Free Printable: Animals of North America

Add these 3-part cards to your shelves when you’re learning about animals of North America!  This set includes color illustrations as well as blacklines so children can make their own booklets.

Animals of North America

Beaver

Beavers are found near rivers, streams, and wetlands throughout North America. Known for building dams and lodges from sticks and mud, beavers create ponds that benefit many other species. Their strong front teeth are continuously growing, making them perfect for gnawing on wood.

Bear

Bears inhabit forests, mountains, and tundra regions, with species such as the black bear and grizzly bear found across North America. Adapted to a variety of diets, bears are omnivores with powerful limbs for climbing trees, digging, or catching fish. Fun fact: bears hibernate during winter to conserve energy when food is scarce.

Cougar

Cougars, also known as mountain lions, roam forests, grasslands, and deserts from Canada to South America. They are agile hunters, leaping great distances to catch prey. Their tawny coat helps them blend into their surroundings, making them effective predators.

Coyote

Coyotes are native to grasslands, deserts, and urban areas across North America. Known for their adaptability, they thrive in diverse habitats, often hunting small mammals or scavenging. Coyotes communicate using howls, which help them mark territory and find pack members.

Deer

Deer, such as white-tailed deer and mule deer, are common in forests, grasslands, and even suburban areas. They have keen senses of hearing and smell, along with strong legs for swift escapes from predators. Their antlers, grown by males annually, are used in displays and competition.

Bald Eagle

The bald eagle is a symbol of the United States. Its sharp talons and keen eyesight make it a skilled hunter of fish. These majestic birds build enormous nests high in trees or on cliffs, often returning to the same spot each year.

Elk

Elk live in forests and meadows across North America, especially in mountainous regions. Known for their loud bugling calls during mating season, elk have thick fur to keep warm in cold climates. Their large antlers are used in displays of dominance.

Fox

Foxes, such as the red fox and gray fox, are found in forests, grasslands, and urban areas. Their bushy tails, called brushes, help them balance and keep warm. Foxes are skilled hunters, with excellent hearing that allows them to detect prey under snow or soil.

Owl

Owls, like the great horned owl, live in forests, grasslands, and deserts across North America. These nocturnal hunters have silent flight and excellent night vision, making them effective at catching small mammals. Their ability to rotate their heads nearly 270 degrees helps them spot prey.

Raccoon

Raccoons are common in forests, wetlands, and urban areas. Known for their dexterous front paws, raccoons can open containers and climb trees with ease. They are nocturnal and often forage for food near water sources.

Skunk

Skunks are native to forests, grasslands, and suburban areas across North America. Famous for their defensive spray, skunks can deter predators with a strong-smelling chemical. They are omnivores, eating everything from insects to fruits.

Squirrel

Squirrels, such as the gray squirrel and red squirrel, are found in forests and urban areas. Their sharp claws and long tails help them climb trees and balance. Squirrels often store nuts and seeds for winter, showcasing their preparation skills.

Wolf

Wolves live in forests, tundra, and grasslands, forming strong social bonds within their packs. They are skilled hunters, often working together to bring down larger prey. Wolves communicate through howls, which help them coordinate activities and maintain pack unity.

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