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New Jersey’s Endangered, Threatened, and Special Concern Species

New Jersey’s Endangered, Threatened, and Special Concern Species

The lists of New Jersey’s endangered, threatened, and special concern wildlife species are maintained by the NJDEP Fish and Wildlife’s Endangered and Nongame Species Program (ENSP). These lists are used to determine protection and management actions necessary to ensure the survival of our state’s endangered, threatened and other nongame wildlife. See the Species Status Assessment page for information on the listing process. These assessments help determine which species should be listed on the NJ Endangered species list or designated as Threatened, Special Concern, Stable-Secure, or Undetermined-Unknown on the state’s list of nongame wildlife.

Please report observations of Endangered, Threatened, or Special Concern wildlife, as well as ‘Species of Interest’ (in tables below) and Species of Greatest Conservation Need, using the NJ Wildlife Tracker application. Please use the application to also report wildlife of any status you observe on the road (dead or alive).

Wildlife Species Status Classifications

Endangered Species are those whose prospects for survival in New Jersey are in immediate danger because of a loss or change in habitat, over-exploitation, predation, competition, disease, disturbance or contamination. Assistance is needed to prevent future extinction in New Jersey. See below for the list of endangered species in New Jersey.

Threatened Species are those who may become endangered if conditions surrounding them begin to or continue to deteriorate. See below for the list of threatened species in New Jersey

  • Wildlife species with the status of endangered or threatened are on the New Jersey Endangered Species List, located at N.J.A.C. 7:25-4.13.

Species of Special Concern are those who warrant special attention because of some evidence of decline, inherent vulnerability to environmental deterioration, or habitat modification that would result in their becoming a threatened species. This category also applies to species that meet the foregoing criteria and for which there is little understanding of their current population status in the state. See below for the list of species of special concern.

Species with Status of Undetermined-Unknown are those that cannot be assigned a status of endangered, threatened, special concern or secure-stable because not enough information exists on which to base such a determination. See below for the list of these species in New Jersey.

  • Wildlife species with the status of special concern or undetermined-unknown are on the New Jersey list of regulated nongame species, located at N.J.A.C. 7:25-4.17.

Species of Greatest Conservation Need are determined separately from species status assessments. These are indigenous species that have met specific criteria that warrant being listed as such in the New Jersey State Wildlife Action Plan. This list includes all state listed species as well as those listed as concern based on national or regional plans/criteria. For more information about species of greatest conservation need, see the New Jersey State Wildlife Action Plan .

Endangered and Threatened Wildlife Species

Species names in the tables below link to PDF documents containing identification, habitat and status and conservation information. For more detailed descriptions, photographs, and range maps of New Jersey’s endangered, threatened, and special concern species, you may refer to the Conserve Wildlife Foundation of NJ’s online field guide, however that guide is not updated with species conservation statuses adopted in January, 2025.

Birds

Endangered

Threatened

Bittern, American BR

Botaurus lentiginosus BR

Bobolink BR

Dolichonyx oryzivorus BR

Goshawk, Northern BR

Accipiter gentilis BR

 

Falcon, Peregrine BR

Falco peregrinus BR

Grebe, Pied-billed BR

Podilymbus podiceps BR

Kestrel, American

Falco sparverius

Harrier, Northern BR

Circus hudsonius BR

Lark, Horned BR

Eremophila alpestris BR

Hawk, Red-shouldered BR

Buteo lineatus BR

 

Meadowlark, Eastern

Sturnella magna

Knot, Red** NB

Calidris canutus** NB

Night-heron, Black-crowned BR

Nycticorax nycticorax BR

Owl, Short-eared BR

Asio flammeus BR

Night-heron, Yellow-crowned BR

Nyctanassa violacea BR

Plover, Piping**

Charadrius melodus**

Owl, Barn BR

Tyto alba BR

Rail, Black**

Laterallus jamaicensis

 

Owl, Barred

Strix varia

Rail, King BR

Rallus elegans BR

Owl, Long-eared

Asio otus

Sandpiper, Upland

Bartramia longicauda

Sparrow, Grasshopper BR

Ammodramus savannarum BR

Shrike, Loggerhead NB

Lanius ludovicianus NB

 

Sparrow, Saltmarsh BR

Ammospiza caudacuta BR

Skimmer, Black

Rynchops niger

 

