Fauna of Connecticut

The fauna of Connecticut comprise a variety of animal species.

The state bird is the American robin. The state insect is the European mantis. The state animal is the sperm whale. The state shellfish is the eastern oyster. The state fish is the American shad. The state fossil is the Eubrontes giganteus.

Biodiversity There are, as of 2004, 256 Connecticut species listed as endangered, threatened or of special concern. These are 11 species of mammals,* Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection - Endangered, Threatened & Special Concern Mammals 50 species of birds,* Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection - Endangered, Threatened & Special Concern Birds 11 species of reptiles,* Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection - Endangered, Threatened & Special Concern Reptiles 7 species of amphibians,* Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection - Endangered, Threatened & Special Concern Amphibians 7 species of fish,* Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection - Endangered, Threatened & Special Concern Fish and 170 species of invertebrates.* Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection - Endangered, Threatened & Special Concern Invertebrates

Ancient life

Notable sites preserving the prehistoric history of Connecticut include the Peabody Museum of Natural History and Dinosaur State Park.

Extinct species that once roamed Connecticut include Coelophysis,* Age of Dinosaurs Field Trip Dilophosaurus, and Eubrontes.* Aspects of Connecticut's Physical Geography

List of native species Sources appear below.University of New Haven Student Projects - "Potential Impacts of the Proposed Galleria at Long Wharf on the Biological, Chemical, and Socioeconomic Aspects of the Local New Haven Environment" - Slide 7: Species List, by Sara Ignudo and Farah Refai, Fall 2000

Annelids Ampharete arctica Capitella capitata Capitellidae Eteone lactea Glycera dibranchiata Alitta (Nereis) succinea Opheliidae sp. Phyllodoce sp. Polydora sp. Scoloplos robustus Spio setosa Spionidae Streblospio benedicti Syllidae sp.

Arthropods Chiridotea spp. Gammarus sp. Neomysis americana Sphaeroma quadridentata

Mollusks Acteocina canaliculata Gemma gemma Nassarius obsoletus Mulinia lateralis Mya arenaria Nucula sp. Periploma papyratium Retusa canaliculata Tellina agillis

See also Flora of Connecticut List of birds of Connecticut List of mammals of Connecticut List of mammals of New England

References

Further reading Aspects of Connecticut's Physical Geography Connecticut Audubon Society Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection - Natural Diversity Data Base Fishes of the Connecticut River The Flora and Fauna of Branford