Hoofed Mammals of Idaho

Hoofed Mammals  Have hooves made of tough horn-like material  Another name for a mammal with hooves – ungulate  All hoofed mammals except horses and burros are cloven-hooved (hoof is divided into two parts

Pronghorn

 Often called Antelope  Not a member of the same family as the true antelopes around the rest of the world  Not a member of the deer family  Live in deserts and plains where terrain is relatively flat  Herbivores  Best defenses are eyesight and speed - Can run up to 50 mph for short distances  Small brown animal with white undermarkings

Pronghorn  Horns shed in the fall  Both males and females have horns  Buck’s horns are bigger than doe’s horns  Young are born in late spring or early summer (twins are common)  When encountering a fence, they prefer to crawl under, not jump.

Moose

 Largest member of deer family  May be nearly 8’ tall at shoulder and weigh 1800 lbs.  Antlers may reach 6 feet across  Prefer to live alone in areas where there is abundant water

Moose  Feed on lush vegetation and water plants  Bulls battle one another for cows during breeding season (fall) and relaxed rest of year -Calves are born in spring  Cows are very protective of calves

Elk

 Popular game animals which range from Canada to western U.S.  Reach 5’ at shoulder and mature bulls weigh 800 lbs.  Bulls have large antlers that shed every year + Use for protection from predators and battling during the rut (mating season) + Use a whistling call to challenge another bull and attract cows

Elk  Calves are born in May or June + Camouflaged by white spots on their backs + Most vulnerable throughout lifetime in first few weeks of life  Prefer mountains and forest habitat, as they graze on grasses, twigs, and bark

White-Tailed Deer

 Most widely distributed deer in North America - several sub-species differentiated by region  4 feet tall at shoulder  Large buck can weigh 300 lbs; a few trophy bucks have reached 350.  Named for white color of hair on lower surface of its tail

White-Tailed Deer  When excited, it waves its tail like a white flag and snorts a call of alarm as it bounds to safety  Has a reputation among hunters for being crafty

Mule Deer

 Distinguished from other deer by the branched beams of the antlers and a white rump and tail  Tail is short with a black tip  Holds its tail down as it runs  Large ears

Mule Deer  Mature buck weighs close to 300 lbs; trophy animals approaching 450 lbs.  Does weigh around 200 pounds  Mating occurs in fall and young are born in early summer  Most births are twins, with some singles and triplets  Mostly in the western U.S. and Canada

Bison

 Among largest big game animals in world * Near 6’ tall at shoulder and weigh over a ton  Traveled in herds of several hundred thousand before declining to near extinction  Now range in scattered areas of central and western U.S. and Canada

Bison  Cows give birth in spring to single calves weighing 30 to 40 pounds  Mature animals have short necks, distinct humps on the shoulders, crescent-shaped horns and shaggy, brown coats

Bighorn Sheep

 Live among the cliffs and ledges of some of the most rugged mountains on the North American continent  Eat many different types of vegetation  Band together in small groups with ewes and lambs living separately from rams during much of the year

Bighorn Sheep  During breeding season, the most dominant rams battle for ewes * Crash of their horns can be heard for miles  Rams are polygamous – mate with several ewes  Brown in color with white rump patches  Mature rams weigh up to 300 lbs and stand to 3.5 feet at shoulder

Mountain Goat

 Occupy habitats at high altitudes among the rocks above the timberline  Range extends from Alaska to Idaho and Montana  Billy goats have spiked horns they use to defend themselves and fight for females

Mountain Goat  Large mature billy goats are often close to 3.5 feet tall at shoulder  White in color and weigh up to 300 pounds  Are extremely agile and coordinated  Only a few hunting permits outside of Alaska are issued for these animals each year.

Wild Burro

 Grand Canyon is home to this wild species  Example of a domesticated animal returning to a wild state