Sparrow, Savannah BR

Passerculus sandwichensis BR

Sparrow, Henslow’s

Centronyx henslowii

Warbler, Kentucky BR

Geothlypis formosa BR

Sparrow, Vesper BR

Pooecetes gramineus BR

 

Woodpecker, Red-headed

Melanerpes erythrocephalus

Tern, Least

Sternula antillarum

 

 

Tern, Roseate**

Sterna dougallii**

 

 

Warbler, Golden-winged

Vermivora chrysoptera

 

 

Wren, Sedge

Cistothorus stellaris

 

 

 

**Federally
endangered or threatened

BR
– Breeding population only; NB – non-breeding population only

Reptiles

Endangered

Threatened

Cornsnake, Red

Pantherophis guttatus

 

Copperhead, Eastern

Agkistrodon contortrix

Queensnake

Regina septemvittata

Pinesnake, Northern

Pituophis melanoleucus melanoleucus

Rattlesnake, Timber

Crotalus horridus

 

Scarletsnake, Northern

Cemophora coccinea copei

Turtle, Bog**

Glyptemys muhlenbergii**

Turtle, Wood

Glyptemys insculpta

Turtle, Green Sea**

Chelonia mydas**

 

 

 

Turtle, Hawksbill Sea**

Eretmochelys imbricata**

 

 

Turtle, Kemp’s Ridley Sea**

Lepidochelys kempii**

 

 

 

Turtle, Leatherback Sea**

Dermochelys coriacea**

Turtle, Loggerhead Sea**

Caretta caretta**

**Federally
endangered or threatened

Amphibians

Endangered

Threatened

Salamander, Blue-spotted

Ambystoma laterale

Salamander, Eastern Mud

Pseudotriton montanus montanus

Salamander, Eastern Tiger

Ambystoma tigrinum

Salamander, Eastern Long-tailed

Eurycea longicauda longicauda

Treefrog, Cope’s Gray

Dryophytes chrysocelis

 

 

 

Treefrog, Pine Barrens

Dryophytes andersonii

Invertebrates

Endangered

Threatened

Bee, Rusty-patched Bumble **

Bombus affinis**

 

Baskettail, Robust (dragonfly)

Epitheca spinosa

Beetle, American Burying**

Nicrophorus americanus**

Clubtail, Banner (dragonfly)

Hylogomphus apomyius

Beetle, Eastern Beach Tiger**

Habroscelimorpha dorsalis dorsalis**

Clubtail, Harpoon (dragonfly)

Phanogomphus descriptus

Copper, Bronze

Tharsalea hyllus

Comma, Gray (butterfly)

Polygonia progne

Floater, Brook (mussel)

Alasmidonta varicosa

Elfin, Frosted (butterfly)

Callophrys irus

Floater, Green (mussel)

Lasmigona subviridis

Elfin, Hoary (butterfly)

Callophrys polios

Fritillary, Myrina (butterfly)

Boloria myrina myrina

 

Emerald, Kennedy’s (dragonfly)

Somatochlora kennedyi

Hairstreak, Acadian (butterfly)

Satyrium acadica

 

Floater, Triangle (mussel)

Alasmidonta undulata

Metalmark, Northern (butterfly)

Calephelis borealis

 

Jewelwing, Superb (dragonfly)

Calopteryx amata

Petaltail, Gray (dragonfly)

Tachopteryx thoreyi

Lampmussel, Eastern (mussel)

Lampsilis radiata

Satyr, Mitchell’s (butterfly)**

Neonympha m. mitchellii**

Lampmussel, Yellow (mussel)

Lampsilis cariosa

Skipper, Appalachian Grizzled (butterfly)

Pyrgus centaureae wyandot

Mucket, Tidewater (mussel)

Leptodea ochracea

Skipper, Eastern Arogos (butterfly)

Atrytone arogos arogos

Pondmussel, Eastern (mussel)

Ligumia nasuta

Wedgemussel, Dwarf**

Alasmidonta heterodon**

Roadside-Skipper, Common (butterfly)

Amblyscirtes vialis

 

 

Satyr, Georgia (butterfly)

Neonympha areolatus

 

 

Skipper, Dotted (butterfly)

Hesperia attalus

 

 

 

Skipper, Leonard’s (butterfly)

Hesperia leonardus

 

