List of mammals of Massachusetts

This is a list of mammals of Massachusetts. It includes all mammals currently living in Massachusetts, whether resident or as migrants, as well as extirpated species. For the most part, it does not include each mammal's specific habitat, but instead shows the mammal's range in the state and its abundance.

The Atlantic right whale is the state marine mammal of Massachusetts

Chiroptera (bats)

In 2008, white nose syndrome was recorded in Massachusetts. Afterwards, the bat population declined by 98%, and thus, in 2012, the little brown myotis, northern long-eared myotis, and tricolored bat were listed as endangered in the state.

Name Species/authority Family Range and status IUCN Red List
Big brown bat
Eptesicus fuscus
Beauvois, 1796
VespertilionidaeCommon, live statewide
7
[1]
Silver-haired bat
Lasionycteris noctivagans
Le Conte, 1831
VespertilionidaeMigratory, uncommon, statewide
7
[2]
Eastern red bat
Lasiurus borealis
Müller, 1776
VespertilionidaeMigratory, common, statewide
7
[3]
Hoary bat
Lasiurus cinereus
Beauvois, 1796
VespertilionidaeMigratory, rarely seen, statewide
7
[4]
Eastern small-footed myotis
Myotis leibii
Audubon & Bachman, 1842
VespertilionidaeBerkshire and Hampden counties, extremely rare, listed as special concern
7
[5]
Little brown bat
Myotis lucifugus
Le Conte, 1831
VespertilionidaeEndangered, distribution spotty
7
[6]
Northern long-eared myotis
Myotis septentrionalis
Trouessart, 1897
VespertilionidaeEndangered, distribution spotty, reportedly breeding in Martha's Vineyard
7
[7]
Indiana bat
Myotis sodalis
Miller & Allen, 1928
VespertilionidaeVery rare, Western Massachusetts only, listed as endangered in the state and federally
7
[8]
Tricolored bat
Perimyotis subflavus
Cuvier, 1832
VespertilionidaeThreatened, distribution spotty
7
[9]

Carnivora (carnivorans)

Name Species/authority Family Range and status IUCN Red List
Eastern coyote
Canis latrans
CanidaeCommon; statewide, except Nantucket
7
Eastern wolf
Canis lycaon
CanidaeExtirpated; last reported in 1840, although there were two sightings in 1918 and 2007 in Franklin County[10]
7
Gray fox
Urocyon cinereoargenteus
CanidaeCommon; statewide except Dukes, Nantucket, and Suffolk counties
7
Red fox
Vulpes vulpes
CanidaeCommon; statewide except Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket
7
Raccoon
Procyon lotor
ProcyonidaeCommon, statewide except Nantucket
7
American black bear
Ursus americanus
UrsidaeRarity varies locally; found in most of the state, but not common in southeast Massachusetts.
7
Canada lynx
Lynx canadensis
FelidaeExtirpated; formerly central and western Massachusetts; reported in Hampshire (1866) and Worcester (1884–1885) counties, questionable reports in the 1930s were probably bobcats; two records in 1991
7
Bobcat
Lynx rufus
FelidaeCommon in northeastern, central and western Massachusetts, but rare in southeastern Massachusetts and Cape Cod; absent in the islands
7
Eastern cougar
Puma concolor couguar
FelidaeExtirpated; last known record was in 1858. However, in 1997, a DNA testing of feces found in the Quabbin Reservoir in Franklin County was that of a cougar, although it could have been an escaped captive
Wolverine
Gulo gulo
MustelidaeExtirpated; lasted reported in 1835, formerly western Massachusetts
7
North American river otter
Lontra canadensis
MustelidaeCommon; statewide except Suffolk County; records in Nantucket in 1984 and 2007
7
American marten
Martes americana
MustelidaeExtirpated; formerly central, western, and possibly northeastern Massachusetts; last reported in Worcester County (1880) although two records in 1992 and 1993 may have come from Vermont
7
American ermine
Mustela richardsonii
MustelidaeCommon; statewide except Dukes and Nantucket counties; rare in Cape Cod
7
Long-tailed weasel
Neogale frenata
MustelidaeCommon; statewide except Dukes and Nantucket counties
7
Sea mink

