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List of mammals of the United States facts for kids

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The United States is home to about 490 different kinds of mammals. This list focuses on mammals found in the main US states. It includes animals that were brought here by people, and some that have become extinct recently.

Scientists and conservation groups keep track of how many of these animals are doing well. They use special terms to describe if a species is in danger.

  • Critically Endangered: These animals are in very high danger of disappearing forever in the wild.
  • Endangered: These animals face a high risk of becoming extinct in the wild.
  • Vulnerable: These animals are facing a high risk of extinction in the wild.
  • Near Threatened: These animals are not currently in danger, but they might be in the future.
  • Least Concern: These animals are doing well and are not currently at risk.
  • Data Deficient: We don't have enough information to know if these animals are in danger.
  • Extinct: The last animal of this kind has died.
  • Extinct in the Wild: These animals only live in zoos or special protected areas, not in nature.

The US government also has its own list called the Endangered Species Act. It uses these terms:

  • E means Endangered.
  • T means Threatened. This means they are likely to become endangered soon.
  • XN or XE means an eXperimental Nonessential or Essential population. This is for groups of animals being reintroduced.
  • E(S/A) or T(S/A) means Endangered or Threatened due to Similarity of Appearance. This is for animals that look like endangered ones.

Some animals on this list are marked with special letters:

  • (A) - Accidental: They are usually found elsewhere but sometimes show up in the US.
  • (E) - Extinct: They no longer exist anywhere.
  • (Ex) - Extirpated: They are gone from the US but still live in other parts of the world.
  • (I) - Introduced: They were brought to the US by people.

Mammals with Pouches (Metatheria)

These mammals are known for carrying their young in a pouch.

Opossums (Didelphimorphia)

Opossum 2
The Virginia opossum is the only opossum found in the US.

Opossums are small to medium-sized mammals. They have a long snout and a tail that can grip things. They are the only marsupials (mammals with pouches) found in North America.

Placental Mammals (Eutheria)

These mammals develop their young inside the mother's body, connected by a placenta.

Armadillos (Cingulata)

Florida-015
The Nine-banded armadillo has a unique bony shell.

Armadillos are small mammals with a unique bony shell. They are native to the Americas. In the United States, you'll mostly find the nine-banded armadillo.

Rodents (Rodentia)

Castor canadensis1
The American beaver is North America's largest rodent.
Eastern Grey Squirrel
The Eastern gray squirrel is a common sight in many US parks.
White Tailed Squirrel
The White-tailed antelope squirrel lives in dry, desert areas.
Cynomys ludovicianus
Black-tailed prairie dogs live in large colonies.

Rodents are the largest group of mammals. They make up over 40% of all mammal species. They have two front teeth in their upper and lower jaws that never stop growing. They must keep these teeth short by gnawing on things.

Lagomorphs (Lagomorpha)

Ochotona princeps rockies
The American pika lives in rocky mountain areas.
The Pygmy rabbit is the smallest rabbit in North America.
Desert cottontail
The Desert cottontail is a common rabbit in the western US.

Lagomorphs include hares, rabbits, and pikas. They look a bit like rodents, but they are a separate group. One key difference is that they have four front teeth in their upper jaw, not two.

Shrews, Moles, and Hedgehogs (Eulipotyphla)

PacificWaterShrew23
The Marsh shrew is a semi-aquatic mammal.
SmokyShrew23
The Smoky shrew is found in eastern North America.

This group includes small, insect-eating mammals. Shrews look like tiny mice, while moles are strong burrowers.

Bats (Chiroptera)

Myotis leibii
The Eastern small-footed bat is one of the smallest bats in North America.
Big-eared-townsend-fledermaus
Townsend's big-eared bats have very large ears.
Mexican free-tailed bats are known for their fast flight.

Bats are the only mammals that can truly fly! Their front limbs have developed into wings. Bats make up about 20% of all mammal species in the world.

Carnivores (Carnivora)

Canis latrans latrans Pennington County SD
The Coyote is a common wild dog in North America.
Blacky
The American black bear is the most common bear in the US.
Procyon lotor (Common raccoon)
Raccoons are known for their masked faces and cleverness.
Taxidea taxus (Point Reyes, 2007)
The American badger is a powerful digger.

Carnivores are mammals that mostly eat meat. They have special teeth and skull shapes for hunting and eating prey.

Even-Toed Hoofed Mammals (Artiodactyla)

Rocky-mountain-elk
Rocky Mountain elk are large deer found in western North America.
White-tailed deer
The White-tailed deer is very common across the US.
American bison k5680-1
Plains bison are the largest land animals in North America.

This group includes animals like deer, bison, and sheep. Their weight is supported equally by their third and fourth toes. Many of these animals are important to humans.

Manatees and Dugongs (Sirenia)

Manatee photo
The West Indian manatee is a gentle, plant-eating marine mammal.

Sirenia are fully aquatic, plant-eating mammals. They live in rivers, coastal waters, and wetlands. They are often called "sea cows."

Whales, Dolphins, and Porpoises (Cetacea)

Bowheads42
Bowhead whales live in Arctic waters.
Humpback Whale underwater shot
Humpback whales are known for their songs and acrobatics.
Dall's Porpoise
Dall's porpoise is a fast-swimming marine mammal.
Sperm whale mother with calf
The Sperm whale is the largest toothed whale.

This group includes all whales, dolphins, and porpoises. They are mammals that are completely adapted to life in the water. They have streamlined bodies, very little hair, and flippers for swimming.

Introduced Animals

These are mammals that were brought to the United States by humans, either on purpose or by accident. They are not native to the area.

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See also

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List of mammals of the United States Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.