Mammals

497:100 218 ANIMALS _IN FULL COLOR

MMAL�

A GUIDE TO FAMILIAR AMERICAN SPECIES

100100

GOLDEN NATURE GUIDES

Birds Flowers • Trees

Insects Stars

Reptiles and Amphibians Mammals

Seashores • Fishes Weather Rocks and Minerals

GOLDEN REGIONAL GUIDES The American Southwest

The American Southeast IN PREPARATION: The American Northwest

These books available in two editions: Limp Bound $1.00 De Luxe Cloth $2.50

218 ANIMALS IN FULL COLOR

MALS

A GUIDE TO FAMILIAR AMERICA N SPECIES

by

H E R B E R T S . Z IM , PH. D .

and

DON ALD F. HOFFMEISTER, PH. D . Curator, Natural History Museum,

and Associate Professor of Zoology, University of Illinois

Illustrated by JAMES GORDON I RV I N G

Sponsored by

The W i l d l ife Management Institute

A GOLDEN NATURE GUIDE

FOREWORD

MAMMALS is a natura l and i ntegral part of the Golden Nature Guide series. Among mammals are animals that man consi ders the most i m portant a n i mals a live today. Not only do m a m m a l s have g reat economic value, but we en joy many of them as pets. We thrill at seei ng deer alert at the forest edge, and smile at the di g n i fied pro­ cession of a mother skunk and her youn g . Ma mmals add g reatly to the interest of forest, field, and desert.

Thi s vol u m e is a cooperative effort of author, expert, a rtist, a n d p u b l isher. Many i n d ividuals a n d i n stitutions have give n u s their u nsti nti ng he l p in provi d i n g a dvice and i nformation as to text and i l l u strati ons, a n d s peci­ mens for the a rtist. We wish to thank especia l l y Daniel B. Beard, Ja mes Bee, W. H . Burt, T. Donald Carter, Wayne Davis, Dean Fisher, Woodrow Goodpaster, George G. Goodwi n, E. R. Hall, David H. Johnson, Remington Kel logg, Keith Kelson, William lidicker, Robert M. McCl u n g , Charles Mclaughlin, Karl Maslow­ ski , Joseph C . Moore, Russell Mu mford, Ra l ph Pal mer, Victor Scheffer, l. l. Steimley, Tracy Storer, Hobart Va n Deusen, Richard Van Gelder, Ralph M. Wetzel, and Ford Wil ke.

H .S.Z. D . F . H .

Copyright 1955 by Golden Press, Inc. All Rights Reserved, Including the RiQht of Reproduction in Whole or in Port in Any Form. Designed and Produced by Art1sts and Writers Press, Inc. Printed in the U.S.A. by Western Printing and lithographing Company. Published by Golden Press, Inc., Rockefeller Center, New York 20, N. Y. Published Simultaneously in Canada by The Musson Book Company, Ltd., Toronto

U S I N G T H I S BOOK

This i s a book for everyo n e who wants to identify, un­ derstand, and enjoy the field mouse scam pering through the leaf-mold a n d the squirrel on the branch overhea d . Technical detai ls, s u c h as descri ptions of skulls, are o mitted , and i d e ntification is kept at the s pecies l evel . This book covers 21 8 of the 350 species of rna m m a l s fou n d i n the U n ited States a n d a d j a c e n t Ca n a d a . T h e colored pl ates accent features w h i c h help y o u t o recog­ n i ze the animal in its natu ra l environment.

First become fa miliar with the mammals pictured a n d described. look through t h e Key t o Mammals on the next pages so that you can recog nize the major m a m­ mal g roups. Try to see the mammal well enou g h to de­ cide, for e x a m p l e, whether it is a rodent or a s h rew. Once you place you r specimen with i n a group, thu m b­ i n g thro u g h a few pages wil l show you the a n i m a l or one very m u c h l i ke it. For more deta i l e d i d entification , use scientific na mes (pp. 1 55- 1 56).

Take this book with you on wal ks a n d tri ps. look up mammals while you r impression is fresh. Watch for char­ acteri stics that a re i mporta nt i n identificati o n . learn to look ca refully. You r first gla nce may be a l l you will get. lengths g iven i n the text are the over- a l l l e n gth of the male ( i n c l u d i n g tai l ), un less otherwise stated. The maps show ranges. If a map shows more than one range, dif­ ferent colors or l i n e patterns a re used. The caption with i n , or nea rest to, a certa i n color o r l i n e pattern is the ca ption that a p p l ies to it. In the

s a m pl e h e re, red sh ows the range of B r u s h Ra b bit; blue l i nes, Desert Cottontail; yel low, Eastern Cotton­ ta i l . Some maps show present and past ranges.

