List of mammals of Massachusetts
This is a list of Massachusetts mammals. It includes all mammals currently living in Massachusetts, whether resident or as migrants. For the most part, it does not include each mammals specific habitat, but instead shows the mammals range in the state and its abundance.For a look at these mammals' habitats, see List of mammals of Connecticut. This list does not include the American Bison and Caribou, which have been reported archaeologically, but disappeared after European settlers came to the state. It also does not include the Fox Squirrel, which only occurs accidentally.
- (A) = Accidental occurrence based on one or a few records, and unlikely to occur regularly.
- (E) = Extinct; a recent member of the fauna that no longer exists.
- (EX) = Extirpated; no longer occurs in area of interest, but other populations still exist elsewhere.
- (I) = Introduced population established solely as result of direct or indirect human intervention; synonymous with non-native and non-indigenous.
- (SC) = Special concern, Endangered, Threatened Animals living in a specific region that are low in numbers, rarely seen, or endangered due to habitat loss.
Mammals found throughout Massachusetts
This is the list of mammals which can be found, in the wild, in at least one area of the state. For a list of exclusively mammals which can be found on Cape Cod, see below.
Bats
Name | Species/Authority | Order | Family | Range and status | IUCN Red List |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Big brown bat | Eptesicus fuscus Beauvois, 1796 | Chiroptera | Vespertilionidae | Common, live statewide | [1] |
Silver-haired bat | Lasionycteris noctivagans Le Conte, 1831 | Chiroptera | Vespertilionidae | Migratory, Uncommon, statewide | [2] |
Eastern red bat | Lasiurus borealis Müller, 1776 | Chiroptera | Vespertilionidae | Migratory, Common, statewide | [3] |
Hoary bat | Lasiurus cinereus Beauvois, 1796 | Chiroptera | Vespertilionidae | Migratory, rarely seen, statewide | [4] |
Eastern small-footed myotis | Myotis leibii Audubon & Bachman, 1842 | Chiroptera | Vespertilionidae | Berkshire and Hampden Counties, extremely rare, listed as Special Concern | [5] |
Little brown bat | Myotis lucifugus Le Conte, 1831 | Chiroptera | Vespertilionidae | Endangered, distribution spotty | [6] |
Northern long-eared myotis | Myotis septentrionalis Trouessart, 1897 | Chiroptera | Vespertilionidae | Endangered, distribution spotty, reportedly breeding in Martha's Vineyard | [7] |
Indiana bat | Myotis sodalis Miller & Allen, 1928 | Chiroptera | Vespertilionidae | Very rare, Western Massachusetts only, Listed as Endangered in the state and Federally | [8] |
Tricolored bat | Perimyotis subflavus Cuvier, 1832 | Chiroptera | Vespertilionidae | Endangered, Distribution spotty | [9] |
- 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.
Carnivora
Name | Species/Authority | Order | Family | Range and status | IUCN Red list |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
American black bear | Ursus americanus | Carnivora | Ursidae | Locally Common to Uncommon; Found in Northeastern, Central, and Western Mass | |
Coyote | Canis latrans | Carnivora | Canidae | Common; Statewide except Nantucket; 3 records from Martha's Vineyard, but has yet to be established | |
Gray wolf | Canis lupus lycaon | Carnivora | Canidae | Extirpated; last reported in 1840, although there were 2 sighting in 1918 and 2007 in Franklin County | |
Gray fox | Urocyon cineroargentatus | Carnivora | Canidae | Common; Statewide except Dukes, Nantucket, and Suffolk County | |
Red fox | Vulpes vulpes fulves | Carnivora | Canidae | Common; Statewide except Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket | |
Hooded seal | Cystophora cristata | Carnivora | Phocidae | Uncommon Winter visitor Reported from Essex, Plymouth, Dukes, Nantucket, Barnstable, and Suffolk counties | |
Bearded seal | Erignathus barbatus | Carnivora | Phocidae | One record; Essex County (2002) | |
Grey seal | Halichoerus grypus | Carnivora | Phocidae | Found 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 | |
Harp seal | Pagophilus groenlandicus | Carnivora | Phocidae | Common Winter visitor; Reported from Plymouth, Suffolk, Essex, and Barnstable counties. Sightings are increasing, especially in winter | |