 

 

Skipper, Pepper and Salt (butterfly)

Amblyscirtes hegon

 

 

 

Skipper, Two-spotted (butterfly)

Euphyes bimacula

 

 

 

Snaketail, Brook, (dragonfly)

Ophiogomphus aspersus

 

 

 

White, Checkered (butterfly)

Pontia protodice

**Federally
endangered or threatened

Mammals

Endangered

Threatened

Bat, Indiana**

Myotis sodalis**

Bobcat

Lynx rufus

Bat, Tricolored

Perimyotis subflavus

 

 

Myotis (bat), Eastern Small-footed

Myotis leibii

 

 

Myotis (bat), Northern**

Myotis septentrionalis**

 

 

Myotis (bat), Little Brown

Myotis lucifugus

 

 

Whale, North Atlantic Right**

Eubalaena glacialis**

 

 

Whale, Fin**

Balaenoptera physalus**

 

 

Whale, Humpback**

Megaptera novaeangliae**

 

 

Woodrat, Allegheny

Neotoma magister

 

 

**Federally
endangered or threatened

Fish

Endangered

Threatened

Shiner, Bridle

Notropis bifrenatus

 

Sculpin, Slimy

Cottus cognatus

Shiner, Ironcolor

Notropis chalybaeus

 

 

 

Sturgeon, Atlantic**

Acipenser oxyrinchus**

 

 

 

Sturgeon, Shortnose**

Acipenser brevirostrum**

 

 

 

