WMAN 234 LAB 5: Mammals You should be familiar with the following species by the end of lab today. You will be responsible for the identification, classification (Order, Family, Genus and Species), common name, and general life-history characteristics of each species (n = 34) for the second laboratory practical. Note that you need to know the scientific name (genus and specific epithet) for each species in addition to the common name. Order Carnivora Family Canidae 1) Vulpes vulpes Red fox (vulpes = fox) Identification: 3.2-5.2 kg (7-12 lbs); coat is commonly red or yellowish-red mixed, especially along the midline, with black-tipped hairs; throat, sides of the cheeks, and belly are white; tail is long and white-tipped Diet: small mammals; eggs; snakes; fruit, etc. Habitat: brushy, successional areas such as old fields, borders of pastures, and rolling farmlands usually close to water Activity: mostly nocturnal; nests in hollow logs, rocky caverns, deserted outbuildings, and earthen dens Reproduction: male and female pair for year (unclear as to what extent they are monogamous) ; breed Jan-Feb; 4-6 young born late Mar-Apr 2) Urocyon cinereoargenteus Gray fox (cinereus = gray; argenteus = silver) Identification: 4.1-5 kg (9-11 lbs) coarse gray coat that appears grizzled because of a mixture of black and white bands in its black-tipped guard hairs; cheeks, lower jaw, throat, and belly are white; when the gray fox is seen at a distance, reddish patches on its neck, flanks, legs, and underside of the tail momentarily fool an inexperienced observer into misidentifying this fox as a red fox Diet: same as red fox Habitat: hardwood forests typified by rocky terrain and abundant, brushy cover; also meadows, grasslands, swamps, and abandoned fields Activity: mostly nocturnal; dens are located in densely wooded habitats near permanent water; den sites include hollow logs, rocky outcrops, brush piles, hollow trees; able to climb trees. Reproduction: breed Feb-Mar; 4-6 young born Apr-May 3) Canis latrans Coyote (canis = dog; latrans = a barker) Identification: 11.4-22.7 kg (25-50 lbs) long, narrow, pointed nose; erect, pointed ears; dense, long fur ranges from gray to yellow gray, and a middorsal dark band of long, black-tipped guard hairs extends to the base of its bushy, black-tipped tail. Holds tail down when running, foxes hold tail out. Diet: small mammals; rabbits; small deer, domesticated animals Habitat: A highly adaptable animal, the coyote can be found in a wide variety of habitats ranging from marshlands and open grasslands to dense hardwood forests Activity: active throughout the year; primarily nocturnal with peak activity in the early evening Reproduction: uses a den for rearing young; breeds Feb; 5-7 pups born in Apr-May; one litter per year 1
Family Ursidae 4) Ursus americanus Black bear (ursus = bear) Identification: 91-272 kg (200-600 lbs) large size; flat-footed stance; bobbed tail; short, stout legs; short, rounded, erect ears; normal coat color varies from glossy black to brownish black; also cinnamon, chocolate, blue, albino Diet: omnivore - fruit, nuts, roots, eggs, frogs, insects, deer fawns Habitat: prefers heavily forested areas; mixed stands of conifers and hardwoods supporting a dense, brushy understory in close proximity to mountain streams represents optimal habitat (Will vary depending on season) Activity: primarily nocturnal, but may be seen during daylight hours; dens in sheltered sites such as under the roots of large trees, or in a crevice, cave, or hollow tree; not true hibernator winter dormancy - A period of inactivity characterized by a reduced metabolic rate and lowering of body temperature Reproduction: female is sexually mature at 3-4 years; breed Jun-July; delayed implantation until after they enter the den; 2-3 young born in January; den late autumn until Mar-Apr; female has litter every other year Family Procyonidae 5) Procyon lotor Raccoon (lotor = a washer) Identification: 4-15 kg (9-33 lbs) face is covered with a black bandit mask; it has a pointed muzzle; prominent, erect, white-rimmed ears; heavily furred tail is distinguished by 4 to 6 alternating blackish and yellowish rings and the tip is black Diet: omnivorous: insects, earthworms, small mammals, fruit, nuts, etc. Habitat: highly adaptable, the raccoon prefers to reside in woodlands close to streams, ponds, or lakes, where den sites such as hollow trees or crevices are available; also found in grassland, farmland, and urban habitats Activity: mostly nocturnal, but also active at dawn and dusk; not a true hibernator, but will den up for extended periods during very cold weather; also dens communally in nests of up to 23 individuals Reproduction: breed Jan-Feb; 3-6 young born in Mar-Apr Family Felidae 6) Lynx rufus Bobcat (rufus = reddish) Identification: 6-16 kg (13-35 lbs) twice the size of the average house cat and has proportionately longer legs equipped with well-furred paws; tail is short with 3-4 brownish black bars, the last of which is broadest and darkest; the tip of the tail and its underside are white. Diet: rabbits, small mammals, grouse, turkey, frogs, etc. Habitat: optimal habitats are woodlands interrupted by brushy thickets, old fields, and rocky outcrops Activity: active throughout the year; forages primarily at night Reproduction: breed throughout year but mostly in late winter; 1-4 kittens born in spring 2
Family Mustelidae 7) Mustela nivalis Least weasel (mustela = weasel; nivalis = snowy) Identification: 38-59 g (1.3-2.1 oz) small, flat head with short, rounded ears and prominent whiskers; stubby legs; short tail that lacks a black tip; chocolate brown above with white on chin, throat, chest, and belly; in northern climates, pelage may be white in winter; nivalis means snowy Diet: voles and mice; shrews, insects, birds, etc Habitat: abundant in brushy areas, open woodlands, old fields, pasture land, and fence rows Activity: nocturnal; active year round; nests below ground in burrows Reproduction: usually breed mid-winter; 3-6 young born; can have more than one litter per year 8) Mustela frenata Long-tailed weasel Identification: 67-312 g (2.3-10.9 oz) stubby legs; small, triangular head; long slender body and neck; long, black-tipped, bushy tail; pelage is rich brown with a white chin, yellowish or buffy brown belly, and brown feet; in northern climates, pelage may be white in winter Diet: carnivore: voles, mice, rabbits, chipmunks, etc Habitat: found in varied habitats ranging from mature forests and woodlands to marshes and farmlands Activity: active year-round, forages mainly at night, although it sometimes hunts during daylight; nest in ground burrows, under stumps, or beneath rock piles Reproduction: breed Jul-Aug; implantation delayed until Mar; 5-8 young born Apr-May 9) Mustela vison Mink (vison = scout) Identification: 520-723 g (1.1-1.7 lbs) similar to other weasels, except for its larger size, uniform coloration, long bushy tail, and aquatic habits; partially webbed toes; white patch on the chin and throat Diet: varied: crayfish, frogs, fish, small mammals, snakes, rabbits, etc. Habitat: seldom far from water and is most abundant along the banks of streams and rivers or marshy shorelines of ponds and lakes Activity: active year-round, forages mostly at night; very good swimmer Reproduction: breeds Feb-Mar; 4-9 young born Apr-May; one litter per year 10) Lontra canadensis River otter (lutra = otter) Identification: 5-11 kg (11-24 lbs) large, elongate, semiaquatic animal, with short blunt snout, obvious whiskers, and small eyes and ears; long tail is thick at base and tapers to the tip; fur is short and very dense Diet: crayfish, fish, snails, snakes Habitat: always associated with water; a wide variety of aquatic habitats from streams to lakes to coastal estuaries and in the lower reaches of river systems Activity: remain active throughout year; crepuscular pattern Reproduction: breed Mar-Apr; delayed implantation for 9-12 months; 1-5 young born in late winter/ early spring 3
