Endangered Hotspots: US States with the Most Endangered Species

For five decades, the Endangered Species Act (ESA) has been a formidable force in shielding hundreds of threatened species, protecting them from harm and extinction. 

As rapid industrialization took a major toll on the environment, several laws were enacted in the 1960s and ‘70s to help safeguard plants and animals.

The Endangered Species Preservation Act of 1966 and Endangered Species Conservation Act of 1969 were two of the first pieces of legislation implemented specifically to protect endangered and threatened species.

These laws inspired the creation and passing of the Endangered Species Act of 1973.According to the US Department of Interior (DOI), the ESA has helped save 99% of the species on the list from extinction.

In honor of ESA’s 50th anniversary, our team put together a list of US states with the most endangered species as a tribute to all conservation efforts and, most importantly, as a call to action.

Top 10 US States With the Most Endangered Species

There are six states in the US that are home to more than 100 species listed on the ESA. Only two US territories have zero species on the list, which include the Outlying Caribbean Islands and Outlying Pacific Islands.

Based on data provided by the US Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), these are the top 10 US states with the most endangered species.

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1. Hawaii

Hawaii is home to 484 endangered or threatened species listed on the ESA, which is more than any other state.

Hawaii is known to host a wide range of unique species, making the chain of volcanic islands one of the most biodiverse states. It has a variety of ecosystems ranging from the Kaʻū Desert to the tropical rainforests located on each of the eight major islands.

The Hawaiian Archipelago is also home to extensive coral reef systems that account for more than 60% of the coral reefs found in the US.

Some notable endangered species that call Hawaii home include the Hawaiian petrel, also called the ʻuaʻu, and the crested honeycreeper, or ‘Ākohekohe.

The largest concentration of endangered Hawaiian petrel is found in the Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park. These seabirds have an extensive nesting site on the largest active volcano in the world, Mauna Loa.

The endangered crested honeycreeper lives on the island of Maui Nui, also referred to as Greater Maui. It’s the largest honeycreeper species native to the island. Its extremely limited range only covers about 9.3 square miles (24 sq km) on the Haleakalā shield volcano.

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List estimates that there are approximately 1,100-2,500 mature individuals left.

2. California

California has the second highest number of endangered species, with 286 species listed on the ESA.

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife refers to the state as a “biodiversity hotspot” because of its wide range of habitats, such as conifer and deciduous forests, deserts, grasslands, and coastal salt marshes and mangroves.

You can find the endangered mountain yellow-legged frog and the amargosa vole in the state.

Two distinct population segments (DPS) of the mountain yellow-legged frog are recognized as endangered, including the northern and southern DPS. The species lives within the Sierra Nevada mountain range near streams and lakes and along riverbanks.

The amargosa vole was added to the ESA in 1984. Its known range is limited to only four counties, including Fresno, Inyo, San Bernardino, and Tulare.

Habitat loss and drought are the main drivers for this rodent’s declining population, which has been reduced to just a few hundred individuals.

3. Alabama

Alabama has 151 endangered and threatened species protected under the ESA.

The state is home to a large wetland ecosystem called the Mobile-Tensaw River Delta located near the Alabama Gulf Coast. Wetlands are very important because they provide habitat, food sources, and breeding grounds for many species.

Its diverse terrain includes prairies, barrier islands, mountains, valleys, and cave systems.

Some unique endangered species found in Alabama include the Alabama beach mouse and the Alabama cave shrimp.

The Alabama beach mouse is a subspecies of the oldfield mouse. Its range is limited to the Alabama and Florida coastlines. It lives in dune areas with an assortment of grasses and herbs. Alabama beach mice excavate complex burrow systems in the dunes, which can be up to 3 ft (91.4 cm) deep.

The Alabama cave shrimp is only found in the state of Alabama. This transparent freshwater shrimp was discovered in 1958. Its range is limited to just three caves found in Madison County, which includes the Shelta, Fern, and Bobcat caves.

4. Florida

Florida has a variety of ecosystems that support 135 endangered or threatened species listed on the ESA. As a peninsula, Florida is bordered by the western Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico.

It’s home to an abundance of wetlands that make up more than 30% of the state. You can also find grasslands, coral reefs along the coast, and vast forests in the uplands.

The Florida panther is a type of endangered cougar found in the southeastern US. Once abundant throughout its range, the Florida panther was near extinct by the mid-20th century due to overhunting.

It was listed as an endangered species under the ESA when the law was passed in 1973. It’s estimated there are less than 100 individuals left in Florida.

The Key deer is an endangered subspecies of the North American white-tailed deer. Its range is limited to the Florida Keys. It lives in a wide variety of habitats on about 26 islands of the archipelago.

In 1957, the National Key Deer Refuge was established to help protect the species. Thanks to various conservation efforts, it’s estimated that there are now 700-800 individuals on the islands. 

