Wildlife of Missouri

Missouri is home to a diversity of flora, fauna and funga. There is a large amount of fresh water present due to the Mississippi River, Missouri River, and Lake of the Ozarks, with numerous smaller rivers, streams, and lakes. North of the Missouri River, the state is primarily rolling hills of the Great Plains, whereas south of the Missouri River, the state is dominated by the oak-hickory Central U.S. hardwood forest.

Missouri River near Rocheport, Missouri

Some of the native species found in Missouri are included below.[1][2]

Mammals
Main article: List of mammals of Missouri
Red Fox Squirrel

Within historic times, pronghorn, gray wolf, and brown bear were all found in Missouri, but have since been extirpated. American bison and elk were formerly common, but are currently confined to private farms and parks. Elk can be found in a small restoration zone in three counties in the southeast Ozarks.

Birds
Main article: List of birds of Missouri

Year-round:[2]

Summer/breeders:

Winter residents:

Within historic times, the passenger pigeon, the Carolina parakeet, and the ivory-billed woodpecker were all found in Missouri, but they have since been extirpated.[3]

Reptiles

Reptiles of Missouri include:[4]

Amphibians

Amphibians of Missouri include:[5]

Fish
Main article: List of fishes of Missouri

Molluscs
  • Stagnant pond snail
  • Eastern mystery snail
  • Common tadpole snail
  • Three-whorled ram's horn
  • Pearl mussel
  • Asiatic clam
  • Filter mussel
  • Striped forest snail
  • White-lipped forest snail

Crustaceans

Insect migrations

There has also been a migration of insects from the south to Missouri. One example of this is the wasp Polistes exclamans.[6]

See also

References
  1. Guide to North American Wildlife, Reader's Digest, 1982
  2. Field Guide to the Birds of North America (2nd ed.), National Geographic Society, 1996
  3. "Animals of Conservation Concern" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on March 14, 2016. Retrieved March 27, 2014.
  4. Johnson, Tom R. The Amphibians and Reptiles of Missouri: Missouri Department of Conservation, 1992
  5. Briggler, Jeffrey T. and Tom R. Johnson, Missouri's Toads and Frogs, MO Department of Conservation, copyright 1982, 2008, Missouri Conservation Commission.
  6. West, Mary Jane (1968). "Range Extension and Solitary nest founding in Polistes Exclamans". Psyche. 75 (2): 118–23. doi:10.1155/1968/49846.
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