Missouri Wildlife: A Bountiful Blend of Species

The American Heartland, specifically the state of Missouri, is not only stunningly gorgeous because of its vibrant landscapes but also because it is a home to a wide array of wildlife. Missouri’s diverse terrain of rolling hills, towering bluffs, fertile plains, and meandering rivers create a prime habitat for numerous species to live and thrive.

Foxes, deer, squirrels, and rabbits are the most commonly found mammal species, with Missouri being abundant in white-tailed deer populatons. But there’s also a chance to catch a glimpse of bobcats, coyotes, and river otters. Additionally, Missouri’s caves are a shelter for the threatened Indiana bat and the endangered gray bat.

Bird watchers will find Missouri to be a paradise. From cardinals, which happen to be the state bird, to bald eagles, herons, hawks, and several species of owls – Missouri has it all. In the warmer months, the state becomes a stopover area for migrating birds, also welcoming back hummingbirds and warblers for breeding.

Lakes, Rivers, and Wetland Wildlife

Missouri’s bodies of water, rivers, and wetlands are teeming with biodiversity. These areas are populated by beavers, muskrats, and semi-aquatic mammals like minks. They shape habitats for waterfowl, fish, and countless macroinvertebrate species that serve as the basis for the food chain.

Fishes like the large-mouth bass, catfish, crappie, and bluegill are typical of Missouri water bodies. Rare species, such as the pallid sturgeon, inhabit the Missouri river and are on the state’s endangered species list.

The state’s reptiles and amphibians, such as box turtles, northern water snakes, common snapping turtles and several types of frogs and salamanders thrive in these wet habitats. The hellbender, a giant aquatic salamander, can be found in the clean, fast-flowing rivers of the Missouri Ozarks.

When it comes to invertebrates, freshwater mussels and crayfish are among the significant aquatic species that contribute to Missouri’s aquatic biodiversity.

Conservation Efforts

The Missouri Department of Conservation is deeply committed to preserving and managing the state’s wildlife and their habitats for future generations. One of the primary tools applied in this mission would be the aptly named ‘WIRES’.

For those wondering what ‘WIRES’ is, it is a Wildlife Information, Reporting, Education, and Submission system. It provides a platform for documenting and monitoring wildlife health threats across the state. It aids in integrative wildlife disease surveillance, research, and management – safeguarding not just a single animal species but the entire ecosystem.

Through the collection of vital data and learning provided by ‘WIRES’, experts can predict disease outbreaks, identify emerging trends, and design intervention strategies. This system’s work has been instrumental in managing diseases, such as chronic wasting disease in deer and avian influenza in birds.

Conclusion

The Missouri wildlife is indeed a thriving ecosystem with an extensive collection of species, each playing a critical role in their unique ways. The robust efforts towards conservation, along with initiatives like ‘WIRES’, ensure the survival and health of these species, thus preserving the rich wildlife that Missouri proudly hosts.