MARYLAND AT A GLANCE

WILDLIFE

MAMMALS

Common Mammals (DNR)

Guide to Maryland's Bats (Bat Anatomy) (DNR)

Mammals of Maryland (DNR)

Maryland Mammals

Woodchuck (Marmota monax), also known as Groundhog, Havre de Grace, Maryland, June 2015. Photo by Sarah A. Hanks.

Baby Eastern Cottontail Rabbit (Sylvilagus floridanus), Glen Burnie, Maryland, July 2017. Photo by Diane F. Evartt.

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.

White-tailed Deer (Odocoileus virginianus), Glen Burnie, Maryland, September 2015. Photo by Diane F. Evartt.

Eastern Gray Squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis), Glen Burnie, Maryland, October 2014. Photo by Diane F. Evartt.

Eastern Cottontail Rabbit (Sylvilagus floridanus), Glen Burnie, Maryland, June 2015. Photo by Diane F. Evartt.

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 (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. Also known as Eastern Pipistrelle Bat.

Bear track on sand, New Germany State Park, Grantsville, Maryland, October 2015. Photo by Diane F. Evartt.

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.
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.

Cougar (Puma 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 Mountain Lion, Panther, and Puma.
Classified as regionally extinct (no wild occurrences) in Maryland.

Coyote (Canis latrans)
Omnivore; nocturnal; largest wild canine in Maryland; 18 to 24 inches tall at shoulder, generally weighs 30 to 40 lbs. Pack hunter; burrowing animal, yet primarily uses existing burrows and dens. Thrives in human-occupied areas. Can reach speeds up to 43 mph.

Deer tracks on sand, New Germany State Park, Grantsville, Maryland, October 2015. Photo by Diane F. Evartt.

Young male White-tailed Deer (left) (Odocoileus virginianus), Glen Burnie, Maryland, September 2018. Photo by Diane F. Evartt.

White-tailed Deer (right) (Odocoileus virginianus), Glen Burnie, Maryland, September 2015. Photo by Diane F. Evartt.

Dolphin, Atlantic White-sided (Lagenorhynchus acutus)
Carnivore; delphinidae; 8 to 9 feet long; weighs 420 to 500 lbs.; white throat and belly and black flippers, back, and dorsal fin; gray stripe and yellow and white markings along sides, pointed dorsal fin, short snout. Highly intelligent. Lives in pod; Acrobatic and fast swimmer.

Dolphin, Bottlenose (Tursiops truncatus)
Carnivore; delphinidae; 6 to 13 feet long; weighs 300 to 1,400 lbs.; gray back, light belly, round forehead. Highly intelligent. Lives in pod. Acrobatic and fast swimmer. Also known as Gill's Bottlenose Dolphin.

Dolphin, Risso's (Grampus griseus)
Carnivore; delphinidae; 10 to 13 feet long; weighs 600 to 1,000 lbs.; bulbous head, large grayish-white body, scarred skin. Highly intelligent. Lives in pod. Acrobatic and fast swimmer. Named after Antoine Risso. Also known as Grampus.

Dolphin, Short-beaked Common (Delphinus delphis)
Carnivore; delphinidae; 5 to 8 feet long; weighs 200 to 300 lbs.; dark back, white belly, with gray-gold pattern along sides. Highly intelligent. Lives in pod. Acrobatic and fast swimmer. Also known as Common Dolphin and Short-beaked Saddleback Dolphin.

Dolphin, Striped (Stenella coeruleoalba)
Carnivore; delphinidae; 8 feet long; weighs 300 to 350 lbs.; blue or gray back, blue or white belly, black stripes run from eyes and ears to flipper and around belly, black fins. Highly intelligent. Lives in pod. Acrobatic and fast swimmer. Also known as Blue-white Dolphin and Streaker.

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.

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.

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

Feral horse [Assateague horse](right), Assateague Island National Park Seashore, Berlin, Maryland, May 2015. Photo by Sarah A. Hanks.

Feral horses [Assateague horses], Assateague Island National Park Seashore (Worcester County), October 2016. Photo by Sarah A. Hanks.

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. The House Mouse is an introduced species.

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. Also known as White-footed Deermouse and Wood Mouse.

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.

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

Virginia Opossum (Didelphis virginiana), Irvine Nature Center exhibit at Ladew Topiary Gardens, 3535 Jarrettsville Pike, Monkton, Maryland, October 2019. Photo by Sarah A. Hanks.

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.
Classified as Endangered.

