General habitat descriptions and habitat regulations

When a species becomes listed as endangered or threatened on the Species at Risk in Ontario List, it automatically receives general habitat protection under the Endangered Species Act.

General Habitat Descriptions

General habitat descriptions have been developed for species identified as having a high probability of intersect with activities to provide greater clarity on the general habitat of individual species. General habitat descriptions for other species will continue to be developed over time.

Habitat Regulations

Once finalized, a habitat regulation replaces general habitat protection and provides additional clarity by specifying particular characteristics that define species-specific habitat, such as physical boundaries and key features.

Habitat regulations move through two different stages before they take effect:

  1. Draft habitat regulations:

    These are draft regulations proposed for the protection of a species’ habitat—they are not in effect yet. (General habitat still applies while habitat regulations are in draft format.) The public may review and comment on these drafts. Learn more

    Once the comment period for a draft habitat regulation is closed, the Ministry of Natural Resources considers the comments received in finalizing the regulation.

  2. Finalized habitat regulations:

    The government of Ontario has passed these regulations defining the habitat for specific species. These habitat regulations replace general habitat protection for the species.

View all general habitat descriptions and habitat regulations below.

Species at risk with habitat protection under the Endangered Species Act

Common Name Scientific Name Status Species Group Date in Effect Official Habitat Protection Habitat Guidance
Alleghny Mountain Dusky Salamander Desmognathus ochrophaeus Endangered Amphibians June 30, 2013 General Habitat  
American Badger Taxidea taxus Endangered Mammals February 18, 2010 Ontario Regulation 242/08  
American Chestnut Castanea dentata Endangered Plants and Lichens June 30, 2013 General Habitat  
American Columbo Frasera caroliniensis Endangered Plants and Lichens June 30, 2013 General Habitat  
American Eel Anguilla rostrata Endangered Fish and Mussels June 30, 2013 General Habitat  
American Ginseng Panax quinquefolius Endangered Plants and Lichens June 30, 2013 General Habitat General Habitat Descriptiopn (pdf)
American Water-willow Justicia americana Threatened Plants and Lichens June 30, 2013 General Habitat  
American White Pelican Pelecanus erythrorhynchos Threatened Birds July 1, 2012 Ontario Regulation 242/08 Habitat Regulation Summary (pdf)
Aweme Borer Moth Papaipema aweme Endangered Insects June 30, 2013 General Habitat  
Barn Owl Tyto alba Endangered Birds February 18, 2010 Ontario Regulation 242/08  
Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica Threatened Birds January 13, 2012 General Habitat General Habitat Description (pdf)
Bent Spike-rush Eleocharis geniculata Endangered Plants and Lichens July 1, 2012 Ontario Regulation 242/08 Habitat Regulation Summary (pdf)
Bird's-foot Violet Viola pedata Endangered Plants and Lichens June 30, 2008 General Habitat  
Black Redhorse Moxostoma duquesnei Threatened Fish and Mussels June 30, 2013 General Habitat  
Blanding's Turtle Emydoidea blandingii Threatened Turtles June 30, 2013 General Habitat General Habitat Description (pdf)
Blue Racer Coluber constrictor foxii Endangered Snakes and Lizards June 30, 2008 General Habitat  
Bluehearts Buchnera americana Endangered Plants and Lichens June 30, 2013 General Habitat  
Blunt-lobed Woodsia Woodsia obtusa Endangered Plants and Lichens June 30, 2008 General Habitat  
Bobolink Dolichonyx oryzivorus Threatened Birds September 28, 2010 General Habitat General Habitat Description (pdf)
Bogbean Buckmoth Hemileuca sp. Endangered Insects September 28, 2010 General Habitat  
Branched Bartonia Bartonia paniculata Threatened Plants and Lichens June 30, 2013 General Habitat  
Butler's Gartersnake Thamnophis butleri Endangered Snakes and Lizards June 8, 2011 General Habitat  
Butternut Juglans cinerea Endangered Plants and Lichens June 30, 2013 General Habitat  
Cerulean Warbler Dendroica cerulea Threatened Birds June 8, 2011 General Habitat  
Channel Darter Percina copelandi Threatened Fish and Mussels June 30, 2013 General Habitat  
Cherry Birch Betula lenta Endangered Plants and Lichens June 30, 2013 General Habitat  