4

A KEY TO THE MAMMALS

H ere are the m a j o r grou ps (orders a n d fa m i l i es) i nto which the mammals you see can be placed:

OPOSSUM: pouch for young, thumb-l i ke big toe, prehensile

rs; s,

17 velvety fur, and no external ears 18 SH REWS: mouse-li ke; long snout,

soft fu r, 5 toes on each foot 21 BATS: the only flying, win ged

mammals 25

ORES: flesh-eaters; large canine teeth,

5 toes on front feet 32-65

B e a rs: flat-footed, "tail-less";

short, round ears 34

R a cco o n s: ring-tailed; black mask (i ncludes Ringtail, Coati ) 36 Wea sel F a m i l y: short-leg ged, short-ea red; having g l a nds with

strong scent. 38

__ ,Foxes, Wolves: dog-li ke; claws

not retractile 52

C ats: claws retra ctile; sh ort face

and rounded ears 58

RODENTS: Gnawers; only 1 pair of u pper incisor

teeth pages 6 6- 116

S q u i rrels: m ost a re a ctive d u r-i n g d a y; b u s h y tar-i l s 68 P ocket G o ph e rs: live well be-low g r o u n d ; strong, wel l-clawed

fo refeet 88

K a ng a r o o R a ts a nd M i c e: long h i n d feet, tufted tai l 89 New W o r l d Mice pnd Rats: u nderparts u s u a l l y whitish 95 Voles a nd Le m m i ngs: short

tai ls, small ears, long fu r 103

O l d W o rld R a ts a nd Mi c e: underparts usually grayish 1 12 J u m p i ng M i c e: l o n g , n e a r l y bare tails; white u nderparts 1 14 HARES a n d RABBI TS: long­ eared, short-ta i l ed; 2 pairs of u pper incisor teeth 1 17- 126

H O O FED MAMMALS: feet

with hoofs; both

odd-toed even- and 127- 14 1

W H A LE S a n d T H E I R K I N: marine, fish-li ke, with hori-zontal fl u kes 144- 153

For Beaver, P o rcupine, Nutria, Manatee, Armadillo, a n d a few other m a m m a l s not in the a bove groups, see Index.

6

Mule Deer fawn

SEEING MAMMALS Seei ng m a m m a l s isn't as easy as seei n g birds or flowers . Ma m mals keep out of s i g ht. Some have concea l i n g colors; some burrow; many a re nocturnal. Yet they can be seen if you are patient, alert, and know where to look. Much a bout mammals is known, but much more remains to be d iscovered.

WHAT ARE MAMMALS? The name "mammal" refers to the female's mammary glands, which provide milk for her you n g . This characteristic sets off m a m m a l s a mong the warm-blooded, back-boned animals. Ma m m a l s are hairy; you n g are born alive. Most have varied teeth, for c u tti n g , teari n g , or g ri n d i n g . T h e m a m m a l ' s s k u l l is u niq ue; the brain more complex than i n other a n i mals. HOW M A N Y ARE THERE? There are, the world over, a bout 1 2 ,000 kinds of mammals. Some 3,000 species and subs pecies are found in North America. Species n um ber a bout 650 in North America, 350 north of Mexico. S o m e are ra re, othe rs so common that scores may occur on a single acre.

WHERE A RE THEY FOU N D? Ma m m a l s l ive on every conti nent-in mountains, deserts, arctic snows, marshes, meadows, forests, fa rms, cities, a n d the d e pths of the sea . Some h ave become a d a pted to specific environ­ ments; th us tree squi rrels l i ve only in forests, rice rats o n l y i n swa m ps. More a d a ptable m a m m a l s fit i nto a variety of environments; thus some rabbits l ive i n woods, some in swam ps, some in deserts.

