Wildlife Identification Game animals in Alberta divided into four main categories: Ungulates (cloven hoofed animals) Carnivores Upland Birds Waterfowl Need to be able to identify them by species as well as sex and class.
Wildlife Identification Techniques Identify by: Species Sex: male or female Class: Horned, Antlered or Anter-less Animals may vary in appearance at different times of the year. In practice must be able to make this determination very quickly - a few seconds!
Big Game Ungulates All ungulates which are considered game animals in Alberta are cloven hoofed. Hoof is split into two parts. Also are ruminants ‘cud chewers’. Chew twice from a four chambered stomach. Two Major Classes: Horned - mountain goat, sheep, antelope and bison. Antlered - deer, moose and elk
Mountain Goat Pure White - all year round. Long and shaggy coat. Long chin hair forms a beard in both sexes Horns are black, conical, curved towards back of head and very sharp! Habit: mountainous above timberline.
Mountain Goat
Bighorn Sheep Dark to Grayish Brown. White rump and underparts. Males (rams) are larger and have thick spiraled horns. Females (ewes) smaller and have smaller horns similar to that of a goat.
Bighorn Sheep
Bighorn Sheep
Antelope Pronghorn Antelope tan color, dark muzzle and white cheeks. Also have a white rump. Males (bucks) have a black patch under cheek. Both have horns but females are much smaller generally smaller then her ears. Buck horns are thick, taller then ears and split at the top.
Antelope
Moose Member of deer family - largest. Dark brown, humped shoulders, large nose and long legs. Males (bulls) have large palmate antlers. Wide and flat pointing slightly up and backwards. Bulls also have a large piece of skin under chin - ‘bell’.
Moose
Moose
Mule Deer Brownish-grey. Larger then whitetail on average. Large Ears. White rump, white rope-like tail with a black tip. Antlers branch dichotomous (V-like).
Mule Deer Very curious and ‘goofy’ personality Not habitual Often bounce or skip while walking
Mule Deer
Mule Deer
Whitetail Deer Reddish brown to grey depending on season. Tail large and fluffy. Brown on the top but underside is white. Antlers one main beam and upright tines from this beam. Tail often erect (upright) especially when alerted to danger.
Whitetail Deer
Whitetail Deer
Wapiti (Elk) Yellowish Brown body Cream colored rump patch Head neck and front legs are darker brown and have a shaggy appearance. Bulls have very large antlers - one main beam with upright tines from this beam.
Wapiti (Elk)
Wapiti (Elk)
Caribou Dark brown body with a large white bib on chest. Both Bulls and Cows have antlers. Bulls antlers are very large and curved, have a shovel like apparatus on the front. Cow antlers are markedly smaller and upright. Main subspecies in Alberta ‘Woodland caribou’- they are a protected species year round!
Caribou
Grizzly Bear Largest bear species in Alberta Generally brown but may be anywhere from white to nearly black. Fur has a grizzled’ silver tip appearance due to large guard hairs. Prominent hump on top of front shoulders. Large bowl like forehead. Grizzly tacks will show claws in markings.
Grizzly Bear
Grizzly Bear
Black Bear Often black but also reddish brown. Much smaller than grizzly – 300 lbs Glossy coat Attacks are generally predatory
Black Bear
Your task!!! Your task for the rest of this class and next class: Research the animal you have been assigned Prepare a handout that will be submitted and copied for the rest of the class Handouts should be one page 12 font, single-spaced
Your task (cont.) Your one page report must include: 1) quality picture 2) description of the animal 3) habitat (what and where) 4) what they eat and who eats them 5) reproduction and their young 6) interesting facts about your animal