Small Mammals By: Dustin Carnahan

Objectives explain why it is important for an individual to accurately identify land animal species; Identify small mammal species.

Wolverine Largest member of weasel family Dark brown fur w/ light tan stripe on each side and average 25-35 pounds “glutton” Carnivore- eats mice, gophers, birds, eggs, litter 2-3 young Habitat is scattered in the Arctic region of Alaska and Canada

Badger Sandy Brown w/ white strips down nose Carnivore- eats rodents Excellent diggers, live in dens Lives in open areas like plains and prairies Life span of 12 years

Porcupines One of the largest rodents up to 40 lbs. and 36 inches long, It lives in forested areas from Alaska to new Mexico It breeds in November and it’s young are born with quills and can basically take care of it’s self from about a week Life span of 8 years Herbivore

Opossum They are the only marsupial in North America a salt and pepper look their face is white with a black stripe with bald ears and tail weigh about 12lbs and 36in Live all over the western hemisphere eat fruit, nuts, eggs

Raccoon Medium sized predator, with black mask. Very adaptable. Found almost anywhere in America, and Canada Omnivore- Eats allot of both plants and animals. Has young Jan-Mar.

Muskrat Relative of beaver, 25 inches long, 3 pounds. Found near water- marshes, swamps, riverbanks. Omnivore- eats aquatic plants, fish, and veggies. 2 to 4 litters a year, 4 to 8 per litter

Beaver Wide spread flat brown tail rich dark fur. Habitat-Rivers, streams, woodland areas. Herbivore- Eats aquatic plants, water willies bark. Largest rodent in America.

Long-tailed Weasel normally dark brown with white belly, 12 - 20 inches long Habitat- woodlands, fields, abandon farmsteads Carnivore- mice, chipmunks, domestic poultry Life span of 5 years

Mink Member of weasel family, 20 to 30 inches long, average 3lbs. Habitat- woodlands, everywhere but southwest. Carnivore- Eat frogs, fish, snakes, muskrat, breed in January and February

Bobcat The Bobcat is medium sized, gray to red brown w/ a black steak. Habitat- woodlands, marshes Carnivore-Eats other small mammals

Lynx Habitat- Alaska and Canada, Arctic region is 13 feet long and about 15-30 lbs.. Is reddish -brown and has ear tufts, Carnivore- Eats squirrels, rodents and snowshoe hare They carry their young for 60 days and live to be about 8-12 years

Black-tailed Prairie Dog Yellowish, Brownish, colored. habitat-Live in Mexico, and Canada. Eats large grasses and insects. Gestation period 35-40 days.

Woodchuck Light brown rodent that live alone Habitat-open woodlands and field edges Herbivore- eat grass, cloves, alfalfa babies carried for 28 days and live to be about 9yrs old about 32in and about10lbs

Cottontail Rabbit Brown w/ white cotton ball tail, 13-17 inches wide Habitat- farmsteads, fields and bushy areas Herbivore-eats grass, shrubs, herbs and vegetables breeding begins Feb. through Sept.

Jack Rabbit!! 17-20 inches ,brown color Habitat-southern deserts and prairies Herbivore-grasses brush and herbs lives 6 yr.. Clocked at 45 mph

Swamp Rabbit Larger than cottontail darker brown less gray tinge weighs 3 to 6 lbs and is16 to 18 inches Habitat- low- lying poorly drained areas, southern states Herbivore-many green grasses and bark breeding season Feb. to Mar. 39 to40 day gestation

Snowshoe Hare Brown color in summer and changes in the fall to white Habitat- lives in dense vegetation Herbivore- grasses and herbs 2-3 liters each year live to 3 years of age

Red Squirrel Rusty red color.14 inches Habitat- evergreen forests Alaska to Rockies. Herbivore-Eats Varity of nuts. Single litter 6 inches tail

Gray Squirrel Gray, white, or black 1 to 2 pounds 18inches Habitat- wooded areas Herbivore- eats acorns and nuts 15 year life span

Red fox Light to dark red coat and a bushy tail yellow eyes, pointed ears, long narrow muzzle weighs 8-10 lbs.. Habitat- Open woodlands and fields, brushy areas Carnivore- pheasants, rabbits, snakes, mice Mate in January, 2 months later they have an average of 2-5 pups

Gray Fox Salt and pepper gray with a black tipped tail weighs 8-10 lbs.. Habitat- Lives in central America, Southern and Northeastern U.S Carnivore- Mice, rabbits, squirrels Mate in Jan.; two months later they have 2-5 pups

Striped Skunk Most common black and white Habitat- anywhere in North America Carnivore- eats insects, mice, rats winter breed, 3-8 young live 10-12 years 6-14 lbs., 30 in long

Coyote Reddish brown-gray excellent senses Habitat- virtually anywhere smell, hearing, eyesight Habitat- virtually anywhere Carnivore- rodents, rabbits, fruits 6-10 pups, breed in Jan 15 year life span run up to speeds of 40 mph