RANGE I N SIZE Mammals range from the Pigmy Shrew to the B l u e Whale. large species, as some carnivores and hoofed m a m m als, a re most fa miliar. Smaller ones a re more common and, i n the long run, more i mporta nt. The larger the m a m m a l , the more l a n d needed to s u p­ port it. Protecting mammals til l their population exceeds the n u m ber that a given region will s u pport may mean sta rvation for the surplus. This happened with deer and e l k until h unters were allowed to keep the herds down . A D A PT All O N S Mammals have developed effective ways of l i vi n g . One is to care for the y o u n g i nside the m other before birth. Tooth a d a ptati o n s vary from the tusks of the pecca ry to the g n a w i n g teeth of rodents. Feet with hoofs or padded toes are adapted for running, claws for digging, grasping, and climbing, and webs for swi m mi n g . M a m m a l s ca n fly, glide, r u n , j u m p, crawl, swi m , bu rrow, and dive. I nter n a l org a n s show g reat adaptation, too. Some mammals can h i bern ate. Such adaptations have made mammals domi n a nt today.

MAMMALS AND MAN Man, most ada pta ble of m a m mals, has domesticated and develo ped others he has needed. Dogs, cats, horses, cattle, sheep, and a score more have been domesticated. Most of these have been i m p roved for

h u m a n e n d s . A Hol­ stein cow gives more m i l k than her a n ces tors. Those which did not fit o u r pattern, l i ke the b i s o n a nd the m o u nta i n lion, have suffered badly.

ECO N O M I C VALUES Mammals hel ped m a ke Amer­ ica . Pioneers depended on game for everyday food. The fu r trade stimulated exploration and settlement. Furs a re sti l l valued today, and fur farming is a new and g rowi ng i n d u stry. H u nting is more than a sport: o n the b u s i n ess side, m i l l i ons are s pent yearly for e q u i p m ent a n d s u p­ plies. But smaller mam mals have less obviou s val ues. Moles, voles, and g round squi rrels hel p in m a ki n g soil. Rodents a re eaten by more val uable mammals. Wildl ife is so i nterrelated that a l l species have a role i n keepi ng the natural machi n ery i n s mooth o perati o n .

CONSERVATI O N Our wild m a m m a l s a r e a natural re­ source, which should be used wisely for the l o n g-range benefit of all the people. N ational Parks provide com­ p lete protection for all wil d life, and here field tri ps can be most rewarding. State game refuges and those of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service protect threatened species such as bison, pronghorn, and elk. N ational forests are a reservo i r of g a m e a n d s m a l l er a n i m al s . Even farms and woodlots can mai ntain a mammal population. When h u nti n g a n d tra pping a re l i m ited to removal of s u rplus a n i m als, a future supply is assured. You obey h u nti ng and conservati on laws because they benefit you, your neigh bors, and the cou ntry at l arge.

S T U D Y I N G M A M M A L S Identification is the key to ex­ citi ng hobbies. Once you have be g u n to st u d y m a m m a l s, many possi b i l ities open u p . OBSERV I NG MAMMALS m e a n s m o r e t h a n identifica­ ti on. See how they live, feed, protect themselves, and raise the i r you n g . This requires patience. Early or late, your ti me schedule must fit your subject. Binoculars a re a n essenti a l . So a re wa rm, comforta ble clothes, a note­ book, a n d someti mes a bli n d or camouflaged s helter. Most eco n o m i c s pecies have been stud i e d by p rofes­ sional zoologists. Many smaller and less i mportant s pe­ cies sti l l need attention . Experienced a mate u rs, n oti ng detailed observations, can make a zoological contribu­ ti on by record i n g facts on feeding habits, bu rrows, run­ ways, nests, calls, and behavior of local m a m ma l s . P H OT O G R A P H I N G MAMMALS can a u g ment your observati ons. learn to know your cam era fi rst and the habits of your subjects next. Attem pt s i m ple, easy sub­ jects fi rst. light is often poor, so a good l e n s or flash equ i p ment is i mportant. Animal photog raphy cannot be rushed. Food a n d water bait often hel p . learn to set u p your camera s o that mammals wi ll ta ke thei r own pictures. C O LLECTI N G TRACKS Mammal tracks i n soft earth, m ud, clay, or snow tel l what animal passed, its size a n d h o w fast it w a s moving. Tracks left clearly

in soil o r m u d can be p reserve d . S i m ple materi a l s - plaster of Paris, some tin cans with o u t tops o r bot­

1 0

Select clear track.

Add plaster to water. Stir until crea my.