**Federally
endangered or threatened

Special Concern Wildlife Species

Birds

Bittern, American NB

Botaurus lentiginosus NB

Bittern, Least

Ixobrychus exilis

Blackbird, Rusty

Euphagus carolinus

Bobolink NB

Dolichonyx oryzivorus NB

Chat, Yellow-breasted BR

Icteria virens BR

Cuckoo, Black-billed

Coccyzus erythropthalmus

Eagle, Bald BR

Haliaeetus leucocephalus BR

Egret, Cattle BR

Bubulcus ibis BR

Egret, Snowy BR

Egretta thula BR

Flycatcher, Least BR

Empidonax minimus BR

Flycatcher, Olive-sided NB

Contopus cooperi NB

Grosbeak, Rose-breasted BR

Pheucticus ludovicianus BR

Grebe, Pied-billed NB

Podilymbus podiceps NB

Harrier, Northern NB

Circus hudsonius NB

Hawk, Broad-winged BR

Buteo platypterus BR

Hawk, Red-shouldered NB

Buteo lineatus NB

Heron, Great Blue BR

Ardea herodias BR

Heron, Green BR

Butorides virescens BR

Heron, Little Blue

Egretta caerulea

Heron, Tricolored

Egretta tricolor

Ibis, Glossy BR

Plegadis falcinellus BR

Lark, Horned NB

Eremophila alpestris NB

Martin, Purple BR

Progne subis BR

Night-heron, Black-crowned NB

Nycticorax nycticorax NB

Night-heron, Yellow-crowned NB

Nyctanassa violacea NB

Nighthawk, Common

Chordeiles minor BR

Owl, Barn NB

Tyto alba NB

Owl, Short-eared NB

Asio flammeus NB

Oystercatcher, American

Haematopus palliatus

Sanderling NB

Calidris alba NB

Sandpiper, Semipalmated NB

Calidris pusilla NB

Sandpiper, Spotted BR

Actitis macularius BR

Sparrow, Field BR

Spizella pusilla BR

Sparrow, Grasshopper NB

Ammodramus savannarum NB

Sparrow, Ipswich NB

Passerculus sandwichensis princeps NB

Sparrow, Saltmarsh NB

Ammospiza caudacuta NB

Sparrow, Vesper NB

Pooecetes gramineus NB

Swallow, Cliff BR

Petrochelidon pyrrhonota BR

Swallow, Bank BR

Riparia riparia BR

Swift, Chimney BR

Chaetura pelagica BR

Tern, Caspian BR

Hydroprogne caspia BR

Tern, Common BR

Sterna hirundo BR

Tern, Gull-billed

Gelochelidon nilotica

Thrasher, Brown BR

Toxostoma rufum BR

Thrush, Bicknell’s NB

Catharus bicknelli NB

Thrush, Wood BR

Hylocichla mustelina BR

Turnstone, Ruddy NB

Arenaria interpres NB

Warbler, Blackburnian BR

Setophaga fusca BR

Warbler, Black-throated Blue BR

Setophaga caerulescens BR

Warbler, Black-throated Green BR

Setophaga virens BR

Warbler, Blue-winged BR

Vermivora cyanoptera BR

Warbler, Canada

Cardellina canadensis

Warbler, Cerulean

Setophaga cerulea

Warbler, Kentucky NB

Geothlypis formosa NB

Warbler, Nashville BR

Leiothlypis ruficapilla BR

Warbler, Prairie BR

Setophaga discolor BR

Whip-poor-will, Eastern

Antrostomus vociferus

Woodpecker, Red-headed NB

Melanerpes erythrocephalus NB

Wren, Winter BR

Troglodytes hiemalis BR

Veery BR

Catharus fuscescens BR

BR
– Breeding population only; NB – non-breeding population only

Reptiles

Earthsnake, Eastern Smooth

Virginia valeriae valeriae

Greensnake, Rough

Opheodrys aestivus

Greensnake, Smooth

Opheodrys vernalis

Kingsnake, Eastern

Lampropeltis getula

Skink, Little Brown

Scincella lateralis

Snake, Eastern Hog-nosed

Heterodon platirhinos

Terrapin, Northern Diamond-backed

Malaclemys terrapin terrapin

Turtle, Woodland Box

Terrapene carolina carolina

Turtle, Spotted

Clemmys guttata

Amphibians

Frog, Carpenter

Lithobates virgatipes

Frog, Eastern Cricket

Acris crepitans

Frog, New Jersey Chorus

Pseudacris kalmi

Salamander, Jefferson

Ambystoma jeffersonianum

Salamander, Marbled

Ambystoma opacum

Salamander, Northern Spring

Gyrinophilus porphyriticus porphyriticus

Salamander, Spotted

Ambystoma maculatum

Spadefoot, Eastern

Scaphiopus holbrookii

Invertebrates

Bluet, New England (dragonfly)

Enallagma laterale

Bluet, Pine Barrens (dragonfly)

Enallagma recurvatum

Bluet, Scarlet (dragonfly)

Enallagma pictum

Brown, Eyed (butterfly)

Lethe eurydice

Checkerspot, Baltimore (butterfly)

Euphydryas phaeton

Checkerspot, Harris’s (butterfly)

Chlosyne harrisii

Clubtail, Cobra (dragonfly)

Gomphurus vastus

Clubtail, Green-faced (dragonfly)

Hylogomphus viridifrons

Clubtail, Midland (dragonfly)

Gomphurus fraternus

Clubtail, Rapids (dragonfly)

Phanogomphus quadricolor

Clubtail, Sable (dragonfly)

Stenogomphurus rogersi

Clubtail, Septima’s (dragonfly)

Gomphurus septima

Clubtail, Zebra (dragonfly)

Stylurus scudderi

Creeper (mussel)

Strophitus undulatus

Cruiser, Allegheny River (dragonfly)

Macromia alleghaniensis

Darner, Spatterdock (dragonfly)

Rhionaeschna mutata

Darner, Subarctic (dragonfly)

Aeshna subarctica

Duskywing, Sleepy (butterfly)

Erynnis brizo

Emerald, Brush-tipped (dragonfly)

Somatochlora walshii

Emerald, Coppery (dragonfly)

Somatochlora georgiana

Emerald, Forcipate (dragonfly)

Somatochlora forcipata

Emerald, Ski-tipped (dragonfly)

Somatochlora elongata

Emerald, Williamson’s (dragonfly)

Somatochlora williamsoni

Hairstreak, Hessel’s (butterfly)

Callophrys hesseli

Hairstreak, Hickory (butterfly)

Satyrium caryaevorus

Hairstreak, Northern Oak (butterfly)

Satyrium favonius ontario

Monarch (butterfly)

Danaus plexippus

Shrimp, Eastern Fairy

Eubranchipus holmanii

Skimmer, Golden-winged (dragonfly)

Libellula auripennis

Skipper, Dusted (butterfly)

Atrytonopsis hianna

Skipper, Rare (butterfly)

Problema bulenta

Spiketail, Arrowhead (dragonfly)

