Lewis and Clark Expedition for kids: Animals discovered by Lewis and Clark
The members of the Lewis and Clark expedition had no idea of the many different animals and birds they would encounter on the historic journey. It was the responsibility of Meriwether Lewis to record the new animals that they encountered on their long journey. The very first new animal they came across was the eastern wood rat which they discovered in the area now known as Osage County, Missouri. Also refer to the entries in the journals relating to:

Accounts of the Animals

Accounts of the Fish

Accounts of the Birds

Accounts of the Ducks

Accounts of the Shellfish

Accounts of Reptiles

Animals discovered by Lewis and Clark: The Myths and Legends
The explorers did not know what animals they would meet on their voyage of discovery. Their journey would take them across unmapped lands unknown to westerners. They must have felt somewhat daunted by the myths and legends about the animals that lived in the wilderness. The most famous was the myth that the land was inhabited by massive wooly mammoths that had survived the devastation of the prehistoric Ice Age. Other myths and legends recounted tales of great serpents, river monsters and dragon-like creatures. It is ironic that the first new animal they met was the wood rat!

Animals discovered by Lewis and Clark: The Great Plains
The animals discovered by Lewis and Clark on the Great Plains were some of the most interesting species of animals. These animals included the the pronghorn antelope, the grizzly bear, the buffalo, the swift fox, the black-tailed prairie dog, the white-tailed jackrabbit and the mule deer. Without doubt the most terrifying and dangerous of all the animals was the Grizzly Bear. Members of the expedition were attacked by Grizzly Bears who were so strong that even several shots from a rifle did not kill them.

Animals discovered by Lewis and Clark: Zoological Specimens
The animals discovered by Lewis and Clark were carefully described and a large number of specimens were sent back home. The specimens they collected included skeletons and bones, teeth, horns, talons and the skins of animals. the specimens also included live animals - the most famous being the live prairie dog which was sent to President Jefferson from Fort Mandan in 1805. The black-tailed prairie dog, referred to as a "barking squirrel" lived out his life in the grounds of the White House.