Family Mephitidae 11) Mephitis mephitis Striped skunk (mephitis = bad odor) Identification: 1.1-3.4 kg (2.4-7.5 lbs) house cat-sized; long black fur on the body and tail, and a bold white stripe that begins on the head and generally splits to form 2 parallel stripes down the back Diet: fond of bees and yellow jacket ground nests; fruits; nuts; roots; small mammals; eggs Habitat: occur in a variety of habitats ranging from high mountain forests to old fields, cultivated lands, and suburban neighborhoods - generally upland habitats Activity: generally nocturnal; winters in dens Reproduction: breed Feb-Mar; 4-6 young born Apr-May; breed once per year Order Artiodactyla Family Suidae 13) Sus scrofa Wild Boar Identification: up to 180 kg (400 lbs) Usually black, sometimes brown or gray with grizzled or frosty tipped guard hairs. Hybrids are often more variable in color and less hairy. Tail moderately long, lightly haired and hangs straight down. Upper tusks usually 3-5" curl up and out along the sides of the mouth. Diet: everything Habitat: Variable from densely forested mountains to brush lands, dry ridges, or swamps (Introduced by WV DNR in southern portion of state). Activity: Active at dawn and dusk. They are fast runners and good swimmers. Will bed in matted down grasses or vegetation. Sows forage and young forage in family groups. Except in the breeding season males are solitary or band in small groups. Reproduction: can breed year round; 4-12 young per litter Family Cervidae 14) Odocoileus virginianus White-tailed Deer Identification: 45-136 kg (100-300 lbs) Tan or reddish-brown above in Summer; grayishbrown in winter. Belly, throat, nose band, eye ring, and inside of ears white. Tail brown, edged with white above often with dark stripe down center, white below. Bucks antlers with main beam forward and several unbranched tines behind. Females lack antlers. Diet: herbivore: twigs, buds, leaves, herbaceous plants, fruit, nuts, farm crops Habitat: Farmlands, brushy areas, woods. Activity: If alarmed with white-tail raises or flags its tail to communicate danger to other deer. Primarily nocturnal but may be active any time. Usually bed down near dawn seeking cover. Bucks and does herd separately most of the year, but yard together in the winter. Reproduction: breed fall; 1-3 young born May-Jun; breed once per year Antler Cycle: 4
1) Mar-Apr: increasing daylength triggers hormone induced antler growth 2) Summer: as they grow, antlers are covered with soft, highly vascular skin called velvet which provides nutrients such as calcium, phosphorus, proteins for antler growth 3) Late summer/early autumn: antlers reach max size; level of male hormone testosterone is high because of approaching breeding season and this causes the blood flow to the antlers to cease. As a result, the velvet dries and peels off. 4) Dec-Feb: With the end of the breeding season and decreasing daylength, hormone levels decrease (testosterone) and the antlers become loosened from their base (pedicle) and fall off. 15) Cervus elaphus Elk (Wapiti) (eastern elk believed to be extinct) Identification: 200-495 kg (440-1100 lbs) a large deer with pale yellowish rump patch, small white tail, general reddish-brown body; females lack antlers Diet: grasses, forbs, leaves, bark, twigs Habitat: semiopen forest, mountain meadows, foothills, plains Activity: most active mornings and evenings; usually seen in groups Reproduction: breed Oct; 1 young born June Order Lagomorpha Family Leporidae 16) Sylvilagus floridanus Eastern Cottontail (silva = forest) Identification: 1-1.5 kg (2.2-3.3 lbs) Grayish-brown above, interspersed with some black; forehead often has white spot. Distinct rust-colored nape (helps distinguish from Appalachian cottontail). Short tail cottony below with whitish