You can find some unique wildlife in the USA. The U.S. offers diversity in both natural life and landscapes. So much so, that travelers often miss out on lesser-known areas that are actually teeming with wonderful flora and fauna. So, without further ado, here are 10 unexpected places in the USA for wildlife lovers.

Unexpected Places in the USA for Wildlife Lovers

1.Wild Mustangs

Watch a galloping, huge herd of actual wild mustangs on the outskirts of Salt Lake City in Utah. You’ll see horses in every possible shade of brown beautifully backdropped by the awesome Oquirrh and Wasatch Mountains. Seeing these mustangs makes many equestrian enthusiasts and wildlife lovers understand just what it really means to run wild and free and what life on the open range is like.

Exit Highway 172. Drive roughly 10 miles past the old pony express sign. Make a right onto the dirt road. Drive patiently until you spot them.

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Prairie Dogs

The original range of prairie dogs has shrunk because of the 1862 Homesteading Act and the 1887 Dawes Act which permitted settlers to use a lot of their habitat for farms, ranches, and homes.

You can see them in the wild within the area of Badlands National Park and the Great Plains. Park on any shoulder outlook and keep an eye on the landscape for movement in the burrows.

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Bald Eagles

The yearly Eagle Festival in Alton, Illinois in January. The chilling temperatures never prevent these birds from flocking to their selected seasonal roost close to the confluence of the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers annually. The festival celebrates their winter migration. It’s held in the Audubon Center. Every year more than one thousand bald eagles come here along the well-known Great Rivers National Scenic Byway, found right outside St. Louis Illinois.

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Pronghorn Sheep

The best place to see endemic pronghorn sheep is in Wyoming’s Wind River County. The Wyoming Scenic Byway Highway 191 actually crosses an important one of their most important migration routes. The pronghorns have been using this place for a long time.  

Every winter, they travel many miles from the famous Grand Teton National Park in Northern Wyoming to the well-known Red Desert along Colorado’s border. The Red Desert is a popular refuge for the largest pronghorn herd. Your best bet is to watch for them from the byway during winter when they stand out against the white snow.

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Wild Dolphins

One reason to visit Florida’s family-friendly Panama City Beach is to see dolphins in the wild. Indeed, many different species of dolphins live in the water here. The most common is the bottlenose dolphin.

The always warm gulf water and other marine life make this a great place for dolphins to live. They are very intelligent and playful so could very well get close to your boat and even put on a show. Large pods of dolphins feed close to the shore. The best way to see them is to charter or rent a boat and head toward Shell Island.  

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American Buffalo or Bison

South Dakota’s Custer State Park is the home of North America’s largest bison herds so it is obviously the best place to see them outside of famous Yellowstone National Park. Although they were hunted to near-extinction in the 17 and 1800s, during the last 100 years, special reintroduction programs–such as the one run in Custer State Park—have led to a herd of between 1,300 and 1,400 you can see all year.

The best time to visit though is during the spring when you can see all the cute baby bison too.

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Sandhill Cranes

Gibbon, Nebraska is where you’ll find one of the most significant epic bird migrations in North America. The best way to see these birds is to sit in a little bird blind with windows that are just big enough for cameras and binoculars. There are millions of them along the local Platte river.

They forage for food in the numerous cornfields during the day and roost by the river at night. You can see them on their migration route approximately 20 miles east of Kearney from March to the middle of April at sunrise or right before sunset.  

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Wild Manatees

Manatees inhabit the water in Citrus County, north of Tampa, Florida from roughly April through October. This is the planet’s biggest natural winter refuge for these sea cows and is nicknamed “the Manatee Capital of the world.” They are drawn here by the many freshwater springs and the approximately-70-degree-temperature water. There are numerous observation points here. It is also one of the few places in the state where you can get up close and swim with them.  

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The Sage Grouse

The large, chicken-like Sage Grouse generally blends in with the sagebrush in Idaho and Colorado. They are famous for their unique Spring mating dance which they perform every year when they return to their mating grounds to breed. It is a ritual that reportedly is one of the world’s “top wildlife wonders.” Literally, dozens of males flock together at sunrise in the open spaces to perform for females and compete for the opportunity to mate with a female.

