Bald Eagle
Haliaeetus leucocephalus – A large bird of prey found near large bodies of open water. Known for its white head and tail, it is a symbol of strength and freedom. Once endangered due to habitat loss, hunting, and pesticide exposure, the species has made a strong recovery but remains protected under federal law.
West Indian Manatee
Trichechus manatus – A large aquatic mammal found in shallow coastal areas. They are endangered due to habitat loss and collisions with boats
Alabama Red-bellied Turtle
Pseudemys alabamensis – A medium–sized turtle found in rivers and streams. They are endangered due to habitat loss and degradation.
Alligator Snapping Turtle
Macrochelys temminckii – This giant freshwater turtle is one of the heaviest in the world. It is a threatened species found in rivers, canals, and other freshwater habitats. It has a unique appearance with a large head and a spiked shell. It is often hunted for its meat and shells, which has led to its population decline.
Black Pinesnake
Pituophis melanoleucus lodingi – A large, nonvenomous snake found in pine forests. They are threatened due to habitat loss and degradation.
Gopher Tortoise
Gopherus polyphemus – A large, terrestrial tortoise found in upland habitats. They are threatened due to habitat loss and fragmentation.
Green Sea Turtle
Chelonia mydas – A large marine turtle found in coastal waters, green sea turtles are threatened by habitat loss and degradation and incidental capture in fishing gear.
Hawksbill Sea Turtle
Eretmochelys imbricata – This medium–sized marine turtle is found in coral reefs. It is endangered due to habitat loss and degradation and incidental capture in fishing gear.
Kemp's Ridley Sea Turtle
Lepidochelys kempii – A small marine turtle found in shallow coastal waters. It is critically endangered due to habitat loss and degradation, incidental capture in fishing gear, and nest predation.
Loggerhead Sea Turtle
Caretta caretta – This is a large marine turtle found in coastal waters. It is threatened by habitat loss and degradation, incidental capture in fishing gear, and nest predation.
Yellow-blotched Map Turtle
Graptemys flavimaculata – A medium–sized freshwater turtle found in rivers and streams. They are threatened due to habitat loss and degradation.
Dusky Gopher Frog
Rana serosa – This medium–sized, stocky frog is found in longleaf pine forests. Its distribution is very limited, and it is endangered due to habitat loss.
Eastern Black Rail
Laterallus jamaicensis jamaicensis – This small, secretive bird is found in marshes and wetlands. It is listed as threatened due to habitat loss and degradation.
Mississippi Sandhill Crane
Grus canadensis pulla – This large, long–legged bird is found in pine savannas. It is endangered due to habitat loss and degradation.
Piping Plover
Charadrius melodus – This small, sand–colored bird is found on beaches and sandbars. It is listed as threatened due to habitat loss and degradation.
Red Knot
Calidris canutus rufa – This medium–sized shorebird is found on beaches and mudflats. It is listed as threatened due to habitat loss and degradation.
Red-cockaded Woodpecker
Picoides borealis – This small woodpecker has a distinctive blackand–white barred pattern on its back. It is found in pine forests and relies on mature pine trees for nesting. Due to habitat loss, it is listed as endangered and has been the focus of extensive conservation efforts.
Gulf Sturgeon
Acipenser oxyrinchus desotoi – A large freshwater fish found in the Pascagoula River and Gulf of Mexico. It is threatened by habitat loss and degradation, overfishing, and dam construction.
Pearl Darter
Percina aurora – A small, freshwater fish found in streams and rivers. They are threatened due to habitat loss and degradation.
Louisiana Quillwort
Isoetes louisianensis – A small, aquatic plant found in streams and wetlands. It is endangered due to habitat loss and degradation
Osprey
Pandion haliaetus – A medium–to–large raptor found near coastlines, rivers, and lakes. Known for its distinctive white underparts and dark brown upperparts, it primarily feeds on fish. Ospreys are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and are sensitive to habitat disruption, though their populations have recovered after declines due to pesticide use in the mid–20th century.
Great Horned Owl
Bubo virginianus – A large and powerful nocturnal raptor found in a variety of habitats, including forests, deserts, and urban areas. Known for its ear–like tufts and deep hooting call, it preys on a wide range of animals, from small mammals to other birds. The great horned owl is protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and is widespread, adapting well to both natural and human–modified environments.