List of mammals of Pennsylvania facts for kids
Welcome to the amazing world of mammals living in Pennsylvania! This article will tell you about the 66 different kinds of mammals that live wild in the state today. We won't be talking about pets or farm animals that have gone wild.
Sadly, some mammals that used to live here are now gone from Pennsylvania. These include the marsh rice rat, eastern wolf, American marten, wolverine, cougar, Canada lynx, moose, and American bison. They are "extirpated," which means they no longer live in Pennsylvania, but they still exist in other parts of the world.
Contents
- Opossums: Unique Pouch Mammals
- Shrews and Moles: Tiny Tunnelers
- Bats: Flying Mammals of the Night
- Rabbits and Hares: Hopping Friends
- Rodents: Gnawing Wonders
- Carnivorans: Hunters of Pennsylvania
- Hoofed Mammals: Deer of Pennsylvania
Opossums: Unique Pouch Mammals
Opossums are the only mammals in North America that carry their babies in a pouch, just like kangaroos!
Virginia Opossum: Pennsylvania's Only Pouch Pal
The Virginia opossum is the only type of opossum you'll find in Pennsylvania. They are quite common and live all over the state.
| Common name | Scientific name | Status | Where they live |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia opossum
|
Didelphis virginiana | Common | Statewide |
Shrews and Moles: Tiny Tunnelers
These small mammals are often hidden underground or in dense plants. They are very important for the ecosystem.
Shrews: Busy Little Hunters
Seven different kinds of shrews live in Pennsylvania. These tiny creatures are very active and eat a lot of insects.
| Common name | Scientific name | Status | Where they live |
|---|---|---|---|
| Northern short-tailed shrew | Blarina brevicauda | Common | Statewide |
| Least shrew | Cryptotis parva | Endangered locally | South central |
| Masked shrew | Sorex cinereus | Common | Statewide |
| Maryland shrew | Sorex cinereus fontinalis | Common | Piedmont and Valley and Ridge |
| Long-tailed shrew | Sorex dispar | Rare | Appalachian Uplands |
| Smoky shrew | Sorex fumeus | Common | Statewide |
| Pygmy shrew | Sorex hoyi | Uncommon | Presumed statewide |
| Water shrew | Sorex palustris | Uncommon | Mountain streams |
Moles: Digging Experts
Three types of moles live in Pennsylvania. They are famous for their strong front paws, perfect for digging tunnels underground.
| Common name | Scientific name | Status | Where they live |
|---|---|---|---|
| Star-nosed mole | Condylura cristata | Uncommon | Statewide |
| Hairy-tailed mole | Parascalops breweri | Uncommon | Statewide |
| Eastern mole | Scalopus aquaticus | Uncommon | Piedmont and Valley and Ridge |
Bats: Flying Mammals of the Night
Bats are the only mammals that can truly fly! They are super important for controlling insects and pollinating plants.
Evening Bats: Pennsylvania's Night Flyers
Eleven different kinds of evening bats call Pennsylvania home. Many bat species face challenges, so it's important to protect their habitats.
| Common name | Scientific name | Status | Where they live |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tri-colored bat | Perimyotis subflavus | Uncommon | Statewide |
| Big brown bat | Eptesicus fuscus | Common | Statewide |
| Evening bat | Nycticeius humeralis | Rare | Southeastern |
| Red bat | Lasiurus borealis | Uncommon | Statewide |
| Seminole bat | Lasiurus seminolus | Rare | Piedmont |
| Hoary bat | Lasiurus cinereus | Uncommon | Statewide |
| Small-footed myotis | Myotis leibii | Threatened locally | Statewide |
| Northern long-eared bat | Myotis septentrionalis | Uncommon | Statewide |
| Little brown myotis | Myotis lucifugus | Common | Statewide |
| Indiana bat | Myotis sodalis | Endangered | Central |
| Silver-haired bat | Lasionycteris noctivagans | Uncommon | Statewide |
Rabbits and Hares: Hopping Friends
These furry, long-eared animals are known for their quick movements and soft fur.
Pennsylvania's Hopping Mammals
Three types of rabbits and hares live in Pennsylvania.
| Common name | Scientific name | Status | Where they live |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eastern cottontail
|
Sylvilagus floridanus | Common | Statewide |
| Appalachian cottontail | Sylvilagus obscurus | Uncommon | Eastern mountains |
| Snowshoe hare | Lepus americanus | Rare | Appalachian Uplands |
| European hare | Lepus europaeus | Common | Northeastern area |
Rodents: Gnawing Wonders
Rodents are the largest group of mammals, known for their strong, continuously growing front teeth used for gnawing.
Beavers: Nature's Engineers
Only one type of beaver lives in Pennsylvania. These amazing animals are known for building dams and lodges.
| Common name | Scientific name | Status | Where they live |
|---|---|---|---|
| North American beaver | Castor canadensis | Reintroduced | Statewide |
Porcupines: Spiky Defenders
One species of porcupine lives in Pennsylvania. These animals are famous for their sharp quills, which they use for defense.
| Common name | Scientific name | Status | Where they live |
|---|---|---|---|
| North American porcupine | Erethizon doratum | Uncommon | Northern and central |
Jumping Mice: Long-Tailed Leapers
Two kinds of jumping mice are found in Pennsylvania. They have very long tails and can jump surprisingly far.
| Common name | Scientific name | Status | Where they live |
|---|---|---|---|
| Woodland jumping mouse | Napaeozapus insignis | Common | Northern and western |
| Meadow jumping mouse | Zapus hudsonius | Common | Statewide |
Voles, Rats, and Mice: Small but Mighty
Nine different kinds of voles and New World rats and mice live in Pennsylvania.