5. Tennessee

Tennessee is home to 128 endangered or threatened species that receive federal protection from the ESA. The eastern half of the state is dominated by forests in the Great Smoky Mountains.

The western half of the state has swamplands and deciduous forests. It also has grasslands and farmlands that support a wide variety of fauna and flora.

The Nashville crayfish is an endangered freshwater crayfish found in wetlands in Nashville fed by the Mill Creek. Although its range is extremely limited, the species has been under review for removal from the ESA in 2019 and 2020.

Another notable species protected by the ESA includes the spruce-fir moss spider. In Tennessee, this spider is limited to the Great Smoky Mountains subrange of the southern Applachians. They live in various types of mosses and other bryophytes found on the forest floor.  

6. Texas

Texas is home to 108 endangered or threatened species listed under the ESA. It has a wide array of ecosystems, including prairies, marshes, and woodlands. 

The endangered Attwater’s greater prairie-chicken was once found throughout the Midwest in grassland habitats. Its range is now limited to only two counties in Texas, including Colorado and Goliad Counties.

Greater prairie-chickens are related to grouse. The heath hen is a subspecies of the greater prairie chicken that went extinct in the 1930s.

The eskimo curlew is a critically endangered species found in Texas that’s on the brink of extinction. These birds once migrated in large flocks to its breeding grounds in Alaska during the summer.

Its migration route extended all the way through the Midwest south to Central and South America. It hasn’t been spotted in decades. The IUCN estimates there are less than 50 individuals left, if it’s not already extinct. 

7. Georgia

Georgia has 78 endangered or threatened species listed under the ESA.

The state is home to the notable Okefenokee Swamp, which is a productive ecosystem that provides food sources and habitat to hundreds of plants and animals. 

Along with this great wetland, Georgia also has vast forests, rugged mountains, coastal habitats, and barrier islands.

The endangered Kemp’s ridley sea turtle can be found in Georgia waters. Juveniles may appear closer to the coast, while adults are mainly found in deeper waters of the western Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico. It’s endangered throughout its range.

According to the 2019 IUCN population assessment, there are about 22,341 mature individuals left.

Georgia waters provide birthing grounds for one of the world’s most endangered whale species, the North Atlantic right whale. This large whale species can reach up to 140,000 pounds (63,503 kg) and 52 ft (16 m) in length. 

In the late 19th century, the North Atlantic right whale was near extinct due to excessive whale hunting.

These whales have a long gestation period and don’t sexually mature until about 10 years old, so population numbers are still extremely low. According to the NOAA, there’s less than 350 individuals left.

8. Virginia

Virginia also has 78 endangered or threatened species protected under the ESA.

The terrain of this state is very diverse, ranging from the flat coastal plain to the rolling hills and mountains of the Piedmont and Blue Ridge Mountains regions. It’s also a part of an extensive valley called the Great Appalachian Valley, which travels from Quebec, Canada south to Alabama. Shenandoah National Park is home to the endangered Shenandoah salamander. This species can only be found within the borders of the national park.

Along with its rarity, spotting this creature is unlikely because it lurks around the forest floors at night and hides under leaf litter, rocks, and logs during the day.

Another endangered species found in Virginia that was once assumed extinct is the Virginia fringed mountain snail.

Shell remains of the snail are the reason for its discovery in 1947, which is why it was thought to be extinct. The Virginia fringed mountain snail is currently only found in Pulaski County. Its range is limited to about 6 miles along the bank of the New River.

9. Arizona

There are 74 endangered or threatened species protected by the ESA found in Arizona. The state supports an abundance of unique wildlife in its montane forests and semi-arid and arid habitats.

The Sonoran Desert in south-central Arizona provides habitat to the endangered masked bobwhite quail.

Much of its historic range has been reduced, most likely due to westward expansion in the early 20th century. It appeared on the ESA at the time of its enactment.

The Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge was established to help with its recovery. The refuge is home to about 200 individuals.

The endangered North American jaguar is found in the forests of Arizona. This big cat has had a rough run with its ESA listing. Although it was federally protected in 1972, it was delisted in 1980.

According to the Center for Biological Diversity, the organization opened up several lawsuits against the US FWS to fight for the species’ re-listing and for the establishment of critical habitat and recovery plans.

Only in the last decade has the species received a recovery plan and designated critical habitat.

10. North Carolina

Last but not least, North Carolina is home to 71 endangered or threatened species listed under the ESA.

Similar to Virginia’s terrain, North Carolina has several different regions that widely vary from each other. It includes extensive forests, coastal and marine ecosystems, and mountains.

Two notable endangered species found within the state include the red wolf and the West Indian manatee.

Only about 17-19 red wolves are found in the wild in eastern North Carolina. This is just a small fraction of its historical population and range. About 235 individuals live in captivity across the US.

