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MARYLAND AT A GLANCE

WILDLIFE

MAMMALS

[photo, Eastern Fox Squirrel, Glen Burnie, Maryland] In Maryland, mammals of all shapes and sizes can be found. Many different species of canine, chiroptera (bats), feline, mustelid (badgers and weasels), and rodent are located in the State. Many may be seen at local, national and State parks.

Eastern Fox Squirrel, Glen Burnie, Maryland, January 2011. Photo by Diane F. Evartt.

Due to ecological and sociological changes, some species are few in number and location. Although endangered, the Delmarva fox squirrel and Assateague pony, for example, both are limited to the Chesapeake area, and attest to Maryland's diverse fauna. Making a home in Elkton (Cecil County), Maryland, is a population of White squirrels, a leucistic (differ from albino, as eyes contain pigment) variant of Gray squirrels.

Nutria and Sika Deer are both invasive mammals recorded in Maryland.

MARYLAND MAMMALS

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
All mammals noted below are native to Maryland.

Bat, Big Brown (Eptesicus fuscus)
Insectivore; nocturnal; chiroptera; 4 to 5 inches long, 11 to 13 inch wingspan. Hibernates during winter months.

Bat, Eastern Small-Footed (Myotis leibii)
Insectivore; nocturnal; chiroptera; 2.5 to 3.75 inches long, 8.5 to 9.75 inch wingspan. Hibernates during winter months.

Bat, Evening (Nycticeius humeralis)
Insectivore; nocturnal; chiroptera; short-lived (two to five years). Migratory.

Bat, Hoary (Lasiurus cinereus)
Insectivore; nocturnal; chiroptera; 5 to 6 inches long; 15 to 16 inch wingspan. Migratory.

Bat, Indiana (Myotis sodalis)
Insectivore; nocturnal; chiroptera. Hibernates during winter months.
Classified as Endangered.

Bat, Little Brown (Myotis lucifugus)
Insectivore; nocturnal; chiroptera; 2.4 to 4 inches long, 8.5 to 11 inch wingspan. Hibernates during winter months.

Bat, Northern Long-Eared (Myotis septentrionalis)
Insectivore; nocturnal; chiroptera; approx. 3.5 inches long. Hibernates during winter months.

Bat, Red (Lasiurus borealis)
Insectivore; nocturnal; chiroptera; 4 to 5 inches long, 11 to 13 inch wingspan. Migratory (April-Oct.).

Bat, Silver Haired (Lasionycteris noctivagans)
Insectivore; nocturnal; chiroptera; approx. 4 inches long, approx. 11 inch wingspan. Primary flight time is early to late evening, so as to avoid competition from other bats. Hibernates during winter months.

Bat, Tricolored (aka Eastern Pipistrelle Bat) (Perimyotis subflavus)
Insectivore; nocturnal; chiroptera; 2.7 to 3.5 inches long, 8.5 to 9.7 inch wingspan; distinct tri-colored hair (dark brown-yellow-black). Hibernates during winter months. One of the smallest bat species in North America.

Bear, American Black (Ursus americanus)
Omnivore; crepuscular; ursidae; 5 to 6 feet long, 2.5 to 3 feet tall at shoulder (approx. 7 feet tall when up on two legs), weighs up to 660 lbs. Can reach speeds up to 30 mph. Hibernates during winter months. Most common bear species native to North America.

Beaver, American (Castor canadensis)
Herbivore; nocturnal; rodent; approx. 3.5 feet long, weighs 33 to 77 lbs.; semi-aquatic; lives ten to twenty years. Largest rodent and only beaver species found in North America.

Bison, American (Bison bison)
Herbivore; diurnal; bovine; approx. 6 feet tall, 10 feet long; 900 to 2,200 lbs.; short, curved horns. Herd animal. Can reach speeds up to 39 mph.
Endangered status is under review; classified as regionally extinct (no wild herds) in Maryland.

Bobcat (Lynx rufus)
Carnivore; crepuscular; feline; 20 to 24 inches tall, 28 to 40 inches long. Climbs and swims.

Chipmunk, Eastern (Tamias striatus)
Omnivore; diurnal; rodent; 5 to 6 inches long; striped back. Burrows and climbs. Prefers deciduous forests and urban parks. Hibernates during winter months.

Cottontail, Appalachian (Sylvilagus obscurus)
Herbivore; crepuscular; leporidae; 15.5 to 17 inches long; weighs 1.75 to 2.5 lbs. Almost indistinct from Sylvilagus floridanus, but its distinct separating feature is the dark patch of fur between its ears. Can reach speeds up to 18 mph.

