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List of mammals of New York facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

This article lists the amazing mammals that live in the state of New York. From tiny mice to huge whales, New York is home to many different kinds of furry creatures! Some of these animals have always lived here, while others were brought here by people. Sadly, some animals that used to live in New York are no longer found here.

American Beaver
The North American beaver is the state mammal of New York.

Scientists and conservation groups like the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) keep track of how many animals are left in the wild. This helps us understand which animals might be in danger. Here's what some of their special tags mean:

Extinct This means the animal is completely gone. The last one has died.
Extinct in the wild These animals only live in zoos or special protected areas, not in their natural homes.
Critically endangered These animals are in extreme danger of disappearing forever from the wild.
Endangered These animals face a very high risk of disappearing from the wild.
Vulnerable These animals are at a high risk of becoming endangered in the future.
Near threatened These animals are not currently at high risk, but they might be in danger soon.
Least concern There are no big worries about these animals right now.
Data deficient We don't have enough information to know if these animals are in danger or not.

Opossums: The Only Marsupial in New York

Opossums are unique mammals. They are the only marsupials (animals that carry their babies in a pouch) found in North America. The Virginia opossum is the only type of opossum you'll find in New York.

AwesomePossum-AmericanOpossum
Virginia opossum

Insectivores: Shrews and Moles

These small mammals love to eat insects! Shrews look a lot like mice, but they have longer snouts and tiny eyes. Moles are amazing diggers with strong bodies, perfect for tunneling underground.

Blarina brevicauda
Northern short-tailed shrew
Condylura
Star-nosed mole

Lagomorphs: Hares and Rabbits

Lagomorphs might look like rodents, but they are a separate group of mammals. One key difference is that they have four front teeth in their upper jaw, while rodents only have two.

Snowshoe hare
Snowshoe hare

Rodents: The Largest Mammal Group

Rodents make up the biggest group of mammals on Earth! More than 40% of all mammal species are rodents. They have special front teeth that never stop growing, so they have to keep gnawing on things to keep them short.

Castor canadensis
Beaver
Ondatra zibethicus FWS
Muskrat
Porcupine NPS11952
North American porcupine
Squirrel in New York
Eastern gray squirrel in Manhattan
AmericanRedSquirrel
American red squirrel
  • Family Muridae (Old World mice and rats)
    • Genus: Mus
      • House mouse, M. musculus (This animal was brought to New York by people.)
    • Genus: Rattus
      • Norway rat, R. norvegicus (This animal was brought to New York by people.)
      • Black rat, R. rattus (This animal was brought to New York by people.)

Bats: Mammals That Can Fly!

Bats are truly special because they are the only mammals that can actually fly! Their front limbs have developed into wings. About one-fifth of all mammal species are bats.

Little Brown Bat FWS
Little brown bat
Tri-colored bat in torpor
Tricolored bat

Carnivores: Meat-Eating Mammals

Carnivores are mammals that mostly eat meat. They have special teeth and skull shapes that help them hunt and eat their prey. There are over 260 different kinds of carnivores!

Coyote portrait
Coyote
Ursus americanus sequoia forest 2003-09-21
Black bear
Lynx-canadensis
Canada lynx
  • Family Felidae (cats)
    • Genus: Lynx
      • Canada lynx, L. canadensis (This animal used to live in New York but is no longer found here.)
      • Bobcat, L. rufus
    • Genus: Puma
      • Cougar, P. concolor (This animal used to live in New York but is no longer found here.)
AmericanMarten23
Pine marten
Mink headshot
Mink
Striped skunk
Striped skunk

Even-Toed Ungulates: Hoofed Mammals

Even-toed ungulates are hoofed animals that walk mostly on their third and fourth toes. This group includes animals like deer, moose, and bison.

Lonesome-Lake-Moose
Moose
Deer (5917415664)
Two white-tailed deer in Broome County
    • Genus: Rangifer
      • Caribou R. tarandus (This animal used to live in New York but is no longer found here.)
  • Family Bovidae (bison)
    • Genus: Bison
      • American bison, B. bison (This animal used to live in New York but is no longer found here.)
  • Family Suidae (pigs)
    • Genus: Sus
      • Wild boar, S. scrofa (This animal was brought to New York by people, but is no longer found here.)

Cetaceans: Mammals of the Ocean

Cetaceans are mammals that live entirely in the water. They have sleek, mostly hairless bodies and a thick layer of blubber to keep them warm. Their front limbs and tails are shaped like fins to help them swim. This group includes whales and dolphins.

  • Family Kogiidae (false sperm whales)
  • Family Ziphiidae (beaked whales)
    • Genus: Hyperoodon
      • Northern bottlenose whale, H. ampullatus
    • Genus: Mesoplodon
      • Sowerby's beaked whale, M. bidens
      • Blainville's beaked whale, M. densirostris
      • Gervais' beaked whale, M. europaeus
      • True's beaked whale, M. mirus
    • Genus: Ziphius
  • Family Monodontinae (narwhal and beluga)
    • Genus: Delphinapterus
      • Beluga whale, D. leucas (This whale is usually found elsewhere but sometimes visits New York's waters.)

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List of mammals of New York Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.