feet. Diet: herbaceous plants; bark; garden plants Habitat: Brushy areas, old fields, woods, cultivated areas; especially thickets and brush piles. Activity: In winter, where brush is strong enough to hold a covering blanket of snow, they may make a network of runways beneath it. In cold weather, they often take shelter in an old woodchuck burrow. Reproduction: 5-7 litters per year beginning in Mar/Apr; 3-8 altricial young per litter 17) Lepus americanus Snowshoe Hare (Varying) (lepus = hare) Identification: 1.5-1.6 kg (3.3-3.5 lbs) In summer, dark brown, with tail dark above and dusk to white below; in winter, white, sometimes mottled with brown. Large hind feet, long, with soles well- furred, especially in winter. Diet: grasses, herbs, shrubs, buds, twigs Habitat: Northern forests, young, thick spruce and deciduous forests, high elevations Activity: It rests in a form, hollow log, or burrow of woodchuck or beaver in the day but may venture out in darker weather. May thump the hindfeet when surprised. Population numbers are cyclic, becoming abundant every 9-10 years then becoming rare. The cause is under debate. Reproduction: breed Mar/Apr; 1-7 precocial young; 1-3 litters per year Order Rodentia Family Sciuridae 18) Tamias striatus Eastern Chipmunk (tamias = treasurer; striatus = striped) Identification: 65-125 g (2.3-4.4 oz) Reddish-brown above; belly white. 1 white stripe on 5
sides bordered by 2 black stripes; stripes end near the rump. Dark center stripe down back; light facial stripes above and below eyes. Tail brown on tip, edged with black. Diet: nuts, fruits, buds, mushrooms, insects, etc. Habitat: Open woodlands; forest edges; brushy areas; bushes and stone walls in cemeteries and around houses. Activity: Mostly a ground species but will climb large trees especially when mast is ripe. When caching it makes trips from trees to the burrow almost continuously. Reproduction: breed twice per year: spring and late summer; 4-5 young born Apr-May 19) Marmota monax Woodchuck, Groundhog, Whistlepig (monas = solitary) Identification: 2.5 kg (4.4-11 lbs) Large. Grizzled brown uniformly colored. Prominent bushy tail. Small ears. Short legs with dark brown or black feet. Diet: hervivore: grass/herbaceous; garden vegetables Habitat: Pastures, meadows, old fields, woods. Activity: Active by day, especially in early morning and late afternoon. Can climb trees to escape enemies. Never travels far from the den. Lives in burrows up to 5' deep and 30' long. In late summer or early fall it puts on a heavy layer of fat to sustain it through winter hibernation; true hibernator body temp drops to ~40 F Reproduction: breed Mar; 2-9 young born in Apr-May 20) Sciurus carolinensis Eastern Gray Squirrel (sciurus = shadow tail) Identification: 419-685 g (14.8-24.1 oz) Gray above, with buff underfur showing especially on head, shoulders, back, and feet; underparts paler gray. Black phase common in northern parts of the range. Flattened tail bushy, gray with silvery-tipped hairs. Diet: nuts, fruits, buds, mushrooms, insects, etc. Habitat: Hardwood or mixed forests with nut trees, especially oak-hickory forests. Activity: Especially active in morning and evening. Active all year and will dig out of the snow to retrieve buried nuts. Can smell buried nuts under up to a foot of snow. Dens in trees year round. Overpopulation has been known to cause mass migrations. Reproduction: up to 2 litters per year: Feb-Apr and Jul-Aug; 1-8 young 21) Sciurus niger Eastern Fox Squirrel (niger = black) Identification: 879-1017 g (31.0 35.9 oz) Over most of its range, this squirrel is rusty yellowish with a pale yellow to orange belly, and with the tail bordered with tawny-tipped hairs. Diet: same as gray squirrel Habitat: Open hardwood woodlots in North and pine forests in South, both with clearings interspersed. Spends much of its time foraging on the ground. Reproduction: up to 2 litters per year: Feb-Mar and