Eastern fox Squirrel, Glen Burnie, Maryland, January 2011. Photo by Diane F. Evartt.
Nutria and Sika Deer are both invasive mammals recorded in Maryland.
Bat, Big Brown (Eptesicus fuscus)
Bat, Eastern Red (Lasiurus borealis)
Bat, Eastern Small-Footed (Myotis leibii)
Bat, Evening (Nycticeius humeralis)
Bat, Hoary (Lasiurus cinereus)
Bat, Indiana (Myotis sodalis)
Bat, Little Brown (Myotis lucifugus)
Bat, Northern Long-Eared (Myotis septentrionalis)
Bat, Silver Haired (Lasionycteris noctivagans)
Bear, American Black (Ursus americanus)
Beaver, American (Castor canadensis)
Bison, American (Bison bison)
Bobcat (Lynx rufus)
Cottontail, Appalachian (Sylvilagus obscurus)
Cottontail, Eastern (Sylvilagus floridanus)
Coyote (Canis latrans)
Ermine (Mustela erminea)
Fox, Gray (Urocyon cinereoargenteus)
Fox, Red (Vulpes vulpes)
Horse, Feral (Equus caballus)
The origin of the ponies of Assateague Island is unknown. Some speculate that they arrived in the 17th or 18th century, escaping from shipwrecked vessels by swimming to shore. Others contend that early settlers left the horses to roam on the Island to avoid taxes and duties on grazing land.
Lion, Mountain (Felis concolor)
Mink (Mustela vison)
Mole, Eastern (Scalopus aquaticus)
Mole, Hairy-tailed (Parascalops breweri)
Mole, Star-nosed (Condylura cristata)
Mouse, Deer (Peromyscus maniculatus)
Mouse, Eastern harvest (Reithrodontomys humulis)
Mouse, House (Mus musculus)
Mouse, Meadow jumping (Zapus hudsonius)
Mouse, White-footed (Peromyscus leucopus)
Mouse, Woodland jumping (Napaeozapus insignis)
Muskrat (Ondatra zibethicus)
Porcupine (Erethizon dorsatum)
Rat, Black (Rattus rattus)
Rat, Marsh rice (Oryzomys palustris)
Rat, Norway (Rattus norvegicus)
Shrew, Long-tailed (Sorex dispar)
Shrew, Masked (Sorex cinereus)
Shrew, Northern short-tailed (Blarina brevicauda)
Shrew, Pygmy (Sorex hoyi)
Shrew, Smoky (Sorex fumeus)
Shrew, Southeastern (Sorex longirostris)
Shrew, Water (Sorex palustris)
Skunk, Eastern spotted (Spilogale putorius)
Skunk, Striped (Mephitis mephitis)
Squirrel, Delmarva fox (Sciurus niger cinereus)
Squirrel, Eastern fox (Sciurus niger)
Squirrel, Eastern gray (Sciurus carolinensis)
Squirrel, Red (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus)
Squirrel, Southern flying (Glaucomys volans)
Vole, Rock (Microtus chrotorrhinus)
Vole, Southern red-backed (Clethrionomys gapperi)
Vole, Woodland (Microtus pinetorum)
Weasel, Long-tailed (Mustela frenata)
Wolf, Gray (Canis lupus)
Woodchuck (Marmota monax)
Woodrat, Allegheny (Neotoma magister)
? Copyright Maryland State Archives
MARYLAND MAMMALS
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All mammals noted below are native to Maryland.
Insectivore; nocturnal; chiroptera; 4 to 5 inches long, 11 to 13 inch wingspan. Hibernates during winter months.
Insectivore; nocturnal; chiroptera; 4 to 5 inches long, 11 to 13 inch wingspan. Migratory (April-Oct.).
Insectivore; nocturnal; chiroptera; 2.5 to 3.75 inches long, 8.5 to 9.75 inch wingspan. Hibernates during winter months.
Insectivore; nocturnal; chiroptera; short-lived (two to five years). Migratory.
Insectivore; nocturnal; chiroptera; 5 to 6 inches long; 15 to 16 inch wingspan. Migratory.
Insectivore; nocturnal; chiroptera. Hibernates during winter months.
