- Alligator Snapping Turtle
In Missouri, alligator snapping turtles are protected, and it is illegal to harvest them.
- Amphibians and Reptiles
You know them as frogs, toads, snakes and lizards. Get acquainted with all of Missouri's fascinating "herps," including 43 amphibians and 63 reptiles.
- Cerulean WarblerFor bird watchers, locating warblers among the treetops is difficult because their yellow colors blend in with a multitude of sunlit leaves. This warbler, however, is difficult to spot because its blue blends in with the sky! Learn more about this rare and declining migratory species.
- Coldwater CrayfishThis stout crayfish has a very localized distribution in the Eleven Point and Spring River drainages. It has a blue-green head and pincers and a dark, rust-brown carapace. It is an imperiled species.
- Ebonyshell
At one time the most valuable shell to the commercial button industry, the ebonyshell is now classified as Endangered in Missouri and is a candidate for federal Endangered status.
- Elephantear (Elephant's Ear)
Today found only in the Meramec River, the elephantear has been classified as Endangered in Missouri and is a candidate for federal Endangered status.
- Elktoe
Although not listed as Endangered, the elktoe is one of many Missouri mussels with a declining population.
- Endangered Species in the Field Guide
View biological information on all of Missouri's endangered species listed in the field guide.
- Field GuideIdentify and learn more about the plants, animals and mushrooms near you.
- Freshwater Mussels
If you love clean water, thank Missouri's mussels. As filter feeders, they clean impurities from the water as they "eat." Fawnfoot, hickorynut and fat pocketbook are a few of the fun names of Missouri's 65 mussel species. Get acquainted with them here.
- Hellbender
You might think they’re ugly by human standards, but these giant amphibians are a unique part of our wildlife heritage; they direly need help, or they might become extinct within twenty years.
- Introduction to Missouri Fishes
Missouri's diverse water areas support more than 200 species of fish. This publication includes identification information, status and interesting facts about 64 Missouri fish.
- Neosho Madtom
This endangered species is the smallest catfish in Missouri, where it lives under rocks in riffles or runs, in the clear water of Spring River in Jasper County.
- Niangua Darter
Two small, jet-black spots at the base of the tail fin distinguish this small fish from the more than 30 other darters found in our state. Known from only a few tributaries of the Osage River, this dainty and colorful fish is a nationally threatened species.
- Pink Mucket
This endangered native mussel lives in flowing waters of large streams among gravel and cobble.
- Rivers and Streams Student Guide
This five-page, full-color booklet is Chapter 7 of Conserving Missouri's Aquatic Ecosystems, our Discover Nature Schools middle school curriculum.
- Running Buffalo Clover
This perennial spreads by sending out long, creeping runners. Now endangered, it once flourished along streams and buffalo trails throughout the grasslands of the eastern and central United States.
- ScaleshellRarely seen, this Endangered freshwater mussel has a thin and delicate shell that is strikingly beautiful inside.
- Sheepnose (Bullhead)
The sheepnose has been classified as Endangered in Missouri and is a candidate for federal Endangered status.
- Snuffbox
The snuffbox has been classified as Endangered in Missouri and is a candidate for federal Endangered status. Perhaps it should also be a candidate for a new common name, since the popularity of snuff-taking is long past.
- Spectaclecase (Spectacle Case)
Missouri may have the largest number of spectaclecase mussels left in the world. These elongated shellfish can live for 60 years or more.
- St. Francis River CrayfishThis crayfish is limited to the St. Francis River and its tributaries. It's a rather small, dark brown species, with blackish blotches or specks over the upper surfaces of the pincers, carapace and abdomen.
- Swamp Rabbit
Larger and yellower than the eastern cottontail, the swamp rabbit is confined to swamps of Missouri’s Bootheel. As a wetland dweller, it’s a good swimmer and diver, but lack of swamp habitat is making this rabbit’s numbers decline.
- Topeka Shiner
Currently found in only a few Missouri streams, this endangered native minnow has declined precipitously because of environmental pollution, siltation and loss or alteration of habitat.
- Trout-PerchThis peculiar little fish is our only fish with both an adipose fin and rough-edged scales, characteristics of trout and perch, respectively—thus the name "trout-perch." This fish represents a family that was formerly much larger but that is now mostly extinct. Only two species of trout-perches are known to live worldwide—and ours is declining.
- Wartyback
This favored habitat of this vulnerable species is large streams or rivers in firm sand and mud. The bumps on the shell may help to anchor it in the river bottom.
- What's Your Watershed Address? Student Book
This four-page, full-color booklet is Chapter 3 of Conserving Missouri's Aquatic Ecosystems, our Discover Nature Schools middle school curriculum. It helps students understand watersheds and includes a map of Missouri's 45 major watersheds and rivers.
