Oklahoma : Flora & Fauna

Grasses are common in Oklahoma and they grow in abundance. The native grasses that are found are bluestem, buffalo, sand lovegrass, and grama grasses. Bluestem is found mostly in the eastern and central regions while buffalo grass s most common in the western counties also known as the "short grass country." Deciduous hardwoods stand in eastern Oklahoma, and red and yellow cactus are found blooming in the Black Mesa area in the northwest. The western prairie fringed orchid was listed as threatened in 2003.

The white-tailed deer is found in all counties, and Rio Grande wild turkeys are hunted across much of the state. Pronghorn antelope inhabit the panhandle area, and elk survive in the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge. The ring-necked pheasant, bobwhite quail and prairie chicken are common game birds. Native sport fish include largemouth, smallmouth, white, and spotted bass; catfish; crappie; and sunfish.
Among the state's 19 endangered or threatened species of wildlife in 2003 were three species of bat (Ozark big-eared, Indiana, and gray), whooping crane bald eagle, black-capped vireo, Eskimo curlew, red-cockaded woodpecker, and Neosho madtom.