The smallest inhabitants are shrews, the largest are black bears. A variety of mammals fall somewhere between, including the little brown bat, gray squirrel, striped and spotted skunks, gray fox, bobcat, and white-tailed deer. The most exciting to see is a matter of personal preference. Shenandoah National Park is a great place to observe wildlife.
Countless visitors spend hours watching deer snip and tear plants.
Other people look for tracks and scat of bobcats, listen for the rustling of raccoons in the brush, and occasionally smell striped skunks. Because hunting and trapping are prohibited, some animals appear almost tame. They are wild, however. Even beautiful brown-eyed deer will defend their young from harm. Mammals are some of the most obvious residents of the park.