Wildlife of Missouri

Missouri is home to a diversity of both flora and fauna. There is a large amount of fresh water present due to the Mississippi River, Missouri River, and Lake of the Ozarks, with numerous smaller tributary rivers, streams, and lakes. North of the Missouri River, the state is primarily rolling hills of the Great Plains, whereas south of the Missouri River, the state is dominated by the Oak-Hickory Central U.S. hardwood forest.

Missouri River near Rocheport, Missouri

Some of the native species found in Missouri include:[1][2]

Mammals
Main article: List of mammals of Missouri

Within historic times, pronghorn, gray wolf, and brown bear were all found in Missouri, but have since been eliminated. American bison and Elk were formerly common, but are currently confined to private farms and parks. Wapiti can be found in a small restoration zone in three counties in the Southeast Ozarks.

Birds
Main article: List of birds of Missouri

Year-round:[3]

Summer/breeders:

Winter residents:

Within historic times, the passenger pigeon, the carolina parakeet, and the ivory-billed woodpecker were all found in Missouri, but they have since been eliminated.[4]

Reptiles and amphibians

Reptiles:[5]

Amphibians:[6]

Fish
Main article: List of fishes of Missouri

Mollusks
  • Stagnant pond snail
  • Eastern mystery snail
  • Common tadpole snail
  • Three-whorled ram's horn
  • Pearl mussel
  • Asiatic clam
  • Filter mussel
  • Striped forest snail
  • White-lipped forest snail

Insect migrations

There has also been a migration of insects from the south to Missouri. One example of this is the wasp Polistes exclamans.[7]

See also

References
  1. Guide to North American Wildlife, Reader's Digest, 1982
  2. Field Guide to the Birds of North America, second edition, National Geographic Society, 1996
  3. National Geographic Society - Field Guide to the Birds of North America, Second Edition
  4. "Animals of Conservation Concern" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on March 14, 2016. Retrieved March 27, 2014.
  5. Johnson, Tom R. The Amphibians and Reptiles of Missouri: Missouri Department of Conservation, 1992
  6. Briggler, Jeffrey T. and Tom R. Johnson, Missouri's Toads and Frogs, MO Department of Conservation, copyright 1982, 2008, Missouri Conservation Commission
  7. West, Mary Jane (1968). "Range Extension and Solitary nest founding in Polistes Exclamans". Psyche. 75 (2): 118–23. doi:10.1155/1968/49846.
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