Maine’s vast landscape includes over 3,000 miles of coastline, expansive northern forests, and thousands of freshwater lakes and rivers. This geographic mix, where northern boreal and southern temperate zones meet, supports a remarkable abundance of wildlife. The state is considered a biodiversity hotspot in the Northeast. Maine’s commitment to preserving its natural heritage allows for healthy populations of animals, including some of the largest terrestrial mammals found in the contiguous United States.
Iconic Large Mammals
The Moose is perhaps the most recognized symbol of the Maine wilderness, with a population estimated to be between 60,000 and 70,000 animals, the largest concentration outside of Alaska. These massive herbivores thrive in the northern and western forested regions, where they favor young successional growth for browsing. However, the Moose population faces challenges from the winter tick, a parasite whose survival is favored by shorter, milder winters, leading to high calf mortality rates.
The Black Bear is also abundant, with an estimated population of over 35,000, primarily found in the extensive forestlands of the north and east. Black bears are omnivores that enter a state of torpor during the winter months to conserve energy. They emerge in the spring to feed on roots, insects, and berries.
White-tailed Deer are the most widespread large mammal, with an estimated herd size reaching approximately 360,000 animals in recent years. Deer densities are significantly higher in the central and southern portions of the state, where milder winters and better wintering habitats support greater survival rates. They are highly adaptable, inhabiting everything from deep woods to suburban edges.
Predatory mammals, such as the Eastern Coyote and Bobcat, also maintain a presence across the landscape. The Eastern Coyote, with a winter population estimated at 10,000–12,000, is a highly adaptable omnivore occupying a wide range of habitats. Bobcats are strictly carnivorous, primarily hunting small prey like rabbits and hares, and their populations are often regulated by coyotes competing for the same food resources.
Coastal and Marine Life
The Gulf of Maine is a cold, nutrient-rich body of water supporting a dynamic coastal and marine ecosystem along the state’s rugged shoreline. The American Lobster is economically and culturally significant, providing over 90% of the nation’s lobster supply and generating approximately $1 billion for the state’s economy. This species represents a fishing tradition passed down through generations.
Marine mammals visit the Gulf of Maine regularly to feed during the spring, summer, and fall. Baleen whales, including Humpback, Fin, and Minke Whales, aggregate in these productive waters to consume small schooling fish and krill. Harbor Seals are commonly seen basking on ledges and rocky islands along the coast.
The Gulf of Maine provides habitat for finfish species. Common fish harvested from these waters include Atlantic Cod, Haddock, and various species of Mackerel. The health of these populations is directly linked to changing ocean temperatures, as the Gulf of Maine is warming faster than most of the world’s oceans.
Avian Residents and Migrants
Maine’s diverse forests and coastal islands provide shelter and nesting grounds for numerous bird species. The Atlantic Puffin, a small seabird, reaches its only U.S. breeding distribution on a few protected, rocky islands off the Maine coast. Their restored colonies are closely monitored as indicators of the health of forage fish populations, which are vulnerable to warming ocean waters.
Raptors are a common sight, with the Bald Eagle and Osprey both making comebacks in recent decades. Bald Eagles, once nearly wiped out, are now found along inland lakes and rivers, as well as the coast, primarily preying on fish. Ospreys, often called “fish hawks,” build stick nests near water and dive to catch fish feet-first.
In the forests, the Wild Turkey represents a conservation success story, having been successfully reintroduced after being extirpated from the state in the early 1800s. The population, now estimated to be over 50,000, is the largest upland game bird, favoring a mix of mature hardwood and open, grassy areas. Forest songbirds, such as warblers and thrushes, and other game birds like the Ruffed Grouse, thrive in the expansive wooded interior.
Aquatic and Amphibious Creatures
Inland, Maine’s freshwater systems, comprising thousands of lakes and rivers, are home to a variety of fish, amphibians, and reptiles. Native freshwater fish include the Eastern Brook Trout, which requires cold, clean water to survive, and the Landlocked Salmon, found in many of the state’s large lakes. Atlantic Salmon also navigate the state’s eastern rivers to reach their spawning grounds.
The state is home to 18 species of amphibians, including various frogs, toads, and salamanders, such as the Spotted Salamander and Wood Frog. Amphibians are particularly vulnerable because their permeable skin requires constant access to moist environments and clean water for breeding and survival. Freshwater habitats also support nine species of non-venomous snakes, including the Common Watersnake and the Garter Snake, which are often found near the edges of ponds and streams.
Maintaining the quality and connectivity of these freshwater habitats is important for the survival of these species. Projects to remove outdated dams are ongoing, aiming to restore the ability of migratory fish to reach their historic spawning areas upstream. This focus on aquatic connectivity and water quality helps preserve the biological integrity of Maine’s inland ecosystems.