-are all that is needed. Clean twi gs and l oose d i rt from the tracks. Sel ect a c a n that flts over the track with space to spare. (Or u se ti n ban d . ) Cover the i n side of the can with a thick coat of vase­ l i ne. Mix you r plaster a n d water ti l l it is l i ke thick crea m . Pour it in the can ti l l it for ms a l a yer a bout a n i n ch t h i c k . Pl a ster wi l l dry in a n h o u r or so; do n ot disturb til l then. Remove cast from can; clean, mou nt, and label.

C O LLEC T I N G M A M M ALS is something for more advanced stu­ dents and is necessary if you want to prepare ski ns or study skulls and teeth . Special tra p p i n g permits may be required. A variety of traps from mou se-size up may be u sed. Pl aci ng of tra ps effectively comes .,.,_" __ o n l y with ex peri ence. Ma m m als

after plaster sets.

caught i n live tra ps may be kept as pets, or they m a y be stu d i ed briefly, photographed, and turned loose.

MAMMALS AS PETS O u r best pets are dom esticated m a m mals. Wi l d ones when c a ptured young make fine pets, too. Be sure to ob­ serve the l a w i n c a ptu r i n g t h e m . Raccoons, skunks, and tree squir­ rels make good pets. Flying

squir-rels, w h ite-footed mi ce,

and chipmunks do wel l in captivity. Foxes, coatis, woodch ucks, arma­ d i l l os, a n d even l a rger m a m mals

are kept as pets. Be sure you can provide proper food, clean d ri n ki n g water, a n d a satisfactory shelter. Take time to handle and play with your pet, if you want it tamed. Ex­ perts at zoos can give you practical advice.

P REPAR I N G S K I N S AND S K U LLS ta kes skil l . If you want to try taxidermy, start with a squirrel or a rat. Find someone to give you a lesson or two. Try Vi nson Brown's hel pf u l THE AMATEUR NATURALIST's HANDBOOK ( little Brown & Co., Boston, 1 9 5 1 ) or R. M. Anderson's METH­ ODS OF COLLECTING AND PRESERVING VERTEBRATE ANIMALS ( N ational Museum of Canada, Ottawa, 1 948) for some sound advice and further references. In clea n i n g skulls and other bones, learn to use larvae of Dermesti d Beetles, w h i c h eat the bones clea n . A b i l ity to prepare skins is needed i n advanced zool ogical study. The novice can ofte n learn more from observi ng l ive mam­ mals i n the wild or at zoos.

MUSEUMS A ND ZOOS are fine places to study. Use them to s u pplement your field work. Ex perts at these places are glad to answer questi ons and give advice. A l i st of well-known museums and zoos is given on p. 1 54, as wel l as a list of books for further study.

MAMMALS O F TODAY are probably descended from small- to med i um-sized, active, flesh-eating reptiles-the · Cynodonts. These repti les, with ma m ma l-like sku lls, bones, and teeth, l ived m i l l ions of yea rs before the d ino­ saurs. The fi rst true mammals developed about 1 90 mil­ l i o n years a g o , but for over 1 00 m i l l i o n yea rs they re­ mained an u n i m portant g roup of animals. When the di­ n osa u rs died out 70 million years ago, mammals came i nto thei r own. By 50 million years ago, three main g roups of mammals and most of their subgro u ps were 1 2

wel l established . The egg-laying mammals, l i ke the Duck­ bill and Echidna, are now a small, al most extinct g ro u p . T h e p o u c h e d m a rsupials, whose young a re b o r n i ncom­ pletely develo

ped, a re represented by only one s pecies

in the U n i ted States -the Opossu m . All other m a m ma l s fit i nto the g reat placenta l group o f 1 6 l i v i n g orders. General relationships of the pri ncipal o rders are shown a bove . More detailed " trees " are appropriately placed i n the book . Study them and become fam i l i a r with more d etailed relationshi ps.

1 4

1 . Long-horned Bison 2. Saber-toothed C at

3. Short-legged Rhinoceros

MAMMALS OF YESTERDAY include some which l ived in N o rth America and have become exti nct in the past 50 m i l l i o n years. At i ntervals land bridges from Asia formed, and new mammals came over to com pete with and sometimes replace existi ng species. The Short-legged

Rhi noceros l ived about 1 0 m i l l ion years ago. It beca m e extinct s o o n after, b u t other species persi sted i n E u rope ti l l the ice a g e . The early camel ( Proca m e l u s ) died out a bout the same time, but others l ived here til l the last ice age. More is told about these animals on the next page.

