© Pete Saloutos/Panoramic Images (Maine Title Image Large)
Featured Animals in Maine
© Thomas O'Neill Featured Animals Featured Image
Information about Maine’s rare, threatened, and endangered animal species is maintained by the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife. As of December 2008, Maine has 11 marine animal species that are listed as Endangered or Threatened under Maine’s Marine Endangered Species Act, the U.S. Endangered Species Act, or both.
Featured Animals in Maine
-
© Linda Welch/USFWS (Arctic Tern Image)
Arctic Tern (Sterna paradisaea)
The arctic tern is the champion "globe trotter," annually migrating over 15-20,000 miles round-trip from its nesting areas in North America to wintering areas in the Antarctic.
-
Atlantic Salmon (Salmo salar)
The allure of fly fishing for Atlantic salmon and the anticipation of the first bright fish returning to spawning rivers each spring explain the devotion of anglers and conservationists to bringing back this remarkable fish.
-
Blanding's Turtle (Emydoidea blandingii)
This secretive denizen of southern Maine vernal pools and pocket swamps is rarely seen. With its helmet-shaped carapace (upper shell) and hinged plastron (bottom shell), the Blanding's turtle may be mistaken for a box turtle by the casual observer.
-
Canada Lynx (Felis lynx canadensis)
The loup cervier, lucivee, and Indian devil are all names used by old-time Maine woodsmen for the elusive Canada lynx. This is a secretive, forest-dwelling cat of northern latitudes and high mountains.
-
Harlequin Duck (Histrionicus histrionicus)
The harlequin is a small diving sea duck and is among the most beautiful waterfowl of North America.
-
Piping Plover (Charadrius melodus)
The piping plover is a small, handsome shorebird (about seven inches long) found on sandy beaches and dunes in southern Maine.
Go to the Map
Use the interactive map to zoom smoothly from a national view to state and local perspectives anywhere across the country.
Go Straight to Your State
Learn about conservation and open space in your state.
