List of endangered species in Virginia facts for kids

In Virginia, some special animals and plants are in danger. They are called endangered or threatened. An endangered species is one that is very close to disappearing completely. A threatened species means it could become endangered soon if we don't help it. This list tells you about some of these important species in Virginia, United States.

Animals in Danger

The Red-cockaded woodpecker is a bird that lives in old pine forests.

The Loggerhead sea turtle travels long distances in the ocean.

The Bog turtle is one of North America's smallest turtles.

The Shortnose sturgeon is a very old type of fish.

Many different animals in Virginia need our help. They range from tiny insects to large whales. Protecting their homes and making sure they have enough food is very important.

Mammals Needing Help

Mammals are warm-blooded animals with fur or hair. Several types of bats in Virginia are endangered. They often live in caves and are important for controlling insects.

• Gray bat (Myotis grisescens)
• Indiana bat (Myotis sodalis)
• Virginia big-eared bat (Corynorhinus townsendii virginianus)
• The West Indian manatee (Trichechus manatus) is a gentle giant of the water.
• The Dismal Swamp southeastern shrew (Sorex longirostris fisheri) is a tiny mammal.
• Large ocean animals like the Fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus) and Humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) also need protection.

Birds in Peril

Birds are amazing creatures that fly and sing. Some birds in Virginia are struggling to survive.

• The Piping plover (Charadrius melodus) is a small shorebird. It nests on sandy beaches.
• The Roseate tern (Sterna dougallii dougallii) is another coastal bird.
• The Red-cockaded woodpecker (Picoides borealis) lives in old pine forests. It makes its nests in living pine trees.
• The Kirtland’s warbler (Dendroica kirtlandii) is a small songbird.

Reptiles Facing Threats

Reptiles include turtles, snakes, and lizards. Many sea turtles visit Virginia's waters.

• Green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas)
• Hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata)
• Kemp's ridley (Lepidochelys kempii)
• Leatherback sea turtle (Dermochelys coriacea)
• Loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta)
• The Bog turtle (Clemmys muhlenbergii) is a small freshwater turtle. It lives in wet, marshy areas.

Fish in Danger

Virginia's rivers and streams are home to many unique fish. Some of these fish are now endangered.

• Slender chub (Erimystax cahni)
• Spotfin chub (Cyprinella monacha)
• Duskytail darter (Etheostoma percnurum)
• Roanoke logperch (Percina rex)
• The Shortnose sturgeon (Acipenser brevirostrum) is a very old type of fish. It can live for many years.
• Blackside dace (Phoxinus cumberlandensis)
• Yellowfin madtom (Noturus flavipinnis)

Insects and Other Small Creatures

Even small insects and crustaceans play a big role in nature.

• The Northeastern beach tiger beetle (Cicindela dorsalis dorsalis) lives on sandy beaches.
• Mitchell’s satyr (Neonympha mitchellii) is a rare butterfly.

Crustaceans in Caves

Crustaceans are often found in water. Some unique ones live in Virginia's caves.

• Lee County cave isopod (Lirceus usdagalun)
• Madison cave isopod (Antrolana lira)

Snails and Shellfish

Virginia is also home to many types of snails and mussels. These creatures are important for keeping water clean.

• The Virginia fringed mountain snail (Polygyriscus virginianus) is a rare land snail.

Freshwater Mussels in Trouble

Many types of freshwater mussels live in Virginia's rivers. They filter water and are a sign of a healthy river.

• Purple bean (Villosa perpurpurea)
• Cumberlandian combshell (Epioblasma brevidens)
• Fanshell (Cyprogenia stegaria)
• Appalachian monkeyface (Quadrula sparsa)
• Cumberland monkeyface (Quadrula intermedia)
• Pink mucket (Lampsilis abrupta)
• Oyster mussel (Epioblasma capsaeformis)
• Birdwing pearlymussel (Lemiox rimosus)
• Cracking pearly mussel (Hemistena lata)
• Dromedary pearly mussel (Dromus dromas)
• Green blossom pearlymussel (Epioblasma torulosa gubernaculum)
• Littlewing pearlymussel (Pegias fabula)
• Fine-rayed pigtoe (Fusconaia cuneolus)
• Rough pigtoe (Pleurobema plenum)
• Shiny pigtoe (Fusconaia cor)
• Rough rabbitsfoot (Quadrula cylindrica strigillata)
• Tan riffleshell (Epioblasma florentina walkeri)
• James River spinymussel (Pleurobema collina)
• Dwarf wedgemussel (Alasmidonta heterodon)

Plants in Danger

Just like animals, many plants in Virginia are also at risk. These plants are important parts of their ecosystems. They provide food and shelter for animals. They also help keep the air and soil healthy.

• Sensitive joint-vetch (Aeschynomene virginica)
• Shale barren rock-cress (Arabis serotina)
• Virginia round-leaf birch (Betula uber)
• Small-anthered bittercress (Cardamine micranthera)
• Smooth purple coneflower (Echinacea laevigata)
• Virginia sneezeweed (Helenium virginicum)
• Swamp pink (Helonias bullata)
• Peter's mountain mallow (Iliamna corei)
• Small whorled pogonia (Isotria medeoloides)
• Eastern prairie fringed orchid (Platanthera leucophaea)
• Michaux's sumac (Rhus michauxii)
• American chaffseed (Schwalbea americana)
• Northeastern bulrush (Scirpus ancistrochaetus)
• Virginia spiraea (Spiraea virginiana)