Aug-Sep; 2-6 young 22) Tamiasciurus hudsonicus Red Squirrel Identification: 126-234 g (4.4-8.2 oz) Smallest tree squirrel in its range. Rust-red to grayish-red above, brightest on sides; white or grayish-white below. Tail similar to back color but outlined with broad black band edged with white. In winter, large ear tufts. Diet: coniferous seeds, nuts, fruits, buds, etc Habitat: Often abundant in any kind of forest: natural coniferous forests, pine plantations, mixed forests, or hardwood; often around buildings. Activity: In the fall it cuts green pine cones and buries them in caches. Also caches other foods either in the ground or in trees. Nests in trees, hole in the ground, hummock, or tree crotch. Not often hunted. Reproduction: breed Feb-Sept; 2 litters per year - spring and late summer; 1-7 young 6
23) Glaucomys volans Southern Flying Squirrel (glaucomys = gray mouse; volans = flying) Identification: 38-85 g (1.3-3 oz) Very silky coat grayish-brown above, white below. Flattened gray-brown tail. Loose fold of skin between front and hind legs. Large black eyes. Length 211-253 mm. Diet: fruits, seeds, buds, insects, eggs, nestlings, mushrooms Habitat: Various forests such as beech-maple, oak hickory, and in the South, live oak. Activity: Nocturnal. The most carnivorous of all the tree squirrels. Nests in cavities or stick nests. Active year round. Several may den together in one nest. Reproduction: 2 litters per year: spring and late summer; 3-4 young per litter Family Castoridae 24) Castor canadensis Beaver Identification: 12-27 kg (26-60 lbs) Very large rodent. Dark brown. Large black scaly tail, horizontally flattened, paddle shaped. Large hindfeet, black, webbed, with inner two nails cleft. Diet: bark, leaves, twigs, roots Habitat: Rivers, steams, marshes, lakes, and ponds. Activity: Active throughout the year, primarily nocturnal. Make underwater burrows and incorporate a lodge. Gnaws around trees to fell them. Can remain submerged for up to 15 minutes. Stays waterproof by combing an oily substance called castoreum from the castor gland into the fur. Believed to pair for life. Reproduction: breed Jan-Feb; 1-9 kits born May-June Family Erethizontidae 25) Erethizon dorsatum Porcupine (erethizon = irritate; dorsatum = back) Identification: 2-7.6 kg (4.4-16.8 lbs) Large chunky body with high-arching back and short legs. Long guard hairs in the front half of the body with quills on the rump and tail. Diet: stems, roots, leaves, berries, nuts, grass; winter: succulent inner bark of trees kill trees by stripping bark Habitat: Woods Activity: Solitary, active year round. In extreme weather it may den in a hole in a rock outcrop sometimes with other porcupines. Chiefly nocturnal. Can climb trees. Reproduction: breed Oct-Nov; 1 young born in May-June Family Cricetidae Mice, rats, lemmings, and voles 26) Ondatra zibethicus Muskrat Identification: Dark brown, large, robust bodies, body length of 12 ½ inches, tail is flat and scaly and is 9 ½ inches. Heads are very large and ears are almost invisible underneath the fur. Short legs and big feet; the back feet are slightly webbed for swimming. Smaller than a beaver. Habitat: Consistent wet environments, 4-6ft of water, lakes, ponds, swamps, marshes Food: mainly herbivores, roots of aquatic plants Activity: most active mid-afternoon until sunset, live in large family groups with defined territories, communicate through musk Reproduction: Burrows, grass lined nests, southern muskrat populations breed year round; northern populations breed only in warmer months (March-Aug), litter of 6 27) Peromyscus maniculatus Deer mouse Identification: Pale grayish to deep reddish brown, tail sharply bi-colored, white below Habitat: Everywhere (forest/grassland), edge Food: seeds, nuts, acorns, and insects 7
