Animals in Maine

Maine is a coastal state in the northeastern regions of the United States, with diverse geology that has given rise to a wide array of habitats. It includes coastal areas, forests, mountains, lakes, and wetlands where hundreds of native and non-native animals live. Its coastline stretches along the southern borders, characterized by tidal marshes and sandy beaches. On the west side of the state lies the Appalachian Mountain range.

Places suitable for wildlife-watching include Baxter State Park, Acadia National Park, and the National Scenic Trail.

Animals in Maine (ME)

List of Different Types of Animals Found in Maine

Mammals

Gray wolves and cougars were also found in Maine, but their populations have been extirpated.

Birds

  • Black-capped Chickadee
  • Northern Cardinal
  • Blue Jay
  • Dark-eyed Junco
  • American Goldfinch
  • Atlantic Puffin
  • Bald Eagle
  • Northern Goshawk
  • Sharp-shinned Hawk
  • Common Eider
  • Great Cormorant
  • Common Tern
  • Ring-billed Gull
  • Great Black-backed Gull

Reptiles

  • American Alligator
  • Coachwhip
  • Common Gartersnake
  • Common Watersnake
  • Mississippi Green Watersnake
  • Plain-Bellied Watersnake
  • Dekay’s Brownsnake
  • Eastern Hog-Nosed Snake
  • Louisiana Pinesnake
  • North American Racer
  • Northern Mole Kingsnake
  • Speckled Kingsnake
  • Ring-Necked Snake
  • Rough Earthsnake
  • Saltmarsh Snake
  • Scarlet Kingsnake
  • Southeastern Crowned Snake
  • Eastern Copperhead
  • Northern Cottonmouth
  • Harlequin Coralsnake
  • Timber Rattlesnake
  • Pygmy Rattlesnake
  • Gopher Tortoise
  • Kemp’s Ridley Sea Turtle
  • Leatherback Sea Turtle

Amphibians

  • Cajun Chorus Frog
  • Eastern Cricket Frog
  • Dusky Gopher Frog
  • Southern Cricket Frog
  • Green Treefrog
  • Eastern Narrow-mouthed Toad
  • Gulf Coast Toad
  • Eastern Tiger Salamander
  • Gulf Coast Waterdog
  • Louisiana Slimy Salamander
  • Webster’s Salamander
  • Common Mudpuppy
  • Eastern Spadefoot

Fishes

  • Brook Trout 
  • Brown Trout
  • Lake Trout
  • Arctic Char
  • Burbot
  • Rainbow Smelt
  • Lake Whitefish
  • White Perch 
  • Largemouth Bass
  • Smallmouth Bass
  • Striped Bass
  • Landlocked Salmon
  • Atlantic Salmon
  • Alewife
  • American Eel
  • Pumpkinseed Sunfish

Though there are no native sharks in this state, shark sightings are common in the coastal waters of Maine. Common species of sharks spotted here include the great white, blue, thresher, and shortfin mako sharks.

Insects and Invertebrates

  • Pink-edged Sulphur
  • Eastern Tiger Swallowtail
  • Eastern Black Swallowtail Butterfly 
  • Mosquito 
  • Eastern Carpenter Bee
  • Eastern Dobsonfly
  • Eastern Spruce Budworm 
  • Assassin Bug
  • Bed Bug
  • House Centipede
  • Burying Beetle
  • Eastern Hercules Beetle
  • Eastern Firefly
  • Deer Tick
  • Black-legged Tick
  • Ichneumon Wasp
  • Brown-tail Moth
  • Common Pillbug
  • Maritime Earwig
  • Bald-faced Hornet
  • Honeybee
  • Carpenter Bee
  • Bold Jumping Spider
State Animals of Maine

State Animals of Maine

State AnimalMoose
State BirdBlack-capped Chickadee
State FishLandlocked Salmon
State InsectHoneybee
State ButterflyPink-edged Sulphur
State CrustaceanLobster
State CatMaine Coon

FAQ

What are the most dangerous animals in Maine? 

Moose is often regarded as the most dangerous animal in Maine, as it is capable of attacking and injuring humans if threatened or provoked. Then there are carnivores like the black bear and coyote. 

Are there any endangered animals in Maine?

Some of the rare and endangered animals from the state include the red knot, northern long-eared bat, rusty patched bumblebee, and leatherback sea turtle.

More on Animals in This State

Subscribe our newsletter

Enter your email here to stay updated with the animal kingdom
Loading