Cottontail, Eastern (Sylvilagus floridanus)
Herbivore; crepuscular; leporidae; 15.5 to 17 inches long; weighs 1.75 to 2.5 lbs. Almost indistinct from Sylvilagus obscurus. Can reach speeds up to 18 mph.

Coyote (Canis latrans)
Carnivore; nocturnal; canine; 23 to 26 inches tall at shoulder, 30 to 34 inches long. Pack hunter; burrowing animal, yet primarily uses existing burrows and dens; thrives in human occupied areas. Can reach speeds up to 43 mph.

Deer, Sika (Cervus nippon)
Herbivore; noctural; cervidae; 2.5 feet high at shoulders; weighs 50 to 100 lbs.; dark brown to black coat; white rump; antlers found on males. Found in marshy areas and fields.

Deer, White-tailed (Odocoileus virginianus)
Herbivore; diurnal; cervidae; 5.2 to 7.3 feet long, 2.7 to 3.3 feet tall at shoulders; weighs 130 to 300 lbs.; characteristic white underside to tail; antlers found on males. Prefers dense forests.

Elk, American (Cervus elaphus)
Herbivore; diurnal; cervidae; 6.3 to 8 feet long, 4.5 to 5 feet tall at shoulders; weighs 500 to 700 lbs.; antlers found on males. Herd animal.
Once extinct on East Coast, elk were reintroduced in neighboring states of Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia. These populations spread into Maryland.

Ermine (Mustela erminea)
Carnivore; nocturnal; mustelid; up to 12 inches long; distinct black-tipped tail. Burrows, climbs, and swims. Also known as stoat, or short-tailed weasel.

Fisher (Martes pennanti)
Carnivorous; diurnal; mustelid; 26 to 49 inches long. Burrows and climbs. Prefers coniferous and mixed forests.

Fox, Gray (Urocyon cinereoargenteus)
Carnivore; crepuscular; canine; 31 to 41 inches long; weighs 8 to 15 lbs.; distinct black-tipped tail. Skilled climber. Solitary hunter.

Fox, Red (Vulpes vulpes)
Carnivore; crepuscular; canine; 18 to 35 inches long; weighs 8 to 17 lbs.; distinct black-tipped feet, and white-tipped tail. Solitary hunter. Can reach speeds up to 45 mph.

Hare, Snowshoe (Lepus americanus)
Herbivore; crepuscular; leporidae; 14.5 to 15.5 inches long; fur turns white in winter, and brown in warmer months; black-tipped ears all year. Prefers farmlands and meadows.

Horse, Feral (Equus caballus)
Herbivore; diurnal; equine; 4.4 to 5.4 feet tall at shoulders; found primarily on Assateague Island, with a herd protected at Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge in Worcester County. The National Park Service maintains the horses in Maryland. Also known as Assateague pony, and Chincoteage pony.

The origin of the ponies of Assateague Island is unknown. Some speculate that they arrived in the 17th or 18th century, escaping from shipwrecked vessels by swimming to shore. Others contend that early settlers left the horses to roam on the Island to avoid taxes and duties on grazing land.

Lemming, Southern bog (Synaptomys cooperi)
Herbivore; nocturnal; rodent; approx. 5.5 inches long (including tail). Burrows.

Lion, Mountain (Felis concolor)
Carnivore; crepuscular; feline; 5 to 9 feet long (including tail), 2 to 2.5 feet tall at shoulders; weighs 64 to 198 lbs. Skilled climber. Can reach speeds up to 45 mph. Can leap up to 18 feet vertically, 40 feet horizontally. Also known as cougar, panther, and puma.
Classified as regionally extinct (no wild occurrences) in Maryland.

Marten, American (Martes americana)
Carnivore; nocturnal; mustelid. Skilled climber. Prefers coniferous and mixed forests.

Mink (Mustela vison)
Carnivore; nocturnal; mustelid; 18.4 to 28 inches long. Semi-aquatic.

Mole, Eastern (Scalopus aquaticus)
Omnivore; diurnal; talpidae; approx. 5.1 to 8.4 inches long (including tail). Solitary.

Mole, Hairy-tailed (Parascalops breweri)
Omnivore; diurnal; talpidae; approx. 6.5 inches long. Solitary; primarily subterranean.

Mole, Star-nosed (Condylura cristata)
Omnivore; diurnal; talpidae; 6 to 8 inches long; distinct pink tentacles on snout. Primarily subterranean; semi-aquatic.

Mouse, Deer (Peromyscus maniculatus)
Omnivore; nocturnal; rodent; 5 to 8.5 inches long (including tail); distinct multicolored tail.