Harbor seal | Phoca vitulina | Carnivora | Phocidae | A 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 | |
Ringed seal | Pusa hispida | Carnivora | Phocidae | Uncommon in Massachusetts; are most seen in winter | |
Canada lynx | Lynx canadensis | Carnivora | Felidae | Extirpated; Formerly Central and Western Mass; Reported in Hampshire county (1866) and Worcester county (1884–1885), Questionable reports in the 1930s were probably bobcats, 2 records in 1991 | |
Bobcat | Lynx rufus | Carnivora | Felidae | Common in Northeastern, Central and Western Mass, but rare in Southeastern Mass, the Cape, and absent in the islands | |
Cougar | Puma concolor couguar | Carnivora | Felidae | Extirpated; 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 | Carnivora | Mustelidae | Extirpated; lasted reported in 1835, Formerly Western Mass | |
North American river otter | Lontra canadensis | Carnivora | Mustelidae | Common; Statewide except Suffolk County; 2 records in Nantucket were in 1984 and 2007 | |
American marten | Martes americana | Carnivora | Mustelidae | Extirpated; Formerly Central, Western, and possibly Northeastern Mass; last reported in Worcester County (1880) although 2 records in 1992 and 1993 may have come from Vermont | |
Fisher | Martes pennanti | Carnivora | Mustelidae | Common; Statewide except Dukes and Nantucket Counties | |
Stoat | Mustela erminea | Carnivora | Mustelidae | Common; Statewide except Dukes and Nantucket Counties; Rare in Cape Cod | |
Long-tailed weasel | Mustela frenata | Carnivora | Mustelidae | Common; Statewide except Dukes and Nantucket Counties | |
Sea mink | Neovison macrodon | Carnivora | Mustelidae | (considered here to be a subspecies of American mink. Other experts consider it a separate species) Formerly Coastal Mass; became Extinct from overtrapping | |
American mink | Neovison vison | Carnivora | Mustelidae | Common; Statewide except Nantucket, possibly extirpated from Martha's Vineyard | |
Walrus | Odobenus rosmarus | Carnivora | Odobenidae | Rare vagrant. Reported from Essex (1937) and Plymouth (1734) counties | |
Raccoon | Procyon lotor | Carnivora | Procyonidae | Common, Statewide except Nantucket | |
Striped skunk | Mephitis mephitis | Carnivora | Mephitidae | Common, Statewide except the Elizabeth Islands and Nantucket |
Cetacea
Name | Species/Authority | Order | Family | Range and status | IUCN Red list |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Bowhead whale | Balaena mysticetus | Cetacea | Balaenidae | Occasionally seen in Winter;Probably Uncommon | |
North Atlantic right whale | Eubalaena glacialis | Cetacea | Balaenidae | Uncommon, Winter and Spring visitor in Cape Cod Bay | |
Northern bottlenose whale | Hyperoodon ampullatus | Cetacea | Ziphiidae | Rare, Pelagic, Stranded in Barnstable and Essex counties | |
Sowerby's beaked whale | Mesoplodon bidens | Cetacea | Ziphiidae | Only two records in Nantucket | |
Blainville's beaked whale | Mesoplodon densirostris | Cetacea | Ziphiidae | One record in Essex County | |
Gervais' beaked whale | Mesoplodon europaeus | Cetacea | Ziphiidae | One record in Cape Cod | |
True's beaked whale | Mesoplodon mirus | Cetacea | Ziphiidae | One record in Nantucket | |
Cuvier's beaked whale | Ziphius cavirostris | Cetacea | Ziphiidae | Pelagic, Stranded in Barnstable, Norfolk, and Dukes counties | |
Beluga whale | Delphinapterus leucas | Cetacea | Monodontidae | Vagrant, Observed in the waters of Essex, Barnstable, Dukes, and Bristol counties | |
Short-beaked common dolphin | Delphinus delphis | Cetacea | Delphinidae | Uncommon, Found in Barnstable, Bristol, Dukes, and Nantucket counties | |
Long-finned pilot whale | Globicephala melas | Cetacea | Delphinidae | Uncommon, Occurs in schools and is frequently stranded | |
Short-finned pilot whale | Globicephala macrorhynchus | Cetacea | Delphinidae | Uncommon, Occurs in schools, primarily found in warmer waters offshore | |
Risso's dolphin | Grampus griseus | Cetacea | Delphinidae | Uncommon, Offshore waters, Stranded in Barnstable, Dukes, and Norfolk counties | |
Atlantic white-sided dolphin | Lagenorhynchus acutus | Cetacea | Delphinidae | Common, Found in coastal waters, Stranded in Norfolk, Essex, Barnstable, Dukes, and Nantucket | |