Classified as Endangered.
Insectivore; nocturnal; chiroptera; 2.4 to 4 inches long, 8.5 to 11 inch wingspan. Hibernates during winter months.
Insectivore; nocturnal; chiroptera; approx. 3.5 inches long. Hibernates during winter months.
Insectivore; nocturnal; chiroptera; approx. 4 inches long, approx. 11 inch wingspan. Primary flight time is early to late evening, so as to avoid competition from other bats. Hibernates during winter months.
Omnivore; crepuscular; ursidae; 5 to 6 feet long, 2.5 to 3 feet tall at shoulder (approx. 7 feet tall when up on two legs), weighs up to 660 lbs. Can reach speeds up to 30 mph. Hibernates during winter months. Most common bear species native to North America.
Herbivore; nocturnal; rodent; approx. 3.5 feet long, weighs 33 to 77 lbs.; semi-aquatic; lives ten to twenty years. Largest rodent and only beaver species found in North America.
Herbivore; diurnal; bovine; approx. 6 feet tall, 10 feet long; 900 to 2,200 lbs.; short, curved horns. Herd animal. Can reach speeds up to 39 mph.
Endangered status is under review; classified as regionally extinct (no wild herds) in Maryland.
Carnivore; crepuscular; feline; 20 to 24 inches tall, 28 to 40 inches long. Climbs and swims.
Chipmunk, Eastern (Tamias striatus)
Omnivore; diurnal; rodent; 5 to 6 inches long; striped back. Burrows and climbs. Prefers deciduous forests and urban parks. Hibernates during winter months.
Herbivore; crepuscular; leporidae; 15.5 to 17 inches long; weighs 1.75 to 2.5 lbs. Almost indistinct from Sylvilagus floridanus, but its distinct separating feature is the dark patch of fur between its ears. Can reach speeds up to 18 mph.
Herbivore; crepuscular; leporidae; 15.5 to 17 inches long; weighs 1.75 to 2.5 lbs. Almost indistinct from Sylvilagus obscurus. Can reach speeds up to 18 mph.
Carnivore; nocturnal; canine; 23 to 26 inches tall at shoulder, 30 to 34 inches long. Pack hunter; burrowing animal, yet primarily uses existing burrows and dens; thrives in human occupied areas. Can reach speeds up to 43 mph.
Deer, White-tailed (Odocoileus virginianus)
Herbivore; diurnal; cervidae; 5.2 to 7.3 feet long, 2.7 to 3.3 feet tall at shoulders; weighs 130 to 300 lbs.; characteristic white underside to tail; antlers found on males. Prefers dense forests.
Elk, American (Cervus elaphus)
Herbivore; diurnal; cervidae; 6.3 to 8 feet long, 4.5 to 5 feet tall at shoulders; weighs 500 to 700 lbs.; antlers found on males. Herd animal.
Once extinct on East Coast, elk were reintroduced in neighboring states of Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia. These populations spread into Maryland.
Carnivore; nocturnal; mustelid; up to 12 inches long; distinct black-tipped tail. Burrows, climbs, and swims. Also known as stoat, or short-tailed weasel.
Fisher (Martes pennanti)
Carnivorous; diurnal; mustelid; 26 to 49 inches long. Burrows and climbs. Prefers coniferous and mixed forests.
Carnivore; crepuscular; canine; 31 to 41 inches long; weighs 8 to 15 lbs.; distinct black-tipped tail. Skilled climber. Solitary hunter.
Carnivore; crepuscular; canine; 18 to 35 inches long; weighs 8 to 17 lbs.; distinct black-tipped feet, and white-tipped tail. Solitary hunter. Can reach speeds up to 45 mph.
Hare, Snowshoe (Lepus americanus)
Herbivore; crepuscular; leporidae; 14.5 to 15.5 inches long; fur turns white in winter, and brown in warmer months; black-tipped ears all year. Prefers farmlands and meadows.
Herbivore; diurnal; equine; 4.4 to 5.4 feet tall at shoulders; found primarily on Assateague Island, with a herd protected at Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge in Worcester County. The National Park Service maintains the horses in Maryland. Also known as Assateague pony, and Chincoteage pony.
