List of mammals of Missouri facts for kids

Missouri is home to many amazing mammals! From tiny mice to large deer, these creatures play important roles in the state's natural world. Some mammals have always lived here, while others have been brought back after disappearing, or have moved in from other places. This list will help you discover the different types of mammals you might find in Missouri.

Hoofed Mammals (Order: Artiodactyla)

This group includes mammals that have hooves and usually an even number of toes. Most of them are plant-eaters.

Cattle and Bison (Family: Bovidae)

• American bison (Bison bison): These huge, shaggy animals once roamed Missouri in large herds. They were hunted almost to extinction but have been reintroduced to parts of the state, meaning they were brought back to live in the wild again.

Deer Family (Family: Cervidae)

• Mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus): These deer are named for their large, mule-like ears. They are usually found in western North America, so seeing one in Missouri is very rare; they are considered a vagrant, meaning they wandered outside their normal range.
• White-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus): This is the most common large mammal in Missouri. You can often spot them in forests, fields, and even near towns. They are known for the white underside of their tail, which they flash when alarmed.
• Elk (Cervus canadensis): Elk are much larger than deer and once lived all over Missouri. They were extirpated (meaning they disappeared from the state) but have been reintroduced.
  • Eastern elk (Cervus canadensis canadensis): This specific type of elk is now extinct.
  • Rocky Mountain elk (Cervus canadensis nelsoni): These elk were brought from the Rocky Mountains to help bring elk back to Missouri.

Pig Family (Family: Suidae)

• Wild boar (Sus scrofa): These are wild pigs that are not native to Missouri. They are an introduced species, meaning humans brought them here. They can cause a lot of damage to crops and natural habitats.

Meat-Eating Mammals (Order: Carnivora)

This order includes mammals that primarily eat meat. They often have sharp teeth and claws.

Dog Family (Family: Canidae)

• Coyote (Canis latrans): Coyotes are common throughout Missouri. They are adaptable and can live in many different environments, from rural areas to the edges of cities.
• Gray wolf (Canis lupus): Gray wolves once lived in Missouri but are now extirpated.
  • Great Plains wolf (Canis lupus nubilus): This specific type of gray wolf is now extinct.
• Red wolf (Canis rufus): Red wolves are also extirpated from Missouri. They are an endangered species found in other parts of the U.S.
• Gray fox (Urocyon cinereoargenteus): Gray foxes are unique because they can climb trees! They are found in wooded areas.
• Red fox (Vulpes vulpes): Red foxes are known for their reddish-orange fur and bushy tails. They are common in Missouri's farmlands and forests.

Cat Family (Family: Felidae)

• Bobcat (Lynx rufus): Bobcats are wild cats with short, "bobbed" tails. They are shy and mostly active at night, making them hard to spot.
• Cougar (Puma concolor): Cougars, also known as mountain lions, were once extirpated from Missouri. However, some cougars have been seen recently, likely wandering into the state from other areas.
  • Eastern cougar (Puma concolor couguar): This specific type of cougar is now extinct.

Skunk Family (Family: Mephitidae)

• Striped skunk (Mephitis mephitis): These skunks are famous for their black fur with white stripes and their ability to spray a strong-smelling liquid for defense. They are common in Missouri.
• Eastern spotted skunk (Spilogale putorius): This smaller skunk has white spots and broken stripes. It's less common than the striped skunk and can do a "handstand" before spraying.

Weasel Family (Family: Mustelidae)

• North American river otter (Lontra canadensis): River otters are playful, semi-aquatic mammals that love to swim. They were reintroduced to Missouri and are now thriving in the state's waterways.
• Least weasel (Mustela nivalis): This is the smallest carnivore in North America. They are very quick and hunt small rodents.
• Long-tailed weasel (Neogale frenata): These weasels have long, slender bodies and are agile hunters.
• American mink (Neogale vison): Minks are semi-aquatic like otters but are smaller. They are fierce predators of small animals.
• American badger (Taxidea taxus): Badgers are powerful diggers with flat, muscular bodies. They mostly eat rodents they dig out of the ground.

Raccoon Family (Family: Procyonidae)

• Raccoon (Procyon lotor): Raccoons are very common and recognizable with their "bandit masks" and ringed tails. They are intelligent and adaptable, often found in both rural and urban areas.

Bear Family (Family: Ursidae)

• American black bear (Ursus americanus): Black bears are the largest carnivores in Missouri. Their population is growing, especially in the southern parts of the state. They are usually shy and avoid people.