The West Indian manatee is a marine mammal found in the western Atlantic from the southeastern US south to Central and South America. Large portions of its range were lost in the early 20th century, mainly due to hunting.

Monitoring of these manatees in Florida waters has proved that the population is growing. It’s estimated that at least 13,000 individuals occur throughout its range.

US States with the Least Number of Endangered Species

There are a few US states and territories that don’t have many species listed under the ESA. The Outlying Caribbean Islands and Outlying Pacific Islands have 0 endangered species listed. The American Samoa territory has 7 endangered species on the list.

According to the US FWS, these are four US states or districts that have the least number of endangered species listed under the ESA.

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1. District of Columbia

The District of Columbia, or Washington, D.C., is a US federal territory defined as a district, rather than a state. This urban area is the nation’s capital. It’s home to 3 endangered or threatened species listed on the ESA.

Its endangered or threatened species include the yellow lance, the Hay’s spring amphipod, and the northern long-eared bat.

The yellow lance is a threatened mussel species found in freshwater systems of D.C., Maryland, Virginia, and North Carolina.

The Hay’s spring amphipod is a type of endangered crustacean that lives in groundwater of forested habitats. It can also be found in caves. This freshwater crustacean has a very limited range in the Lower Rock Creek Watershed in the District of Columbia.

The northern long-eared bat can be found in numerous states across the US, but it’s considered endangered in Washington, D.C. A disease called white-nose syndrome is the main threat to this species.

2. Vermont

Vermont is home to 5 endangered species and 1 threatened species listed under the ESA. These species include:

• Dwarf wedgemussel (Endangered)
• Jesup’s milk-vetch (Endangered)
• Northeastern bulrush (Endangered)
• Canada lynx (Threatened)
• Indiana bat (Endangered)
• Northern long-eared bat (Endangered)

The jesup’s milk-vetch and northeastern bulrush are flowering plants classified as endangered in the state.

The Canada lynx is classified as threatened wherever it’s found in the lower 48 states. Vermont is one of just three northeastern states where the Canada lynx occurs. The largest portion of its range is found in the northwestern US and Canada.

3. North Dakota

North Dakota is home to 4 threatened species and 3 endangered species protected by the ESA. The whooping crane, pallid sturgeon fish, and northern long-eared bat are endangered in the state.

Thousands of whooping cranes once occurred in Canada and the US south to Mexico. However, habitat fragmentation and loss and hunting led to its decline. Wetland and coastal habitats are especially important to this species.

Several attempts have been made to reintroduce populations to areas in Canada and across the US, but population reviews have determined they’re not self-sustaining. It’s estimated that there are less than 250 individuals left.

The pallid sturgeon fish is an endangered species throughout the Mountain Prairie Region, which includes North Dakota and surrounding states. It lives in river channels with strong currents.

The Missouri River subpopulation was last assessed by the IUCN in 2016. At the time of assessment, it was estimated that there were less than 200 individuals left.

4. Alaska

The wild lands of Alaska are home to a wide range of unique species that benefit from its diverse landscapes and habitats.

Alaska has 5 threatened species and 3 endangered species protected by the ESA. Its endangered species include the eskimo curlew, short-tailed albatross, and the Aleutian shield fern.

The short-tailed albatross is a seabird found along the coast of Alaska and its islands in the Bering Sea and Gulf of Alaska. Most of their time is spent out at sea, as they only come on land to nest.

The seabird was on the brink of extinction in the early 20th century and later thought to be extinct in 1949. Volcanic eruptions at their main nesting site on Torishima Island, Japan and habitat loss are major threats to this species.

The Aleutian shield fern is only found on Mount Reed in the Alaska Maritime Wildlife Refuge. Scientists and researchers are unsure if the fern species was ever abundant. Major threats include natural events, such as landslides, and caribou that feed on the plant.

Number of Endangered Species in Each US State

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Endangered Species That the ESA Helped Protect

The Endangered Species Act allows federal agencies, such as the US FWS and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), to monitor activities and make decisions that act in the best interest of endangered and threatened species listed under the ESA.

As a result of the federal conservation program, several endangered and threatened species that once had rapidly declining populations are now healthy and growing.    

1. Grizzly Bear

Grizzly bears are a North American subspecies of brown bear that once populated an extensive range from Alaska and Canada south to the western US and central Mexico.

Due to westward expansion in the 1800s, grizzly bears were seen as a threat by humans. They were excessively hunted. This caused the population to drop from about 50,000 individuals in the western lower 48 states to about 700-800 individuals by 1975.

A recovery plan was implemented by the US FWS in 1993, which established several recovery zones in the western US.

Grizzlies are still classified as threatened under the ESA. Conservation efforts have helped the population grow to about 1,923 individuals in the 48 contiguous states.