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Gray Wolves

Remote Voyageurs National Park in Northern Minnesota borders Canada and is home to the timber (a.k.a. gray) wolf. While the state is home to almost 3,000 wolves, 50 or fewer live in the park. These animals are quite skittish and difficult to spot. The water-locked, smaller park, however, makes the task easier than searching for them elsewhere. 

If you visit in the summer or spring, take a kayak or boat and look for them on the lakes’ shorelines. Experts report that the best time to see them here is in the winter. In the winter you might spot them walking across the park entrances or traveling along the frozen shores while hunting. If you plan on looking for them along the shores though, rent an ATV so you will be able to cross the frozen lakes.

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Are you a pet-friendly person? Are you an animal lover? If you’re the kind of person who simply can’t be without your four-legged fur baby for even a few minutes, then look no further. Here are the 26 best pet-friendly hotels in the USA!

26 Best Pet-Friendly Hotels in the USA

1.  The Ritz-Carlton South Beach, Miami Beach, Florida

The Ritz-Carlton, South Beach is close to the beach and everything else you’d want to see like the fun Miami Beach Boardwalk. This luxury hotel is a remarkably restored Art Moderne building complete with distinctive deco details. Pet-owning guests can expect such extras as a framed photograph of their pet in a souvenir Ritz-Carlton frame, special treats, and a pet feeder, too.

2. Limelight Hotel Ketchum. Ketchum, Idaho

If your dog loves just lazing around in the warm sun, a Terrace Room at the Limelight Hotel is perfect. This pet-friendly hotel provides complimentary mats and bowls. There is a cleaning fee of $30.00 per pet each night. The hotel has a year-round hot tub and heated pool too and it’s within walking distance of the downtown area where you can dine at the popular Warfield Distillery & Brewery.

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3.  Boarding House Cape May, Cape May, New Jersey

This hotel is situated right across the street from a nice park and only a short drive from a popular dog beach that has specific seasonal times for travelers with pets. There are alfresco and dog-friendly restaurants and even dog-friendly wineries here in this charming town.  

4.  The Lyle, Washington, D.C.

This hotel is located in the Dupont Circle neighborhood. It features a residential feel designed to comfort pets. Veteran visitors confirm that the “four-legged guests” are always “in for a treat.” The snacks are homemade and there’s always a cozy dog bed available. The hotel is even on the same block as the popular S Street Dog Park. Book the Paws of Lyle package and avoid the standard pet fees.

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5.  Best Friends Roadhouse and Mercantile, Kanab, Utah

Here you’ll find photos of pets above your bed and see murals and sculptures of pets outside your window too. This hotel has a special two-entry system so that wandering pets don’t get outside. It features pull-out sleeping areas complete with pet mattresses, a fenced-in park with a dog splash pad, free pet washing stations, and other assorted pet services.

6.  Brazilian Court Hotel, Palm Beach, Florida

This luxury hotel pampers pooches. They offer pet parents a year-round Bark Butler package that features a “welcome BarkBox,” a monogrammed bowl , a daily dog walking service, and even special spa services at the local pet salon and boutique. There’s also a yacht ride for both pet and owner, a cute commemorative photo shoot, and a designer doggy bed with a nightly turn-down service.

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7.  The Beeman Hotel, Dallas, Texas

This pet-friendly place is a recently renovated hotel that comes complete with assorted animal amenities. Beyond the basic toys, treats, and dog chews, guests get a one-day pass to take their furry friends to MUTTS Canine Cantina. One writer referred to it as a place where “an off-leash dog park meets [a] dog-friendly restaurant.”

8.  AKA West Hollywood, Hollywood, California

The nigh-famous AKA West Hollywood on the legendary Sunset Strip is reportedly *the* place for fur babies and their “in the know” owners. The hotel offers extended stays too. The hotel also includes a private, outdoor walking path that makes it easier for you to check out the L.A. stores, eateries, chic pet boutiques, and groomers together carefree and car-free.

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9.  Kimpton Schofield Hotel, Cleveland, Ohio

Kimpton Hotels’ has a friendly attitude toward guests with larger pets not always included under the standard pet policies of other accommodations. Located in the heart of the city’s cultural scene, this place offers amenities such as pet sitting, dog walking, and access to a special pet spa. On average one night’s stay will cost you $178.00 with no additional pet fees.  

