Endangered Animals in Maryland: What the Law Protects and What It Means for You

Maryland is home to an extraordinary range of habitats — from Appalachian mountain forests in the west to Chesapeake Bay tidal wetlands in the east — and that diversity supports an equally wide variety of wildlife. But some of that wildlife is in serious trouble.

When an animal is listed as endangered in Maryland, the legal protections that follow are real, specific, and enforceable. Whether you own land, work outdoors, or simply spend time in nature, understanding these rules matters more than most people realize. This guide walks you through how endangered species are listed in Maryland, which animals are most at risk, and exactly what you can and cannot do when one of these species is involved.

How Endangered Species Are Listed and Protected in Maryland

The primary Maryland law — enacted in 1975 — that governs the legal listing of threatened and endangered species is the Nongame and Endangered Species Conservation Act (Annotated Code of Maryland 10-2A-01). This state law works alongside the federal Endangered Species Act (ESA) to create a layered system of protection for vulnerable wildlife across the state.

The Act is supported by regulations under COMAR 08.03.08 that define listing criteria for endangered, threatened, in need of conservation, and endangered extirpated species; list the species included in each category; establish the purpose and intent of research and collection permits; and list prohibited activities.

The Wildlife and Heritage Service within the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is the lead state agency responsible for the identification, ranking, protection, and management of rare and endangered species and natural communities in Maryland. The Service seeks to identify and sustain populations of rare plants and animals through the maintenance of healthy natural ecosystems, and it maintains a database of natural areas and occurrences of rare, threatened, and endangered plant and animal species.

Key Insight: Maryland’s state law has recently been strengthened. On April 9, Maryland’s HB 0345 / SB 0916 became law. With unanimous passage in both chambers, this bill significantly strengthens Maryland’s Nongame & Endangered Species Conservation Act — making Maryland’s state endangered species laws one of the strongest in the country.

Under Maryland law, an endangered species is any species whose continued existence as a viable component of the state’s wildlife or plants is determined by the DNR to be in jeopardy, or a species classified as endangered pursuant to the federal Endangered Species Act. A threatened species is one which appears likely within the foreseeable future to become endangered. Generally, the DNR looks at whether a species is restricted to a small geographic area, whether it has experienced a rapid and substantial decline, whether essential habitat has been rapidly lost, and whether the species’ biology makes it highly susceptible to environmental changes.

Before a species is added to the federal threatened and endangered list, it is first placed on a list of candidate species. This placement happens in two ways: the public may petition to list a species, or biologists at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service may study a species whose population is thought to be declining and decide themselves whether the species qualifies as a candidate. The law stipulates that FWS scientists must use accurate scientific information collected from several sources to back their candidate decisions.

Federally Listed vs. State-Listed Endangered Animals in Maryland

There are two distinct layers of protection for endangered animals in Maryland — federal and state — and it’s important to understand how they overlap and where they differ.

In Maryland, threatened and endangered species include plants and animals listed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and those listed by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife and Heritage Service. The state list includes all of the federally listed species that occur in Maryland, plus additional species that are endangered, threatened, or in need of conservation at the state level.

The Maryland Nongame and Endangered Species Conservation Act serves as the state’s version of the federal Endangered Species Act. However, the state list is broader in scope. States are poised to offer urgent support to species in need, often have more streamlined listing processes, and better know the state-specific protective measures needed. Listing species through state action can often prevent the need for listing under the federal Endangered Species Act.

The current list comprises 526 native Maryland animals that are among the least understood, the rarest, and the most in need of conservation efforts. Compiled by Wildlife and Heritage Service staff and conservation partners, this list is a result of more than 40 years of effort to gather, research, and analyze data from numerous sources, such as museums, scientific literature, unpublished documents, reports from zoologists and amateur naturalists, and extensive field work.

Important Note: Some birds, such as the Red Knot, and other migratory species, such as whales and sea turtles, have been included on Maryland’s list because of their federal legal status even though they typically do not breed in Maryland. You are still legally obligated to protect these animals if you encounter them in state waters or on Maryland land.

