The Croatan National Forest lies completely within the Middle Atlantic coastal forests ecoregion.
It is home to a huge variety of marine and terrestrial animals.
Some of the wildlife that can be found include black bear, raccoon, squirrel, bobcat, river otter, muskrat, mink, a wide variety of reptiles and amphibians, as well as osprey, peregrine falcon, various species of owls, quail, bald eagle, wild turkey, and alligator.
The forest is abundant with pine trees including virgin longleaf pine stands that remain untouched to this date.
There are many hardwood areas including the cypress trees of the swamps.
Carnivorous plants such as Venus flytraps, sundew, and pitcher plants may also be found.
There are a few sandy areas within the forest that provide pristine habitat for the eastern diamondback rattlesnakes.
 The tannic-stained blackwater present throughout the forest also gives habitat to several unique species of fish who thrive in the forest's unique riverine conditions.
 Species such as bluespotted sunfish, mud sunfish, banded sunfish, eastern mudminnow, flier, warmouth, redfin pickerel, bowfin and yellow bullhead, among many others, are some of the most commonly encountered fish.
 The elusive swampfish, a species of cavefish, can also be found in several creeks and canals throughout the forest.
The Croatan National Forest lies completely within the Middle Atlantic coastal forests ecoregion. It is home to a huge variety of marine and terrestrial animals. Some of the wildlife that can be found include black bear, raccoon, squirrel, bobcat, river otter, muskrat, mink, a wide variety of reptiles and amphibians, as well as osprey, peregrine falcon, various species of owls, quail, bald eagle, wild turkey, and alligator. The forest is abundant with pine trees including virgin longleaf pine stands that remain untouched to this date. There are many hardwood areas including the cypress trees of the swamps. Carnivorous plants such as Venus flytraps, sundew, and pitcher plants may also be found. There are a few sandy areas within the forest that provide pristine habitat for the eastern diamondback rattlesnakes.  The tannic-stained blackwater present throughout the forest also gives habitat to several unique species of fish who thrive in the forest's unique riverine conditions.  Species such as bluespotted sunfish, mud sunfish, banded sunfish, eastern mudminnow, flier, warmouth, redfin pickerel, bowfin and yellow bullhead, among many others, are some of the most commonly encountered fish.  The elusive swampfish, a species of cavefish, can also be found in several creeks and canals throughout the forest.
Croatan National Forest