Chimney Swift Chaetura pelagica Threatened Birds September 10, 2009 General Habitat General Habitat Description (pdf)
Colicroot Aletris farinosa Threatened Plants and Lichens June 30, 2013 General Habitat  
Common Five-lined Skink (Carolinian population) Plestiodon fasciatus Endangered Snakes and Lizards July 1, 2012 Ontario Regulation 242/08 Habitat Regulation Summary (pdf)
Common Hoptree Ptelea trifoliata Threatened Plants and Lichens June 30, 2013 General Habitat  
Crooked-Stem Aster Symphyotrichum prenanthoides Threatened Plants and Lichens June 30, 2013 General Habitat  
Cucumber Tree Magnolia acuminata Endangered Plants and Lichens June 30, 2008 General Habitat  
Cutlip Minnow Exoglossum maxillingua Threatened Fish and Mussels June 30, 2013 General Habitat  
Deerberry Vaccinium stamineum Threatened Plants and Lichens June 30, 2013 General Habitat  
Dense Blazing Star Liatris spicata Threatened Plants and Lichens June 30, 2013 General Habitat  
Drooping Trillium Trillium flexipes Endangered Plants and Lichens June 30, 2008 General Habitat  
Dwarf Hackberry Celtis tenuifolia Threatened Plants and Lichens June 30, 2013 General Habitat  
Eastern Flowering Dogwood Cornus florida Endangered Plants and Lichens July 1, 2011 Ontario Regulation 242/08  
Eastern Foxsnake (Carolinian population) Pantherophis gloydi Endangered Snakes and Lizards July 1, 2012 Ontario Regulation 242/08 Habitat Regulation Summary (pdf)
Eastern Foxsnake (Georgian Bay population) Pantherophis gloydi Threatened Snakes and Lizards July 1, 2012 Ontario Regulation 242/08 Habitat Regulation Summary (pdf)
Eastern Hog-nosed Snake Heterodon platirhinos Threatened Snakes and Lizards June 30, 2013 General Habitat  
Eastern Meadowlark Sturnella magna Threatened Birds January 13, 2012 General Habitat General Habitat Description (pdf)
Eastern Musk Turtle Sternotherus odoratus Threatened Turtles June 30, 2013 General Habitat  
Eastern Pondmussel Ligumia nasuta Endangered Fish and Mussels February 18, 2010 General Habitat  
Eastern Prairie Fringed-orchid Platanthera leucophaea Endangered Plants and Lichens February 18, 2010 Ontario Regulation 242/08  
Eastern Prickly Pear Cactus Opuntia humifusa Endangered Plants and Lichens June 30, 2008 General Habitat  
Eastern Sand Darter Ammocrypta pellucida Endangered Fish and Mussels June 30, 2008 General Habitat  
Eastern Whip-poor-will Caprimlugus vociferus Threatened Birds September 10, 2009 General Habitat General Habitat Description (pdf)
Engelmann's Quillwort Isoetes engelmannii Endangered Plants and Lichens February 18, 2010 Ontario Regulation 242/08  
False Hop Sedge Carex lupuliformis Endangered Plants and Lichens June 30, 2008 General Habitat  
False Rue Anemone Enemion biternatum Threatened Plants and Lichens June 30, 2013 General Habitat  
Fawnsfoot Truncilla donaciformis Endangered Fish and Mussels September 10, 2009 General Habitat  
Few-flowered Club-rush Trichophorum planifolium Endangered Plants and Lichens February 18, 2010 Ontario Regulation 242/08  
Flooded Jellyskin Leptogium rivulare Threatened Plants and Lichens June 30, 2013 General Habitat  
Forked Three-awned Grass Aristida basiramea Endangered Plants and Lichens June 30, 2013 General Habitat  
Four-leaved Milkweed Asclepias quadrifolia Endangered Plants and Lichens September 28, 2010 General Habitat  
Fowler's Toad Anaxyrus fowleri Endangered Amphibians September 28, 2010 General Habitat  
Gattinger's Agalinis Agalinis gattingeri Endangered Plants and Lichens June 30, 2013 General Habitat  
Golden Eagle Aquila chrysaetos Endangered Birds June 30, 2008 General Habitat  
Goldenseal Hydrastis canadensis Threatened Plants and Lichens June 30, 2013 General Habitat  
Gray Ratsnake (Carolinian population) Pantherophis spiloides Endangered Snakes and Lizards July 1, 2012 Ontario Regulation 242/08 Habitat Regulation Summary (pdf)
Gray Ratsnake (Frontenac axis population) Pantherophis spiloides Threatened Snakes and Lizards July 1, 2012 Ontario Regulation 242/08 Habitat Regulation Summary (pdf)
Grey Fox Urocyon cinereoargenteus Threatened Mammals June 30, 2013 General Habitat  
Heart-leaved Plantain Plantago cordata Endangered Plants and Lichens June 30, 2008 General Habitat  
Henslow's Sparrow Ammodramus henslowii Endangered Birds June 30, 2008 General Habitat General Habitat Description (pdf)
Hickorynut Obovaria olivaria Endangered Fish and Mussels January 13, 2012 General Habitat  
Hill's Thistle Cirsium hillii Threatened Plants and Lichens June 30, 2013 General Habitat  