Bats (Order: Chiroptera)

Bats are the only mammals that can truly fly! They are very important for controlling insect populations and pollinating plants.

Free-tailed Bats (Family: Molossidae)

• Big free-tailed bat (Nyctinomops macrotis): These bats have a tail that extends beyond their tail membrane, giving them their name.
• Mexican free-tailed bat (Tadarida brasiliensis): Known for forming huge colonies, these bats are fast flyers.

Evening Bats (Family: Vespertilionidae)

• Eastern red bat (Lasiurus borealis): These bats have reddish fur and often roost in trees, looking like dead leaves.
• Hoary bat (Lasiurus cinereus): This is one of the largest bats in North America, with frosted-looking fur.
• Rafinesque's big-eared bat (Corynorhinus rafinesquii): These bats have incredibly long ears, which they can curl up when resting.
• Townsend's big-eared bat (Corynorhinus townsendii): Another bat with very large ears, often found in caves.
• Big brown bat (Eptesicus fuscus): A common bat found throughout Missouri, often roosting in buildings.
• Silver-haired bat (Lasionycteris noctivagans): These bats have dark fur tipped with silver, giving them a frosted look.
• Southeastern myotis (Myotis austroriparius): A small bat found in the southeastern U.S.
• Western small-footed bat (Myotis ciliolabrum): Named for its tiny feet, this bat is found in rocky areas.
• Gray bat (Myotis grisescens): An endangered species that relies on specific caves for survival.
• Keen's myotis (Myotis keenii): A rare bat found in the Pacific Northwest, its presence in Missouri would be unusual.
• Eastern small-footed myotis (Myotis leibii): Another small-footed bat, often found near rocky outcrops.
• Little brown bat (Myotis lucifugus): Once very common, this bat has faced population declines due to white-nose syndrome.
• Northern long-eared myotis (Myotis septentrionalis): This bat has long ears and is also affected by white-nose syndrome.
• Indiana bat (Myotis sodalis): An endangered species that hibernates in large colonies in caves.
• Evening bat (Nycticeius humeralis): These bats often emerge early in the evening to hunt insects.
• Eastern pipistrelle (Perimyotis subflavus): A small, yellowish-brown bat, also known as the tricolored bat.

Armored Mammals (Order: Cingulata)

This order contains unique mammals with a bony, armor-like shell.

Armadillo Family (Family: Dasypodidae)

• Nine-banded armadillo (Dasypus novemcinctus): Armadillos are known for their tough, bony shell. They are relatively new to Missouri, having expanded their range northward over the years. They dig for insects and grubs.

Opossums (Order: Didelphimorphia)

This order includes marsupials, which are mammals that carry their young in a pouch.

Opossum Family (Family: Didelphidae)

• Virginia opossum (Didelphis virginiana): The Virginia opossum is North America's only native marsupial. They are famous for "playing dead" when threatened. They are very adaptable and can be found almost anywhere.

Rabbits and Hares (Order: Lagomorpha)

This order includes rabbits, hares, and pikas. They have two pairs of incisors (front teeth) in their upper jaw, one behind the other.

Rabbit and Hare Family (Family: Leporidae)

• Black-tailed jackrabbit (Lepus californicus): Jackrabbits are actually hares, known for their long ears and powerful hind legs that help them run very fast.
• White-tailed jackrabbit (Lepus townsendii): Another type of hare, often found in more open, grassy areas.
• Swamp rabbit (Sylvilagus aquaticus): These rabbits are larger than cottontails and prefer wet, swampy habitats. They are good swimmers.
• Eastern cottontail (Sylvilagus floridanus): This is the most common rabbit in Missouri. They are known for their fluffy white tail.

Rodents (Order: Rodentia)

Rodents are the largest group of mammals, known for their continuously growing incisor teeth that they keep short by gnawing.

Beaver Family (Family: Castoridae)

• North American beaver (Castor canadensis): Beavers are the largest rodents in North America. They are famous for building dams and lodges in rivers and streams.

