1. Predatory Mammals

2. Role of Predators
Secondary consumers, totally dependent upon primary consumers
All wild animals belong to this cycle
Abundant food
Population increase
Near famine
Back to abundance
Cycle affected by food supply, predation, disease and natural disaster

3. Role of Predators
Keep primary consumer populations stable and in balance by preventing them from increasing so rapidly that food supplies are threatened
Decrease population, thereby allowing food supply to increase
Helps populations of primary consumers stay with in carrying capacity of the land
Do not eliminate, but reduce starvation

5. Predator Behavior Highly adaptable Forward looking eyes Keen senses
Great night vision
Opportunists rather than specialist

6. Wild Cats Elusive predators Quick Nocturnal
Lie in wait for long periods of time
Highly adaptable to different environments
Examples - Canada lynx, Bobcat, Mountain Lion, Jaguar

7. Canada Lynx Grayish brown fur Short tail with black tip
2 feet at shoulder
Up to 40 pounds
Kittens are spotted at birth

8. Bobcat AKA Wildcat Molted reddish brown fur Short white tipped tail
Coloration differences depending on habitat

9. Mountain Lion AKA Puma Large tan colored cat Up to 175 pounds
Up to 7.5 feet in length
Rare human attacks and deaths reported
Babies stay with mother for two years

10. Jaguar Largest cat in North America Spotted coat
Prey on domestic livestock
Up to 250 pounds
Up to 30 inches tall

11. Wild Dogs Foxes – red, gray, arctic, kit
Diet includes wide variety of rodents, amphibians and smaller predators
Mostly nocturnal
Coyotes – very successful - omnivores
Wolves– prey mostly on ungulates- sheep, cattle deer, hunt in packs – very smart

12. Fox Male- dog Female- vixen Born in dens or burrows
Preyed upon by bobcats, wolves, coyotes
Humans trap them for their fur

14. Coyotes AKA Prairie wolf/brush wolf
Learned to thrive near human populations
Omnivore
Black tipped bushy tails
Up to 50 pounds
Mate for life

15. Wolves Closely related to domesticated dogs Problem??? Hunt in packs
One dominant male leader
Only the dominant male and his mate produce offspring

16. Weasels Wolverines, minks, badgers, ferrets, martens, fisher, skunk
Can enter dens of many mammals they prey upon
Very efficient predators (sometimes thought to be the most vicious), aggressive
All living things are on the menu

17. Weasels Will kill more than they need - even larger animals
Example fishers seldom weigh more than 12 lbs but can take down a deer
Well adapted for survival
Delayed gestation – wait until increased photoperiod (number of daylight hours in day) to ensure spring birth
Better for survival of young

20. Bears Largest and most well known predators in North America
Alaskan browns can get huge 4-5 ft at the shoulder and up to 1500 lbs
Eat just about anything –berries, rodents fish - but will also eat carrion (rotted meat)
Black bear is most widely distributed

22. Comparison of very large Alaskan brown bear paw to human
                                                                                                                                                                
Comparison of very large Alaskan brown bear paw to human