Last updated Jan 2022
This website is designed to help those interested identify wildlife they may have encountered in Connecticut, and to provide some basic and interesting information about the various creatures that live here. The living creatures found in the state of Connecticut are beautiful, fascinating, and sometimes annoying, but always worth having around. I hope this website will serve as a useful starting point for others who are interested in finding out about the living things that share the state with human beings.
I am not an expert, but am someone who enjoys the outdoors. As I have encountered critters, I have looked them up because I was curious.
I completed the Connecticut Master Wildlife Conservationist program offered by the CT DEEP in 2013, and thoroughly enjoyed it. Not only does one learn alot, it makes many interesting volunteer opportunities available regarding wildlife. I recommend it to anyone who has an interest in how wildlife and wildlife habitat is researched and managed in this state.
There is alot of wildlife in Connecticut. Mammals are probably one of the more finite groups of creatures that live here, there are roughly 40 species. Reptile and amphibian species may number around 50. Of birds, there are over 400 species at least. Insects are overwhelming and at this point I am not going to tackle that enormous group, although the links section lists some good Connecticut butterfly and moth sites.
I am trying to be comprehensive enough to be useful and to at least cover wildlife commonly observed where possible. As for the rest, well, if I have seen it and found out something about it, it will appear. Consider it a work-in-progress. I hope to add things as I learn more about them over time.
I have tried to be accurate. To compile information I have used nature guidebooks, books on local wildlife, information from the Connecticut DEEP, university websites, other federal and state government sites, and personal experience as resources. The images and sounds used are (to the best of my knowledge) public domain, used by permission, or are my own. Many have come from government agencies such as US Fish and Wildlife, the US Geological Survey, the National Park Service, and so forth. Many were located via the National Biological Information Infastructure website.
Connecticut contains many different habitats that support wildlife. We have forests, beaches, clearings, freshwater streams and lakes, and wetlands. We share our residential areas with wildlife. Keep your eyes and ears open and you never know what you might find.