White-beaked dolphin | Lagenorhynchus albirostris | Cetacea | Delphinidae | Rare, Found in coastal waters, Reported from Barnstable and Essex counties | |
Killer whale | Orcinus orca | Cetacea | Delphinidae | Rare, Offshore waters, Stranded in Barnstable and Dukes county Observed in Plymouth and Suffolk counties | |
Pantropical spotted dolphin | Stenella attenuata | Cetacea | Delphinidae | Uncommon, found in Offshore waters | |
Striped dolphin | Stenella coeruleoalba | Cetacea | Delphinidae | Rare, Pelagic, Reported from Dukes, Nantucket, Plymouth, Barnstable, and Essex counties | |
Atlantic spotted dolphin | Stenella frontalis | Cetacea | Delphinidae | Rare, Reported from Nantucket and Dukes counties | |
Common bottlenose dolphin | Tursiops truncatus | Cetacea | Delphinidae | Rare, Found in inshore waters, Stranded in Barnstable and Plymouth counties | |
Pygmy sperm whale | Kogia breviceps | Cetacea | Physeteroidea | Rare, Found in offshore waters, Stranded in Barnstable, Plymouth, Essex, Norfolk, and Dukes counties, Recorded in Bristol County waters | |
Dwarf sperm whale | Kogia sima | Cetacea | Physeteroidea | Rarely seen, Stranded in Nantucket and Plymouth counties, Distinguished from the Pygmy sperm whale by being smaller and having a larger dorsal fin | |
Sperm whale | Physeter macrocephalus | Cetacea | Physeteroidea | Rare, Formerly abundant offshore, Stranded in Barnstable, Dukes, Essex, Nantucket, and Plymouth counties. The largest toothed whale. Dives deep to hunt for food | |
Harbour porpoise | Phocoena phocoena | Cetacea | Phocoenidae | Common, Found entirely in coastal waters | |
Common minke whale | Balaenoptera acutorostrata | Cetacea | Rorqual | Common, Found in the inshore waters, Stranded in Norfolk, Essex, Barnstable, Dukes, and Nantucket counties | |
Sei whale | Balaenoptera borealis | Cetacea | Rorqual | Found 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 | |
Blue whale | Balaenoptera musculus | Cetacea | Rorqual | One questionable stranding in Essex County reported in 1755, Recent near-shore records, Endangered and rare in Massachusetts | |
Fin whale | Balaenoptera physalus | Cetacea | Rorqual | Common but Endangered, Stranded in Barnstable, Essex, Dukes, and Plymouth counties | |
Humpback whale | Megaptera novaeangliae | Cetacea | Rorqual | Common but Endangered, Stranded in Barnstable, Dukes, Essex, Nantucket, Norfolk, Plymouth, and Suffolk counties |
Even-toed ungulates
Name | Species/Authority | Order | Family | Range and status | IUCN Red list |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Moose | Alces alces | Artiodactyla | Cervidae | Common; Northeastern, Central and Western Mass | |
Elk | Cervus canadensis | Artiodactyla | Cervidae | Extirpated; Formerly Western Mass; last record in Worcester County in 1732 | |
Fallow deer | Dama dama | Artiodactyla | Cervidae | Introduced in Dukes County; last reported in 1980 | |
White-tailed deer | Odocoileus virginianus | Artiodactyla | Cervidae | Common; Statewide |
Lagomorpha
Name | Species/Authority | Order | Family | Range and status | IUCN Red list |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Snowshoe hare | Lepus americanus | Lagomorpha | Leporidae | Common; Statewide except Dukes County; introduced to Nantucket | |
Black-tailed jackrabbit | Lepus californicus | Lagomorpha | Leporidae | Introduced, Uncommon; found only in Nantucket | |
European hare | Lepus europaeus | Lagomorpha | Leporidae | Introduced; Found in Berkshire County | |
European rabbit | Oryctolagus cuniculus | Lagomorpha | Leporidae | Introduced; found in Lovells Island and Gallops Island | |
Eastern cottontail | Sylvilagus floridanus | Lagomorpha | Leporidae | Introduced, Common, Statewide | |
New England cottontail | Sylvilagus transitionalis | Lagomorpha | Leporidae | Rare, Formerly Common and found Statewide, now found only in Cape Cod, Nantucket, and Southwestern Mass |
Opossums
Name | Species/Authority | Order | Family | Range and status | IUCN Red List |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Virginia opossum | Didelphis virginiana | Didelphimorphia | Didelphinae | Common; Statewide except Dukes and Nantucket county |
Rodents