Notable Endangered Animals Found in Maryland

Maryland’s varied geography — spanning coastal plains, piedmont forests, and Appalachian highlands — creates habitat for a wide range of at-risk species. Here are some of the most notable endangered animals you might encounter across the state.

Delmarva Fox Squirrel — Once pushed to the brink of extinction due to forest clearing and overhunting, the Delmarva fox squirrel has been the focus of significant conservation work in Maryland. The species has a dedicated incidental take permit process under Maryland law, which includes a specific incidental taking permit provision for the endangered Delmarva fox squirrel under Section 10-2A-05.2.

Puritan Tiger Beetle — The Puritan tiger beetle is listed by both the state and federal government as a threatened and endangered species. Permits are required to alter habitat supporting this species, and if incidental take occurs, mitigation for that loss is required in order to obtain a permit. The DNR has established the Puritan Tiger Beetle Habitat Conservation Program to receive mitigation funds for the incidental take of this species.

Indiana Bat, Northern Long-Eared Bat, Tricolored Bat, and Eastern Small-Footed Bat — Maryland’s bat species protections include the Indiana bat, the northern long-eared bat, the tricolored bat, and the eastern small-footed bat, all of which have incidental taking provisions under the Nongame and Endangered Species Conservation Act. These bats are particularly vulnerable to white-nose syndrome and habitat disturbance.

Barking Treefrog — The barking treefrog is currently listed as endangered within its native habitat of Delmarva Bays, vernal pools, and adjacent sandy soil woods of the lower shore counties. While they spend much of their time high in treetops, they also burrow in sandy soils. This makes them especially vulnerable to land development and drainage of seasonal wetlands. You can learn more about colorful animals that share similarly striking visual adaptations.

Northern Coal Skink — Of the four species of skinks found in Maryland, the northern coal skink is the only one currently listed as endangered. It has only been found in Garrett and western Allegany counties, and there are no recent records of sightings. Its natural habitat is moist wooded areas near springs or creeks, and it may take cover in rocky outcrops or under leaf litter.

Bog Turtle — The bog turtle is the smallest North American turtle and prefers relatively open habitats with slow-flowing streams or surface seeps. It is critically imperiled in Maryland and is protected under both state and federal law. Like other reptiles in the state, Maryland’s reptiles and amphibians are protected through regulations that limit the numbers and types of species that can be possessed without permits.

Pro Tip: Maryland’s endangered species list is arranged by region and county. If you want to know which species are specifically documented in your county, the DNR’s Wildlife and Heritage Service publishes county-level data through their online database. Checking your county before starting any outdoor project could save you significant legal trouble.

Maryland’s at-risk wildlife also includes several marine and migratory animals. Sea turtles, the North Atlantic right whale, and several migratory bird species are all protected under federal law when they pass through Maryland’s coastal waters and Chesapeake Bay. If you’re curious about how animals in similar ecosystems in neighboring states compare, check out these resources on endangered animals in Virginia and endangered animals in West Virginia.

What You Cannot Do Around Endangered Animals in Maryland

Maryland law is explicit about what is prohibited when it comes to endangered and threatened species. Whether you’re a homeowner, a developer, a hunter, or a hiker, these restrictions apply to you.

The Maryland Nongame and Endangered Species Conservation Act regulates a wide range of activities that may impact protected species or their habitats, including hunting, trapping, collecting, harassing, or disturbing protected species.

Under the state Act, you are prohibited from doing any of the following without a permit:

• Taking, possessing, transporting, exporting, or selling any endangered species
• Attempting to engage in any of the above activities
• Disturbing, harassing, or harming a protected animal in any way
• Destroying or altering critical habitat associated with a listed species
• Violating any regulation related to the conservation of a listed threatened species

In addition to taking a species, delivering, receiving, selling, purchasing, or transporting a threatened or endangered animal species is prohibited without a permit, whether the species is alive or dead. Permits are also required for individual or group activities that involve interfering with a species’ habitat.