Activity: Very active most of the time, females my display territorial behavior Reproduction: Nests in a burrow in ground, tree/stumps, buildings. Usually 3-5; 2-4 times/year. 28) Microtus pinetorum Woodland vole Identification: Combined head and body length of between 83 and 120 mm; tail 15 to 40 mm. Not sexual dimorphic, light to dark brown in color, underside whitish or silvery. Bodies have become modified for their partially subterranean habitat by a reduction of the eyes, external ears, and tail. Their foreclaws are also somewhat enlarged for digging. Habitat: Deciduous forests, surface burrowers under leaf litter Food: seeds, nuts, roots, berries, and sometimes insects Activity: Active most of times of the day and night Reproduction: Monogamous mating pairs, 3-7 young in a litter, can have multiple litters/yr 29) Neotoma magister Allegheny woodrat Identification: Adult total length 350 425 mm (14-17in), fur is brownish-gray with blacktipped hairs. The throat, belly, and feet are whitish. The eyes and ears are large, with long whiskers, large tail 200 mm, (18 in). Habitat: Caves and rocky cliffs, wooded bottomlands, swamps, and abandoned structures Food: seeds, nuts, and berries, Activity: Nocturnal Reproduction: Football sized nest of shredded bark and grass, surrounded by a pile of sticks that can be up to 4-5ft high or 9ft in diameter. 2-4 young in a litter, several per yr. Order Soricomorphia Family Soricidae Shrews 30) Sorex cinereus Masked shrew, or Common shrew Identification: Second smallest shrew species, not sexually dimorphic, dorsal brown, ventral grey/white, tail is brown above and pail underneath, average adult is 99 mm Habitat: Forests, meadows, river banks Food: insectivores Activity: 85% of activity occurs after dark, very active during rain Reproduction: Breed April-October, 5-8 young in a litter, can have multiple litters/yr Family Talpidae Moles 31) Scalopus aquaticus Eastern mole Identification: Robust body, velvet-like fur, color varies from silvery-gray to black, short round tail that is nearly hairless, webbing between toes, no external eyes and ears Habitat: Forests, meadows, fields, moist soils Food: Eat primarily earthworms Activity: Daily activity peaks in the morning and evening, acute sense of smell and touch Reproduction: Breeding begins in March/April, 5-8 young in a litter, one litter/yr Order Didelphimorphia Family Didelphidae - the opossums 32) Didelphis virginiana - Virginia opossum (didelphis = double womb) Identification: 4-5.9 kg (9-13 lbs) size of house cat, but body heavier, legs shorter, nose 8
pointed, face white, paper-thin black ears; tail ratlike, round, prehensile, and black for 1/3 to ½, white on end. Diet: highly variable eats everything Habitat: woodlands and fields, also suburban areas; takes shelter in hollow trees, fallen logs, rock cavities, etc. Food: insects, earthworms, snails, amphibians and carrion are preferred. Also seeds and fruits of plants. Activity: almost exclusively nocturnal, somewhat good climbers with prehensile tail, and typically unaggressive. Reproduction: breeds twice per year: Feb/Mar and June/July; up to 14 young per litter Order Chiroptera Family Vespertilionidae Plain nose bats 33) Pipistrellus subflavus Eastern Pipistrelle Identification: Tragus blunt, color yellowish brown to drab brown, smallest Diet: Insects Habitat: caves, mines, woodlands and near water Food: insects Activity: nocturnal but with rest periods, Migrate Reproduction: Born May-July (2) 2 mammae 34) Lasiurus borealis Hoary Bat Identification: Yellowish brown to mahogany-brown, with silver/white hair tips and white throat, heavily furred tail. Diet: Insects Habitat: woodlands, roosts in trees Food: insects Activity: nocturnal, flies high/ solitary. Migrate Reproduction: Born June (2) 4 mammae Helpful Websites for Identification: Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History (North American Mammals): www.mnh.si.edu/mna/main.cfm University of Michigan Museum of Zoology Animal Diversity Web: http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/mammalia.html 9