Name | Species/Authority | Order | Family | Range and status | IUCN Red List |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
North American beaver | Castor canadensis | Rodentia | Castoridae | Common; Northeastern, Central, and Western Mass | |
Beach vole | Microtus breweri | Rodentia | Cricetidae | Muskeget Island | |
Meadow vole | Microtus pennsylvanicus | Rodentia | Cricetidae | Common; Statewide | |
Woodland vole | Microtus pinetorum | Rodentia | Cricetidae | Locally Common; Statewide except Dukes and Nantucket counties | |
Southern red-backed vole | Myodes gapperi | Rodentia | Cricetidae | Common; Statewide except Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket | |
Muskrat | Ondantra zibethicus | Rodentia | Cricetidae | Common; Statewide except Nantucket | |
White-footed mouse | Peromyscus leucopus | Rodentia | Cricetidae | Common; Statewide | |
Deer mouse | Peromyscus maniculatus | Rodentia | Cricetidae | Common; Central and Western Mass | |
Southern bog lemming | Synaptomys cooperi | Rodentia | Cricetidae | Very Rare; listed as Special Concern. Known from the towns of Plymouth, Wareham, New Salem, Ware, and Belchertown | |
Woodland jumping mouse | Napaeozapus insignis | Rodentia | Dipodidae | Common; Central and Western Mass | |
Meadow jumping mouse | Zapus hudsonius | Rodentia | Dipodidae | Common;
Statewide | |
House mouse | Mus musculus | Rodentia | Muridae | Introduced; Statewide except Martha's Vineyard | |
Brown rat | Rattus norvegicus | Rodentia | Muridae | Introduced; Statewide | |
Black rat | Rattus rattus | Rodentia | Muridae | Introduced; Eradicated | |
North American porcupine | Erethizon dorsatum | Rodentia | New World porcupine | Common; Northeastern, Central, and Western Mass | |
Northern flying squirrel | Glaucomys sabrinus | Rodentia | Sciuridae | Uncommon; Northeastern, Central, and Western Mass | |
Southern flying squirrel | Glaucomys volans | Rodentia | Sciuridae | Common; Statewide except Dukes and Nantucket counties | |
Groundhog | Marmota monax | Rodentia | Sciuridae | Common; Statewide except Dukes and Nantucket counties | |
Eastern gray squirrel | Sciurus carolinensis | Rodentia | Sciuridae | Common; Statewide, introduced in Nantucket (1989) | |
American red squirrel | Tamiasciurus hudsonicus | Rodentia | Sciuridae | Common; Statewide except Dukes and Nantucket counties | |
Eastern chipmunk | Tamias striatus | Rodentia | Sciuridae | Common; Statewide except Nantucket |
Soricomorpha
Name | Species/Authority | Order | Family | Range and status | IUCN Red list | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Northern short-tailed shrew | Blarina brevicauda | Soricomorpha | Soricidae | Common; Statewide | ||
Cinereus shrew | Sorex cinereus | Soricomorpha | Soricidae | Common; Statewide | ||
Long-tailed shrew | Sorex dispar | Soricomorpha | Soricidae | Rare; Special concern; Found only in Berkshire County | ||
Smoky shrew | Sorex fumeus | Soricomorpha | Soricidae | Uncommon; Central and Western Mass | ||
American pygmy shrew | Sorex hoyi | Soricomorpha | Soricidae | One record; Berkshire County (1991) | ||
American water shrew | Sorex palustris | Soricomorpha | Soricidae | Uncommon; Special concern, Found in Central and Western Mass | ||
Star-nosed mole | Condylura cristata | Soricomorpha | Talpidae | Common; Statewide except Dukes and Nantucket counties | ||
Hairy-tailed mole | Parascalops breweri | Soricomorpha | Talpidae | Uncommon; Northeastern, Central, and Western Mass | ||
Eastern mole | Scalopus aquaticus | Soricomorpha | Talpidae | Common; Found in southern Plymouth county, southern Connecticut river valley, Cape Cod, and Dukes and Nantucket counties |
Mammals of CCNS (Cape Cod National Seashore) and Cape Cod
This is the list of mammals of Cape Cod and CCNS, whether migrant, resident, extinct, or exotic. All these mammals live in Massachusetts, whether only in Cape Cod, or throughout the state. Mammals that are not listed here that were shown in the list above have been found in other parts of the state. A survey in summer of 2000 and 2001 was done on small mammals in the park, where 1829 specimens representing 11 species were captured. Small mammals captured will be shown with percentages. The same symbols at the introduction are shown in this list.
