List of Mammals of Massachusetts - Rodents

Rodents

• American Beaver Castor canadensis (Northeast, Central, and Western Mass) - Common throughout most of the state. Recent records in Southeast Massachusetts. In the 1950s, this animal was thought to be extirpated due to habitat loss. As farmers abandoned their farms, the American beaver made a recovery and is now common in the commonwealth.

• Woodland jumping mouse Napaeozapus insignis (Central, and Western Massachusetts) - As its name suggests, this rodent is found in woodlands. It is absent in fields and pastures. This rodent hibernates between Mid-September to Mid-November.

• Meadow jumping mouse Zapus hudsonius (Statewide) - Found and abundant in all counties, including Dukes and Nantucket counties. Found in fields and meadows. Absent from areas densely populated with Meadow voles or with lots of trees. Like other Jumping mice, it hibernates between September to November.

• North American Porcupine Erethizon dorsatum (Northeast, Central, and Western Massachusetts) - Found mostly in areas that are not too dense. Recent reports in Plymouth and Barnstable counties. Very few predators will attack it.

• Eastern Gray Squirrel Sciurus carolinensis (Statewide, introduced to Nantucket) - Considered to be one of the most adaptive mammals in Massachusetts. Recently introduced to Nantucket. Also found in urban environments. Now found also in Martha Vineyard and Nantucket.

• Northern Flying Squirrel Glaucomys sabrinus (Northeast, Central, and Western mass) - Uncommon in Massachusetts. No recent records. Found mostly in old growth forests.

• Southern Flying Squirrel Glaucomys volans (Statewide except Dukes and Nantucket counties) - Common in Massachusetts, especially in Forests of Central and western Massachusetts, although found in Eastern Massachusetts as well. Found in forests that have wide, or tall trees. More commonly seen in Oak, Maple, and White Birch trees. Distinguished from the Northern Flying Squirrel by being smaller, having a white underbelly (Northern Flying Squirrels have a grayish underbelly), and is more common.

• Woodchuck Marmota monax (Statewide except Dukes and Nantucket counties) - Seen in suburban lawns and meadows. Active during daytime. Also found in bushes or "edged" areas.

• Eastern Chipmunk Tamias striatus (Statewide except Nantucket counties) - The only chipmunk found in the commonwealth. Found in places that have many trees or rocks. Absent from areas densely populated with grey squirrels. Not well adapted to living in urban environments.

• Meadow Vole Microtus pennsylvanicus (Statewide) - Although thought to be statewide, the vole from Muskeget Island may be a separate species. Now found in all 14 counties. Found in suburban areas. Also found in meadows, marshes, and open woodland. Rare in urban environments. This vole is extremely aggressive towards Southern bog lemmings. It is also a main rival of Meadow jumping mice and Woodland Voles.

• • Beach Vole Microtus p. breweri (considered by state Fish and Wildlife officials to be subspecies of Meadow Vole. Other experts consider as separate species-Microtus breweri) - Found only in Muskeget island. During the ice age, sea levels were low and many mammals were found in the south, However, Beach Voles adapted and thrived in coastal areas of southeastern Massachusetts. But when sea levels started rising, this vole became isolated from the mainland Meadow Vole. It is differs from the Meadow Vole by being slightly larger, with a lower rate of reproduction, smaller litter size, greater body weight, and a longer life span.

• Woodland Vole Microtus pinetorum (Statewide except Dukes and Nantucket counties) - Common in woodlands with loose soil. However, it is more common in Apple Orchards, and is rare in urban environments. Fossils have helped scientists document the shift of this voles range. During the ice age, when New England was covered in ice, Woodland Voles lived in Texas and Mexico, were there was leaf litter, and Temperate deciduous forests. However, as the climate warmed, and the Southwestern United States got drier, Woodland Voles started moving north, and is now found in the Eastern United States. It is smaller than the Meadow Vole, with brownish fur.

• Muskrat Ondantra zibethicus (Statewide except Nantucket counties) - Found in Marshes and Bogs. Active in night, though frequently seen in daytime. It is considered a pest, especially in farms that are close to marshes. It is larger than the Meadow Vole, but much smaller than the American Beaver.

• Southern Red-backed Vole Clethrionomys gapperi (Statewide except Marthas Vineyard and Nantucket) - Throughout all counties except the island of Martha Vineyard and Nantucket county. Mostly active at daytime in winter. Population is stable in the commonwealth. Like other voles, this species doesn't hibernate, and uses abandoned burrows.

• Southern Bog Lemming Synaptomys cooperi (SC) (Reports of Western Massachusetts. Listed as Special Concern) - Reported from Hampden, Hampshire, Franklin, Worcester, and Plymouth counties. Known in the Cranberry bogs of Plymouth and Wareham. Known range in Massachusetts is New Salem, Ware, and Belchertown bog. They have brownish chestnut fur, a very short tail, and large front incisor teeth. They are smaller than Meadow Voles, and tend to avoid them as much as possible.

• American red squirrel Tamiasciurus hudsonicus (Statewide except Dukes and Nantucket counties) - This squirrel is half the size of the grey squirrel, with a red colored body (except the underbelly) and a black line going around the sides. Unlike the grey squirrel, the red squirrel is found in areas with White birch, and Oak trees. Absent or rarely seen in urban environments.

• Deer Mouse Peromyscus maniculatus (Central and western mass) - Frequently seen at night in dense woods. Slightly smaller than the house mouse, with grayish to reddish-brown fur on top and whitish underparts. Must not be handled because it cares Lyme disease and Deer ticks.

• White-footed Mouse Peromyscus leucopus (Statewide) - Found in all counties. Distinguished from the Deer mouse by lacking the small white ear tufts. One subspecies has been observed in Martha Vineyard and Nantucket. Another subspecies is found in Monomoy Island. Like the Deer mouse, this animal must not be handled with bare hands because it also cares Lyme disease and Deer ticks.

• Brown Rat Rattus norvegicus (I) (Statewide) - Considered to be one of the most adaptive animal in Massachusetts. Found in both urban, and suburban environments. Active at night but rarely seen in daytime. Found everywhere, including Martha Vineyard and Nantucket.

• Black Rat Rattus rattus (I-EX?) (Eastern Massachusetts) - Common in densely populated cites, including seaports, and buildings. Not seen in areas uninhabited by humans. Not as adaptive as the House mouse or Brown rat. It may have disappeared from the state because of the increase of intense pressure of Brown rats, as well as the increase of predators such as skunks, weasels, and raccoons. A population of Black rats may still exist in seaports of Boston.

• House Mouse Mus musculus (I) (Nearly Statewide, apparently absent from Marthas Vineyard) - Accidentally introduced from seaports. Originally statewide. Also one of the most adaptive mammals in Massachusetts. Found in both urban and suburban environments. Much smaller and less aggressive than the larger Brown and Black rats.

• Allegheny woodrat Neotoma magister (EX) (southwest Massachusetts) - Extirpated. Occurred in one part of southwestern Berkshire county. Before its extirpation, it was probably was uncommon, rare, or even a vagrant.