10.  Aloft Greenville Downtown, Greenville, South Carolina

This centrally-located, modern hotel offers a special Animals R Fun Program. It features a water bowl, poop pickup bags, treats, a personalized dog tag, assorted pet toys, and a pet bed. Veteran visitors suggest a walk to the well-known Liberty Bridge.

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11.  The Equinox Golf Resort & Spa, Manchester, Vermont

This historic resort actually has a well-known four-legged resident golden retriever named Cooper who even has his own Instagram account. He is a canine ambassador who makes everyone’s stay better. Cooper even hosts a friendly weekly meet-and-greet on Fridays. Two-legged guests are even given a free glass of wine.

12.  Origin Hotel Lexington, Lexington, Kentucky

This hotel provides guests with information on a local guide of pet-friendly places in the area. Their $50.00 charge also covers pet bowls as well as a bed. Guests also get a swag bag that reportedly has “a Kentucky-inspired” squeaky toy that looks like a bottle of bourbon, a bowtie, and numerous treats.  

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13.  21c Museum Hotel Oklahoma City. Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

This boutique getaway location is part of what someone once described as a “hotel-meets-museum chain” found in Cincinnati, Kansas City, Nashville, and other major metropolises. As this goes to press, this particular location is offering the extra incentive of a new Pet Package, which features waived pet fees, good on rooms booked through June 2021. Four-legged guests get a special treat at check-in, a $20.00 donation is made in your name to the state Humane Society, and your pet will also be able to experience Malin + Goetz Pet Shampoo too.

14.Topnotch Resort, Stowe, Vermont

This is the state’s official “finest year-round resort” Here they provide your pet with a three-pack of tennis balls so your fun-loving fur baby can run around and chase them to their heart’s content. This resort also includes what is called “a dedicated floor” and pet-friendly rooms. Topnotch boasts several lawns and easy access to local hiking trails too. The resort offers a specific reiki and massage service for dogs as well.  

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15.  Lotte Hotel Seattle, Seattle, Washington

This is a new luxury hotel that has a trendy design and offers rooms with stellar views. More importantly, it is within comfortable walking distance of downtown Emerald City. There is a nonrefundable pet charge of $100.00 for no more than two dogs that weigh no more than a total of 80 pounds. You will get water bowls and even a homemade dog biscuit too. 

16.  Little River Inn, Mendocino, California

This is a popular, coastal inn that provides guests with rooms with stunning ocean views and, in many cases, personal hot tubs. Your pet may not like a hot bath but he or she might like the kayaking trips offered here. Your furry friend might also like the many miles of hiking trails available in the surrounding area. Less active animals might prefer napping by a fireplace. You can even dine alfresco with your hungry hound in the hotel’s outdoor dining area.

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17.  The Cheshire, St. Louis, Missouri 

This hotel is highlighted by an exceptional seasonal pool and memorable terrace. It is also within walking distance of historic Forest Park. Similar to New York’s Central Park, this picturesque, urban oasis is a great place to take your dog.

18.  Emeline, Charleston, South Carolina

This Instagrammable hotel is very popular. This is due in part to the fact that they provide your pet with CBD-infused pet treats on request. Their relatively new Fox and The Hound Happy Hours at their on-site eatery, Frannie and The Fox offers guests the opportunity to dine on the patio with their furry friends every Tuesday from 3 to 5 p.m. Be sure to look into their popular Pawsome Packages prior to booking a room. Packages include a cute, custom-made dog treat by the hotel chef, a dog mat, a bowl, and a bed.

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19.  Alfond Inn, Winter Park, Florida

This attractive inn offers an even more attractive pet-friendly package. The Very Important Pup Package is easy to book and part of the charge goes to the Pet Alliance of Greater Orlando. For a charge of $249.00 per night, you get to stay in a preferred Classic Room free of the usual pet fee. You also get a dog bowl, toys, and tasty treats too.

20.  Castle Hill Inn, Newport, Rhode Island

Guests of this luxury inn can stay in one of the popular Beach Cottage rooms. Many of them include nice outdoor decks, big soaking tubs, and fireplaces. They are decorated in a chic beach decor, and more importantly, the inn includes a stretch of private beach perfect for your fur baby. Pets are also allowed in the Harbor House rooms. Pet fees reportedly start at $175.00 per stay.

