Mammals in Massachusetts

List of mammals found in Massachusetts

Didelphimorphia

Didelphidae (New World Opossums)
Common NameScientific NameDistribution
Virginia OpossumDidelphis virginianaStatewide except Dukes and Nantucket counties.

Sirenia

Trichechidae (Manatees and Dugongs)
Common NameScientific NameDistribution
West Indian ManateeTrichechus manatusAccidental. Coastal Barnstable and Bristol counties, 2006, 2008, 2009, and 2016.

Rodentia

Sciuridae (Tree Squirrels and Marmots)
Common NameScientific NameDistribution
Eastern Gray SquirrelSciurus carolinensisStatewide. Recently introduced to Nantucket County.
Red SquirrelTamiasciurus hudsonicusStatewide except Dukes and Nantucket counties.
Northern Flying SquirrelGlaucomys sabrinusHistorically from northeastern, central, and western Massachusetts. No records since 1968.Most historical records are unverified or erroneous. Listed as a species of greatest conservation need.
Southern Flying SquirrelGlaucomys volansStatewide except Dukes and Nantucket counties.
WoodchuckMarmota monaxStatewide except Dukes and Nantucket counties.
Eastern ChipmunkTamias striatusStatewide except Nantucket County.
Castoridae (American Beaver)
Common NameScientific NameDistribution
American BeaverCastor canadensisNortheastern, central, and western Massachusetts. Occasional in southeastern Massachusetts.
Dipodidae (Jumping Mice)
Common NameScientific NameDistribution
Woodland Jumping MouseNapaeozapus insignisOccurs west of a line from Mt. Watatic in western Middlesex County, through Mt. Wachusett in Worcester County, to the Holyoke Range in Hampshire/Hampden counties.
Meadow Jumping MouseZapus hudsoniusStatewide.
Cricetidae (Mice, Voles, and Lemmings)
Common NameScientific NameDistribution
Woodland VoleMicrotus pinetorumWestern, central, and northeastern Massachusetts. Records from the 3 southeastern mainland counties are suspicious until verified. Absent from Dukes and Nantucket counties.
Southern Red-backed VoleMyodes gapperiStatewide except Dukes and Nantucket counties.
Common MuskratOndatra zibethicusStatewide except Nantucket County.
Southern Bog Lemming*Synaptomys cooperiReported from Franklin, Hampshire, Plymouth, and Worcester counties.  Probably more widespread than presently known. Listed as a species of special concern.
Allegheny WoodratNeotoma magisterExtirpated; 1 specimen trapped in Berkshire County in 1958.
White-footed DeermousePeromyscus leucopusStatewide.
North American DeermousePeromyscus maniculatusKnown with certainty from Berkshire, Franklin, and Hampshire counties. Easily confused with the white-footed deermouse. Specimens outside the above range need verification.
Meadow VoleMicrotus pennsylvanicusStatewide.
Muridae (Old World Rats and Mice)
Common NameScientific NameDistribution
House MouseMus musculusIntroduced. Statewide except for Martha's Vineyard island, where it allegedly once occurred.
Brown RatRattus norvegicusIntroduced. Statewide
Black RatRattus rattusIntroduced, now eradicated; last records 1931 (Worcester County) and 1939 (Hampden County).
Erethizontidae (New World Porcupines)
Common NameScientific NameDistribution
North American PorcupineErethizon dorsatumNortheastern, central, and western Massachusetts. Records from Barnstable and Plymouth counties probably represent translocations.

Lagomorpha

Leporidae (Hares and Rabbits)
Common NameScientific NameDistribution
Black-tailed JackrabbitLepus californicusIntroduced, now eradicated; imported to Nantucket County on four occasions between 1889 and 1975. Several other short-lived introductions in Barnstable, Bristol, Dukes, Essex, and Plymouth counties between 1890s and 1940s failed.
Snowshoe HareLepus americanusProbably statewide historically, but largely replaced by many introductions from out of state since 1891. Now statewide in local habitat patches, but status in Dukes, Nantucket, and Suffolk counties is unclear.
European HareLepus europaeusIntroduced to Berkshire County prior to 1930s. Apparently eradicated by the 1930s. Allegations that these hares were released on Martha’s Vineyard are based on a taxonomic misunderstanding.
European RabbitOryctolagus cuniculusIntroduced between the 1920s and 1940s. Now eradicated. Many short-lived introductions of “San Juan rabbits” quickly failed. Last remaining feral populations existed on some Boston Harbor islands but disappeared by 2013.
Eastern CottontailSylvilagus floridanusStatewide. Introduced, primarily from the Midwest, between 1900 and 1940s, primarily Sylvilagus floridanus mallurus and Sylvilagus floridanus alacer (mearnsi).
New England CottontailSylvilagus transitionalisFormerly statewide, but now restricted to parts of Barnstable, Berkshire, Hampden, Nantucket, and Plymouth counties (also possible on Martha’s Vineyard). Extirpated from Dukes and Nantucket counties. Listed as a species of greatest conservation need.