Lemming, Southern bog (Synaptomys cooperi)
Herbivore; nocturnal; rodent; approx. 5.5 inches long (including tail). Burrows.
Carnivore; crepuscular; feline; 5 to 9 feet long (including tail), 2 to 2.5 feet tall at shoulders; weighs 64 to 198 lbs. Skilled climber. Can reach speeds up to 45 mph. Can leap up to 18 feet vertically, 40 feet horizontally. Also known as cougar, panther, and puma.
Classified as regionally extinct (no wild occurrences) in Maryland.
Marten, American (Martes americana)
Carnivore; nocturnal; mustelid. Skilled climber. Prefers coniferous and mixed forests.
Carnivore; nocturnal; mustelid; 18.4 to 28 inches long. Semi-aquatic.
Omnivore; diurnal; talpidae; approx. 5.1 to 8.4 inches long (including tail). Solitary.
Omnivore; diurnal; talpidae; approx. 6.5 inches long. Solitary; primarily subterranean.
Omnivore; diurnal; talpidae; 6 to 8 inches long; distinct pink tentacles on snout. Primarily subterranean; semi-aquatic.
Omnivore; nocturnal; rodent; 5 to 8.5 inches long (including tail); distinct multicolored tail.
Omnivore; nocturnal; rodent; 4 to 5 inches long (including tail). Prefers damp, open habitats.
Omnivore; nocturnal; rodent; 5 to 8 inches long (including tail). Thrives in close proximity to humans.
Omnivore; nocturnal; rodent; 7 to 9.5 inches long (including tail). Swims and burrows. Can leap up to 12 feet horizontally. Prefers damp, open habitats.
Omnivore; nocturnal; rodent; 6 to 8 inches long (including tail); distinct feet (including ankles) are completely white. Prefers mixed forests.
Omnivore; nocturnal; rodent; 8 to 10 inches long (including tail). Burrows. Can leap up to 10 feet horizontally. Hibernates during winter months.
Omnivore; nocturnal; rodent; 16 to 24 inches long; long, narrow, scaled tail. Semi-aquatic. Burrows.
Opossum, Virginia (Didelphis virginiana)
Omnivore; nocturnal; marsupial; 15 to 20 inches long; distinct white face. Skilled climber. Known for "playing possum" when frightened. Also known simply as possum, or North American opossum.
Pipistrelle, Eastern (Pipistrellus subflavus)
Insectivore; nocturnal; chiroptera; 2.7 to 3.5 inches long, 8.5 to 9.7 inch wingspan; distinct tri-colored hair (dark brown-yellow-black). Hibernates during winter months. One of smallest bat species in North America.
Herbivore; nocturnal; rodent; distinct covering of barbed quills. Skilled climber. Prefers coniferous and mixed forests. Also known as Canadian porcupine, and North American porcupine.
Raccoon (Procyon lotor)
Omnivore; nocturnal; procyonidae; 16 to 28 inches long, 9 to 12 inches tall at shoulders; distinct "bandit mask" coloring around eyes. Skilled climber. Prefers deciduous or mixed forests with access to water; adapted to urban areas.
Omnivore; nocturnal; rodent; 6 to 8 inches long; approx. 8 inch long tail; may be colors other than black. Skilled climber.
Omnivore; nocturnal; rodent; 8.2 to 9 inches long. Semi-aquatic. Prefers marshes and swamps.
Omnivore; nocturnal; rodent; approx. 16 inches long (including tail). Burrows. Also known as brown rat, common rat, Hanover rat, Norwegian rat, and wharf rat.
Shrew, Least (Cryptotis parva)
Insectivore; nocturnal; soricidae; 3 to 3.5 inches long (including tail); venomous saliva (painful, but not lethal to humans). Burrows. Also known as small short-tailed shrew and bee shrew.
Insectivore; nocturnal; soricidae; 2.5 to 7 inches long (including tail). Burrows. Prefers forested, mountainous regions. Also known as rock shrew.
Insectivore; nocturnal; soricidae; approx. 3.9 inches long (including tail). Burrows. Prefers moist forest areas, and marshlands. Also known as common shrew.