2. Bald Eagle

The bald eagle is a great example of how the ESA has worked to protect threatened and endangered species. Once at risk of extinction, several laws implemented throughout the 20th century have contributed to the bald eagle’s comeback.

The Bald Eagle Protection Act was implemented in 1940. Certain populations were listed under the Endangered Species Preservation Act in 1967.

It was added to the ESA in 1978 as an endangered species in the lower 48 states, with the exception of a few northeastern and northwestern states where populations were healthy.

Since the bald eagle was added to the ESA, populations in the lower 48 states grew to the point that it was no longer considered endangered by 1995. Based on 2018-19 data, the US FWS reported that the lower 48 bald eagle population consisted of about 316,700 individuals.

3. Gray Wolf

The gray wolf is a recent ESA success story. All gray wolf populations in the lower 48 states were delisted from the ESA in 2021. Overhunting as a result of predator control programs implemented in the early 20th century contributed to their decline.

The gray wolf appeared on the ESA as an endangered subspecies in the lower 48 states. It was then reclassified as an endangered species in 1978. Some populations, such as those in Minnesota, were classified as threatened.

As gray wolf populations in various states began to grow, it was delisted as endangered in those areas.

Although removing gray wolves from the ESA is a sign of healthy population growth, there are concerns over its removal.

Since protection and management is now at the discretion of individual states, populations may decline if they’re not carefully monitored. Populations can also fall again if proper regulations for hunting or killing aren’t implemented according to population assessments.

4. California Condor

The California condor is a large North American vulture found in California, Baja California, Utah, and Arizona. Its historic range once stretched across the US from the West to the Southeast and Northwest.

Excessive killing, capture, and stealing of eggs contributed to its rapid decline. Its range was once reduced to southern California in the late 20th century. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife estimated there were about 25-35 individuals left in the wild in 1979.

An agreement between cooperating partners, including several national parks and state and federal agencies, has been established to help sustain the California condor population.

Based on the California Condor Recovery Program population status report of 2020, there are about 518 individuals total. California has the highest number, with 186 individuals reported in 2019.

5. Eggert’s Sunflower

The eggert’s sunflower is a type of perennial sunflower that belongs to the family Asteraceae. The flower was first described in 1903 and added to the ESA as threatened in 1994. It was reclassified as endangered in 1997.

At the time of its listing, the eggert’s sunflower was found scattered about in only 34 sites in Alabama, Kentucky, and Tennessee. However, it’s now found in more than 280 sites across the three states.

The eggert’s sunflower was delisted from the ESA in 2005 due to its recovery. A monitoring plan was implemented to track its continued recovery, which would take place in 5-year increments beginning in 2006.

ESA Conservation Efforts

The ESA brings governmental agencies, private organizations, and the public together to work towards the conservation and preservation of endangered species.

Since its enactment on December 28, 1973, the ESA has provided a set of regulations that act in the best interest of at-risk plants and animals.

Altogether, the ESA plays a central role in providing species classified as endangered or threatened with protection.

Key governmental agencies responsible for implementing the ESA include the US FWS and the NOAA. The Office of Pesticide Programs (OPP) also enforces ESA regulations by managing the use of pesticides.

What You Can Do to Help

Conservation organizations and governmental agencies aren’t the only ones who can make a difference. There are many opportunities for you to get involved in the protection of endangered and threatened species in your area.

Here are some ideas you can consider to join in on the effort to promote conservation and preservation efforts:

• Volunteer for wildlife conservation programs and restoration projects
• Participate in trash cleanup programs
• Follow the 7 principles of Leave No Trace
• Report wildlife harassment or marine animals in distress to the NOAA
• Reduce amount of pollution, such as the use of plastics
• Plant a garden with native flowering plants that attract key pollinators
• Educate yourself and others about endangered and threatened species in your area and the harmful activities impacting those species

Being mindful of the impacts that humans have on the environment and wildlife can make a huge difference. Human activities that negatively affect the environment is a common reason that species are listed as endangered or threatened.

Final Thoughts

As the Endangered Species Act turns 50 years old this year, it’s a great time to reflect on how much work has been done over the years to protect the Earth’s fragile ecosystems and the wildlife and plants that depend on them.

It’s also a great reminder of how important continuous conservation and preservation efforts are for our future here on Earth.

The extinction of species indicates that essential ecosystems and habitats are being destroyed. This can set off a chain reaction that harms species that once depended on those that have already gone extinct.

Humans depend on plants and many animals for survival. To live in harmony, humans must work together to create a sustainable planet in which all species can thrive.

Methodology

We wanted to find out which US states have the most endangered species. To do this, we used data from the Environmental Conservation Online System (ECOS) of the US Fish & Wildlife Service, which revealed the number of endangered species for every US state, as well as the name of the species. Please note that the report only includes species with a Spatial Current Range in ECOS.

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