Neogale macrodon
MustelidaeFormerly coastal Massachusetts; became extinct from overtrapping
7
American mink
Neogale vison
MustelidaeCommon; statewide except Nantucket, possibly extirpated from Martha's Vineyard
7
Fisher
Pekania pennanti
MustelidaeCommon; statewide except Dukes and Nantucket counties
7
Striped skunk
Mephitis mephitis
MephitidaeCommon, statewide except the Elizabeth Islands and Nantucket
7
Bearded seal
Erignathus barbatus
PhocidaeOne record; Essex County (2002)
7
Grey seal
Halichoerus grypus
PhocidaeFound in Barnstable, Dukes, and Nantucket counties; Population has increased after seal hunting became illegal in 1962, known pupping sights are in Monomoy and Muskeget islands
7
Harp seal
Pagophilus groenlandicus
PhocidaeCommon winter visitor; reported from Plymouth, Suffolk, Essex, and Barnstable counties. Sightings are increasing, especially in winter
7
Harbor seal
Phoca vitulina
PhocidaeA common seal in Massachusetts. Found in coastal areas, including Barnstable, Suffolk, Essex, and Plymouth counties. Regular winter visitor in Cape Cod and the islands. Originally bred in the state but no known breeding areas. However, pups have been reported in Plymouth
7
Ringed seal
Pusa hispida
PhocidaeUncommon in Massachusetts; most seen in winter
7
Walrus
Odobenus rosmarus
OdobenidaeRare vagrant. Reported from Essex (1937) and Plymouth (1734) counties
7

Cetacea (cetaceans)

Name Species/authority Family Range and status IUCN Red List
Bowhead whale
Balaena mysticetus
BalaenidaeOccasionally seen in winter; probably uncommon
7
North Atlantic right whale
Eubalaena glacialis
BalaenidaeUncommon, winter and spring visitor in Cape Cod Bay
7
Northern bottlenose whale
Hyperoodon ampullatus
ZiphiidaeRare, pelagic, stranded in Barnstable and Essex counties
7
Sowerby's beaked whale
Mesoplodon bidens
ZiphiidaeOnly two records in Nantucket
7
Blainville's beaked whale
Mesoplodon densirostris
ZiphiidaeOne record in Essex County
7
Gervais' beaked whale
Mesoplodon europaeus
ZiphiidaeOne record in Cape Cod
7
True's beaked whale
Mesoplodon mirus
ZiphiidaeOne record in Nantucket
7
Cuvier's beaked whale
Ziphius cavirostris
ZiphiidaePelagic, stranded in Barnstable, Norfolk, and Dukes counties
7
Beluga whale
Delphinapterus leucas
MonodontidaeVagrant, observed in the waters of Essex, Barnstable, Dukes, and Bristol counties
7
Short-beaked common dolphin
Delphinus delphis
DelphinidaeUncommon, found in Barnstable, Bristol, Dukes, and Nantucket counties
7
Short-finned pilot whale
Globicephala macrorhynchus
DelphinidaeUncommon, occurs in schools, primarily found in warmer waters offshore
7
Long-finned pilot whale
Globicephala melas
DelphinidaeUncommon, occurs in schools and is frequently stranded
7
Risso's dolphin
Grampus griseus
DelphinidaeUncommon, offshore waters, stranded in Barnstable, Dukes, and Norfolk counties
7
White-beaked dolphin
Lagenorhynchus albirostris
DelphinidaeRare, found in coastal waters, reported from Barnstable and Essex counties
7
Atlantic white-sided dolphin
Leucopleurus acutus
Delphinidae Common, found in coastal waters, stranded in Norfolk, Essex, Barnstable, Dukes, and Nantucket
7
Killer whale
Orcinus orca
DelphinidaeRare, offshore waters, stranded in Barnstable and Dukes counties, observed in Plymouth and Suffolk counties
7
Pantropical spotted dolphin
Stenella attenuata
DelphinidaeUncommon, found in offshore waters
7
Striped dolphin
Stenella coeruleoalba
DelphinidaeRare, pelagic, reported from Dukes, Nantucket, Plymouth, Barnstable, and Essex counties
7
Atlantic spotted dolphin
Stenella frontalis
DelphinidaeRare, reported from Nantucket and Dukes counties
7
Common bottlenose dolphin
Tursiops truncatus
DelphinidaeRare, found in inshore waters, stranded in Barnstable and Plymouth counties
7
Pygmy sperm whale
Kogia breviceps
PhyseteroideaRare, found in offshore waters, stranded in Barnstable, Plymouth, Essex, Norfolk, and Dukes counties, recorded in Bristol County waters
7
Dwarf sperm whale
Kogia sima
PhyseteroideaRarely seen, stranded in Nantucket and Plymouth counties, distinguished from the pygmy sperm whale by being smaller and having a larger dorsal fin
7
Sperm whale
Physeter macrocephalus
PhyseteroideaRare, formerly abundant offshore, stranded in Barnstable, Dukes, Essex, Nantucket, and Plymouth counties. The largest toothed whale. Dives deep to hunt for food
7
Harbour porpoise
Phocoena phocoena
PhocoenidaeCommon, found entirely in coastal waters
7
Common minke whale
Balaenoptera acutorostrata
RorqualCommon, found in the inshore waters, stranded in Norfolk, Essex, Barnstable, Dukes, and Nantucket counties
7
Sei whale
Balaenoptera borealis
RorqualFound in Cape Cod Bay and Massachusetts Bay, stranded in Cape Cod (1910 and 1974), Essex (2007), and Plymouth (1948) counties, endangered and rare in Massachusetts
7
Blue whale
Balaenoptera musculus
RorqualOne questionable stranding in Essex County reported in 1755, Recent near-shore records, endangered and rare in Massachusetts
7
Fin whale
Balaenoptera physalus
RorqualCommon but endangered, stranded in Barnstable, Essex, Dukes, and Plymouth counties
7
Humpback whale
Megaptera novaeangliae
RorqualCommon but endangered, stranded in Barnstable, Dukes, Essex, Nantucket, Norfolk, Plymouth, and Suffolk counties
7