Hine's Emerald Somatochlora hineana Endangered Insects January 13, 2012 General Habitat  
Hoary Mountain-mint Pycnanthemum incanum Endangered Plants and Lichens June 30, 2008 General Habitat  
Horsetail Spike-rush Eleocharis equisetoides Endangered Plants and Lichens June 30, 2008 General Habitat  
Houghton's Goldenrod Solidago houghtonii Threatened Plants and Lichens June 30, 2013 General Habitat  
Hungerford's Crawling Water Beetle Brychius hungerfordi Endangered Insects January 13, 2012 General Habitat  
Jefferson Salamander Ambystoma jeffersonianum Endangered Amphibians February 18, 2010 Ontario Regulation 242/08  
Juniper Sedge Carex juniperorum Endangered Plants and Lichens June 30, 2008 General Habitat  
Kentucky Coffee tree Gymnocladus dioicus Threatened Plants and Lichens June 30, 2013 General Habitat  
Kidneyshell Ptychobranchus fasciolaris Endangered Fish and Mussels June 30, 2013 General Habitat  
King Rail Rallus elegans Endangered Birds June 30, 2008 General Habitat  
Kirtland's Warbler Dendroica kirtlandii Endangered Birds June 30, 2008 General Habitat  
Lake Chubsucker Erimyzon sucetta Threatened Fish and Mussels June 30, 2013 General Habitat  
Lake Erie Watersnake Nerodia sipedon insularum Endangered Snakes and Lizards June 30, 2008 General Habitat  
Lake Sturgeon (Great Lakes - Upper St. Lawrence population) Acipenser fulvescens Threatened Fish and Mussels September 28, 2010 General Habitat  
Lake Sturgeon (Northwestern Ontario population) Acipenser fulvescens Threatened Fish and Mussels September 28, 2010 General Habitat  
Lakeside Daisy Hymenoxys herbacea Threatened Plants and Lichens June 30, 2013 General Habitat  
Large Whorled Pogonia Isotria verticillata Endangered Plants and Lichens June 30, 2008 General Habitat  
Laura's Clubtail Stylurus laurae Endangered Insects September 28, 2010 General Habitat  
Least Bittern Ixobrychus exilis Threatened Birds June 30, 2013 General Habitat  
Little Brown Myotis (formerly little brown bat) Myotis lucifugus Endangered Mammals January 24, 2013 General Habitat  
Loggerhead Shrike Lanius ludovicianus Endangered Birds June 30, 2008 General Habitat General Habitat Description (pdf)
Mapleleaf Mussel Quadrula quadrula Threatened Fish and Mussels June 30, 2013 General Habitat  
Massasauga Sistrurus catenatus Threatened Snakes and Lizards June 30, 2013 General Habitat General Habitat Description (pdf)
Mountain Lion or Cougar Puma concolor Endangered Mammals June 30, 2008 General Habitat  
Nodding Pogonia Triphora trianthophora Endangered Plants and Lichens June 30, 2008 General Habitat  
Northern Barrens Tiger Beetle Cicindela patruela Endangered Insects July 1, 2012 Ontario Regulation 242/08 Habitat Regulation Summary (pdf)
Northern Bobwhite Colinus virginianus Endangered Birds June 30, 2013 General Habitat  
Northern Dusky Salamander Desmognathus fuscus Endangered Amphibians June 30, 2008 General Habitat  
Northern Madtom Noturus stigmosus Endangered Fish and Mussels June 30, 2013 General Habitat  
Northern Myotis (formerly Northern Long-eared Bat) Myotis septentrionalis Endangered Mammals January 24, 2013 General Habitat  
Northern Riffleshell Epioblasma torulosa rangiana Endangered Fish and Mussels June 30, 2013 General Habitat  
Ogden's Pondweed Potamogeton ogdenii Endangered Plants and Lichens July 1, 2011 Ontario Regulation 242/08  
Pale-bellied Frost Lichen Physconia subpallida Endangered Plants and Lichens July 1, 2012 Ontario Regulation 242/08 Habitat Regulation Summary (pdf)
Pink Milkwort Polygala incarnata Endangered Plants and Lichens June 30, 2008 General Habitat  
Piping Plover Charadrius melodus Endangered Birds June 30, 2008 General Habitat General Habitat Description (pdf)
Pitcher's Thistle Cirsium pitcheri Threatened Plants and Lichens June 8, 2011 General Habitat  
Polar Bear Ursus maritimus Threatened Mammals September 10, 2009 General Habitat  
Prothonotary Warbler Protonotaria citrea Endangered Birds June 30, 2008 General Habitat  
Pugnose Minnow Opsopoeodus emiliae Threatened Fish and Mussels January 24, 2013 General Habitat  
Pugnose Shiner Notropis anogenus Endangered Fish and Mussels June 30, 2013 General Habitat  
Purple Twayblade Liparis liliifolia Threatened Plants and Lichens June 8, 2011 General Habitat  
Pygmy Snaketail Ophiogomphus howei Endangered Insects January 13, 2012 General Habitat  
Queensnake Regina septemvittata Endangered Snakes and Lizards September 28, 2010 General Habitat  