Cordulegaster obliqua

Spiketail, Tiger (dragonfly)

Cordulegaster erronea

Snaketail, Extra-striped (dragonfly)

Ophiogomphus anomalus

Snaketail, Maine (dragonfly)

Ophiogomphus mainensis

Tortoiseshell, Compton (butterfly)

Nymphalis l-album

Whiteface, Crimson-ringed (dragonfly)

Leucorrhinia glacialis

Whiteface, Hudsonian (dragonfly)

Leucorrhinia hudsonica

Mammals

Bat, Big Brown

Eptesicus fuscus

Bat, Eastern Red

Lasiurus borealis

Bat, Northern Hoary

Lasiurus cinereus

Bat, Silver-haired

Lasionycteris noctivagans

Dolphin, Bottlenose

Tursiops truncatus

Mouse, Meadow Jumping

Zapus hudsonius

Porpoise, Harbor

Phocoena phocoena

Fish

Darter, Shield

Percina peltata

Lamprey, American Brook

Lethenteron appendix

Shiner, Comely

Notropis amoenus

Sucker, Northern Hog

Hypentelium nigricans

Sunfish, Blackbanded

Enneacanthus chaetodon

Sunfish, Mud

Acantharchus pomotis

Undetermined-Unknown Wildlife Species

Birds

Junco, Dark-eyed BR

Junco hyemalis BR

Owl, Northern Saw-whet BR

Aegolius acadicus BR

Rail, King NB

Rallus elegans NB

Redpoll, Common NB

Acanthis flammea NB

Sparrow, White-throated BR

Zonotrichia albicollis BR

Storm-petrel, Leach’s NB

Hydrobates leucorhous NB

Warbler, Yellow-rumped BR

Setophaga coronata BR

BR – Breeding population only; NB – non-breeding population only

Reptiles

Turtle, Eastern Mud

Kinosternon s. subrubrum

Turtle, Northern Map

Graptemys geographica

Amphibians

Frog, Mid-Atlantic Coast LeopardLithobates
kauffeldi
Salamander,
Allegheny Mountain Dusky
Desmognathus
ochrophaeus

Treefrog, Barking

Dryophtyes gratiosus

Treefrog, Green

Dryophytes cinereus

Invertebrates

Azure, Appalachian
(butterfly)
Celastrina neglectamajor

Crawfish, Devil

Lacunicambarus diogenes

Fritillary, Aphrodite (butterfly)

Argynnis aphrodite

Shrimp, Spinytail Fairy

Streptocephalus sealii

Shrimp, Springtime Fairy

Eubranchipus vernalis

Mammals

Dolphin, Striped

Stenella coeruleoalba

Lemming, Southern Bog

Synaptomys cooperi

Mole, Hairy-tailed

Parascalops breweri

Mouse, Woodland Jumping

Napaeozapus insignis

Rat, Marsh Rice

Oryzomys palustris

Shrew, Eastern Pygmy

Sorex hoyi

Shrew, Eastern Water

Sorex albibarbis

Shrew, Long-tailed

Sorex dispar

Shrew, North American Least

Cryptotis parva

Shrew, Smoky

Sorex fumeus

Shrew, Tuckahoe Masked

Sorex cinereus nigriculus

Squirrel, Northern Flying

Glaucomys sabrinus

Whale, Common Minke

Balaenoptera acutorostrata

Whale, Short-finned Pilot

Globicephala macrorhynchus

The lists of New Jersey’s endangered and nongame wildlife species are maintained by the NJDEP Fish and Wildlife’s Endangered and Nongame Species Program (ENSP). These lists are used to determine protection and management actions necessary to ensure the survival of our state’s endangered and nongame wildlife.

Much of the ENSP’s conservation work is made possible through voluntary contributions received through Check-off donations to the Endangered Wildlife Conservation Fund on the State Income Tax Form, the sale of Conserve Wildlife License Plates, and donations. For more information about the Endangered and Nongame Species Program or to report a sighting of endangered or threatened wildlife, contact the Endangered and Nongame Species, NJ Division of Fish and Wildlife, Mail Code 501-03, PO Box 420, Trenton, NJ 08625-0420.

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Copyright © State of New Jersey, 1996-2025
Department of Environmental Protection
P. O. Box 420
Trenton, NJ 08625
609-777-3373
Last Update: January 6th, 2025