Soricomorpha

Soricidae (Shrews)
Common NameScientific NameDistribution
Northern Short-tailed ShrewBlarina brevicaudaStatewide.
Cinereus (Masked) ShrewSorex cinereusStatewide.
Long-tailed Shrew*Sorex disparBerkshire County. Listed as a species of special concern.
Smoky ShrewSorex fumeusCentral and western Massachusetts.
American Pygmy ShrewSorex hoyiBerkshire County (one specimen in 1991).
American Water Shrew*Sorex palustrisBerkshire, Franklin, Hampden, Hampshire, and Worcester counties. Listed as a species of special concern.
Talpidae (Moles and Shrew-Moles)
Common NameScientific NameDistribution
Star-nosed MoleCondylura cristataStatewide except Dukes and Nantucket counties.
Hairy-tailed MoleParascalops breweriNortheastern, central, and western Massachusetts. Absent from the three southeastern mainland counties, and Dukes and Nantucket counties.
Eastern MoleScalopus aquaticusSouthern Connecticut River Valley; Barnstable, Dukes, and Nantucket and southern Plymouth counties.

Chiroptera

Vespertilionidae (Vesper Bats)
Common NameScientific NameDistribution
Big Brown BatEptesicus fuscusStatewide. 
Eastern Red BatLasiurus borealisMigratory. May occur statewide.
Hoary BatLasiurus cinereusMigratory. May occur statewide.
Tricolored Bat*Pipistrellus subflavusStatewide. Listed as endangered
Silver-haired BatLasionycteris noctivagansMigratory. May occur statewide.
Eastern Small-footed Bat*Myotis leibiiBerkshire, Hampden, and Middlesex counties. May be overlooked elsewhere.  Listed as endangered.
Little Brown Bat*Myotis lucifugusStatewide. Listed as endangered.
Northern Long-eared Bat*Myotis septentrionalisStatewide. Listed as endangered in Massachusetts and threatened at the federal level.
Indiana Bat*Myotis sodalisLast recorded in 1939 from Hampden county. Alleged records from Berkshire and Worcester counties lack credibility. Listed as endangered in Massachusetts and at the federal level.

