But southern pine stands reach up along exposed ridges, and hemlock forest extends down into protected ravines where moisture and local temperature conditions resemble those found at higher elevations. Soils on steeper landforms are Inceptisols. Species distribution maps show fingers of distribution for many species running southward along the crest of the Appalachians. The black bear, widely distributed in other parts of North America, occurs quite commonly in the Appalachians and surrounding areas. The eastern cougar, once an important predator, is now thought to be extinct.
Whitetail deer are very common.
The understory, especially in areas with rhododendrons and azaleas, hosts worm-eating warblers, and the brilliant hooded warbler is found in lush undergrowth. Louisiana waterthrush patrol the streamsides. The mixed mesophytic forest in coves supports a large variety of nesting birds, including the wood thrush, ovenbird, summer tanager, rose-breasted grosbeak, and all the other species already named. The passenger pigeon, once abundant, is now extinct.