Opossums
- Virginia Opossum Didelphis virginiana - Uncommon in Cape Cod and usually live in urban and suburban environments.
Rodents
Castoridae
- North American beaver Castor canadensis - Extirpated from Cape Cod. Recent reports are of wandering individuals looking for new territory.
Cricetidae
- Meadow vole Microtus pennsylvanicus - Second most abundant mammal in the CCNS. Plays a role in fields because it eats seeds left by trees, so seeds are dispersed in other places and fields don't grow very many trees. 19.1% of the specimens captured were Meadow voles.
- Southern red-backed vole Myodes gapperi - Common in CCNS, mainly in Oak forests and Grassland, with slightly decreased numbers in pine forests, sand dunes, and Heaths. 6.8% of the specimens captured were red-backed voles.
- Muskrat Ondantra zibethicus - Common throughout CCNS in bogs and Marshes. Muskrats weren't captured in the survey.
- White-footed mouse Peromyscus leucopus - The most abundant mammal in CCNS. Like the Meadow vole, it plays a role in ecosystems in CCNS. It also helps the ecosystem because it is the only primary predator of the Gypsy moth. 42% of the specimens captured were White-footed mice.
Dipodidae
- Meadow jumping mouse Zapus hudsonius - Common in fields and marshes in CCNS. 13.6% of the specimens captured were Meadow jumping mice.
Squirrels
- Eastern chipmunk Tamias striatus - Common throughout CCNS, especially in Oak forests. 0.7% of specimens captured were Eastern chipmunks.
- Woodchuck Marmota monax - Rare in CCNS due to decline in successing (young) forests. No specimens captured were Woodchucks.
- Eastern gray squirrel Sciurus carolinensis - One of the most adaptive and abundant mammals throughout CCNS. No specimens captured were gray squirrels.
- American red squirrel Tamiasciurus hudsonicus - Common throughout CCNS despite not being as adaptive as gray squirrels. Often associated with the Pine barrens, but also live in oak forests. 0.1% of specimens captured were red squirrels.
- Southern flying squirrel Glaucomys volan - Uncommon in CCNS due to few forests. Population is however stable. Found in the Oak forests and pine barrens. 1.3% of specimens captured were Southern flying squirrels.
Muridae
- Norway rat Rattus norvegicus (I) - Introduced. Often associated with farms and livestock. Abundance uncertain. No specimens captured were Norway rats.
- House mouse Mus musculus (I) - Introduced. Rare, no records. No specimens captured were House mice.
New World porcupines
- North American porcupine - Extirpated. Now recolonizing. Recent report in Eastham.
Lagomorpha
Leporidae
- Snowshoe hare Lepus americanus - Rare in CCNS. Often associated with White cedar swamps. No specimens captured were Snowshoe hares.
- Eastern cottontail Sylvilagus floridanus (I) - Introduced. Common and widespread throughout CCNS, especially in grassland. Largely has replaced the native New England cottontail. 0.1% of specimens captured were Eastern cottontails.
- New England cottontail Sylvilagus transitionalis - Rare in CCNS. Declining due to habitat loss and predation. Found in brushes and young forests. No specimens captured were this species.
