter months ahead.
Arkansas squirrels are entertaining to observe, especially when they chase each other in spiraling games around tree trunks.
3. Raccoon
With their bandit masks and nimble paws, raccoons are nighttime explorers famous for getting into everything. Arkansas yards provide perfect hunting grounds for these intelligent animals searching for food and water.
They can open garbage cans, unlatch simple locks, and even remember solutions to problems for years. You might hear them rustling around after dark or spot their distinctive hand-like tracks in mud.
Keep trash secured tightly, as raccoons are determined and resourceful when hungry.
4. Virginia Opossum
America’s only marsupial, the opossum might look a bit unusual with its pink nose and hairless tail, but it’s actually quite helpful. These shy creatures eat ticks, insects, and even venomous snakes around Arkansas properties.
When frightened, they sometimes freeze up or faint, which people call playing possum. They’re harmless to humans and pets, preferring to waddle away slowly when spotted.
Opossums are excellent at pest control, making them beneficial neighbors despite their somewhat scruffy appearance.
5. Red Fox
Sleek and cunning, red foxes have adapted remarkably well to Arkansas urban environments. Their beautiful rusty coats and white-tipped tails make them easy to identify when you’re lucky enough to spot one.
These smart hunters patrol neighborhoods at night, searching for mice, rabbits, and even fallen fruit. Arkansas residents sometimes see them trotting down sidewalks or cutting through yards on their nightly rounds.
Foxes are generally shy and will avoid people, so consider yourself fortunate if you catch a glimpse of one.
6. Eastern Cottontail Rabbit
Adorable and widespread, cottontail rabbits are frequent visitors to Arkansas lawns and gardens. Their fluffy white tails look like cotton balls when they hop away, which is how they got their name.
Early morning is prime time for spotting these herbivores nibbling on grass, clover, and garden vegetables. They freeze motionless when sensing danger, relying on camouflage before bolting away in zigzag patterns.
Many Arkansas homeowners enjoy watching these gentle creatures, though gardeners sometimes find their appetites frustrating.
7. Northern Cardinal
Brilliantly colored and easy to spot, male cardinals brighten Arkansas yards with their stunning red feathers. Females wear softer brown tones with reddish highlights, but both have distinctive crested heads.
Their cheerful whistling songs ring through neighborhoods year-round since these birds don’t migrate south for winter. Cardinals love sunflower seeds at feeders and often travel in pairs, staying loyal to their mates.
Arkansas chose this beautiful bird as its state symbol, making it especially meaningful to local residents who spot them daily.
8. American Crow
Incredibly smart and highly social, American crows are common throughout Arkansas cities and towns. Their glossy black feathers and loud cawing calls make them impossible to miss when they gather in groups.
These brainy birds use tools, recognize human faces, and even hold grudges against people who bother them. Watch them work together to solve problems or mob larger birds that threaten their territory.
Arkansas crows thrive near people, finding plenty of food and safe roosting spots in urban and suburban areas.
9. Eastern Bluebird
Cheerful symbols of happiness, eastern bluebirds bring vibrant color to Arkansas neighborhoods with their sky-blue backs and rusty-orange breasts. They prefer open areas with scattered trees, making suburban yards ideal habitat.
These insect-eaters help control pest populations while raising multiple families each spring and summer. Bluebird houses mounted on poles attract nesting pairs, and watching parents feed hungry chicks is absolutely delightful.
Many Arkansas communities have worked hard to boost bluebird numbers, and their efforts have paid off beautifully.
10. Striped Skunk
Famous for their defensive spray, striped skunks are actually peaceful animals that prefer avoiding conflict. Arkansas yards offer them plenty of grubs, insects, and fallen fruit to feast upon during nighttime foraging trips.
Their bold black and white stripes serve as warning colors, telling potential threats to stay back. Skunks only spray when truly frightened or cornered, so giving them space prevents smelly encounters.
If you spot one waddling through your Arkansas property, simply wait patiently and let it pass by undisturbed.
11. Eastern Box Turtle
Slow-moving and long-lived, eastern box turtles sometimes wander through Arkansas yards, especially after summer rains. Their domed shells feature beautiful patterns of yellow, orange, and brown markings that make each individual unique.
These gentle reptiles eat mushrooms, berries, insects, and worms while exploring their territories. Box turtles can close their shells completely, tucking their heads and legs inside for protection.
If you find one crossing your Arkansas property, admire it briefly then let it continue on its way.
12. Nine-Banded Armadillo
Armored and unusual-looking, armadillos have expanded their range into Arkansas in recent decades. Their hard, bony shells protect them while they dig for insects, grubs, and worms with their strong claws.
You might notice cone-shaped holes in your lawn where armadillos have been rooting around for food during nighttime hunts. These solitary animals typically avoid people and shuffle away when discovered.
Despite their prehistoric appearance, armadillos are relatively new Arkansas residents, having migrated north from southern states over the past fifty years.
13. Ruby-Throated Hummingbird
Tiny aerial acrobats, ruby-throated hummingbirds zip through Arkansas yards like living jewels during spring and summer months. Males sport brilliant red throat patches that shimmer in sunlight, while females wear more subtle green and white.
Their wings beat incredibly fast, creating a humming sound as they hover at flowers sipping nectar. Arkansas gardeners attract them with red tubular flowers and sugar-water feeders.
Watching these fearless miniature birds chase away much larger competitors provides endless entertainment throughout the warm seasons.