Plants and animals have always held places of importance to the Cherokee people. Below are a few plants and animals that have significant meaning to Cherokees.

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1 MB / Created June 20, 2019 / Updated November 18, 2025

Perching and flying higher than other birds, no other bird is considered as sacred as the Bald Eagle.

1.9 MB / Created June 10, 2019 / Updated November 18, 2025

Great blue herons typically are found wading near the shoreline of any water body looking for fish, crayfish, frogs, salamanders, and any other food.

1.6 MB / Created June 10, 2019 / Updated November 18, 2025

Cardinals can be found throughout Cherokee Nation as well as in the Cherokee ancestral homelands in the eastern United States.

2.1 MB / Created June 10, 2019 / Updated November 18, 2025

Cottonmouths typically are found near permanent water sources with plenty of cover. They are quick to show their cottony-looking mouths if bothered.

2 MB / Created June 10, 2019 / Updated November 18, 2025

Eastern cottontail rabbits are found throughout much of the eastern United States.

1.6 MB / Created June 10, 2019 / Updated November 18, 2025

Gray squirrels can be found in almost any habitat in northeast Oklahoma but prefer areas that have mast-producing trees, such as oak, hickory, pecan, walnut.

2.6 MB / Created June 10, 2019 / Updated November 18, 2025

Great egrets can be found anywhere there is a shoreline. Although not as common as the great blue heron, they can be found in the same locations.

1.8 MB / Created June 10, 2019 / Updated November 18, 2025

The Red-tailed Hawk is said to be a protector spirit of the Cherokees and is therefore considered sacred. Tail feathers were and are used ceremonially.

1.7 MB / Created June 10, 2019 / Updated November 18, 2025

Snowy egrets, though much smaller than the great blue heron and great egret, are large wading birds with white feathers.

2.7 MB / Created June 10, 2019 / Updated November 18, 2025

The Deer Clan is one of the 7 Cherokee Clans making the White-tailed Deer a sacred animal.

Updated November 18, 2025