Taking a species generally includes causing any harm to a federally protected animal or plant species. Any individual that knowingly takes a listed species can be fined up to $25,000 by the federal government for each violation or instance.

Common Mistake: Many people assume that “taking” only means killing an animal. Under both state and federal law, taking includes harassing, harming, pursuing, hunting, shooting, wounding, trapping, capturing, or collecting a protected species — even accidentally. Disturbing a nest, blocking a migration corridor, or cutting down a tree that serves as a roosting site can all qualify as “taking” under the law.

There are limited exceptions. Scientific research, conservation work, and certain educational activities may be permitted through the DNR’s research and collection permit system. The permitting system covers activities that may involve the taking of protected species, such as scientific research, conservation efforts, or incidental take during lawful activities. However, these permits must be obtained in advance and are not automatic.

Maryland is also home to several venomous and potentially dangerous animals that share habitat with protected species. If you’re exploring wild areas of the state, it helps to be familiar with the venomous animals in Maryland as well.

Endangered Species on Private Land in Maryland

One of the most common misconceptions about endangered species law is that it only applies to public land or government-managed reserves. In reality, private landowners in Maryland face significant legal obligations when endangered animals are present on their property.

Private landowners — including private citizens, businesses, and organizations — must cooperate with federal agencies to conserve listed species. This is true regardless of whether the animal wandered onto the land naturally or has historically nested or foraged there.

The challenge for property owners or developers comes from actions taken by other government agencies in instances where permit or other approval is sought. The Maryland ESA directs state permit issuing authorities to carry out programs for the conservation of endangered species and to take any action necessary to ensure that actions authorized, funded, or carried out by them do not jeopardize the continued existence of the endangered species or result in the destruction or modification of critical habitat.

If you need to carry out a project that may incidentally affect a listed species, you will likely need an incidental take permit. An incidental take permit is required if an activity may result in the taking of a threatened or endangered species. Those who apply for this permit must submit a habitat conservation plan to the proper federal or state authority ensuring that the effects of taking the species will be minimized and mitigated.

Habitat Conservation Plans (HCPs) are implemented by non-federal groups — including state governments, private individuals, and organizations — in consultation with the Fish and Wildlife Service. The plans are required in order to obtain incidental take permits and contain information on the predicted effects of taking a species, how these effects will be minimized or mitigated, and how the plan will be funded.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service attempts to assure property owners that they will not face additional land restrictions beyond those outlined in their Habitat Conservation Plans. This is known as the “No Surprises Policy” and is designed to encourage voluntary conservation cooperation from private landowners.

Key Insight: Maryland’s Critical Areas law has led to the adoption of development permit and approval processes by Maryland counties in the Chesapeake Bay watershed. The law requires county programs to create overlay zones designed to protect the natural resource values in a buffer area along the shoreline of the Bay and its tributaries — 1,000 feet landward from the edge of tidal waters or wetlands. If your property falls within this buffer, additional review requirements apply.

If you are a landowner unsure whether your property overlaps with critical habitat, you should prioritize proactive compliance and early engagement with the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. This includes conducting thorough assessments of the potential impacts of your projects on listed species and their habitat, developing and implementing robust conservation plans, and maintaining open communication with the department throughout the development process.

Private land stewardship is one of the most impactful ways individuals can support conservation. Just as the management of farm animals requires understanding of land and habitat needs, managing land where endangered wildlife is present requires thoughtful planning and legal awareness.

How to Report an Endangered Animal Sighting in Maryland

If you spot what you believe to be a rare, threatened, or endangered animal in Maryland, reporting your sighting to the DNR is one of the most valuable contributions you can make to conservation efforts in the state.

If you know the location of a rare animal or rare plant in Maryland, the DNR wants to know about it. Their assessment of the health of Maryland’s populations of vanishing species and natural communities depends on knowing how many places they still exist. You can fill out the Rare Species Reporting Form and follow instructions on the linked page.