Carnivora

Felidae (Cats)
Common NameScientific NameDistribution
Domestic CatFelis catusStatewide. Feral cats are often found in colonies subsidized by people.
Canadian LynxLynx canadensisExtirpated; 13 records between 1820 and 1937; the five most credible from Hampden, Hampshire, and Worcester counties. Two records in 1991 were wandering lynx from a New York released. Listed federally as threatened.
BobcatLynx rufusNortheastern, central, and western Massachusetts. Occasional in southeastern Massachusetts.
Cougar (Mountain Lion)Puma concolorExtirpated; six records from 1680 to 1858; last record 1858 from Hampshire County. Almost all recent records are misidentifications or spurious. One confirmed scat (1997) and trail of tracks (2011), both in Franklin County. 
Canidae (Dogs, Foxes, and Wolves)
Common NameScientific NameDistribution
CoyoteCanis latransStatewide including Elizabeth Islands, but absent from Nantucket County and Martha's Vineyard island. Two live coyotes were confirmed on Martha’s Vineyard in 2014 and 2019 but did not survive.
Gray WolfCanis lupusExtirpated by 1840. A record from 1918 is undoubtedly an escaped captive. One record vagrant from Canada killed in Franklin County in 2007. Listed federally as endangered as Canis lupus lycaon.  Endangered in Massachusetts by inclusion of the federal list.
Domestic DogCanis lupus familiarisStatewide; now rarely feral although owned free-ranging dogs are somewhat common.
Gray FoxUrocyon cinereoargenteusStatewide except Dukes and Nantucket counties.
Red FoxVulpes vulpesStatewide including the Elizabeth islands, but absent from Nantucket County and Martha's Vineyard island.
Ursidae (Bears)
Common NameScientific NameDistribution
American Black BearUrsus americanusWestern, central, and northeastern Massachusetts. Occasional dispersers into southeastern Massachusetts, including one male which crossed the Cape Cod Canal in 2012, travelled to Provincetown and back to Wellfleet before being captured and transported to central Massachusetts.
Phocidae (Earless Seals)
Common NameScientific NameDistribution
Hooded SealCystophora cristataExtremely rare in Massachusetts. Young-of-the-year are uncommon visitors from the far north. Adults are very rare. May occur in any coastal town.
Bearded SealErignathus barbatusExtremely rare in Massachusetts. One adult female in Gloucester, Essex County in 2002.
Grey SealHalichoerus grypusAll coastal counties, but especially Barnstable and Nantucket where pups are born.
Harp SealPagophilus groenlandicusAll coastal counties. Young-of-the-year visiting from the far north are fairly common, adults are rare.
Harbor SealPhoca vitulinaAll coastal counties. Year round.
Ringed SealPusa hispidaExtremely rare in Massachusetts. Occasionally will enter Massachusetts waters from far north. Less than 10 records.
Mustelidae (Weasels, Minks, Martens, and Otters)
Common NameScientific NameDistribution
North American River OtterLontra canadensisStatewide except Nantucket and Suffolk counties.
WolverineGulo guloExtirpated. One record from western Massachusetts prior to 1835.
American MartenMartes americanaExtirpated. Occurred in western Massachusetts, east to central and northern Worcester County. Last record, 1880. One record in 1992 was a probable disperser from a Vermont release; another in 1993 was a probable escape from a fur farm.
FisherMartes pennantiStatewide except Dukes and Nantucket counties.
ErmineMustela ermineaPossibly statewide except Dukes and Nantucket counties, but less common than the long-tailed weasel and records in southeastern Massachusetts require verification.
Long-tailed WeaselMustela frenataStatewide except Dukes and Nantucket counties.
American MinkNeovison visonStatewide except Nantucket County.  Recently rediscovered on Martha’s Vineyard.
Mephitidae (Skunks)
Common NameScientific NameDistribution
Striped SkunkMephitis mephitisStatewide except Nantucket County. Recently re-introduced on Martha’s Vineyard.
Procyonidae (Raccoons, Coatis, Ringtails)
Common NameScientific NameDistribution
RaccoonProcyon lotorStatewide except Nantucket County.

Artiodactyla

Cervidae (Deer, Elk, and Moose)
Common NameScientific NameDistribution
MooseAlces americanusResident in northeastern, central, and western Massachusetts. Vagrants may occur in southeastern Massachusetts.
ElkCervus elaphusExtirpated. The sole record of live elk was from Worcester County in 1732.
White-tailed DeerOdocoileus virginianusStatewide.
Fallow DeerDama damaIntroduced to Dukes County in 1932, 1938 and 1968. Last reported in mid-1970s; now eradicated.