Even-toed ungulates
Deer
- White-tailed deer Odocoileus virginianus - Common throughout CCNS. Formerly extirpated. Population increasing due to little predation.
- Elk "Cervus canadensis" - Once lived in the Central Western part of the state, but was extirpated in the late 18th century- early 19th century. May be re-introduced in the near-future.
- Moose "Alces alces" - Was extirpated at one point in time, but has since re-populated the state and now currently about 950-1000 Moose live in the state.
Soricomorpha
Shrews
- Northern short-tailed shrew Blarina brevicauda - Uncommon. Found in fields, stone walls, and marshes. 2.4% of specimens captured were this species.
- Cinereus shrew Sorex cinereus - Common. Like the Short-tailed shrew, it lives in fields and marshes, but also in forests and pine forests. 13.8% of specimens captured were this species.
Talpidae
- Star-nosed mole Condylura cristata - Abundance is unknown. Records are needed. May live in marshes and undrained soil.
- Eastern mole Scalopus aquaticus - Abundance is unknown. Records are needed. May live in well drained, loamy soil.
Vespertilionidae
- Big brown bat Eptesicus fuscus - Common in the forests and attics. Could be endangered from white nose syndrome.
- Silver-haired bat Lasionycteris noctivagans - Migrant in Cape Cod. Abundance unknown.
- Eastern red bat Lasiurus borealis - Migrant in Cape Cod. Abundance unknown.
- Hoary bat Lasiurus cinereus - Migrant in Cape Cod. Abundance unknown.
- Little brown bat Myotis lucifugus - Abundance unknown. MA endangered.
- Northern long-eared myotis Myotis septentrionalis - Abundance unknown. MA endangered.
Carnivora
Felidae
- Bobcat Lynx rufus - Extirpated, now re-colonizing region, populations recorded in Upper Cape in 2013.
- Eastern cougar Puma concolor - Extirpated from region.
Canidae
- Coyote Canis latrans - Common throughout CCNS. Can live in urban places.
- Eastern wolf Canis lupus - Extirpated from CCNS.
- Gray fox Urocyon cineroargentatus - Possibly extirpated. Current status unknown. Normally lives in oak and pine forests.
- Red fox Vulpes vulpes - Common and uncommon, depending on area in CCNS. Uncommon near the shore and marshes, but common in Oak forests and pine forests.
Bears
- American black bear Ursus americanus - Extirpated. One record in 2012 was released back in Central Massachusetts.
Mustelidae
- North American river otter Lontra canadensis - Uncommon. Occurs near marshes, Streams, and rivers.
- Fisher Martes pennanti - Uncommon. Formerly extirpated. Found in oak forests and pine forests.
- Ermine Mustela erminea - Reportedly present with small, isolated populations in marshes, fields, near Streams and oak forests, but no known Outer Cape records.
- Long-tailed weasel Mustela frenata - Uncommon in CCNS and mainly seen in the same habitat as the ermine, but also in pine forests. 0.2% of specimens captured were this species.
- American mink Neovision vision - Status unknown. No recent records. Occurs in Salt marshes and near streams.
Procyonidae
- Raccoon Procyon lotor - Common, especially in urban and suburban places. Found also in oak and pine forests.
Skunks
- Striped skunk Mephitis mephitis - Like the Raccoon, it is common in urban and suburban places, and also lives in oak and pine forests.
Earless seals
- Hooded seal Cystophora cristata - Occasionally seen off the coast.
- Gray seal Halichoerus grypus - Abundant; population recovery after hunting stopped. Population in CCNS, Martha's Vineyard, and Nantucket alone is an estimated 2 million.
- Harp seal Pagophilus groenlandicus - Occasionally seen inshore.
- Harbor seal Phoca vitulina - Uncommon. Usually live inshore, mostly in Plymouth, Suffolk, and Essex county. Population estimate is in the 100 thousands.
- Ringed seal Pusa hispida - Rare. Found mainly in the Upper Cape.
Cetacea
Balaenidae
- North Atlantic right whale Eubalaena glacialis - Uncommon. Can be seen in spring at Race Point.
Rorquals
- Common minke whale Balaenoptera acutorostrata - The only Roqual common inshore and offshore. Common in Stellwagen Bank.