Porpoise, Harbor (Phocoena phocoena)
Carnivore; phocoenidae; 4 to 6 feet long; weighs 130 to 180 lbs; gray back, flippers, dorsal and tail fins, gray sides, white belly, gray stripes along throat, triangular dorsal fin. Lives alone or in small pod. Also known as Common Porpoise and Puffing Pig.

Eastern Cottontail Rabbit (Sylvilagus floridanus), Glen Burnie, Maryland, June 2015 (left) & June 2019 (right). Photos by Diane F. Evartt.

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. The Black Rat is an introduced species.

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. The Norway Rat is an introduced species. Also known as Brown Rat, Common Rat, Hanover Rat, Norwegian Rat, and Wharf Rat.

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

Seal, Harp (Pagophilus groenlandicus)
Carnivore; phocidae; 5 to 6 feet long; 300 to 400 pounds; gray-silver body, black eyes, harp-shaped markings on back. Migratory. Lives in colonies.

Seal, Hooded (Cystophora cristata)
Carnivore; phocidae; 6 to 8 feet long; 300 to 600 pounds; gray-silver body, black heads, dark spots on body, inflatable nasal septum and sac or hood on male's head. Migratory. Lives alone.

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

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 North American Least Shrew, 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, 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. Subspecies of American Pygmy Shrew.

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. Subspecies of American Water Shrew.

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 of large trees. Subspecies of Eastern Fox Squirrel.

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.

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

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, 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 (Myodes 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, 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.

Whale, Blue (Balaenoptera musculus)
Carnivore; balaenopteridae; up to 110 feet long; weighs up to 165 tons; long, tapered blue-gray back with light belly; ridge from blowhole to upper lip; baleen plates in mouth, grooves or pleats along throat. Capable of short bursts of speed. Lives alone or in a pair. Largest and heaviest animal in the world. Also known as Sulphur Bottom.
Classified as Endangered.

Whale, Common Minke (Balaenoptera acutorostrata)
Carnivore; balaenopteridae; up to 35 feet long; weighs up to 10 tons; dark gray-black back with white belly; gray streak between pectoral fins; two gray-white patches around middle; lower jaw extends further than upper; baleen plates in mouth, grooves or pleats along throat; pointed snout, white stripe on flippers. Lives in small pod. Also known as Least Rorqual Whale, Piked Whale, and Sharp-headed Finner.

Whale, Cuvier's Beaked (Ziphius cavirostris)
Carnivore; ziphiidae; 16 to 24 feet long; weighs up to 6,800 pounds; cigar-shaped gray or brown-red back with light belly; often covered with scars and scratches; white stripe along back; males have a pair of teeth on lower jaw's tip; small concave head and short beak; small flippers can be tucked into body. Lives in small pod; barely visible at surface. Named for Georges Cuvier, who first described them. Also known as Goose-beaked Whale.

Whale, Dwarf Sperm (Kogia simus)
Carnivore; kogiidae; up to 9 feet long; weighs 300 to 600 pounds; gray-blue or brown wrinkled back with white-pink belly; dark bulging eyes; white false gill plate; shark-like head with pointed snout with curved teeth; "spermaceti organ" in head that contains oil. Emits red ink-like substance if frightened. Lives in small pod.

Whale, Fin (Balaenoptera physalus)
Carnivore; balaenopteridae; up to 85 feet long; weighs up to 80 tons; sleek, slender black or gray-brown back with white belly; right lower jaw is white while left is black; underside of tail is white with gray outline; "V"-shaped head with gray marks behind it; baleen plates in mouth, pleats along throat. Fast swimmer. Feeds by lunging into prey schools. Lives in small pod. Also known as Common Rorqual, Finback Whale, and Razorback.
Classified as Endangered.

Whale, Humpback (Megaptera novaeangliae)
Carnivore; balaenopteridae; up to 60 feet long; weighs up to 40 tons; gray-black stocky back with mottled belly; arches or humps back before dive; flippers are black or white on top, white on bottom with knob-like forms on the front edges; hairy tubercles or nodules on head and lower jaw; long pectoral fins; baleen plates in mouth, pleats along throat. Pigmentation pattern on underside of tail or fluke similar to human fingerprint. Acrobatic, known for breaching and slapping fins or tail against the water. Males "sing" songs that change over time, though all males in a population sing the same song. Traps prey in "bubble nets" before lunging in. Lives alone or in small pod.
Classified as Endangered.

Whale, Killer (Orcinus orca)
Carnivore; delphinidae; up to 32 feet long; weighs up to 11 tons; black back with white belly and white patches near eyes; tall dorsal fin with white or gray "saddle" or patch behind it. Teeth can grow up to 4 inches long. Hunts prey in groups, similar to wolf packs. Intelligent. Lives in small matriarchal pod. Also known as Blackfish, Orca, and Sea Wolf.