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21.  Mountain Shadows Resort Scottsdale, Paradise Valley, Arizona

Veteran visitors to this pet-friendly, luxury desert resort erected in the late 1950s recommend purchasing the popular Pampered Pup Package. This great getaway includes outdoor spaces, a cool pool with noteworthy views of Camelback Mountain and your dear dog gets an apt (for Arizona) cactus bandana, locally made, natural treats from Bentley’s Biscuits, a pet feeder, and a dog bed. Your cost: $55.00 per dog, per stay. There are additional charges if you stay more than four nights.

22.  St. Regis Aspen Resort, Aspen, Colorado

Here you can meet the in-residence Bernese Mountain dog, Kitty. Kitty is perfect for pets who like to make friends. The resort will soon have a Fur Butler to manage Kitty’s daily activities and interactions with guests. Kitty is available for walks, playdates, airport greetings, and much more. If you choose to do some skiing, dog sitting and dog walking services are available.  

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23.  Red Lion Hotel Port Angeles Harbor. Port Angeles, Washington

The Red Lion Hotel reportedly makes paying pet fees palatable. Mainly because they only charge guests $25.00 per stay. Additionally, ten of those dollars are donated to the local Olympic Peninsula Humane Society. Energetic dogs will especially appreciate the accommodations since this hotel is ensconced between Olympic National Park and the stunning Strait of Juan de Fuca.  

24.  MC Hotel, Montclair, New Jersey

Located in the state’s hub of art, food, and culture, the MC Hotel is great for foodies with fur babies. Guests should also know that Montclair is roughly half an hour outside of famous New York City, too. The kitchen here is famous for its culinary canine edibles.

Executive Chef, Amber Lancaster, seen on the TV show “Hell’s Kitchen,” has cleverly concocted a memorable menu for pets. The menu includes such edible items as “Ruff Age”, a dish made with kale, spinach, and salmon. There’s also “Doggie Hash” made from rice and ground beef. Two-legged guests may dine on dishes at the hotel’s open-air restaurant, Allegory. 

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25.  Surfjack Hotel & Swim Club, Honolulu, Hawaii

Arguably one of only a few of Hawaii’s pet-friendly places, you will find this hotel on world-famous Waikiki Beach. This retro-impacted, eclectic accommodation is home to an awesome “Wish You Were Here” tiled swimming pool. It is big with pet owners because of the various pet amenities. The hotel offers a free dog-walking service and even a doggie day-care program that actually picks up dogs right in the hotel lobby.

Additionally, Jack, the friendly, four-legged canine concierge, is almost always available for pet play dates on the beautiful beach. Of course, their most exciting option is said to be the fun, surfing, and paddleboarding lessons offered by the hotel’s partner known as SUPDog Hawaii which provides pet-specific water lesson activities.  

26.  Sheraton Norfolk Waterside Hotel, Norfolk, Virginia

This newly-renovated hotel offers furry guests a special play area, pet beds, and food bowls too. It’s situated beside the 10.5-mile Elizabeth River Trail that is not only puppy-friendly but a great way to explore the local neighborhoods. The hotel is also within comfortable walking distance of the fun-filled Sheraton Norfolk Waterslide and a number of other assorted pet-friendly attractions, such as the well-known Pagoda and Oriental Garden, the Battleship Wisconsin pier, the artistic NEON Arts District murals, and several pup-friendly patios.  

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We got the message!  You love animals and we do too!  So without further ado, here are 15 wildlife wonders everyone must see!

1.  Swim with the Turtles, Queensland

Did you know that female turtles initially mate with as many male turtles as they can then save all the sperm before self-fertilizing every breeding season?  It’s true.  If you want to witness the frenzied hot turtle love then visit the famous Great Barrier Reef any time between November and March,  You can book a day trip that leaves from Bundaberg.

You can also go swimming or snorkeling with them if you wish.

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Gorilla Trekking, Uganda

If you go ape over gorillas, then don’t monkey around with your next travel itinerary,  Book a flight for Uganda and head for the famous Bwindi Impenetrable Forest,  After all, this country is the home of half of all the mountain gorillas on the planet.

Additionally, at least 17 gorilla families have actually been relocated here so you will see them . . .sooner or later.  Take an ecologically sensitive eight-guest tour.  This maximizes your chance to see them up close.  Be careful though as this adventure is not for those who are faint of heart.

