Imperiled: The District’s most vulnerable critters

WASHINGTON (Map, News) - Despite some success stories, the District of Columbia is home to a host of “critically imperiled” species of birds, mammals, reptiles and fish, according to the District’s 2006 Wildlife Action Plan. They

include:

» Eastern small-footed myotis: Small bats that can roost in “buildings, rock bluffs and turnpike tunnels.” Threatened by shrinking insect populations and loss of habitat.

» Broad-winged hawk: Habitat loss and fragmentation have imperiled this hawk, which prefers dense forests to breed in.

» American mink: Stream channelization and erosion pose major threats to the mink’s habitat.

» Queen snake: The queen snake eats basically one thing: crayfish. The prey has been dying from pollution, and living ones contaminated with mercury can poison the snakes.

» Spotted turtle: Conservation laws often miss this species’ small wetland habitat. Risks also include cars, pollution and the draining of wetlands.

» Northern river otter: Human encroachment and polluted waters have driven this otter from its habitats, which tend to be wooded shorelines.

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