- Sei whale Balaenoptera borealis - Occasionally seen offshore. Common in Stellwagen Bank.
- Blue whale Balaenoptera musculus - Occasionally seen offshore. Can be seen in Stellwagen Bank.
- Fin whale Balaenoptera physalus - Common, especially offshore. Can be seen in Stellwagen Bank.
- Humpback whale Megaptera novaeangliae - Common inshore and offshore. Common in Stellwagen Bank.
Porpoises
- Harbour porpoise Phocoena phocoena - Common in harbor and inshore. Rarely seen offshore.
Physeteroidea
- Sperm whale Physeter macrocephalus - Occasionally seen offshore, but often seen in Stellwagen Bank and the waters east of Cape Cod.
Oceanic dolphins
- Short-beaked common dolphin Delphinus delphis - Rare. Winter visitor. Found in Stellwagen Bank.
- Long-finned Pilot Whale Globicephala melas - Rare. Strands a lot.
- Risso's dolphin Grampus griseus - Occasionally seen offshore. Found in Stellwagen Bank.
- Atlantic white-sided dolphin Lagenorhynchus acutus - Common offshore. Found in Stellwagen Bank.
- White-beaked dolphin Lagenorhynchus albirostris- Occasionally seen offshore. Found in Stellwagen Bank.
- Killer whale Orcinus orca - Occasionally seen.
- Striped dolphin Stenella coeruleoalba - Occasionally seen. A summer visitor.
- Common bottlenose dolphin Tursiops truncatus - Occasionally seen. A summer visitor.
See also
- Mammals of New England
- List of Massachusetts birds
- List of reptiles of Massachusetts
- List of mammals
- List of regional mammals lists
- List of mammals in Connecticut
- List of mammals in North America
References
- ↑ Miller, B., Reid, F., Arroyo-Cabrales, J., Cuarón, A. D. & de Grammont, P. C. (2008). "Eptesicus fuscus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2009.2. International Union for Conservation of Nature. Retrieved 7 February 2010.
- ↑ Arroyo-Cabrales, J., Miller, B., Reid, F., Cuarón, A. D. & de Grammont, P. C. (2008). "Lasionycteris noctivagans". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2009.2. International Union for Conservation of Nature. Retrieved 7 February 2010.
- ↑ Arroyo-Cabrales, J., Miller, B., Reid, F., Cuarón, A. D. & de Grammont, P. C. (2008). "Lasiurus borealis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2009.2. International Union for Conservation of Nature. Retrieved 7 February 2010.
- ↑ Gonzalez, E., Barquez, R. & Arroyo-Cabrales, J. (2008). "Lasiurus cinereus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2009.2. International Union for Conservation of Nature. Retrieved 7 February 2010.
- ↑ Arroyo-Cabrales, J. & Ticul Alvarez Castaneda, S. (2008). Myotis leibii. In: IUCN 2008. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Retrieved 17 January 2009.
- ↑ Arroyo-Cabrales, J. & Ticul Alvarez Castaneda, S. (2008). "Myotis lucifugus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2009.2. International Union for Conservation of Nature. Retrieved 8 February 2010.
- ↑ Arroyo-Cabrales, J. & Ticul Alvarez Castaneda, S. (2008). "Myotis septentrionalis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2009.2. International Union for Conservation of Nature. Retrieved 8 February 2010.
- ↑ Arroyo-Cabrales, J. & Ticul Alvarez Castaneda, S. (2008). "Myotis sodalis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2009.2. International Union for Conservation of Nature. Retrieved 8 February 2010.
- ↑ Arroyo-Cabrales, J., Miller, B., Reid, F., Cuarón, A. D. & de Grammont, P. C. (2008). "Pipistrellus subflavus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2009.2. International Union for Conservation of Nature. Retrieved 7 February 2010.
- Kays, R. W., and Wilson, D. W., Mammals of North America, Princeton University Press, ISBN 0-691-07012-1
- Wilson, D. E., and Reeder, D. M. (eds) Mammal Species of the World, 3rd edition, Johns Hopkins University Press. ISBN 0-8018-8221-4.
- Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History Mammals of North America
- Mammal List of Massachusetts Cardoza, J. E., Jones, G. S., and French, T. W.
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