It contains 20,000 to 30,000 species of insects and many species of reptiles, amphibians, mushrooms and so on. There are three animals that now have returned. In the 1930s the Virginia white -tailed deer could no longer be found. Also both the black bear and the wild turkey were not in sight. Today, the deer population is at capacity.
Deer prefer to eat in fringe areas and are seen on the Drive.
The preceding photo was taken by me on Skyline Drive 3 foot off the road. Black bear came back all by themselves either down the Parkway or from Pennsylvania or across the Shenandoah Valley. Shenandoah N.P. had 300. Today it is believed that the density of black bear is highest in North America in that region. Incounters with all bears should be made with great caution especially when a female has her cubs.