Prudence Island - Narragansett Bay, RI

Fauna (Animal Life)

The island supports the most dense white-tailed deer herd in New England. Raccoons, eastern red fox, eastern cottontail rabbits, mink and white-footed mice are plentiful at the north end of the island. A colony of least terns nests during the summer on Gull Point. The large salt marshes at North Prudence Island are used as feeding areas by a number of large wading birds - great blue herons, green-backed heron, little blue herons, great egret, snowy egret, black-crowned night heron and the glossy ibis. All of these species, except the great blue heron and green-backed heron, nest on Hope Island.

Fiddler crabs and green crabs are found in the Reserve's marsh areas, as well as common snail species, including salt marsh snails, mud snails and the common periwinkle. The most abundant fish in the salt marsh channels are mummichogs and silversides. During the winter, seals (mostly harbor seals) congregate on the rocks off the southeastern coast and off the northern tip of the island.

Endangered Species

Golden aster has been found growing on a sandy embankment overlooking the kettlehole pond. This is only the fifth recorded site for golden aster in Rhode Island and is the most prolific stand in the state. Golden aster is considered to be a Regionally Significant Species by the New England Botanical Club. It is designated Threatened by the Rode Island Natural Heritage Program.

The salt marsh at Coggelshall Cove may be a nesting site for the seaside sparrow, a species classified as "of special concern" by the Rhode Island Natural Heritage Program.

Prudence Island

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