Thursday, May 02, 2013

Endangered species in Massachusetts

If you are a Northern Red-bellied Cooter, Mountain Winterberry, Northern Long-eared Bat,  Hairy Honeysuckle, Purple Milkweed, or even an Atlantic Sturgeon you are listed as an "Endangered Species" in Massachusetts.

Your outlook is only marginally better if you are a Marbled Salamander, Threespine Sickleback, or Fen Cuckoo Flower.  If so, you are a "Threatened Species", which means you may become endangered if trends don't change.

And if you are a Blue-spotted Salamander, an Eastern Box Turtle, or a Common Loon, you may be somewhat reassured by the fact that you are merely a species of "Special Concern."  (Until you find out what the concern is about!) 

You can find the whole list of similarly troubled plant and animal species in the Massachusetts List of Endangered, Threatened and Special Concern Species, published online by the Massachusetts Division of Wildlife and Fisheries.