Learn about all 71 endangered animal species in Pennsylvania

Piping Plover courtesy of Ray Hennessy/Unsplash.

By Kalena Thomhave

July 25, 2024

Endangered birds, mammals, reptiles and amphibians, fish, and invertebrates are all at risk in Pennsylvania — here’s what you can do to help.

You may know about famous federally endangered animals, like the Florida panther or the California condor. But states often create their own lists of endangered animals too, targeting animals whose continued decline may have a big impact on local ecosystems. In Pennsylvania, the state list includes animals that aren’t officially recognized by the federal Endangered Species Act, though some of the endangered species in Pennsylvania are endangered nationwide, too.

We’ve put together a list of all the endangered animals in Pa.; unfortunately, there are 71 animals in the state at risk enough to be labeled endangered. And while individual acts of animal kindness won’t replace decades of habitat destruction, there are still small steps you can take to help the animals in your immediate environment.

Read on to learn about how you can help endangered animals in five categories: Birds, mammals, reptiles and amphibians, fish, and invertebrates — and also learn about some individual endangered animals, too.

Birds

Of the 71 state endangered species identified by Pa. state agencies, a whopping 17 are birds. These birds are at risk of extirpation — that is, extinction in a particular area, in this case, Pennsylvania.

The Audubon Society is a national group working to protect birds, and it has a local chapter actively involved in your area — there are 21 Audubon chapters in Pa., to be exact!

The Audubon Society holds programs where you can both witness and learn about birds, but it can also help you prepare your yard and garden to benefit birds in your area. By simply growing native plants, you can attract birds by giving them food sources as well as spaces to nest. Audubon may also help you learn how to better protect birds, like encouraging you to keep cats inside and doing what you can to limit bird and window collisions.

Piping Plover

The piping plover is not only endangered in Pennsylvania but endangered nationally. The only Pa. breeding habitat for this shorebird is within Presque Isle State Park, along the shores of Lake Erie. In fact, the birds are so rare that 2017 piping plover nests were the first in the state park in 60 years, an achievement only possible after several decades of conservation efforts.

King Rail

The king rail is a wetland bird that was never particularly common in Pa. — the chicken-sized bird nests in freshwater and brackish wetlands, after all — but its population has still declined significantly over just the past few decades, falling by roughly 90% nationwide.

Least Bittern

The small heron known as the least bittern is a migratory bird that is rare in the few wetland locations it may be seen, like John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge in Philadelphia and Presque Isle State Park in Erie.

Loggerhead Shrike

Don’t be fooled by the loggerhead shrike’s appearance of a harmless songbird: This bird is a predator. It is known to impale its prey on fences or wire and then come back for more later.

Northern Goshawk

The northern goshawk is a hawk uncommonly found throughout the northern states, as loss of forest habitat has contributed to its decline.

Mammals

In Pennsylvania, six mammal species are considered endangered, including four species of bats. In fact, three of those bat species (the Indiana bat, the tri-colored bat, and the long-eared bat) are also endangered nationally, particularly because of the spread of white-nose syndrome — a fungus that affects hibernating bats and is almost always fatal. The state, however, has been working hard to conserve Pa. bat populations!

You can help bats by not disturbing caves in the winter where bats are likely hibernating, minimizing your use of pesticides, and bringing native plants and natural habitats into your yard and garden. In addition, if you have dead or dying trees that aren’t a hazard to you or anyone else, consider letting them stay where they are — they might be a perfect home for bats!

Least Shrew

Nationally, the least shrew isn’t endangered, but it is in Pennsylvania. That’s because the shrew prefers open meadows and other grassland, which is no longer common in Pa. as agricultural practices have shifted over the decades.

Northern Flying Squirrel

Like the least shrew, the northern flying squirrel isn’t endangered in the rest of the world, but it’s endangered in Pennsylvania, with most of the population believed to be in the Pocono Mountains. The animal prefers old-growth forests, which are now limited in Pa.

Fish

Trout Unlimited, which has a state council overseeing 49 local chapters in Pa., is an organization dedicated to cold water conservation in rivers and streams. Many members are fishers, so they are of course dedicated to protecting Pennsylvania waterways. You can get involved with your local Trout Unlimited to help clean up local rivers, better understand fish and waterways, and even learn about fishing.

Of course, if you catch one of the fish endangered in Pa., be sure to return it to the water.

Shortnose sturgeon

The shortnose sturgeon is the only fish endangered in Pa. that is also endangered nationwide. Considering that the fish has been around 70 million years, its current endangerment is depressing. Unlike Atlantic sturgeon, shortnose sturgeon don’t usually live in the ocean — they prefer freshwater rivers. Habitat loss, pollution, and damming have caused much of this species’ decline.

Ghost shiner

In the late nineteenth century, the tiny fish known as shiners were “everywhere abundant.” Today, nearly all the shiner species in Pennsylvania are endangered. The ghost shiner, a very small freshwater fish with silvery scales (hence its name), is one such species. Ghost shiner swim in slow-moving rivers and streams, often in schools. Dams, however, have limited the fish’s range, and thus have contributed to population decline.

Reptiles and Amphibians

While you might cringe at the thought of protecting animals like snakes, learning about the reptiles and amphibians that call Penn’s Woods home is one way to understand their importance to ecosystems. State parks around the commonwealth regularly hold events about reptiles and amphibians to help you learn more about these animals, including how to identify them and keep yourself safe if necessary. In particular, mark your calendar for Oct. 21 — National Reptile Awareness Day!

One small thing you can do to protect snakes, turtles, frogs, salamanders, and lizards is to slow down when you’re driving on small or rural roads, especially at night. Keep an eye out for wildlife; if you see a snake or salamander in the road, give it time to get to safety.

Eastern Massasauga

The eastern massasauga is a small rattlesnake. And like all rattlesnakes, it’s venomous! (It’s one of only three venomous snakes in Pa.) At the federal level, the eastern massasauga is considered threatened — and is a candidate for an “endangered” listing. But in Pa. of course, the snake is endangered, with a rapid decline of the species due to habitat loss, including dam and road building, surface mining, and general urbanization. Of the 19 Pa. populations of this snake historically, only four remain in two counties (Butler and Venango Counties).

Blue-spotted Salamander

The blue-spotted salamander is an extremely cool-looking salamander that lives most of its life underground! It has a black or grayish-black body with blue spots. During the summer months, the blue-spotted salamander emerges from the earth to migrate to wetlands and ponds for breeding. The North-loving amphibian wasn’t known to live as far south as Pennsylvania until 2000, when it was found in McKean County. It’s also been found in Northampton and Warren Counties. The blue-spotted salamander is threatened by habitat loss as well as road accidents when migrating.

Invertebrates

Besides the lone digger crayfish, all of the animals on this list of endangered invertebrates are mussels. While you may be tempted to skim past them, you should know that mussels play an important role in aquatic ecosystems! They’re natural filters, helping to purify water sources. They also serve as food for birds, fish, and some mammals.

Dwarf wedgemussel

The first time a description of the dwarf wedgemussel was ever recorded, it was found in the Schuylkill River. However, it hasn’t been seen in the Schuylkill for more than 100 years. The dwarf wedgemussel is endangered in Pa. as well as federally.

Snuffbox mussel

Did you know that most mussels release larvae as parasites that infest fish? The snuffbox mussel, endangered federally and in Pa., actually traps the head of a fish—usually a logperch—in its shell until it releases the larvae into the fish’s gills.