When submitting a report, providing as much detail as possible significantly increases its value to wildlife managers. Here is what to include:

1. Exact location — GPS coordinates or a mapped location are ideal; at minimum, note the nearest address, road, or landmark
2. Population size and vigor — How many individuals did you see? Did they appear healthy or distressed?
3. Date and time — Include the date, time of day, and weather conditions
4. Species identification — Describe the animal as precisely as possible; photos are extremely helpful
5. Habitat description — Note the surrounding environment (forest, wetland, streambank, etc.)
6. Any observed threats — If you noticed nearby construction, pollution, or other disturbances, document them

You can play an active part in protecting Maryland’s rare species by contacting the Wildlife and Heritage Service with location and population size or vigor information for any species on the program’s rare, threatened, and endangered species list, including historical information if known.

You can also submit data that supports a change in a species’ conservation status — for example, if you discover a previously undocumented population, or if you observe a species in an area where it has not been recorded in many years. Some species are thought to be secure at present but are worthy of attention because of limited distributions and declining trends. The Maryland Wildlife and Heritage Service’s list of rare, threatened, and endangered animals is periodically revised to keep pace with new information.

Pro Tip: The DNR’s Wildlife and Heritage Service contact for rare species reporting is located at the Tawes State Office Building in Annapolis. You can also reach out through the Maryland DNR Rare, Threatened, and Endangered Animals page to access the official reporting form. Early and accurate reporting can directly influence listing decisions and conservation priorities.

Reporting is especially important for species like the northern coal skink, which has had no recent confirmed sightings in its known range in western Maryland. Your observations — even negative ones — help wildlife managers understand population trends. To compare reporting and conservation frameworks in nearby states, see our coverage of endangered animals in Washington.

Penalties for Harming or Taking an Endangered Animal in Maryland

Maryland takes violations of endangered species law seriously, and the penalties — at both the state and federal level — can be severe. If you harm, take, possess, sell, or transport a protected species without authorization, you face significant legal consequences.

State-Level Penalties

Violators of the Maryland Nongame and Endangered Species Conservation Act shall be fined not more than $1,000 or be imprisoned not more than 1 year, or both, and equipment used in the taking of designated species may be seized. This means that not only can you face criminal charges and imprisonment, but any tools, vehicles, or equipment used in the commission of the violation may be confiscated by the state.

The Act also establishes enforcement provisions, including the authority of the Department of Natural Resources to investigate and prosecute offenses. DNR officers have the power to conduct searches, make arrests, and bring cases forward for prosecution under state law.

Federal-Level Penalties

Taking a species generally includes causing any harm to a federally protected animal or plant species. Any individual that knowingly takes a listed species can be fined up to $25,000 by the federal government for each violation or instance. Federal penalties apply to all species listed under the ESA, regardless of whether they are also listed at the state level.

The table below summarizes the key penalty differences between state and federal violations:

Important Note: Maryland law also prohibits a person from purchasing, selling, offering for sale, or possessing with the intent to sell specified parts or products of specified animal species, and requires that fines and restitution imposed be credited to the Department of Natural Resources for the benefit of the Birdwatcher’s Fund, used for the preservation of nongame wildlife species and threatened or endangered species.

It is also worth noting that ignorance of a species’ protected status is generally not a legal defense. Readers are encouraged to consult the full text of the Maryland Nongame and Endangered Species Conservation Act and work closely with the Maryland Department of Natural Resources to understand the specific enforcement provisions and penalty structures that may apply to their projects.

Beyond legal penalties, harming endangered species contributes to broader ecological damage that affects entire ecosystems. Many endangered animals play roles in controlling populations of other species — a dynamic you can explore further by reading about animals that eat snakes and their role in natural food webs. Understanding how species interact helps illustrate why the loss of even one animal can have cascading effects.

If you’re ever uncertain whether a planned activity could affect a protected species, the safest course is to contact the Maryland DNR’s Wildlife and Heritage Service before proceeding. Early engagement with regulators is consistently the most effective way to avoid unintentional violations and to find lawful paths forward that support both your goals and Maryland’s conservation mission to prevent more animals from disappearing forever.