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Search for Snow Leopards, Himalayas

Taking a trip to the frozen Himalayas to get a gander of the over 6,000 snow leopards living in Central Asia is not that different from venturing deep into the backstreet bowels of some far-off city in search of the perfect mate.

After all, snow leopards are not your average felines.  For example, they have biologically built-in snowshoes.  Thus, an expedition to see snow leopards in the desolate destination of Ladakh over the rugged alpine ranges and snow-capped peaks will be absolutely unforgettable albeit challenging.

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Go Bird Watching, Brazil

Brazil is the home of over 6,000 different species of birds.  It’s also the place where you will find the planet’s largest concentration of jaguars, and lots of piranhas, and anacondas as well.  In recent years animal-loving travelers have forgone the usual Amazon “jungle” experience to visit this 150,000 square kilometers of wetlands instead.

You will see plenty of wildlife including lots of colorful birds, like the popular jabiru and zigzag heron.  Choose from a horseback tour or a river cruise.

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Search for Polar Bears, Svalbard

If your list of tour essentials includes mittens, balaclava, and “rescue insurance” then you might just be searching for polar bears.  Indeed, the popular Norwegian archipelago of Svalbard is not the usual place for an average vacation.

Race over the snow past great glaciers, and frozen river landscapes as you go in search of the near-majestic polar bears.  If you visit between February and May, you can sign on to take a 10-hour trip between Longyearbyen and the icy east coast .

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See Seals, Australia

If you want to see seals in South Australia, take a trip to popular Seal Bay Conservation Park, on famous Kangaroo Island’s south coast.  Sea lions are all over the place.  See them serenely sunning themselves in the sand and rocks.  Watch them goof around in the water, too.

Binoculars are not needed to get a good look at the more than 1000-member colony.  The park even offers guided tours.  Not enough for you?  You can also sign on for a four-day 3WD tour with a private company.

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Marveling at Marine Iguana, Galapagos Islands

Some might think the marine iguanas on the Galapagos Islands are hideous and yet rumor has it that these residents of this archipelago roughly 1,000 kilometers off the coast of Ecuador aided Charles Darwin with his theory of evolution.

There are reportedly around 300,000 marine iguanas living on these islands.  Local businesses offer an assortment of expeditions focused on special interests such as family-friendly tours and photography trips.  You may see other animals who live there as well such as fur seals, sea lions, and the famous Galapagos penguins

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Stalk Lynx, Finland

The lynx is rumored to be “the black sheep” of the feline family.  These cats live like vagabonds in the frozen recesses of Lapland.  Travel across the deep Nordic snow via snowmobile beneath the world-famous Northern Lights in search of these evasive, wild cats during a five-night safari.

You will probably spot moose and reindeer too before retiring to your welcoming tented camp.

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A Fantastic Flamboyance of Flamingos, Bonaire

These pink-feathered friends are favorites on Instagram.  Why else would there be more than 4.3 million “flamingo” tags from folks following them all over assorted cozy Caribbean beaches?  Ah, but if you personally prefer your fantastic flamboyance of flamingos feeling free, relaxed, and “influencer-free”, travel to the popular Pekelmeer Flamingo Sanctuary, Bonaire.

This island is surrounded by a coral reef in the charismatic Caribbean Sea.  More importantly, it’s one of the few flamingo breeding sites in the area.  Would you like to see them up close and personal?  Book a four-hour tour to see not only the sanctuary but other island sights as well.

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Waddle with the Penguins, Antarctica

Look, we know the rugged seventh continent is not everyone’s favorite vacation location.  It can be an adventure just getting to Antarctica, especially if you want to see the penguins.  You will set sail from the port of Ushuaia, at the southernmost tip of South America,

From there you cross the dangerous Drake Passage prior to your arrival in this chilling, sub-zero land of ice and snow.  There amidst the endless blue horizons and tall peaks, you will find large colonies of both Adelie and emperor penguins.  You may also spot albatrosses, seals, and whales.  You can even go kayaking and ice camping here if it strikes your fancy.

