The Southeastern United States is a worldwide center for biological diversity. Geography, climate, and geologic history combine in the Southeastern U.S. to provide unique habitats varying from high elevation boreal forests in the Appalachian Mountains to coastal wetlands and estuaries.

The diverse habitats of the Southeastern U.S. provide for equally diverse plant and animal species assemblages among amphibians, birds, fishes, invertebrates, mammals, plants, and reptiles. More information about each of these groups of animals is presented below.

	Amphibians The Southeastern U.S is home to a wide variety of amphibians. It is a world center of diversity for salamanders.
	Birds The Southeastern U.S. hosts many year-round and migratory bird populations.
	Fishes Freshwater and marine habitats of the region contain many unique fish species.
	Invertebrates Learn about freshwater and terrestrial invertebrates of the Southeastern U.S.
	Mammals The Southeastern U.S. is home to over 100 species of native mammals.
	Plants Learn about regional trees, shrubs, grasses, mosses, and other plant life here.
	Reptiles The diverse habitats in the Southeastern U.S. provide home to lizards, snakes, turtles and tortoises, and crocodilians.

Resources for Animal and Plant Images
Are you looking for images of plants and animals of the Southeastern U.S.? Finding accurately identified images of animals and plants can be challenging, but this site can help you. From the navigation menu at left, visit the "Resources for Animal and Plant Images" page to find image galleries and photo collections from government and academic sources.

Species in Need of Conservation
For amphibians, birds, fishes, mammals, and reptiles, this site provides information for species in the Southeastern U.S. in need of conservation. These species include amphibians, birds, fishes, mammals, and reptiles identified by Southeastern U.S. state wildlife agencies as species of Greatest Conservation Need (GCN) in the state Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Strategies (CWCS), also called State Wildlife Action Plans (SWAP).

This site provides species profiles of amphibians, birds, fish, mammals, and reptiles that occur on at least four state GCN lists. Each species profile combines information provided by partners - NatureServe and ITIS.