List of Endangered, Threatened, and Special Concern species

453* native plant and animal species are protected under the Massachusetts Endangered Species Act (M.G.L. c. 131A).

Massachusetts is home to a wide variety of plants and animals. Some species have their most stable populations here, and some are relatively common. Others are unique to Massachusetts and occur naturally in the state. 180 species of animals and 273 species of plants are protected under the Massachusetts Endangered Species Act. These 453 native species are listed as Endangered (E), Threatened (T), or of Special Concern (SC) and are tracked in our database. These species are either at risk, or may become at risk, of extinction. Rarity in the state, population trend, and overall threat are the main criteria used to determine extinction risk. 

Learn how to report observations of rare species

List and summary of species

The official list of Endangered, Threatened, and Special Concern species as defined in Section 10.60 of Chapter 321 of the Code of Massachusetts Regulations. The MESA List is prepared under the authority of the Massachusetts Endangered Species Act (MESA). Under this act (MGL c. 131A and its implementing regulations (321 CMR 10.00)), MESA-listed species are protected from "take". 

*Blue-spotted Salamander (Ambystoma laterale) counted as 1 species, but is Threatened in Bristol and Plymouth Counties, Special Concern in other counties. This shows as 2 species in the dashboard, making the total display at 454.

Use the dashboard below to explore species or use the page navigation to view the summary table. You can search or filter by taxonomic group, scientific name or common name. Sorting and filtering is also available by different listing status. Click on the common name to view a fact sheet for any species.

List Categories

Endangered - any species of plant or animal in danger of extinction throughout all or a significant portion of its range and species of plants or animals in danger of extirpation as documented by biological research and inventory

Threatened - any species of plant or animal likely to become an endangered species within the foreseeable future throughout all or a significant portion of its range and any species declining or rare as determined by biological research and inventory and likely to become endangered in the foreseeable future

Species of Special Concern - any species of plant or animal which has been documented by biological research and inventory to have suffered a decline that could threaten the species if allowed to continue unchecked or that occurs in such small numbers or with such a restricted distribution or specialized habitat requirements that it could easily become threatened within Massachusetts

Last updated:	August 16, 2024