List of mammals of New York


This is a full list of the mammals native to the U.S. state of New York.
The following tags are used to highlight each species' conservation status as assessed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature:
ExtinctNo reasonable doubt that the last individual has died.
Extinct in the wildThe species is known to survive only in captivity or as a naturalized population well outside its previous range.
Critically endangeredThe species is in imminent risk of extinction in the wild.
EndangeredThe species is facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild.
VulnerableThe species is facing a high risk of extinction in the wild.
Near threatenedThe species does not meet any of the criteria that would categorize it as risking extinction but it is likely to do so in the future.
Least concernThere are no current identifiable risks to the species.
Data deficientThere is inadequate information to make an assessment of the risks to this species.

Opossums, order [Didelphimorphia]

Didelphimorphia is the order of common opossums of the Western Hemisphere. Opossums probably diverged from the basic South American marsupials in the late Cretaceous or early Paleocene. The Virginia opossum is the only marsupial/opossum species in New York.

Insectivores, order [Eulipotyphla]

Eulipotyphlans are insectivorous mammals. Shrews closely resemble mice, while moles are stout-bodied burrowers.

Lagomorphs, order [Lagomorpha]

Though lagomorphs can resemble rodents, and were classified as a superfamily in that order until the early 20th century, they have since been considered a separate order. They differ from rodents in a number of physical characteristics, such as having four incisors in the upper jaw rather than two.

Rodents, order [Rodentia]

Rodents make up the largest order of mammals, with over 40% of mammalian species. They have two incisors in the upper and lower jaw which grow continually, and must be kept short by gnawing.

Bats, order Chiroptera">Bat">Chiroptera

The bats' most distinguishing feature is that their forelimbs are developed as wings, making them the only mammals capable of flight. Bat species account for about 20% of all mammals.

Carnivores, order [Carnivora]

There are over 260 species of carnivorans, the majority of which feed primarily on meat. They have a characteristic skull shape and dentition.

Even-toed ungulates, order [Artiodactyla]

The even-toed ungulates are ungulates whose weight is borne about equally by the third and fourth toes, rather than mostly or entirely by the third as in perissodactyls.

Cetaceans, order [Cetacea]

Cetaceans are the mammals most fully adapted to aquatic life with a spindle-shaped nearly hairless body, protected by a thick layer of blubber, and forelimbs and tail modified to provide propulsion underwater.