1 6

T HE F I RST M A M M A LS a ppeared i n North A merica over 75 million years ago. New kinds developed; others came fro m Asi a . About 25 m i l l i o n yea rs l ater, m a m ­ mals beg a n t o d o m i n ate t h e conti n ent. Many a n cient mammals died off, leavi ng no descendants. Others were ancestors of modern horses, camels, deer, beaver, bison, and rhinos-to mention a few. Smal l e r m a m mals were a b u ndant too; thei r fossils are rarer. S pecies that have become extinct recently include:

Lo ng- h o r n e d Bis o n was one of a n u m ber of species of bison wides prea d i n N orth America d u r i n g the ice age. Spear poi nts fou n d with bones of e xtinct bison show that man h unted them.

Saber-toothed Cats, a lso found i n E u rope, were larger in N orth America. Our species, with dagger-like teeth 8 inches long, su rvived until late in the ice age. S h o rt- l egged R hin oceros a n d kin, developed i n North America, became exti nct befo re t h e i c e a g e . S o m e mig rated t o Asia and Africa, where descendants sti l l live.

American Ma stodon was one of our many elephant­ l i ke a n i m a l s . So me had shovel-tusks; some, c u rved pointed tusks. The Woolly Mammoths, survivi n g into the ice age, were h u nted by early man, perhaps Indians. Gia nt G ro u n d Sloth was an elepha nt-si zed m e m ber of a group which today has few mem bers. Heavy hind l e g s a n d ta i l s u g gest it s q uatted when feedi n g or rest­ i n g . It was co nte m porary with early m a n in N o rth America.

Earl y C a m e l ( Proca m e l u s ) represents the m i d point in the deve l o p m e nt of the camel i n North America. F rom h e re, types of camels moved i nto Asia a n d South America, where they l ive today. Other, l a rger kinds of camels survived here i nto the ice age.

OPOSS U M i s our only native marsu pial or pouched mammal. Baby opossums, which weigh only 1 /1 5 oz. at b i rth, live i n the mother's fur-li ned pouch about 3 months. U p to 1 4 may be born; usually only 7 to 9 su rvive. O pos­ s u m s h u n t at n i g ht for s m a l l birds and m a m m a l s. They eat eggs and fruit a lso. When th reate n ed by e n e mies, they " play possum" and collapse as if dead. O possu m s a re reco g n i zed b y their white faces, coa rse fur, a n d rat-l ike ta ils. Ma les a n d females

a re a l i ke. Length: 3 3 i n.

1 8

M O LES a re s m a l l , plu mp, un derg rou nd creatures, with velvety fur, no visible ea rs, and eyes red uced or a bsent. They have powerfu l shou lders, a short neck, m u sc u lar fro nt legs with shovel-like feet, a n d heavy c l a ws -all featu res usefu l in digging. Sensitive snouts and sensory

hair on front feet and tail keep moles from bumping into tunnel walls. Dis­ tinguish the Hairy-ta i led Mole by its h ai ry ta i l a n d s h o rt snout. Star­ n osed Mole is identified by an odd, p i n k, disc-l i ke fringe on its snout.

2. Shrew Mole

Moles tu nnel in rich woods and lawns, feeding on g rubs and worms. The California Mole, one of severa l western s pecies, is a l m ost b l i n d . It resem bles the E astern Mole ( p . 20), but with a more fleshy tai l . The Shrew Mole has a long snout a n d h a i ry tail . The smallest mole ( 5 i n . ), it MOLE SNOUTS spends more ti me at the s u rface t h a n others. In many featu res, it i s inter­ medi ate between m o l es and shrews. Other moles range fro m 51h to 8 i n . long. � Shrew

{!.

·Mo�e · ···"-

-w-

'(

�California -=-: Mole 1 9

Mole h i l l s and tunnels

T HE EASTERN MOLE or common mole m a kes the mounds that dot your lawn . You are u n l i kely to see any moles, for they stay underg round un less molested . Moles d ig two types of tu nnels: deep tun­ nels (to 2 ft. u nderground ) where they nest, spend the winter, and re­ m a i n d u r i n g droug ht; a n d s h a l low tunnels seen on lawns, a long which they fi n d i n sects a n d e a rthworms. Length: 7 in.