Artiodactyla (even-toed ungulates)

Name Species/authority Family Range and status IUCN Red List
American bison


Bison bison Bovidae Extirpated[11][12]
Moose
Alces alces
CervidaeCommon; found in north, western, and eastern Massachusetts. Total population is over 1000 individuals
7
Eastern elk
Cervus canadensis canadensis
CervidaeExtirpated, formerly western Massachusetts; last record in Worcester County in 1732
7
Fallow deer
Dama dama
CervidaeIntroduced in Dukes County; last reported in 1980
7
White-tailed deer
Odocoileus virginianus
CervidaeCommon; statewide
7
Boreal woodland caribou


Rangifer tarandus caribou Cervidae Extirpated[13]

Lagomorpha (rabbits and hares)

Name Species/authority Family Range and status IUCN Red List
Snowshoe hare
Lepus americanus
LeporidaeCommon; statewide except Dukes County; introduced to Nantucket
7
Black-tailed jackrabbit
Lepus californicus
LeporidaeIntroduced, uncommon; found only in Nantucket
7
European hare
Lepus europaeus
LeporidaeIntroduced; found only in Berkshire County
7
European rabbit
Oryctolagus cuniculus
LeporidaeIntroduced to Lovells Island and Gallops Island
7
Eastern cottontail
Sylvilagus floridanus
LeporidaeIntroduced, common, statewide
7
New England cottontail
Sylvilagus transitionalis
LeporidaeRare; formerly common and found statewide, now found only in Cape Cod, Nantucket, and southwestern Massachusetts
7

Didelphimorphia (New World opossums)

Name Species/authority Family Range and status IUCN Red List
Virginia opossum
Didelphis virginiana
DidelphinaeCommon; statewide except Dukes and Nantucket counties
7

Rodentia (rodents)

Name Species/authority Family Range and status IUCN Red List
North American beaver
Castor canadensis
CastoridaeCommon; northeastern, Central, and Western Massachusetts
7
Meadow vole
Microtus pennsylvanicus
CricetidaeCommon; statewide
7
Beach vole
Microtus pennsylvanicus breweriCricetidaeendemic to Muskeget Island
7
Woodland vole
Microtus pinetorum
CricetidaeLocally common; statewide except Dukes and Nantucket counties
7
Southern red-backed vole
Myodes gapperi
CricetidaeCommon; statewide except Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket
7
Allegheny woodrat
Neotoma magister
CricetidaeExtirpated; may have occurred in southwestern Berkshire County
7
Muskrat
Ondantra zibethicus
CricetidaeCommon; statewide except Nantucket
7
White-footed mouse
Peromyscus leucopus
CricetidaeCommon; statewide
7
Eastern deer mouse
Peromyscus maniculatus
CricetidaeCommon; central and western Massachusetts
7
Southern bog lemming
Synaptomys cooperi
CricetidaeVery rare; listed as special concern. Known from the towns of Plymouth, Wareham, New Salem, Ware, and Belchertown
7
Woodland jumping mouse
Napaeozapus insignis
DipodidaeCommon; Central and western Massachusetts
7
Meadow jumping mouse
Zapus hudsonius
DipodidaeCommon; statewide
7
House mouse
Mus musculus
MuridaeIntroduced; statewide except Martha's Vineyard
7
Brown rat
Rattus norvegicus
MuridaeIntroduced; statewide
7
Black rat
Rattus rattus
MuridaeIntroduced; statewide
7
North American porcupine
Erethizon dorsatum
ErethizonidaeCommon; northeastern, central, and western Massachusetts
7
Northern flying squirrel
Glaucomys sabrinus
SciuridaeUncommon; northeastern, central, and western Massachusetts
7
Southern flying squirrel
Glaucomys volans
SciuridaeCommon; statewide except Dukes and Nantucket counties
7
Groundhog
Marmota monax
SciuridaeCommon; statewide except Dukes and Nantucket counties
7
Eastern gray squirrel
Sciurus carolinensis
SciuridaeCommon; statewide, introduced in Nantucket in 1989
7
Eastern chipmunk
Tamias striatus
SciuridaeCommon; statewide except Nantucket
7
American red squirrel
Tamiasciurus hudsonicus
SciuridaeCommon; statewide except Dukes and Nantucket counties
7

