Other Species

Salmon in the Pacific Northwest. Lobsters in Maine. Certain geographic areas boast species that define them both ecologically and culturally. In the Chesapeake Bay region, three species stand out: blue crabs, oysters, and striped bass. Long linked to local economies and cultures, these icons enrich the Bay’s history.

But three species do not an ecosystem make. Other Bay life, though less commercially important, also color the regions’ wetlands and waters. While seeming to play a backstage role, they are important components of the Bay’s dynamic food web.

In this section of our site, we call attention to some of these “other species” and their places in the Bay. From the American eel’s mysterious migration to the diamondback terrapin’s rise, fall — and rise again — in culinary popularity, these creatures highlight the rich diversity of life in the Chesapeake.

We will continue to add profiles of additional Chesapeake Bay species, so check back periodically. Have a creature you’d like to know more about? Email us at scientist@mdsg.umd.edu.