Insectivore; nocturnal; soricidae; 4.3 to 5.5 inches long (including tail); venomous saliva (painful, but not lethal to humans). Burrows, and climbs.
Insectivore; nocturnal; soricidae; 3 to 3.5 inches (including tail); weighs 2 to 3 grams; can jump 4.5 inches vertically. Primarily nests in ground debris, or rotted logs. Prefers deciduous and mixed forests. Smallest mammal (by weight) in North America.
Insectivore; nocturnal; soricidae; 4 to 5 inches long (including tail). Primarily nests in ground debris, or rotted logs. Prefers deciduous and mixed forests.
Insectivore; nocturnal; soricidae; approx. 4 inches long (including tail). Primarily nests in ground debris, or rotted logs. Prefers deciduous and mixed forests.
Insectivore; nocturnal; soricidae; 5 to 6.7 inches long (including tail). Semi-aquatic; can ?walk? on water. Prefers deciduous forest near streams or ponds.
Omnivore; crepuscular; mephitidae; 16 to 23 inches; distinct "broken" pattern to stripes, giving impression of spots. Sprays an odorous secretion as a defense mechanism.
Omnivore; crepuscular; mephitidae; 13 to 18 inches long (excluding tail); weighs 6 to 8 lbs.; distinct stripe pattern running from head to tail. Sprays an odorous secretion as a defense mechanism.
Granivore; diurnal; rodent; approx. 15 inches long (excluding tail). Skilled climber. Can jump more than 15 feet horizontally. Primarily nests in tree hollows. Prefers mixed forests. Subspecies of eastern fox squirrel.
Classified as Endangered.
Granivore; diurnal; rodent; 10 to 14.5 inches long (excluding tail). Skilled climber. Can jump more than 15 feet horizontally. Prefers deciduous forests.
Granivore; crepuscular; rodent; approx. 9.7 inches long (excluding tail); fur is varying shades of gray, with occasional hints of brown. Skilled climber. Builds nests in trees. Prefers deciduous and mixed forests.
Granivore; diurnal; rodent; 7 to 8 inches long (excluding tail); distinct white belly. Climbs and swims. Prefers coniferous forests.
Omnivore; nocturnal; rodent; 11.5 to 14.2 inches long (including tail); skilled climber; distinct membrane connecting front and rear legs. Prefers deciduous and mixed forests. Can glide great distances; uses tail to steer in midair. Also known as eastern flying squirrel.
Vole, Meadow (Microtus pennsylvanicus)
Herbivore; nocturnal; rodent; approx. 6.3 inches long (including tail). Burrows. Prefers farmlands and meadows. Also known as field mouse, or meadow mouse.
Herbivore; nocturnal; rodent; approx. 8 inches long (including tail); distinct yellow-tipped nose. Burrows. Also known as yellow-nosed vole.
Herbivore; nocturnal; rodent; 4.3 to 6.7 inches long (including tail); distinct chestnut brown stripe running from head to tail. Burrows.
Herbivore; nocturnal; rodent; 4 to 6.2 inches long (including tail). Burrows. Prefers deciduous and mixed forests.
Weasel, Least (Mustela nivalis)
Carnivore; both diurnal and nocturnal; mustelid; approx. 9 inches long (including tail); distinct short tail. Burrows. Prefers farmlands and meadows. Also known as dwarf weasel, pygmy weasel, and mouse weasel.
Carnivore; both diurnal and nocturnal; mustelid; 14 to 48 inches long (including tail); distinct black-tipped tail. Climbs and swims. Solitary hunter.
Carnivore; both diurnal and nocturnal; canine; 3.5 to 5.5 feet long, 2 to 3 feet tall at shoulder. Pack hunter. Can reach speeds up to 40 mph.
Classified as Endangered, the gray wolf is regionally extinct (no wild occurrences) in Maryland.
Omnivore; crepuscular; rodent. Burrows, climbs, and swims. Hibernates in winter months. Also known as groundhog.
Herbivore; nocturnal; rodent; 8 to 10 inches long, 7 to 8 inch tail; distinct furred tail. Prefers caves, mines, and rocky areas.
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