Fauna of Maine facts for kids
The fauna of Maine includes many different kinds of animals that live on land and in the water. You can find creatures common to the North Atlantic Ocean and the deciduous forests of North America. Sadly, some of these animals have lost their homes or had their living spaces shrink.
Amazing Mammals of Maine
Maine is home to many fascinating mammals, from tiny mice to giant whales!
Deer and Their Relatives
You'll find two main types of deer in Maine: the huge moose and the smaller, graceful white-tailed deer. Long ago, caribou also lived here, but they are no longer found in Maine.
Whales in Maine's Waters
Maine's coast is a great place to spot amazing whales!
Giant Baleen Whales
These whales are huge and filter their food from the water using special plates called baleen. Some you might see include the enormous blue whale, the speedy finback whale, and the acrobatic humpback whale. The North Atlantic right whale is also found here, but it's very rare and endangered.
Toothed Whales and Dolphins
Other whales in Maine have teeth! These include the killer whale (also known as an orca), the sperm whale, and the beluga whale. You might also spot different kinds of beaked whales and pilot whales.
Rodents and Small Critters
Maine has many small mammals, including lots of different rodents. Some common ones are the eastern gray squirrel, the American red squirrel, and the busy American beaver. You can also find various types of mice and voles, like the North American deermouse and the meadow vole.
Rabbits and Hares
When it comes to hopping animals, Maine has the New England cottontail and the eastern cottontail rabbits. The snowshoe hare is also common, known for its big feet that help it move easily in the snow.
Wild Carnivores
Maine's forests are home to several meat-eating animals. You might see a clever red fox or a shy gray fox. Larger carnivores include the spotted bobcat and the elusive Canadian lynx. The coyote is also common. The powerful American black bear roams the woods, but the gray wolf and eastern cougar no longer live in Maine.
Bats of the Night Sky
Many types of bats fly over Maine at night, helping to control insect populations. Some common species include the little brown bat, the big brown bat, and the eastern red bat.
Other Small Mammals
Maine also has tiny, busy mammals like the hairy-tailed mole and the star-nosed mole, which are excellent diggers. Various types of shrews, such as the smoky shrew and the northern short-tailed shrew, also live here.
Weasels and Their Relatives
This group includes the playful northern river otter and the sleek American mink. You might also spot a long-tailed weasel or an ermine (also called a short-tailed weasel). The fisher (sometimes called a "fisher cat") and the American marten are also part of this family.
More Mammals
Other interesting mammals in Maine include the eastern chipmunk, the burrowing woodchuck, the clever northern raccoon, and the unique Virginia opossum. The striped skunk and the spiky North American porcupine also live here, along with the common muskrat.
Birds of Maine
Maine is a fantastic place for birdwatching, with its long coastline, many lakes, and rivers.
Water Birds and Seabirds
You can find many waterfowl, seabirds, and shorebirds here. Some common ones are the familiar mallard and Canada goose. Look for the elegant common loon on lakes, and seabirds like the Atlantic puffin and razorbill along the coast. The Arctic tern and black tern also visit Maine.
Birds of Prey
Maine is home to many powerful birds of prey. The majestic bald eagle soars through the skies, and you might see different hawks like the red-tailed hawk and northern harrier. Owls are also common, including the wise great horned owl and the hooting barred owl. While golden eagles used to nest here, they now mostly visit in winter.
Other Common Birds
Many other birds fill Maine's landscapes with song and color. You can hear the call of the mourning dove and spot the bright American goldfinch. The black-capped chickadee is a friendly visitor, and the colorful indigo bunting and scarlet tanager add splashes of color to the forests.
Reptiles of Maine
Maine has a variety of reptiles, including snakes and turtles.
Snakes of Maine
Most snakes in Maine are harmless. Common ones include the common garter snake, often seen in gardens, and the milk snake with its interesting patterns. You might also find the common watersnake near ponds and streams, or the bright smooth green snake. Sadly, the timber rattlesnake used to live in Maine but is no longer found here.
Turtles of Maine
Maine has both land and marine turtles.
Land Turtles
On land, you might spot the painted turtle with its colorful shell, or the slow-moving common snapping turtle. The rare Blanding's turtle and the wood turtle also live in Maine.
Marine Turtles
In the ocean waters off Maine, you can find sea turtles like the giant leatherback sea turtle, the loggerhead sea turtle, and the critically endangered Kemp's ridley sea turtle.
Fish of Maine
Maine's state fish is the Landlocked Atlantic Salmon, a popular sport fish.
Maine is famous for its large lake-dwelling and sea-run brook trout, which are important for fishing. Other native sport fish include Lake Trout, Arctic Char, and Striped Bass along the coast.
Molluscs
Maine is home to 92 different kinds of land snails and slugs.