Mouse, Eastern harvest (Reithrodontomys humulis)
Omnivore; nocturnal; rodent; 4 to 5 inches long (including tail). Prefers damp, open habitats.

Mouse, House (Mus musculus)
Omnivore; nocturnal; rodent; 5 to 8 inches long (including tail). Thrives in close proximity to humans.

Mouse, Meadow jumping (Zapus hudsonius)
Omnivore; nocturnal; rodent; 7 to 9.5 inches long (including tail). Swims and burrows. Can leap up to 12 feet horizontally. Prefers damp, open habitats.

Mouse, White-footed (Peromyscus leucopus)
Omnivore; nocturnal; rodent; 6 to 8 inches long (including tail); distinct feet (including ankles) are completely white. Prefers mixed forests.

Mouse, Woodland jumping (Napaeozapus insignis)
Omnivore; nocturnal; rodent; 8 to 10 inches long (including tail). Burrows. Can leap up to 10 feet horizontally. Hibernates during winter months.

Muskrat, Common (Ondatra zibethicus)
Omnivore; nocturnal; rodent; 16 to 24 inches long; long, narrow, scaled tail. Semi-aquatic. Burrows.

Nutria (Myocastor coypus)
Herbivore; nocturnal; rodent; up to 24 inches long. Semi-aquatic. Invasive species.

Opossum, Virginia (Didelphis virginiana)
Omnivore; nocturnal; marsupial; 15 to 20 inches long; distinct white face. Skilled climber. Known for "playing possum" when frightened. Also known simply as possum, or North American opossum.

Otter, Northern River (Lutra canadensis)
Carnivore; 35 to 55 inches long; webbed feet and water-repellant fur. Semi-aquatic. Burrows.

Porcupine (Erethizon dorsatum)
Herbivore; nocturnal; rodent; distinct covering of barbed quills. Skilled climber. Prefers coniferous and mixed forests. Also known as Canadian porcupine, and North American porcupine.

Raccoon (Procyon lotor)
Omnivore; nocturnal; procyonidae; 16 to 28 inches long, 9 to 12 inches tall at shoulders; distinct "bandit mask" coloring around eyes. Skilled climber. Prefers deciduous or mixed forests with access to water; adapted to urban areas.

Rat, Black (Rattus rattus)
Omnivore; nocturnal; rodent; 6 to 8 inches long; approx. 8 inch long tail; may be colors other than black. Skilled climber.

Rat, Marsh rice (Oryzomys palustris)
Omnivore; nocturnal; rodent; 8.2 to 9 inches long. Semi-aquatic. Prefers marshes and swamps.

Rat, Norway (Rattus norvegicus)
Omnivore; nocturnal; rodent; approx. 16 inches long (including tail). Burrows. Also known as brown rat, common rat, Hanover rat, Norwegian rat, and wharf rat.

Seal, Gray (Halichoerus grypus)
Carnivore; diurnal; pinnipedia; 8.2 to 11 feet long (bull), 5.2 to 6.6 feet long (cow). Migratory. Distinguished from harbor seal by longer face and fewer spots on body. Also known as grey seal, Atlantic grey seal, and horsehead seal.

Seal, Harbor (Phoca vitulina)
Carnivore; diurnal; pinnipedia; up to 6.1 feet long. Migratory. May be brown, gray, or tan in color. Distinguished from gray seals by shorter nose, and mottled coloring.

Shrew, Least (Cryptotis parva)
Insectivore; nocturnal; soricidae; 3 to 3.5 inches long (including tail); venomous saliva (painful, but not lethal to humans). Burrows. Also known as small short-tailed shrew and bee shrew.

Shrew, Long-tailed (Sorex dispar)
Insectivore; nocturnal; soricidae; 2.5 to 7 inches long (including tail). Burrows. Prefers forested, mountainous regions. Also known as rock shrew.

Shrew, Masked (Sorex cinereus)
Insectivore; nocturnal; soricidae; approx. 3.9 inches long (including tail). Burrows. Prefers moist forest areas, and marshlands. Also known as common shrew.

Shrew, Northern Short-tailed (Blarina brevicauda)
Insectivore; nocturnal; soricidae; 4.3 to 5.5 inches long (including tail); venomous saliva (painful, but not lethal to humans). Burrows, and climbs.

Shrew, Smoky (Sorex fumeus)
Insectivore; nocturnal; soricidae; 4 to 5 inches long (including tail). Primarily nests in ground debris, or rotted logs. Prefers deciduous and mixed forests.