P I G M Y S H REWS are the smallest shrews, and shrews, in genera l , are the smal lest North America n m a m mals. • · The Pigmy Shrew wei g h s only 1 _I 1 4 ou nce-less than a

' _{l d i m e . As it d a rts t h ro u g h dry woods a n d c l e a ri n gs,} where it l ives, people mista ke it for a mouse. N ote its

velvety, soft, mole-li ke fur, slender body a n d legs, and short tai l . S h rews feed on small i nsects, which they hunt consta ntly. Because of their activity and small size, they

consu me several times their weight in foo d every day. S h rews spend m ore ti m e a b ove g r o u n d t h a n moles. Their eyesight is better, too. Enemies: common carnivores, owls, hawks, s n a kes. Length: a bout 3 in.

(Text on page 24.)

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(Text on page 24. )

1 . Desert Shrew

24

Pigmy Shrew

S H REWS, o u r smallest but fiercest m a m m a ls, attack and kill prey severa l times their weight. Two sh rews may fi g ht til l one kills a nd consu mes the other. The young (4 to 5), born i n a hollow stu m p1 log, or b u rrow, can fend for themselves within a month . The life span is short- 1 112 years at most.

Masked Shrew is a common, widespread, long-tailed sh rew, found i n moist forest localities. Length: 4 in.

Arcti c S h re w is s i m i l a r to Masked Sh rew, but l a rger, with a longer tai l . Its coat is brown a bove, gray-white be­ l ow, c h a n g i n g in wi nter to a darker brown or b l a c kish a bove and al most white below. Length: 41f2 in.

Least S hrew, s m a l l a n d short-tai l ed, i n h a bits g ra ssy a ba ndoned fields. Feeds on insects, possi bly m ice.

Desert S h rew, pale, ashy-gray in color, lives amid cacti and sagebrush i n more arid places than any other of our shrews. Not often found. Length: 3 i n .

Short-tailed Shrew, with stubby ta il, i s o n e o f the commonest mammals of eastern woods. Its slightly poi­

sonous saliva aids i n paralyzing prey. Length: 4112 i n . Water Shrews c a n r u n o n water, with their large, broad, hairy feet. They also swim and dive, feeding un­ der water on i n sects, fish, and fish eggs. L ength: 6 i n . Northern Water Shrew is more black; the Pacific species is more brown.

1 . Long-nosed Bat 2. Leaf-nosed Bat 3. Mastiff Bat BATS a re the only flying mammals. Flying squirrels glide, but only bats fly. Bats' forelimbs a re g reatly modified and form wings very different from those of birds. In bats, the fingers a re greatly lengthened to support a thin mem­ b rane. This membrane extends to the hind legs. The legs and usu a l ly the tai l support the membrane.

Bats h ave l i mited eyesig ht. I n fl i g ht their l a rg e ears form part of a unique system for locati n g a n d avoiding o bjects. Bats e m it a sound, too hig h-pitched for us to hear, which is echoed back like a radar bea m . Picked u p b y the bat's sensitive ears, th is echo indicates the direc­ tion and distance of obstacles to be avoided a n d of fly­ ing insects that may be seized for food.

About 2 , 000 kinds of bats i n h a bit te m p e rate a nd tropica l regions. The 65 or so kinds fou n d in the U nited States a re p ri m a rily i nsect-eaters. Some larger, tropica l bats feed o n fruit, a n d the Va m p i re Bats of S outh and Central America feed on blood. long-nosed Bats feed on pollen of n i g ht-bloo m i n g flowers. Bats rest d u r i n g the day, h a n g i n g u pside down in caves, i n deserted build­ ings, under cliffs, and in trees. At dusk they fly out to feed on insects. Their erratic flight and the darkness make identification difficult. For positive identification , find some at rest d u ri n g the day. Catch them i n barns, under cl iffs and in caves. Release them after you have studied them.

26

1 . Eastern Pipistrel

2. Big Brown Bat

1. Silver

-(Text on poge 28. )

P I PI ST RELS a re the smal lest A merica n bats

(

length: 3 i n . ) . Th e erratic fl i g ht, i n early eve n i n g , a n d s m a l l size a re clues to identification. Eastern Pipistrel has reddish­ b rown fur, black at base, and brownish ears. Western Pi pistrel has grayish-brown fur, blackish e a rs . Both h i­ bernate .