Whale, Long-finned Pilot (Globicephala melas)
Carnivore; delphinidae; up to 25 feet long; weighs up to 5,000 pounds; black, gray or brown body with white markings; square, sometimes creased, forehead or melon; long, sickle-shaped flippers. Lives in matriarchal pod. Also known as Blackfish and Pothead.

Whale, Melon-headed (Peponocephala electra)
Carnivore; delphinidae; up to 9 feet long; weights up to 460 pounds; gray torpedo-shaped body with darker "cape" or patch around tall dorsal fin and dark "mask" on face; round head. Fast swimmer. Lives in pod. Also known as Many-toothed Blackfish and Electra Dolphin.

Whale, North Atlantic Right (Eubalaena glacialis)
Carnivore; balaenopteridae; up to 50 feet long; weighs up to 70 tons; large callus-covered head and thick black or gray body; lack dorsal fin; thick blubber layer; baleen plates in mouth. Skims the surface for crustaceans. Slow swimmer. Lives alone or in small pod. Also known as Biscayan Right Whale.
Classified as Endangered.

Whale, Pygmy Sperm (Kogia breviceps)
Carnivore; kogiidae; up to 12 feet long; weighs up to 1,000 pounds; gray-blue or brown back with pink or white belly and wrinkled skin; circular marking around bulging eyes with false gill plate behind; shark-like head with pointed snout; "spermaceti organ" in head that contains oil. Emits brown-red ink-like substance if frightened. Lives in small pod.

Whale, Sei (Balaenoptera borealis)
Carnivore; balaenopteridae; up to 60 feet long; weighs up to 50 tons; sleek gray-blue or black back with light belly is often scarred; tall, hooked dorsal fin; baleen plates in mouth, pleats along throat. Blows at surface can be up to 13 feet high. Fast swimmer. Lives in small pod. Name is Norwegian for pollock.
Classified as Endangered.

Whale, Short-finned Pilot (Globicephala macrorhynchus)
Carnivore; delphinidae; up to 24 feet long; weighs up to 6,600 pounds; square head and black, gray, or brown back with white or gray "saddle" or patch behind dorsal fin; white-gray patch on belly and throat and white-gray stripe behind eyes; pointed flippers. Lives in pod.

Whale, Sperm (Physeter macrocephalus)
Carnivore; physeteridae; up to 52 feet long; weighs up to 45 tons; large head and gray back with occasional white markings on belly; ridged, wrinkled back; mouth's interior can be white; "spermaceti organ" in head that contains oil; blowhole on left side of head. Largest brain on Earth. Can stay submerged for over an hour. Lives alone or in pods. Also known as Cachalot.
Classified as Endangered.

Whale, True's Beaked (Mesoplodon mirus)
Carnivore; ziphiidae; up to 17 feet long; weighs up to 3,000 pounds; brown or gray back with lighter belly and dark patches around eyes, mouth, and dorsal fin; crease behind blowhole; wide midsection. Males usually are scarred and have a pair of teeth on tip of lower jaw. Lives alone or in pods. Named for Frederick W. True, who first described them.

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.
The gray wolf is regionally extinct (no wild occurrences) in Maryland.

Woodchuck (Marmota monax), also known as Groundhog, Havre de Grace, Maryland, June 2015. Photo by Sarah A. Hanks.

Maryland State Symbols
Maryland Government
Maryland Constitutional Offices & Agencies
Maryland Departments
Maryland Independent Agencies
Maryland Executive Commissions, Committees, Task Forces, & Advisory Boards
Maryland Universities & Colleges
Maryland Counties
Maryland Municipalities
Maryland at a Glance

Maryland Manual On-Line

Search the Manual
e-mail: mdmanual@maryland.gov

This web site is presented for reference purposes under the doctrine of fair use. When this material is used, in whole or in part, proper citation and credit must be attributed to the Maryland State Archives. PLEASE NOTE: The site may contain material from other sources which may be under copyright. Rights assessment, and full originating source citation, is the responsibility of the user. Tell Us What You Think About the Maryland State Archives Website! [ Archives' Home Page  ||  Maryland Manual On-Line  ||  Reference & Research ||  Search the Archives   ||  Education & Outreach  ||  Archives of Maryland Online ] Governor     General Assembly    Judiciary     Maryland.Gov

© Copyright September 16, 2024 Maryland State Archives