Voles and Muskrats
These include lemmings, voles, and muskrats.
| Common name | Scientific name | Status | Where they live |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rock vole | Microtus chrotorrhinus | Rare | Northeast |
| Meadow vole | Microtus pennsylvanicus | Common | Statewide |
| Woodland vole | Microtus pinetorum | Common | Statewide |
| Southern bog lemming | Synaptomys cooperi | Uncommon | Statewide |
| Southern red-backed vole | Myodes gapperi | Common | Statewide |
| Muskrat | Ondatra zibethicus | Common | Statewide |
North American Rats and Mice
These are native rats and mice found in North America.
| Common name | Scientific name | Status | Where they live |
|---|---|---|---|
| Allegheny woodrat | Neotoma magister | Threatened | Mountain ridges |
| Eastern deer mouse | Peromyscus maniculatus | Common | Statewide |
| White-footed mouse | Peromyscus leucopus | Common | Statewide |
Old World Rats and Mice: Introduced Species
Three kinds of Old World rats and mice are found in Pennsylvania. These species were brought here by humans.
| Common name | Scientific name | Status | Where they live |
|---|---|---|---|
| House mouse | Mus musculus | Introduced | Statewide |
| Brown rat | Rattus norvegicus | Introduced | Statewide |
| Black rat | Rattus rattus | Introduced | Statewide |
Squirrels, Chipmunks, and Marmots: Agile Climbers and Diggers
Eight different kinds of squirrels, chipmunks, and marmots live in Pennsylvania.
Tree and Flying Squirrels
These include the squirrels you often see in trees and the amazing flying squirrels.
| Common name | Scientific name | Status | Where they live |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eastern gray squirrel
|
Sciurus carolinensis | Common | Statewide |
| Fox squirrel | Sciurus niger | Uncommon | Southern and western |
| American red squirrel | Tamiasciurus hudsonicus | Common | Statewide |
| Northern flying squirrel | Glaucomys sabrinus | Rare | Northern |
| Southern flying squirrel | Glaucomys volans | Common | Statewide |
Chipmunks and Ground Squirrels
These are squirrels that spend more time on the ground.
| Common name | Scientific name | Status | Where they live |
|---|---|---|---|
| Groundhog | Marmota monax | Common | Statewide |
| Thirteen-lined ground squirrel | Ictidomys tridecemlineatus | Introduced | Mercer and Venango Counties |
| Eastern chipmunk | Tamias striatus | Common | Statewide |
Carnivorans: Hunters of Pennsylvania
Carnivorans are mammals that primarily eat meat. This group includes cats, dogs, bears, skunks, weasels, and raccoons.
Cats: The Bobcat
One type of wild cat lives in Pennsylvania.
Bobcat: Elusive Hunter
The Bobcat is a shy and powerful hunter found in the Appalachian Uplands.
| Common name | Scientific name | Status | Where they live |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bobcat | Lynx rufus | Rare | Appalachian Uplands |
Canids: Wild Dogs of Pennsylvania
Three kinds of canids (wild dogs) live in Pennsylvania.
Coyote, Gray Fox, and Red Fox
These clever animals are found throughout the state.
| Common name | Scientific name | Status | Where they live |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coyote | Canis latrans | Common | Statewide |
| Gray fox | Urocyon cinereoargenteus | Common | Statewide |
| Red fox | Vulpes vulpes | Common | Statewide |
Bears: The Black Bear
One species of bear lives in Pennsylvania.
American Black Bear: Pennsylvania's Largest Mammal
The Black bear is a common sight in central Pennsylvania's Appalachian Mountains.
| Common name | Scientific name | Status | Where they live |
|---|---|---|---|
| Black bear | Ursus americanus | Common | Appalachian Mountains in Central Pennsylvania |
Skunks: Scented Defenders
Two kinds of skunks live in Pennsylvania. They are known for their strong-smelling spray used for defense.
Striped Skunk and Eastern Spotted Skunk
These unique mammals are found in different parts of the state.
| Common name | Scientific name | Status | Where they live |
|---|---|---|---|
| Striped skunk | Mephitis mephitis | Common | Statewide |
| Eastern spotted skunk | Spilogale putorius | Rare | South central |
Mustelids: Weasels and Otters
Seven kinds of mustelids live in Pennsylvania. This family includes weasels, otters, mink, and fishers.
River Otter, Weasels, Mink, Fisher, and Badger
These diverse carnivores play important roles in their habitats.
| Common name | Scientific name | Status | Where they live |
|---|---|---|---|
| River otter | Lontra canadensis | Rare | Northern |
| Least weasel | Mustela nivalis | Uncommon | Western two-thirds |
| American ermine | Mustela richardsonii | Uncommon | Statewide except southwest |
| Long-tailed weasel | Neogale frenata | Common | Statewide |
| Mink | Neogale vison | Common | Statewide |
| Fisher | Pekania pennanti | Reintroduced | North central |
| Badger | Taxidea taxus | Uncommon | Western two-thirds |
Raccoons: Masked Mischief-Makers
One species of raccoon lives in Pennsylvania.
Raccoon: Clever and Adaptable
The Raccoon is a very common and adaptable animal found all over the state.
| Common name | Scientific name | Status | Where they live |
|---|---|---|---|
| Raccoon | Procyon lotor | Common | Statewide |
Hoofed Mammals: Deer of Pennsylvania
Hoofed mammals are known for their hooves, which help them move across different terrains.
Deer: Majestic Herbivores
Two kinds of deer live in Pennsylvania.
Elk and White-tailed Deer
These large, graceful animals are iconic symbols of Pennsylvania's wildlife.
| Common name | Scientific name | Status | Where they live |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elk | Cervus canadensis | Reintroduced | North central |
| White-tailed deer
|
Odocoileus virginianus | Common | Statewide |
