How Many Wild Horses Are There In The Outer Banks?

Several herds of wild horses—totaling around 400 in total—live throughout the barrier islands and have become a sought-after tourist attraction in their own right. They can be seen strolling along the beaches and wooded areas near Cape Lookout, Beaufort, Ocracoke, and Corolla.

Are there still wild horses in the Outer Banks?

The Outer Banks, barrier islands off the coast of North Carolina, are home to some unlikely animals. Horses descended from Spanish mustangs have been living wild here for hundreds of years. To survive on these islands, the horses dig for freshwater and swim from island to island in search of fresh grazing areas.

Where are the most wild horses in the Outer Banks?

The official state horse of North Carolina, the Corolla Wild Horses are descendants of colonial Spanish Mustangs brought by explorers nearly 500 years ago. Here, these wild horses roam freely and are most commonly found in the four-wheel-drive areas of Corolla and Carova.

How many horses are on the Outer Banks of North Carolina?

Over the years, the area has become increasingly developed, which has caused the horses’ population size to decline. Today, there are about 100 horses, adults and foals, living on the northern part of the Outer Banks all under the protection of the National Park Service.

What beach in the Outer Banks has wild horses?

The Corolla Wild Horses can be found on the northern beaches of Corolla and Carova. This area is only accessible by four wheel drive vehicles because you must drive on the beach itself.

How many horses are on Corolla?

100 horses
The Corolla herd is made up of approximately 100 horses that live in Corova—the oldest community in the North Corolla beach area—and Swan and North Swan beaches.

Where is the largest population of wild horses?

Australia
Australia has the world’s largest population of wild horses. At least one million “brumbies,” as the horses are known, roam free throughout the continent.

What beach has the most wild horses?

Assateague Island National Seashore is located close to Chincoteague Island, Virginia and Ocean City, Maryland. Assateague contains over 37 miles of pristine beach. More than 300 wild ponies wander the beaches, inland pine forest, and salt marshes.

Can you drive to see wild horses in Corolla?

Self-Drive to See the Corolla Wild Horses for Free
As the horses are free roaming among the sand dunes of Corolla and Carova, you can visit them on your own for free! You just need a four wheel drive vehicle as you’ll be driving onto the sand beaches in search of these beautiful creatures.

Can you walk on the beach to see wild horses in Corolla?

Can You Walk to See the Wild Horses in Corolla? Yes, you may walk around Corolla to see the wild horses. However, it is important to always respect the horses and remember to keep a distance of at least 50 feet.

What is the best time to see the horses in Outer Banks?

While it is possible to do a self-guided journey, the best bet for seeing the wild horses of Corolla is to book a tour with one of the reputable companies in the OBX. Reservations are recommended, especially during peak tourism season in June and July.

What state has the most wild horses?

Nevada is home to nearly half of the nation’s free-roaming horse population. Many of those horses are part of the Virginia Range herd, which occupies a region in the western part of the state.

Are there wolves in Outer Banks?

About 40 red wolves roam their native habitats in five northeastern North Carolina counties encompassing the refuge.

Does the Outer Banks have bears?

Outer Banks Bear Tours are an incredible and relaxing way to see wildlife close up, get away from the crowds of the beaches, and reconnect with nature in our National Wildlife Refuges. Here, you have the unique opportunity to safely spot bears and other wildlife in their natural habitat.

Do bears live in the Outer Banks?

One of the largest black bear concentrations in the southeastern United States is found on the mainland across from the Outer Banks, at the Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge, the U.S. Department of Interior says.

Are there any sharks in Outer Banks?

Blacktip sharks are abundant in the Outer Banks area during summer and fall. Also a species of requiem shark, the blacktip shark is one of the largest sharks to inhabit areas near the Outer Banks, especially during summer and fall.

How did wild horses get to Outer Banks?

They were brought over by Spanish explorers during the Colonial era, which is the case for the horses in the Outer Banks as well. And while the herds are technically wild now, they’re descendants of domesticated horses that were brought to the area sometime in the 1500s and left behind—either by choice or by accident.

Where do the wild horses in Corolla get their water?

The horses forage for grasses and plants found naturally in their habitat, and they drink fresh water from the Currituck Sound estuarine system, rain puddles, manmade canals and small lakes formed by storm water.

How many horses are on Ocracoke?

First recorded by locals in 1730, at one point Ocracoke Island boasted 300 or so wild horses, but today less than 20 horses call the island home. This remaining herd has been fenced in and protected by the NPS since the 1960s, and continue to be some of the island’s most beloved local legends.

What do wild horses on the beach eat?

Wild horses eat a very specialized diet of sea oats, coarse grasses, acorns, persimmons, and other native vegetation. When they ingest apples, carrots, or other non-native foods, they are at great risk for painful colic at best and death at the worst.

What island in North Carolina has wild horses?

Shackleford Banks, the southern-most barrier island in Cape Lookout National Seashore, is home to more than 100 wild horses.