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Get Grizzly with Bears, Canada

No one’s afraid of Winnie, but the famous North American brown bear isn’t called a grizzly for nothing!  These animals can hibernate for roughly five to seven months then run faster than an Olympian even when they’re hungry.  In fact, these bears have even been known to eat each other!  Of course, you can Google grisly grizzly facts any time of day but if you want to really see them, head for the wilds of British Columbia.

There you can sign up for two viewing sessions daily through a local lodge.

See Albatross soar, New Zealand

Sir David Attenborough was a big fan of visiting Dunedin in New Zealand’s stunning South Island.  It is here you will find the world’s only official breeding colony of the well-known royal albatross.  These noble birds grow large enough to have a recorded wingspan of over three meters.  They are a favorite sight of many birdwatchers.

Be sure to stop in at the Royal Albatross Centre where you can also see the nesting birds feeding their little chicks you can watch the nesting birds incubating their eggs or even feeding their chicks.

 Watch the Great Migration, Tanzania and Kenya

We can’t confirm it but apparently, some travel writers say that you haven’t truly “lived until you’ve experienced the great wildebeest migration.”  Specifically, we’re referring to over 2 million wildebeest, gazelles, and zebras  – and even an opportunistic predator or two – traveling through the Maasai Mara and Serengeti in search of greener pastures.  If you wish to witness some of this organized chaos in person, visit from July to October to watch the animals cross the nearby Mara River.

Visit from December to March and see them on the southern section of the Serengeti.  You can even sign up for a two-week Kenya and Tanzania safari.  That way you will get to see the Big Five and who knows what else?

 Eye Elephants, Botswana

If seeing a pair of pachyderms playing in a shallow, little river isn’t enough for you then book a trip to Chobe National Park.  For it is there you will discover approximately 120,000 Kalahari giants holding court in a place with herds of hippos, zebra, and buffalo.  While the elephants are here all year long, veteran visitors say that the very best time to get a good look at them is during the official dry season which is from late May to October 31st.

This is generally when a lot of them gather by the river.  You can take a traditional game drive or a boat trip at the park.  Spend the night at the superb Sanctuary Chobe Chilwero and you will also be able to go on a water safari in a specially-adapted motorboat.

Hang with Orangutans, Borneo

These surprisingly gentle red-orange Bornean orangutans actually share almost 97 percent of our DNA.  Nevertheless, the small difference, means among other things, that their natural habitat is in the verdant, tropical jungle near a handy river.

If you really want to find out how they’re hangin’ then you can sign on for a wildlife tour. It begins with a stop at mighty Mount Kinabalu and moves on into the Danum Valley where these orangutans reside at the popular Sepilok Sanctuary.

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Are you a real animal lover?  Do you sometimes prefer the company of pets to people?  Do you enjoy meeting new four-legged friends on your travels?  Then read on, fellow traveler, as we present 12 amazing Australian animals!

1.  Whale Sharks, Western Australia

Whale sharks are the largest fish in the world.  They can grow to a length of 18 meters.  One of the few places you can get up close and personal with these rare sea creatures is at Ningaloo Reef.

You can participate in daily swims if you visit between March 1st and August 31st.  Do you enjoy ocean encounters?  If you visit between August and October, you can participate in humpback whale swims.

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Kangaroos, South Australia

What better place to see kangaroos than Kangaroo Island?  These unique kangaroos are actually a subspecies that are a bit smaller than their mainland cousins.  They are a little slower as well.

Throw in no natural predators and it all adds up to a lot of chances to catch a kanga on film, so to speak.  Mind you, other animals inhabit this island as well.  You can see echidnas, koalas, wallabies, and sooty dunnarts.  Visit Seal Bay to spot endangered Australian sea lions too.

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Manta Rays, Queensland

Lady Elliot Island is nicknamed the “home of the manta ray.”  It is also said to be one of the Great Barrier Reef’s best places for snorkeling. and diving.  The island’s surrounding water is home to over 700 manta rays.

These manta rays grow to have a wingspan of up to five meters.  Mind you, they’re only one of a total of 1200 different species of marine life and the Great Barrier Reef’s largest diversity of seabirds here too.

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Koalas, Victoria

Visit the impressive You Yangs Regional Park.  There, southwest of Melbourne, you will find 350-meter high granite ridges offering incredible views of the popular Werribee Plains below.  This is the key habitat of kangaroos, koalas, marsupials, and possums.