New World Rats and Mice (Family: Cricetidae)

• Muskrat (Ondatra zibethicus): Muskrats are semi-aquatic rodents found in wetlands and slow-moving water. They build dome-shaped lodges out of vegetation.
• Golden mouse (Ochrotomys nuttalli): These small mice have soft, golden-orange fur and often build nests in trees or shrubs.
• Texas mouse (Peromyscus attwateri): A type of deer mouse found in rocky, brushy habitats.
• Brush mouse (Peromyscus boylii): Found in wooded or brushy areas.
• Cotton mouse (Peromyscus gossypinus): Often found in moist, wooded areas, especially near cotton fields.
• White-footed mouse (Peromyscus leucopus): A very common mouse found in many habitats, known for its white feet.
• Eastern deer mouse (Peromyscus maniculatus): Another widespread mouse, often found in open areas.
• Western deer mouse (Peromyscus sonoriensis): Similar to the Eastern deer mouse, found in western parts of the state.
• Fulvous harvest mouse (Reithrodontomys fulvescens): Small mice that build nests in tall grasses.
• Western harvest mouse (Reithrodontomys megalotis): Found in grasslands and open fields.
• Plains harvest mouse (Reithrodontomys montanus): Another small mouse of the plains.
• Prairie vole (Microtus ochrogaster): Voles are small, stocky rodents with short tails, often found in grasslands.
• Meadow vole (Microtus pennsylvanicus): Common in grassy areas, they create runways through vegetation.
• Woodland vole (Microtus pinetorum): These voles live underground in tunnels.
• Florida woodrat (Neotoma floridana): Also known as packrats, they build large nests out of sticks and debris.
• Marsh rice rat (Oryzomys palustris): These rats are semi-aquatic and live in marshy areas.
• Southern bog lemming (Synaptomys cooperi): Small, short-tailed rodents found in moist, grassy habitats.
• Hispid cotton rat (Sigmodon hispidus): These rats have coarse fur and are common in grassy fields.

Jumping Mice (Family: Dipodidae)

• Meadow jumping mouse (Zapus hudsonius): These mice have very long tails and large hind feet, allowing them to make impressive jumps.

Pocket Gophers (Family: Geomydae)

• Plains pocket gopher (Geomys bursarius): Gophers are burrowing rodents with large cheek pouches for carrying food. They create extensive tunnel systems.

Pocket Mice (Family: Heteromyidae)

• Plains pocket mouse (Perognathus flavescens): Small mice with external fur-lined cheek pouches, found in sandy or open areas.

Old World Rats and Mice (Family: Muridae)

• House mouse (Mus musculus): These mice are common around human homes and buildings. They are an introduced species.
• Brown rat (Rattus norvegicus): Also known as Norway rats, these are large, common rats found in urban and rural areas. They are an introduced species.
• Black rat (Rattus rattus): Also known as roof rats, these are smaller and more agile than brown rats. They are an introduced species.

Nutria Family (Family: Myocastoridae)

• Nutria (Myocastor coypus): Nutria are large, semi-aquatic rodents from South America. They were introduced for fur farming and can cause damage to wetlands.

Squirrel Family (Family: Sciuridae)

• Fox squirrel (Sciurus niger): These are the largest tree squirrels in Missouri, often seen in open woodlands and parks.
• Eastern gray squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis): A very common squirrel, known for its bushy tail and playful behavior.
• Franklin's ground squirrel (Poliocitellus franklinii): A ground-dwelling squirrel found in tall grasslands.
• Southern flying squirrel (Glaucomys volans): These small, nocturnal squirrels don't truly fly but glide between trees using a flap of skin.
• Thirteen-lined ground squirrel (Ictidomys tridecemlineatus): Named for its stripes and rows of spots, this ground squirrel lives in open, grassy areas.
• Groundhog (Marmota monax): Also known as woodchucks, groundhogs are large ground squirrels that dig extensive burrows.
• Eastern chipmunk (Tamias striatus): Chipmunks are small, striped rodents known for stuffing their cheek pouches with food.

Shrews and Moles (Order: Eulipotyphla)

This order includes small, insect-eating mammals.

Shrew Family (Family: Soricidae)

• Northern short-tailed shrew (Blarina brevicauda): These shrews have very short tails and produce venom in their saliva to help catch prey.
• Southern short-tailed shrew (Blarina carolinensis): Similar to the northern species, found in the southern parts of the state.
• Elliot's short-tailed shrew (Blarina hylophaga): Another species of short-tailed shrew.
• North American least shrew (Cryptotis parva): One of the smallest mammals in North America.
• Southeastern shrew (Sorex longirostris): A small shrew found in moist habitats.
• Cinereus shrew (Sorex cinereus): Also known as the masked shrew, found in northern Missouri.

Mole Family (Family: Talpidae)

• Eastern mole (Scalopus aquaticus): Moles are burrowing mammals with powerful front paws adapted for digging. They create tunnels just below the surface of the ground.