Assateague Island, located off the coasts of Maryland and Virginia, is most famous for its population of wild horses. It is said that the horses are survivors from a shipwreck off of the Virginia coastline hundreds of years ago. Although this story is not validated, it is known that the colonists used Assateague Island as a place for horses and livestock to graze.

Today, the horses remain on the island and are separated into two distinct herds: one on the Maryland side of the island and the other on the Virginia side. Visitors are more than welcome to enjoy these feral animals in their natural habitat but the horses should be given plenty of space for safety measures.

Wild horses are not the only inhabitants of Assateague Island. Native white tailed deer and the sika deer which is a species of elk, also reside on the island as well as many birds and reptiles. Assateague Island is a place of unique wildlife mingling with pristine beaches and man-made structures.

Written by  katie_f.

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