Rainbow Mussel Villosa iris Threatened Fish and Mussels June 30, 2013 General Habitat  
Rapids Clubtail Gomphus quadricolor Endangered Insects July 1, 2012 Ontario Regulation 242/08 Habitat Regulation Summary (pdf)
Rayed Bean Villosa fabalis Endangered Fish and Mussels June 30, 2013 General Habitat  
Red Knot rufa subspecies Calidris canutus rufa Endangered Birds February 18, 2010 General Habitat  
Red Mulberry Morus rubra Endangered Plants and Lichens June 30, 2008 General Habitat General Habitat Description (pdf)
Redside Dace Clinostomus elongatus Endangered Fish and Mussels July 1, 2011 Ontario Regulation 242/08  
Round Hickorynut Obovaria subrotunda Endangered Fish and Mussels June 30, 2013 General Habitat  
Round Pigtoe Pleurobema sintoxia Endangered Fish and Mussels June 30, 2013 General Habitat  
Round-leaved Greenbrier Smilax rotundifolia Threatened Plants and Lichens June 30, 2013 General Habitat  
Rusty-patched Bumble Bee Bombus affinis Endangered Insects September 28, 2010 General Habitat  
Salamander Mussel Simpsonaias ambigua Endangered Fish and Mussels June 30, 2013 General Habitat  
Scarlet Ammannia Ammannia robusta Endangered Plants and Lichens June 30, 2013 General Habitat  
Shortjaw Cisco Coregonus zenithicus Threatened Fish and Mussels June 30, 2013 General Habitat  
Shortnose Cisco Coregonus reighardi Endangered Fish and Mussels June 30, 2013 General Habitat  
Showy Goldenrod (Boreal Population) Solidago speciosa Threatened Plants and Lichens June 8, 2011 General Habitat  
Showy Goldenrod (Great Lakes Plains Population) Solidago speciosa Endangered Plants and Lichens June 8, 2011 General Habitat  
Silver Chub Macrhybopsis storeriana Threatened Fish and Mussels January 24, 2013 General Habitat  
Silver Shiner Notropis photogenis Threatened Fish and Mussels January 13, 2012 General Habitat General Habitat Description (pdf)
Skinner's Agalinis Agalinis skinneriana Endangered Plants and Lichens June 30, 2008 General Habitat  
Slender Bush-clover Lespedeza virginica Endangered Plants and Lichens June 30, 2008 General Habitat  
Small White Lady's-slipper Cypripedium candidum Endangered Plants and Lichens June 30, 2008 General Habitat  
Small Whorled Pogonia Isotria medeoloides Endangered Plants and Lichens June 30, 2008 General Habitat  
Small-flowered Lipocarpha Lipocarpha micrantha Threatened Plants and Lichens June 30, 2013 General Habitat  
Small-mouthed Salamander Ambystoma texanum Endangered Amphibians June 30, 2013 General Habitat  
Snuffbox Epioblasma triquetra Endangered Fish and Mussels June 30, 2013 General Habitat  
Spiny Softshell Apalone spinifera Threatened Turtles June 30, 2013 General Habitat  
Spoon-leaved Moss Bryoandersonia illecebra Endangered Plants and Lichens June 30, 2008 General Habitat  
Spotted Gar Lepisosteus oculatus Threatened Fish and Mussels June 30, 2013 General Habitat  
Spotted Turtle Clemmys guttata Endangered Turtles June 30, 2013 General Habitat  
Spotted Wintergreen Chimaphila maculata Endangered Plants and Lichens June 30, 2008 General Habitat  
Toothcup Rotala ramosior Endangered Plants and Lichens June 30, 2013 General Habitat  
Virginia Goat's-rue Tephrosia virginiana Endangered Plants and Lichens June 30, 2008 General Habitat  
Virginia Mallow Sida hermaphrodita Endangered Plants and Lichens July 1, 2012 Ontario Regulation 242/08 Habitat Regulation Summary (pdf)
Wavy-rayed Lampmussel Lampsilis fasciola Threatened Fish and Mussels September 28, 2010 General Habitat  
Western Silvery Aster Symphyotrichum sericeum Endangered Plants and Lichens February 18, 2010 Ontario Regulation 242/08  
White Prairie Gentian Gentiana alba Endangered Plants and Lichens June 30, 2013 General Habitat  
White Wood Aster Eurybia divaricata Threatened Plants and Lichens June 30, 2013 General Habitat  
Wild Hyacinth Camassia scilloides Threatened Plants and Lichens June 30, 2013 General Habitat  
Willowleaf Aster Symphyotrichum praealtum Threatened Plants and Lichens June 30, 2013 General Habitat  
Wolverine Gulo gulo Threatened Mammals June 30, 2013 General Habitat  
Wood Turtle Glyptemys insculpta Endangered Turtles February 18, 2010 Ontario Regulation 242/08  
Woodland Caribou (Forest-dwelling boreal population) Rangifer tarandus caribou Threatened Mammals June 30, 2013 General Habitat General Habitat Description (pdf)
Wood-poppy Stylophorum diphyllum Endangered Plants and Lichens June 30, 2008 General Habitat  
Yellow-breasted Chat Icteria virens Endangered Birds January 24, 2013 General Habitat  

