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Delaware Endangered Species List Is Now Up To 86 Species

Delaware Endangered Species List Is Now Up To 86 Species It’s hard to believe that our little state of Delaware is home to a number of threatened and endangered plant…

Delmarva Fox Squirrel

A Delmarva Fox Squirrel eats a nut in Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge

Delaware Endangered Species List Is Now Up To 86 Species

It's hard to believe that our little state of Delaware is home to a number of threatened and endangered plant and animal species. Some of the best known of these are the Leatherback Sea Turtle, Mud Salamander, Sperm Whale, Atlantic Sturgeon, Bethany Beach Firefly and the Delmarva Fox Squirrel.

The Delmarva Fox Squirrel used to be common in the state.  These squirrels were nationally listed as an endangered species, but removed in 2015.  However, they do remain on Delaware's list.  According to DNREC, the squirrel has been reintroduced into the first state in surrounding Delmarva arras in an effort to have them removed from Delaware's list of most endangered.  The most recent release was last year, in 2022.

The First State now lists 86 species as endangered or threatened.   The law provides regulations for the conservation of threatened and endangered plants and animals and the habitats in which they are found. Title 7 of the Annotated Code of Delaware prohibits the importation, transportation, possession, or sale of any part of an endangered species of fish or wildlife.

Here are some of the most endangered species here in the first state.  See the full list of all of Delaware's endangered species here.

Leatherback Turtle

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Leatherback Turtle spawning


Broad-winged Hawk

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Broad-winged Hawk (buteo platypterus) perched on a wooden post


American Kestrel

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Kestrel Hunting


Short eared owl

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Short eared owl in Washington


Upland Sandpiper

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An upland sandpiper stands alert on a fence pole.


Forster’s terns

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Forster’s terns perched on partially submerged log


Hooded Warbler

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The Hooded Warbler is a New World warbler. It breeds in eastern North America and across the eastern USA and into southernmost Canada,. It is migratory, wintering in Central America and the West Indies.


Plain-Bellied Water Snake

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Snake in grass with pinecone


Little Brown Bat

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Little Brown Bat (Myotis lucifugus) - face to viewer - green background


Sperm Whale

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3D render depicting a sperm whale undersea.


Delmarva Fox Squirrel

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A Delmarva Fox Squirrel eats a nut in Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge


Young Humpback Whale In Blue Water

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A baby humpback whale swims near the surface in blue water


Tree Frog

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Green tree frog on a tree bark covered with lichen


Oystercatcher

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American oystercatcher (Haematopodidae) (The oystercatchers) migrates off the Galapagos Islands, Ecuador, South America


Black-crowned night heron looking

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Black-crowned night heron, nycticorax nycticorax, looking in water in spring. Small white bird standing in river. Wild feathered animal waiting in swamp.