Cetacea

Balaenidae (Right and Bowhead Whales)
Common NameScientific NameDistribution
North Atlantic Right Whale*Eubalaena glacialisParticularly frequent in Cape Cod Bay and off Race Point, Provincetown in late winter through spring. Listed as endangered both in Massachusetts and at the federal level.
Bowhead WhaleBalaena mysticetusOne individual seen in Cape Cod Bay feeding with Northern Right Whales in March 2012 and April 2014. Listed as endangered at the federal level.
Balaenopteridae (Rorqual Whales)
Common NameScientific NameDistribution
Minke WhaleBalaenoptera acutorostrataFrequently seen off the coast of Essex, Barnstable, Dukes, and Nantucket counties in spring through mid-fall.
Sei Whale*Balaenoptera borealisSeen infrequently off the coast of Essex and Barnstable counties in spring through fall of some years. Listed as endangered both in Massachusetts and at the federal level.
Blue Whale*Balaenoptera musculusRarely seen off Essex and Barnstable counties in summer through fall. Rarely ventures onto the continental shelf. Records in state waters are questionable. Listed as endangered both in Massachusetts and at the federal level.
Fin Whale*Balaenoptera physalusSeen mainly off the coast of Essex, Suffolk, Norfolk, and Barnstable counties in spring through late summer. Listed as endangered in both Massachusetts and at the federal level.
Humpback Whale*Megaptera novaeangliaeThe most common large whale along the coast, sometimes seen close to shore. Enters local feeding grounds in spring through fall. Listed as endangered.
Delphinidae (Dolphins and Pilot Whales)
Common NameScientific NameDistribution
Short-beaked Common DolphinDelphinus delphisRarely seen near shore, mainly seen off the coast of Essex, Barnstable, and Nantucket counties, on Stellwagon Bank and Jeffries Ledge, and in Cape Cod Bay July through December.
Short-finned Pilot WhaleGlobicephala macrorhynchusRarely seen, typically found farther south. Strandings in 1980, 2011, and 2019 in Plymouth, Barnstable, and Dukes counties.
Long-finned Pilot WhaleGlobicephala melasRarely seen near shore, mainly off the coast of Essex, Barnstable, and Nantucket counties, or in Cape Cod Bay July through December.  
Risso's DolphinGrampus griseusSeen mainly off the coast of Essex, Barnstable, and Nantucket counties. Typically, in deep water along the edge of the continental shelf.
Atlantic White-sided DolphinLagenorhynchus acutusRarely seen near shore, mainly seen off the coast of Essex, Barnstable, and Nantucket counties, on Stellwagon Bank and Jeffries Ledge, and sometimes in Cape Cod Bay.  
White-beaked DolphinLagenorhynchus albirostrisTypically found farther north. Less than 30 records, mainly off the coast of Essex and Barnstable counties.
Killer WhaleOrcinus orcaTypically found farther north. About 12 records, including five strandings, mostly in Barnstable, Nantucket, and Dukes counties.
False Killer WhalePseudorca crassidensTwo strandings; One in Provincetown before 1950, and the other in Barnstable in August 1997. Typically, farther south in deep water along the edge of the continental shelf.
Pantropical Spotted DolphinStenella attenuataOne group of 3-5 stranded multiple time in Suffolk, Norfolk, and Barnstable counties in September 1979. Typically, farther south in deep water along the edge of the continental shelf.
Atlantic Spotted DolphinStenella frontalisOne juvenile stranded in Barnstable County in 2003. A possible second animal had stranded earlier on Martha’s Vineyard. Typically, in deep water along the edge of the continental shelf.
Striped DolphinStenella coeruleoalbaRarely seen, mainly off the coast of Essex, Barnstable, and Nantucket counties. Rarely ventures onto the continental shelf. Typically, in deep water along the edge of the continental shelf.
Bottlenose DolphinTursiops truncatusAbout 75 records, nearly all of which represent the large offshore stock. Two, seen many times in Plymouth Harbor, Barnstable Harbor, and Cape Cod Bay (1990-1992) may have been from the southern coastal stock. Typically, in deep water along the edge of the continental shelf.
Monodontidae (Belugas and Narwhals)
Common NameScientific NameDistribution
BelugaDelphinapterus leucasTypically found in the Gulf of Saint Lawrence, Canada and north. About 16 records, including 6 strandings.  
Phocoenidae (Porpoises)
Common NameScientific NameDistribution
Harbor PorpoisePhocoena phocoenaMay be seen anywhere along the coast, often near shore.
Physeteridae (Sperm and Pygmy Sperm Whales)
Common NameScientific NameDistribution
Pygmy Sperm WhaleKogia brevicepsTypically, in deep water at the edge of the continental shelf, and beyond. Just over 30 strandings, mainly in Essex, Barnstable, and Nantucket counties.
Dwarf Sperm WhaleKogia simaTypically found south of Massachusetts in deep water at the edge of the continental shelf, and beyond. Three strandings in 1991, 2009, and 2010.
Sperm Whale*Physeter catodonTypically, in deep water at the edge of the continental shelf, and beyond. At least 12 strandings. Listed as endangered both in Massachusetts and at the federal level.  
Ziphiidae (Beaked Whales)
Common NameScientific NameDistribution
Northern Bottlenose WhaleHyperoodon ampullatusTypically found north of Massachusetts in deep water at the edge of the continental shelf, and beyond. Three specimens from two strandings in 1869 and 1923 (2).
Sowerby's Beaked WhaleMesoplodon bidensTypically, in deep water at the edge of the continental shelf, and beyond. Five stranding records.
Blainville's Beaked WhaleMesoplodon densirostrisTypically, in deep water at the edge of the continental shelf, and beyond. Two stranding records from 1898 and 1930.
Gervais' Beaked WhaleMesoplodon europaeusTypically, in deep water at the edge of the continental shelf, and beyond. Two strandings in 1997 and 2020.
Cuvier's Beaked WhaleZiphius cavirostrisTypically, in deep water at the edge of the continental shelf, and beyond. Six stranding records.

Download the printable list of mammals found in Massachusetts here.

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