Minnesota's Endangered, Threatened, and Special Concern Species

When European explorers first visited Minnesota in the 17th and 18th centuries, they found a land rich in habitats, teeming with a diversity of plants and animals. Today, Minnesota still has a rich natural heritage, but some of the species seen by those early explorers no longer exist in the state, or they survive only in small, fragmented populations. In an effort to prevent further such losses, the state Legislature passed Minnesota's Endangered and Threatened Species law in 1971.

The law directs the DNR to identify those species that are at greatest risk of disappearing from the state. By alerting resource managers and the public to species in jeopardy, actions can be taken to help preserve the diversity of Minnesota's flora and fauna.

Minnesota's List of Endangered, Threatened, and Special Concern Species (PDF) »

Rare Species Guide »

Learn all about the biology, conservation, and threats to species that are considered endangered, threatened, or of special concern in Minnesota.

Proposed updates to the list »

Find details about the formal rulemaking process used to update the list.

State laws »

Read the state statute authorizing the protection of threatened and endangered species, and state rules detailing how the law will be implemented.

Permits »

Learn about the DNR's program for permitting the possession or take of endangered or threatened species.

Environmental Review of Impacts to Endangered and Threatened Species »

Learn about how the DNR's Environmental Review Program evaluates projects for potential impacts to endangered and threatened species

Natural Heritage Information System »

Learn about how the DNR maintains information on Minnesota's rare natural resources

Additional Information

Spectaclecase

In Minnesota, this threatened mussel is restricted to patches of boulders found in only a few portions of the St. Croix River. Like all freshwater mussels, the larvae of the spectaclecase must attach to a fish host to transform into an adult. However, scientists have yet to discover the fish host for this species.

Large Water-Starwort

This special concern plant requires shallow, exceptionally clear water for its habitat. In southwestern Minnesota, it is restricted to rainwater pools on quartzite outcrops, and can survive in dormancy during the lengthy periods when these pools are dry.

Crystal Darter

This rarest of Minnesota's special concern darters is primarily nocturnal and spends its time buried beneath the sand of its river habitat with only its eyes protruding, awaiting passing prey.

Snapping Turtle

This special concern turtle is widely distributed throughout Minnesota, but until recently was the subject of poorly regulated commercial harvest. Recent changes in regulation are designed to protect this species from overharvest.

Slender Plantain

This threatened species is found only in far southwestern Minnesota, where it grows in shallow rainwater pools on quartzite outcrops, and can survive in dormancy during the lengthy periods when these pools are dry.

Moose

The moose is currently proposed for special concern status due to its recent disappearance from northwestern Minnesota, and its declining population in the northeastern portion of the state. Climate change may be playing a role in its decline.

Powesheik Skipperling

Once widely distributed in Minnesota's prairies, this special concern butterfly has not been seen in several years. The cause of this precipitous decline is not known, but the species may be gone from the state.

One-flowered Broomrape

This special concern plant has no chlorophyll, and obtains its energy by living as a parasite on the roots of a variety of host plant species.

Peregrine Falcon

This well-known threatened species was brought to the brink of extinction due to the effects of DDT poisoning. Following the banning of DDT, it has been the subject of an intensive restoration program in Minnesota, and its population is now expanding throughout the state.