Up your chances of spotting these animals by heading out with an experienced local guide.  The low woodlands and grasslands in this area also provide a home for over 200 species of birds including the honeyeater.  You can stop here on your way to see the Great Ocean Road.

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Great White Sharks, South Australia

There is only one place in Australia where you can legally go cage-diving with great white sharks.  That’s the popular Neptune Islands off the attractive Eyre Peninsula coastline.  Here you can also find other marine life such as Australian sea lions.  Veteran visitors suggest booking a two-day tour.

You can go shark cage diving, swim with southern bluefin tuna, and even frolic with friendly sea lions.

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Thorny Devils, Northern Territory

You can meet the admittedly uncuddly thorny devil in Australia’s rugged Red Centre.  Of course, these small camouflaged creatures are typically not all that easy to spot against the stark backdrop of imposing Uluru.  No worries though as there are indeed a number of other animals you could see in the arid, striking landscape of Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park.  Here you might meet up to 178 different birds, 21 mammals, and 73 reptiles.

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Quolls, Tasmania

If you’re looking for species of wildlife not normally found on mainland Australia, the Apple Isle is the place to be.  Both the spotted-tail quoll (presently threatened on the mainland) and the eastern quoll (reportedly extinct on the mainland) are still commonly found in Tasmania.  These extraordinary marsupials are carnivores and mainly nocturnal in nature.  So your best bet to spot them is with the assistance of an experienced guide.

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Humpback Whales, New South Wales

There’s no need to travel to even leave the city, to enjoy a genuine Australian wildlife experience.  All you need to do is visit iconic Sydney Harbour.

While many people know it as the home of the opera house and bridge, it’s also the official residence of more marine creatures than any other harbor on the planet.  In fact, it is also a regular stopover for humpback whales on their yearly migration between the Great Barrier reef and Antarctica.

Head a bit further out to sea, and you’ll discover the harbor area is also one of the country’s best places for spotting birds too

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Wombats. Tasmania

Maria Island is known as Tasmania’s “Noah’s ark” because it is a renowned sanctuary for a number of different threatened and endangered species such as the well-known (albeit misrepresented) Tasmanian devil.  The animal that put this particular place on the map though is the wombat.  Maria’s Island is a little isle located 15 kilometers off the Tasmanian mainland.  This is not only the best place in the country to see wombats in the wild but other native animals as well.

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Birds, Northern Territory

Kakadu in the Northern Territory is the home of one-third of the country’s bird species.  Thus, it’s a birdwatcher’s paradise.  Want to see a flock of magpie geese fly over the iconic billabongs?  Climb aboard for a popular Yellow Water Cruise and get up close to not only the diverse birdlife here but also the local crocodiles.  The best time to visit is in October during their official Bird Week. or take a private tour.

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Yellow-Footed Rock Wallaby, South Australia

Rugged Flinders Ranges is a big attraction for both visitors and the native wildlife.  Here you’ll find the nation’s largest population of the now rare and endangered yellow-footed rock wallaby.  In fact, you’re practically guaranteed a sighting in Brachina Gorge.  Be sure to look for the red kangaroos, the largest living marsupials, and the wallaroos who made the area outcrops their homes.

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Australian Fur Seals, Victoria

You will find more than penguins at Phillip Island.  Situated two kilometers off the coast is Seal Rocks.  Here you can see the country’s biggest colony of Australian fur seals.  Take a cruise around the island and you will also have the chance to see three species of whales –humpbacks, orcas, and southern right–and friendly, welcoming dolphins.

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Don’t you just love animals? 

Humans might be at the top of the food chain but we are all really animals.  If you like to go looking for wildlife then read on, fellow travelers.  Visiting national parks in the U.S. not only offers the chance to enjoy some noteworthy natural landscapes, but it also allows one the opportunity to see the beasts that truly make the wilderness wild.  Here then, in no particular order, are 10 awesome animals you can spot in U.S. national parks. 

1.  The Bald Eagle

The bald eagle makes his home in North America.  These birds of prey are not actually bald.  The name references the older meaning of “white-headed.”  The adult bald eagle is brown with a white tail and head.  

All bald eagles have large, hooked beaks and the same plumage.  The bald eagle is the official national emblem of the USA.  They were officially dropped off the List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife in 2007.  You can easily spot them in parks in the northern U.S., such as Acadia National Park.

