The deer seen here is a white-tail which is the most common type of deer found in America. You can tell this is a buck because of the antlers on his head. The term 'buck' means a male deer. Some people in America hunt deer for their meat. Deer meat is called venison and, according to those who hunt deer, is very good to eat. All wildlife in the national park are protected so this deer won't ever have to worry about hunters.

The cat in this picture looks like a common house pet, but don't be fooled. This cat is known as a bobcat, named for its short, bobbed tail. The color of the bobcat's fur helps it to hide as it waits silently for its next meal. Bobcats will eat rabbits, squirrels, and other small animals.

There are many black bears in the Smoky Mountains. Bears are good climbers and will often climb trees to escape danger, to find food such as berries or honey, or to take a nap. What would you do if you came upon a black bear while hiking in the Smoky Mountains? One thing you should never do is climb a tree. Some people say that if you roll yourself into a ball and play dead the bear will just go away. Other people say you should run downhill because when a bear chases a person running downhill the bear will lose its balance and tumble 'head over heals' down the hill allowing you to escape.

Of course these are not the only animals in the Great Smoky Mountains. There are many other types of wildlife that make their home in the forest and streams of the mountains. Also remember that the animals pictured on these pages are found in other parts of the United States as well as in the Smoky Mountains.