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.