Draft habitat regulations available for comment

Common Name Scientific Name Status Species Group Comment Deadline Environmental Registry No. Habitat Guidance
Bogbean Buckmoth Hemileuca sp. Endangered Insects July 15, 2013 #011-9021 Draft Habitat Regulation Summary (pdf)
Four-leaved Milkweed Asclepias quadrifolia Endangered Plants and Lichens July 15, 2013 #011-9021 Draft Habitat Regulation Summary (pdf)
Fowler’s Toad Anaxyrus fowleri Endangered Amphibians July 15, 2013 #011-9021 Draft Habitat Regulation Summary (pdf)
Laura’s Clubtail Stylurus laurae Endangered Insects July 15, 2013 #011-9021 Draft Habitat Regulation Summary (pdf)
Pale-bellied Frost Lichen Physconia subpallida Endangered Plants and Lichens July 15, 2013 #011-9021 Draft Habitat Regulation Amendment Summary (pdf)
Queensnake Regina septemvittata Endangered Snakes and Lizards July 15, 2013 #011-9021 Draft Habitat Regulation Summary (pdf)
Rusty-patched Bumble Bee Bombus affinis Endangered Insects July 15, 2013 #011-9021 Draft Habitat Regulation Summary (pdf)

Previously registered habitat regulations, comments closed

Common Name Scientific Name Status Species Group Comment Deadline Environmental Registry No. Regulation Summary

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