B I G BROWN BATS are large bats (length: 41f2 i n . ) often seen around dwe l l i ngs. Bats that fly in th rough windows or down c h i mneys a re usua lly Big Browns, harmless like other bats. Yo u n g are born i n late spri n g . They g row ra pidly a n d in two months reach adult size. Rarely l ive in large colonies, as do Pipistrels and little Brown Bats.

S I LVER- H A I R E D BAT is a dark bat (length: 4 i n . ) with

silver-tipped fur, which is more pronounced on the back. They a re c o m m o n , sl ow-flyi n g bats, ofte n seen a l o n g m o u n ta i n stre a m s a n d l a kes. A t rest t h e y are u s u a l l y solita ry, h a n g i n g from branches in d e e p woods or hid­ ing under loose bark of trees. Mig rates to the southern part of its range i n fal l . May be confused with the larger Hoary Bats (p. 31 ).

BIG-EARED BATS a re large (length: 4 i n . ) with ears l a rger than the head, and two large l u m ps on top of the nose ( also called lump-nosed Bats). Fur is reddish brown; m a l es a n d females a l i ke. They freq uent caves, coming ouf at d u s k to feed. Eastern Big-eared Bat i s silvery be­ low; Western Big-eared, brownish below.

LITTLE B R O W N BATS a n d the i r kin a re a g r o u p of common sma l l bats with long, narrow ears and "simple" faces. Over a dozen species occur i n N o rth A m e rica, most about 3112 i n . lon g . A single you n g is born i n early s u m m e r and can fly i n a few weeks. The bats may make several fee d i n g fl ig hts a n i g ht i n searc h of s m a l l flying

i nsects . When cold weather sets in, these bats h i bernate. Thousa nds h ave been fou n d i n l a rg e r caves­ sometimes i n c l usters, sometimes forming a layer over the cave wal ls. They a l so l ive i n deserted buildings.

PALLI D and MEXICAN FREE-TAI LED BATS are large western s pecies. The P a l l i d , one of o u r p a l est bats, is larger (length: 41h in . ) and d rab gray in color. It has very large ears, ridged nose without lumps, and broad wings. Often fou nd near buildi ngs, these bats fly slowly and feed close to the g ro u n d . Free-tailed Bats h a ve nearly half the ta il projecting beyond the membrane. Their musk glands prod uce a d isagreeable odor. Millions of these Mexican Free-tails l ive in the u p per pa rts of Carlsbad Caverns in New Mexico.

RED and HOARY BATS a re widespread species, but the forme r is more common . The Red Bat (length: 41f2 i n . ) is easily recognized by its rusty-red fur, tipped with white . Females a re d u l ler-an unusual condition, since both sexes in bats genera l l y look a l i ke . These bats mi­ g rate south i n fa l l a n d spend the wi nter i n warmer l ati­ tudes. The H oary Bat is a large (length: 5 i n . ) forest s pecies. Its brown fur, ti pped with white, gives it a si lvery a p pearance. Males u s u a l l y fly alone, females in s m a l l g roups. A pair of you ng, born in midsu mmer, i s carried by the mother as she feeds.

32

C A R N I VORES a re a well-known g rou p . Most a re pred­ a tors - q uick, inte l ligent, a n d someti m e s vici o u s . Many a re b u i lt for s peed -among them the cat fa m i ly, wh ich includes the fastest mammals. Carnivores show adapta­ tions for h unti n g . The most obvious a re in the m outh . The l ower j a w moves freely, for grasping a n d gripping. Teeth a re s h a rp , for cutti n g and tea r i n g . T h e feet of carn ivores a re padded, some with sharp claws.

Of seven fa m i l ies of American carnivores, two -the seals (pp. 63-65) and the walrus-are aquatic. Though

the rest a re l a n d a n i m a ls, some species (River a n d Sea Otters) a re excellent swimmers, adapted to water l ife. Carn ivores range in size from the tiny least Weasel to h a l f-ton bears. Some su pplement the i r flesh d i et with fi s h . A few eat fru its and berries. As predators, the car­ nivores h e l p i n kee p i n g the po p u lation of rod e n ts a nd other plant-eaters in check. The group includes some of the best fu r bea rers (otter, m i n k, m a rten, fox a n d rac­ coon ). large n u m bers of mink and fox a re successfully ra ised on fur fa rms.