Eulipotyphla (shrews and moles)

Name Species/authority Family Range and status IUCN Red List
Northern short-tailed shrew
Blarina brevicauda
SoricidaeCommon; statewide
7
Cinereus shrew
Sorex cinereus
SoricidaeCommon; statewide
7
Long-tailed shrew
Sorex dispar
SoricidaeRare; special concern; found only in Berkshire County
7
Smoky shrew
Sorex fumeus
SoricidaeUncommon; Central and Western Massachusetts
7
American pygmy shrew
Sorex hoyi
SoricidaeOne record; Berkshire County (1991)
7
American water shrew
Sorex palustris
SoricidaeUncommon; special concern, found in Central and Western Massachusetts
7
Star-nosed mole
Condylura cristata
TalpidaeCommon; statewide except Dukes and Nantucket counties
7
Hairy-tailed mole
Parascalops breweri
TalpidaeUncommon; northeastern, Central, and Western Massachusetts
7
Eastern mole
Scalopus aquaticus
TalpidaeCommon; found in southern Plymouth county, southern Connecticut River Valley, Cape Cod, and Dukes and Nantucket counties
7

See also

References

  1. Miller, B.; Reid, F.; Arroyo-Cabrales, J.; Cuarón, A.D.; de Grammont, P.C. (2016). "Eptesicus fuscus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016: e.T7928A22118197. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T7928A22118197.en. Retrieved 25 September 2021.
  2. Arroyo-Cabrales, J.; Miller, B.; Reid, F.; Cuarón, A.D. & de Grammont, P.C. (2008). "Lasionycteris noctivagans". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2008: e.T11339A3269157. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2008.RLTS.T11339A3269157.en. Retrieved 27 December 2017.
  3. Arroyo-Cabrales, J.; Miller, B.; Reid, F.; Cuarón, A.D.; de Grammont, P.C. (2016). "Lasiurus borealis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016: e.T11347A22121017. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-1.RLTS.T11347A22121017.en. Retrieved 25 September 2021.
  4. Gonzalez, E.; Barquez, R.; Arroyo-Cabrales, J. (2016). "Lasiurus cinereus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016: e.T11345A22120305. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-1.RLTS.T11345A22120305.en. Retrieved 25 September 2021.
  5. Arroyo-Cabrales, J. & Álvarez-Castañeda, S.T. (2008). "Myotis leibii". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2008: e.T14172A4414839. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2008.RLTS.T14172A4414839.en. Retrieved 27 December 2017.
  6. Arroyo-Cabrales, J. & Álvarez-Castañeda, S.T. (2008). "Myotis lucifugus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2008: e.T14176A4415629. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2008.RLTS.T14176A4415629.en. Retrieved 27 December 2017.
  7. Arroyo-Cabrales, J. & Álvarez-Castañeda, S.T. (2008). "Myotis septentrionalis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2008: e.T14201A4420750. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2008.RLTS.T14201A4420750.en. Retrieved 27 December 2017.
  8. Arroyo-Cabrales, J.; Ospina-Garces, S. (2016). "Myotis sodalis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016: e.T14136A22053184. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-1.RLTS.T14136A22053184.en. Retrieved 25 September 2021.
  9. Arroyo-Cabrales, J.; Miller, B.; Reid, F.; Cuarón, A.D. & de Grammont, P.C. (2008). "Pipistrellus subflavus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2008: e.T17366A7011135. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2008.RLTS.T17366A7011135.en. Retrieved 27 December 2017.
  10. "United States". Wolf.org. 9 August 2013.
  11. "American Bison". National Wildlife Federation. Retrieved 2021-07-02.
  12. Aune, K., Jørgensen, D. & Gates, C. 2017. Bison bison (errata version published in 2018). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2017: e.T2815A123789863. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-3.RLTS.T2815A45156541.en. Downloaded on 07 July 2021.
  13. Guilday, John E. (1968-05-20). "Archaeological Evidence of Caribou from New York and Massachusetts". Journal of Mammalogy. 49 (2): 344–345. doi:10.2307/1378012. ISSN 0022-2372. JSTOR 1378012.
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