Large Animals

Native Large Animals of Maryland

Maryland’s forests, meadows, and wetlands support a surprising variety of large mammals. From quiet-footed foxes and bounding deer to the elusive black bear, these animals rely on native habitats not only for shelter and food—but also for survival in an increasingly fragmented landscape.

Native plants are the foundation that holds it all together.

The Plant Connection

Large animals may not seem like they depend on native plants in the same way bees or butterflies do—but they absolutely do. Native vegetation provides:

• Browse and forage (native shrubs, mast-producing trees, tender shoots)

• Nesting or denning cover (thickets, fallen logs, tall grasses)

• Travel corridors that connect feeding, breeding, and resting grounds

• Support for prey species (like small mammals and insects)

Who Counts as a “Large Animal”?

In this section, “large animals” refers to Maryland’s native mammals over ~10 lbs, including:

Species Role in the Ecosystem

White-tailed Deer (Odocoileus virginianus) Browsers; seed dispersers; prey for predators

Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes) Mid-level predator; regulates rodent populations

Black Bear (Ursus americanus) Omnivore; disperses seeds and digs for roots

Coyote (Canis latrans) Expanding predator; controls small mammal populations

Bobcat (Lynx rufus) Stealth predator of rabbits and birds

Beaver (Castor canadensis) Ecosystem engineer; creates wetlands

Native Plants That Support Large Mammals

Plant Type Examples Benefit to Wildlife

Nut & fruit trees Quercus spp. (oaks), Carya spp. (hickories), Diospyros virginiana (persimmon) Food for deer, squirrels, bears

Native shrubs Rubus spp. (blackberries), Vaccinium spp. (blueberries) Fruits for foxes, bears, birds

Grasses & sedges Panicum virgatum, Carex spp. Fawning cover, nesting material

Wetland plants Typha spp., Alnus serrulata (alder) Beavers use for building and feeding

Ecosystem Roles

• Seed dispersal: Bears, deer, and foxes spread seeds through droppings

• Predator-prey balance: Carnivores like bobcats and coyotes keep small mammal populations in check

• Landscape shaping: Beavers and deer physically alter habitats—sometimes helping, sometimes harming depending on balance

• Nutrient cycling: Carcasses and waste return nutrients to the soil

Habitat Matters

Large animals require space, seasonal resources, and low-disturbance zones. You can help by:

• Planting native hedgerows, shrub thickets, and mast trees

• Leaving downed logs, brush piles, or unmowed field edges

• Supporting connected green spaces and wildlife corridors

• Reducing nighttime lighting and fencing in wild zones

Want to Take Action?

• 🌱 Plant a Wildlife-Friendly Meadow

• 🦊 Build a Brush Shelter for Foxes & Rabbits

• 📷 Track Wildlife on a Trail Camera

Learn More

• Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) – Mammals

• Maryland Biodiversity Project – Mammals

• Smithsonian’s North American Mammals Portal  (Search “Maryland mammals”)

• Field Guide: The Wild Mammals of Maryland, Richard P. Taber, Maryland DNR or University of Maryland Extension

• University of Maryland Extension – Wildlife in the Garden