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2. The American Alligator

The American alligator, known to some as the common alligator, is prevalent in the Southeastern US.  American alligators prefer freshwater wetlands like cypress swamps and marshes.  Males are larger than females.  

They can be over 15 feet long and weigh as much as 999 pounds.  They have broader snouts than American crocodiles.  The best place to spot them is the Everglades National Park in Florida.  You can see them from the safety of the boardwalks there, for a much closer look you should explore the park via boat.  

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3. The American Bison

Also known as the American buffalo, this species of bison once roamed the continent in huge herds.  Native American tribes have had spiritual and cultural connections to this animal for millennia.  The American buffalo is the official national mammal of the USA.  

It’s also the heaviest land mammal indigenous to North America.  Today travelers can still see them on the plains of Wyoming, and North and South Dakota.  The best places to spot them are in Badlands National Park, Grand Teton National Park, and Theodore Roosevelt National Park.

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4.  The Olympic Marmot

The awesome Olympic marmot is a cat-sized rodent in the squirrel family.  They live in colonies and typically weigh approximately 18 pounds.  The animal was deemed the official “endemic mammal” of the state of Washington in 2009. 

These animals reside almost exclusively in mountain meadows in popular Olympic National Park.  The park contains three different ecosystems and a lot of walking trails.  Thus, it’s said to be one of the very best places in the nation to spot wildlife including marmots, spotted owls, whales, or even giant slugs. 

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5.  Bighorn Sheep

The bighorn sheep is a specific species of sheep native to the continent.  They’re aptly named for their massive horns.  A pair of bighorn sheep horns can weigh as much as 30 pounds.  Ewes, or females, also have horns but they are not as curved and are shorter.  

The sheep can weigh as much as 316 pounds.  The male’s horns are both a status symbol and a weapon employed in territorial disputes.  You can spot them in such places as Utah’s Zion National Park and Colorado’s Rocky Mountain National Park.    

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6.  The Gray Wolf

The gray (or grey) wolf is a big canine native to both North America and Eurasia.  On average they weigh 88 pounds.  They’re up to 63 inches long and have a shoulder height of up to 33 inches.  This pack animal is thriving in Alaska but is otherwise endangered in almost every other state.  While you could potentially see a gray wolf in a number of US national parks, the best place to spot one is at the popular Grizzly and Wolf Discovery Center found in famous Yellowstone National Park.

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7.  The Grizzly Bear

The grizzly bear, a.k.a. the North American brown bear is a large subspecies of North America’s brown bear.  They can weigh up to 790 pounds.  These bears can reach almost seven feet in length with a shoulder height of nearly four feet.

Some sources suggest that grizzly bears are possibly “the most feared” beasts residing in North America’s national parks.  After all, these large predators can reach a speed of 35 m.p.h.  If you can’t get to Alaska where most of them live, visit Montana’s well-known Glacier National Park.

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8.  The Hawksbill Sea Turtle

The Hawksbill Sea Turtle is a “Critically Endangered” sea turtle.  It looks much like other marine turtles.  It can grow to be three feet long.    

The average weight of one of these turtles is roughly 180 pounds but they have been known to be as heavy as 280 pounds.  These animals eat jellyfish, seaweed, and even very small crustaceans.  Although they are not isolated to Hawaii, the best place to see them is in the water at the beautiful Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park.

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9.  The Moose

The moose (or elk in Eurasia) is part of the deer subfamily known as New World deer.  It’s also the heaviest and largest member.  They can weigh up to 1400 pounds and have palmate or open-hand shaped antlers.

The moose is both majestic and dangerous.  Since the 1990s, the moose population in North America has been declining.  They can still be found living in the spruce, willow, and aspen forests of the northern US and Canada.  The best place to spot them is the Denali National Park in Alaska. 

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10. Salamanders

Salamanders are a group of lizard-like amphibians.  They have blunt snouts, slender bodies, soft skin, tails, and short limbs which are set at right angles to their bodies.  They rarely have more than eight front toes.  You can see a wide range of these amphibians in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, a.k.a. the “Salamander Capital of the World.”  Go for a hike and check under logs and rocks as for all 30 species that live here.  They love moist habitats.     

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