If you've been to Cades Cove, you may have had the exciting opportunity of spotting a black bear. While they are the most popular animal in the Smoky Mountains, the area has a rich population of wildlife. This means you can spot all kinds of creatures. Read on to learn more about them. Here is a list of 3 unique animals you might spot in Cades Cove:
1. Bobcats
Bobcats are the only felines that live in the entire Smoky Mountains. They are nocturnal animals whose brown spotted coat camouflages into the trees. They also move in silence. As for physical traits, bobcats have black-tipped ears with tufts and a white underside. The name comes from their short bobbed tail. They tend to hunt for food around dawn or dusk. Bobcats are carnivores that prey on rodents and other small animals. They can run fast and jump high, which makes bobcats great hunters. When they aren’t hunting, bobcats move swiftly around creeks and brushy areas. You may also find bobcats sleeping in logs or under rocky crevices.
2. Coyotes
Like bobcats, coyotes are also secretive animals in Cades Cove. They are most active in the early morning and evening hours. They can have gray, brown, or red fur and a bushy tail. Coyotes can travel in packs or by themselves. They tend to wander around in meadows. To have the best chance of seeing one in Cades Cove, go for an early morning drive around Cades Cove Loop Road. This activity is great because you’ll beat some of the crowds and admire a beautiful sunrise. You won’t need a parking pass if you don’t plan on parking your vehicle.
3. River Otters
Another one of the unique animals to see in Cades Cove is the river otter. They have physical traits, such as webbed feet and water-repellent fur, that allow them to spend most of their lives in the water. River otters can swim 6 to 7 miles per hour and dive to depths of 60 feet. They hunt for prey by using their whiskers to detect prey in the water. River otters were once eliminated from the Smoky Mountains and then reintroduced in the 1990s. Visitors can see them in Cades Cove around Abrams Creek. Listen closely for their whistles, coos, and snarls.
Cades Cove Wildlife Viewing Tips
- Maintain a Safe Distance: Remain at least 150 feet away from all wildlife, especially bears, coyotes, and bobcats, should you see one. Bring a pair of binoculars for the best view
- Keep Food Contained: Keep any opened food in a closed container or backpack to avoid attracting wildlife.
- Don’t Litter: Respect the animals’ habitat and pick up all your trash. There are bear-proof trash cans all over Cades Cove.
Now you know of some unique animals in Cades Cove! Want to know more about the wildlife residents in the area? Here is a list of animals you may spot on the Cades Cove Loop!
