Fur Bearing Animal Identification

Objectives List 19 Fur-bearing species of Texas wildlife. Describe what the 19 fur-bearing species look like.

Badger Large, robust, short-legged “weasel” Broad body with a short, thick tail Grayish, yellow body White face markings

Beaver Aquatic rodents Broad, flat, scaly tails Webbed hind feet Dark brown color

Red Fox Bright, golden yellow body Chin, throat, & belly mid-line of belly are white Forefeet & legs are black

Desert Fox Smaller body Upper body is buffy gray Sides, tail & mid-belly are clear buff Throat is white Have large ears

Swift Fox Upper parts are pale buffy yellow with frosted white Tail is buffy gray with a black tip

Gray Fox Gray upper body Reddish brown legs White throat, cheeks, & mid-line of belly

Weasel Long, slender animal Short legs & long tail Small, rounded ears

Mink Size of a house cat Dark brown Semi-aquatic Prefer small streams

Muskrat Large, brownish, aquatic, scaly-tailed rodent Tail is naked Inhabit marshes

Nutria Beaver-like Long, round sparsely haired tail Dark underfur with long, glossy dark brown guard hairs

Opossum Long, scaly, prehensile tail Nocturnal White base and black tipped fur

Otter Large, dark brown animal with slender body Webbed feet & long thick tail Aquatic and feed mostly on fish

Raccoon Blackish facial mask with white outline Tail is black and white alternating rings nocturnal

Ringtails Resembles a small fox Long, tail with alternating white and black rings Nocturnal Bodies are gray

Spotted Skunk Small white spot on forehead Six distinct white stripes on body

Striped Skunk Two white stripes on sides of back Stripes connect at the neck region & continue down the head

Hooded Skunk Two color patterns Upper body is chiefly white OR Upper part is chiefly black with white stripes

Hog-nosed Skunk Single white stripe that extends from head to tail Tail is entirely white

Black Bear Medium-size bear Black or brown Front claws are slightly longer and curved for climbing

Summary Review Tomorrow