Furbearers of Wisconsin

What is a mammal? There are several characteristics that make a mammal different from birds, reptiles, amphibians, and fish Hair (or fur) Warm-blooded Mammary glands (produce milk for their young) Many think it’s the fact they give birth to live young, however some mammals lay eggs (platypus and echidna), so that’s not accurate Three inner ear bones

What is a furbearer? Any mammal that has fur with commercial value Traditionally, these are the species that have historically been trapped for their fur.

Canids (members of the dog family) Coyote Larger than red fox, smaller than wolf Average 20–30 pounds Can live anywhere, including urban areas Solitary or small family groups Both scavenge and hunt Deer carrion Rabbits, rodents, deer, fruit etc. Formerly western plains animal, now nationwide

Canids Red Fox Second smallest canid Average ~15 pounds Carnivore, but will eat some vegetation (fruits, nuts) Adaptable, can be an urban species Den only when pups are young Usually white tip on tail Several color variations silver, black, and “cross”

Canids Gray Fox Smallest canid Brushy, thick cover with trees Steve Wayne Rotsch/ Painet Inc Canids Gray Fox Smallest canid Average ~10 pounds Brushy, thick cover with trees Carnivore, but will eat some vegetation (fruits, nuts, vegetables) Black stripe down tail Only North American canid that climbs trees specially adapted claws

Mustelids (members of the weasel family) Short tail/ermine Least 3 species of weasels Long-tailed, short-tailed (ermine) & least Wooded/shrubby habitat Efficient hunters Color Metamorphose Can turn brown in summer white in winter Won’t always change, depends on environment Short-tailed most common in WI, thought long-tailed most common in North America Long-tailed

Mustelids Mink Semi-aquatic Streams, ditches, lakes, etc. Will hunt in the uplands Feed on muskrats, frogs, rodents, birds, fish, crayfish Have scent glands with strong musk Sometimes white patches on chin, throat, or belly

Mustelids American marten (pine marten) Endangered in WI Mature forests with down woody debris Agile hunters Small mammals, birds, insects Reintroduced in Wisconsin Often orange or white patch on throat Known for sub-nivean hunting, which means hunting under snow

Mustelids Fisher Wooded areas with down woody debris Agile hunter Can eat porcupine, though usually only small portion of diet Also birds, squirrels, other rodents Usually little smaller than a gray fox Males much larger than females

Mustelids River Otter Semi-aquatic Eats fish, crayfish, mussels, frogs Lakes, rivers, streams Eats fish, crayfish, mussels, frogs Can travel overland between lakes and ponds, or up and down river systems for miles Tracks in snow have a distinctive bound and slide pattern Photo by Michele Woodford

Mustelids Badger Open habitat Efficient burrower, powerful claws Grassland/farmland Prefer sandy soils Efficient burrower, powerful claws Burrows utilized by other species Not true hibernator, but will be dormant in winter Digs for food Ground squirrels, moles, gophers

Mephitids (member of the skunk family) Striped skunk Distinctive black color with white stripes on back Strong odor defense Semi-open habitat Omnivores Dig grubs and insects Can cause damage to lawns

Mephitids Spotted Skunk Half the size of striped skunks Formerly limited populations in southern Wisconsin Not seen for many years Still found in very limited numbers in Iowa and Minnesota, but more of a southern species Farmland and open habitats Omnivores Like striped skunk, long claws to dig for grubs, insects

Felids (member of the cat family) Bobcat Only common felid in Wisconsin Most common in north, gradually expanding southward Very secretive, solitary Forest edges and wetlands Predator Prefer fresh meat over carrion Rabbits, hares, squirrels, occasionally deer and deer fawns

Felids Canada lynx Federally Threatened Protected in WI Rare visitor from Canada Similar to Bobcat Ear tufts usually longer Legs and feet larger Black tipped tail compared to bobcat’s striped tail with white underside and tip Tail is best means of telling lynx and bobcat apart

Rodents Muskrat Den builder Inhabit a small area Prefers emergent wetlands Very prolific breeder (30+ young in one year if conditions are good) Den builder Inhabit a small area Herbivore (eat plants) Populations declining in some parts of range, though why is unclear

Rodents Beaver Largest North American rodent Live in family groups David Westphalen Painet/Inc Beaver Largest North American rodent up to 80 lbs Live in family groups 2 year olds disperse Prefer aspen, willow, poplar as foods “Habitat engineers” Build dams to create pools of water David Westphalen Painet/Inc

Marsupials (pouched mammals) Opossum Marsupial Wisconsin is northern edge of range Omnivore Prehensile tail “play dead” or hiss to avoid predators Wooded areas Most teeth of any North American mammal (50)

Procyonids (members of the raccoon family) Distinctive “mask” and ringed tail Various habitats, including urban areas Opportunistic omnivore Will eat anything, including trash, crops and pet food, but will also hunt “Wash” their food in streams, ponds, or puddles before they eat Very common, especially near human habitation Opposable thumbs allow for good dexterity Bob Gress

There are a few other species that are similar to furbearers, but in Wisconsin are grouped as large carnivores

Canids Wolf Largest Canid in Wisconsin Mostly carnivorous Forms packs Males average 75 lbs Females average 60 lbs Mostly carnivorous eats deer, elk, beaver, hares/rabbits Forms packs Usually 4–6 animals Consist of alpha male and female and their young Sometimes yearlings stay around to help raise the next year’s pups

Ursids (members of the bear family) Black Bear More common in northern WI Prefer wooded habitats Omnivore Variety of foods including rodents, deer fawns, berries, acorns, carrion Will consume up to 20,000 calories a day in fall Spend winter dormant in dens Give birth to cubs in dens

Felids Cougar Largest North American felid A few are confirmed in Wisconsin every year Mostly young males looking for mates No females documented east of the Mississippi River to date and no evidence of breeding Protected in WI