Shrew, Southeastern (Sorex longirostris)
Insectivore; nocturnal; soricidae; approx. 4 inches long (including tail). Primarily nests in ground debris, or rotted logs. Prefers deciduous and mixed forests.

Shrew, Southern Pygmy (Sorex hoyi winnemana)
Insectivore; nocturnal; soricidae; 3 to 3.5 inches (including tail); weighs 2 to 3 grams; can jump 4.5 inches vertically. Primarily nests in ground debris, or rotted logs. Prefers deciduous and mixed forests. Smallest mammal (by weight) in North America.

Shrew, Southern Water (Sorex palustris punctulatus)
Insectivore; nocturnal; soricidae; 5 to 6.7 inches long (including tail). Semi-aquatic; can ?walk? on water. Prefers deciduous forest near streams or ponds.

Skunk, Eastern spotted (Spilogale putorius)
Omnivore; crepuscular; mephitidae; 16 to 23 inches; distinct "broken" pattern to stripes, giving impression of spots. Sprays an odorous secretion as a defense mechanism.

Skunk, Striped (Mephitis mephitis)
Omnivore; crepuscular; mephitidae; 13 to 18 inches long (excluding tail); weighs 6 to 8 lbs.; distinct stripe pattern running from head to tail. Sprays an odorous secretion as a defense mechanism.

Squirrel, Delmarva Fox (Sciurus niger cinereus)
Granivore; diurnal; rodent; approx. 15 inches long (excluding tail). Skilled climber. Can jump more than 15 feet horizontally. Primarily nests in tree hollows. Prefers mixed forests. Subspecies of eastern fox squirrel.
Classified as Endangered.

Squirrel, Eastern Fox (Sciurus niger)
Granivore; diurnal; rodent; 10 to 14.5 inches long (excluding tail). Skilled climber. Can jump more than 15 feet horizontally. Prefers deciduous forests.

Squirrel, Eastern Gray (Sciurus carolinensis)
Granivore; crepuscular; rodent; approx. 9.7 inches long (excluding tail); fur is varying shades of gray, with occasional hints of brown. Skilled climber. Builds nests in trees. Prefers deciduous and mixed forests.

Squirrel, Red (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus)
Granivore; diurnal; rodent; 7 to 8 inches long (excluding tail); distinct white belly. Climbs and swims. Prefers coniferous forests.

Squirrel, Southern flying (Glaucomys volans)
Omnivore; nocturnal; rodent; 11.5 to 14.2 inches long (including tail); skilled climber; distinct membrane connecting front and rear legs. Prefers deciduous and mixed forests. Can glide great distances; uses tail to steer in midair. Also known as eastern flying squirrel.

Vole, Meadow (Microtus pennsylvanicus)
Herbivore; nocturnal; rodent; approx. 6.3 inches long (including tail). Burrows. Prefers farmlands and meadows. Also known as field mouse, or meadow mouse.

Vole, Rock (Microtus chrotorrhinus)
Herbivore; nocturnal; rodent; approx. 8 inches long (including tail); distinct yellow-tipped nose. Burrows. Also known as yellow-nosed vole.

Vole, Southern red-backed (Clethrionomys gapperi)
Herbivore; nocturnal; rodent; 4.3 to 6.7 inches long (including tail); distinct chestnut brown stripe running from head to tail. Burrows.

Vole, Woodland (Microtus pinetorum)
Herbivore; nocturnal; rodent; 4 to 6.2 inches long (including tail). Burrows. Prefers deciduous and mixed forests.

Weasel, Least (Mustela nivalis)
Carnivore; both diurnal and nocturnal; mustelid; approx. 9 inches long (including tail); distinct short tail. Burrows. Prefers farmlands and meadows. Also known as dwarf weasel, pygmy weasel, and mouse weasel.

Weasel, Long-Tailed (Mustela frenata)
Carnivore; both diurnal and nocturnal; mustelid; 14 to 48 inches long (including tail); distinct black-tipped tail. Climbs and swims. Solitary hunter.

Wolf, Gray (Canis lupus)
Carnivore; both diurnal and nocturnal; canine; 3.5 to 5.5 feet long, 2 to 3 feet tall at shoulder. Pack hunter. Can reach speeds up to 40 mph.
Classified as Endangered, the gray wolf is regionally extinct (no wild occurrences) in Maryland.

Woodchuck (aka Groundhog) (Marmota monax)
Omnivore; crepuscular; rodent. Burrows, climbs, and swims. Hibernates in winter months.

Woodrat, Allegheny (Neotoma magister)
Herbivore; nocturnal; rodent; 8 to 10 inches long, 7 to 8 inch tail; distinct furred tail. Prefers caves, mines, and rocky areas.

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