Hobbies And Interests
Endangered in State and Nation
The gray bat is listed on the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) Endangered Species Program. The bat is the largest of its type living in eastern U.S. The bats are found in caves all year and are constantly disturbed by humans due to poor gating from commercialization. Increased use of pesticides and flooding has also led to their demise. A reduction of insects to eat due to pollution and silt in streams factors into their decline.
Other animals included on both endangered species lists include the pallid sturgeon, piping plover, least tern, Indiana bat, Iowa plaistocene snail, fanshell, northern riffleshell, pink mucket, higgins eye, orangefoot pimpleback, clubshell, fat pocketbook and the Illinois Cave Amphipod.
Endangered Only in State
Though not on the USFWS endangered species program, the smooth softshell turtle is listed as endangered in Illinois. The turtle lives in large rivers throughout central U.S. Its shell is similar to the texture of leather. River channelization, pollution and siltation have caused the numbers of this turtle to decline. Smooth softshells are require the extraction of oxygen from water, making them vulnerable to decreased levels due to pollution, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources stated.
Other animals that are endangered only in the state include the lake sturgeon, western sand darter, short-eared owl, black tern, black rail, osprey, Rafinesque's big-eared bat, southeastern myotis, spectaclecase, Ohio pigtoe, kidneyshell and rabbitsfoot.
Threatened in Nation and State
The gray, or timber, wolf is listed on both the USFWS and the IESPB threatened species program. An estimated 7,000 to 11,200 gray wolves reside in Alaska and another 5,000 in the lower 48 states, according to Defenders of Wildlife. Approximately 200,000 are scattered throughout the world in 57 countries. These numbers compare to two million gray wolves prior to the 1930s when they were killed both for their fur and because they attacked livestock.
No other species are on both threatened species lists.
Threatened Only in State
The golden mouse is not on the USFWS endangered or threatened species program, though it is recognized by the IESPB as being threatened in the state. The mouse lives in wooded, moist areas that have a high density of vines and shrubs. It lives in the cavities of trees or in brushy ground vegetation. Young are usually born in nests that are 15 feet above ground. The mouse eats greenbrier, grape vines and honeysuckle. It is more common in the Appalachian mountains and in upland habitats.
Other species that are only on the state's threatened species list are, the eastern sand darter, cisco, gravel chub, Iowa darter, ornate box turtle, lined snake, eastern ribbonsnake, flathead snake, Mississippi kite, Peregrine falcon, rice rat and Franklin's ground squirrel.