Michigan's Rare Animals
This list presents the Endangered (E), Threatened (T), and Probably Extirpated (X) animal species of Michigan, which are protected under the Endangered Species Act of the State of Michigan (Part 365 of PA 451, 1994 Michigan Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act). The current list became effective on March 20, 2023, after extensive review by technical advisors to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and the citizenry of the state.
Also included in this list are animal species of Special Concern (SC). While not afforded legal protection under the Act, many of these species are of concern because of declining or relict populations in the state. Should these species continue to decline, they would be recommended for Threatened or Endangered status. Protection of Special Concern species now, before they reach dangerously low population levels, would prevent the need to list them in the future by maintaining adequate numbers of self-sustaining populations within Michigan. Some other potentially rare species are listed as Special Concern pending more precise information on their status in the state; when such information becomes available, they could be moved to threatened or endangered status or deleted from the list.
Amphibians and reptiles that are listed as special concern (SC) are legally protected under the Michigan Department of Natural Resources Director's Order No. FO-224.13. It is unlawful to kill, take, trap, possess, buy, or sell these species from the wild except as provided in the Order.
This list was produced by the Endangered Species Program of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and the Michigan Natural Features Inventory. English names in common usage or from published sources have been incorporated, when possible, to facilitate public understanding of and participation in the Endangered Species Program. To comment on the list or request additional copies, or for information on the Endangered Species Program, contact the Endangered Species Coordinator, Wildlife Division, Michigan Department of Natural Resources, P.O. Box 30028, Lansing, MI 48909 (517-284-9453). To report occurrences of these species, please contact MNFI at mnfi@msu.edu.