34

B LAC K BEARS, despite their name, vary from b rown to blac k in color, sometimes with white on the chest. Note the bear's u n usual flat-footed wa lk. You n g ( u su­ a l ly two), born in late winter while the mother is dor­ mant, remain with her til l the fol lowing fal l . Then each seeks a den u n der a fallen log or rocky ledge for winter sleep. Bea rs feed on sma l l mamma ls, fish, plants, and especia l ly on wild berries. Length: to 6 ft.; height: 3 ft.; weight: a bout 300 lb.

GRIZZLY BEAR, larg­ est l a n d carn ivore, is so n a med because the l i ghter ti ps of its h airs g i ve the coat a s i lvery look. Once widespread a n d freely h u nted, it is today protected in most regions. Grizzlies occur i n a f�w places in the Roc k i e s , fee d i n g on game, berries, and hon­

ey. They are expert at scooping up salmon at the river's edge. Thei r long, heavy claws were once made into prized necklaces by the Plains Indians. Length: to 8 ft.

36

R AC C O O N, identified by black mask a n d ri n g ed tai l , is o n e o f the best-known eastern mammals. I t feeds o n rodents, insects, frogs, w i l d fruit, and corn, and washes its food when near water. The den is often in a hollow tree. Th ree to six yo u n g , born in s pri n g , a re b l i n d for

a bout three weeks. They re­ main in the den for two months a n d with p a r ents ti l l the

fol-'

l owing s p ri n g . They a re c u ri­ ous, mischievous, but m a ke fair pets. Length: to 30 i n .

R I NGTA I LS and C OATI S are both related to raccoons. The former ( upper picture) is also called Ri ng-tai l ed Cat. The Ri ngta i l (length: a bout 30 in.), with white a rou n d the eyes a n d a longer rin ged tail than that o f raccoons, feeds on small desert animals. Coatis have lon ger noses

a n d l o n g , p a rtly ringed tai l s . They travel in b a n ds, feedi n g on i nsects a n d on s o m e p l a nts. The misch iev­ ous Coatis, frequently ta med in Mexico, m a ke good pets. Length: 40 to 50 i n .

Bl ack -footed Ferret

Hog-nosed S k un k

Stri ped S k unk

Spotted Skunk BADGERS

THE WEASEL FAM I LY includes skunks, otters, bad­ gers, and m i nk-all small- to medium-sized animals with small heads, long tai l s, sharp teeth, and claws. They are prized fur bearers whose skins bri n g top market prices . This family occu rs in North and South America, E u rope, Asia, and Africa. Our species are more com mon in cooler, wooded regions. True Weasels and Wolverines ( p. 45) a re aggressive, bloodthirsty predators. The skunks have a slow, q uiet dignity. All m e m bers of the family have scent gla n ds, but those of the s k u n k a re most powerful . The range� of these m a m m a l s have shrunk as man has e ncroached on the m .

M A RTEN S, cl ose relatives of the Fisher ( p . 4 2 ), a re s m a l l e r ( length: 2 ft. ) a n d show m o re p reference for trees. They h u nt s q u i rrels, ra b b its, a n d b i r d s . I n the hollow-tree n est two to fou r young are born in spring; by fa l l they fend for themselves. Martens a re sometimes ca lled Sa ble -the name of a species native to northern E u rope a n d Asia. Ma rten fu r, however, is prized, and some a n i m a l s have been raised in ca ptivity. Tra pping and cutting of northern pine forests have g reatly redu ced the wild Marten popu lation.

40

Short-ta iled Weasel in summer and winter

WEASELS, th ree species of them , a re brownish in sum­ mer. They have long, shiny hair and soft fur, the u n der­ sides a n d feet being lig hter. These s l i m , b l oodth i rsty, vicious h u n ters often kill more tha n they can eat. They p rey on m ice, rats, shrews, and moles, and w i l l attack l a rger a n i ma l s : squi rrels, rabbits, and poultry. A weasel in a henhouse can be a catastrophe. In tu rn, weasels a re eaten by owls, hawks, cats, and larger m e m bers of the weasel fa mily. Weasels a re the quickest m a m mals, their movements being a lmost too fast to fol low, but they a re curious a n d a re easily trapped . Weasels use b urrows of other a n i m a l s for a nest, lining it with fu r a n d feathers. In spring, fou r to eight you n g a re born . In five to seven weeks the you ng can care fo r themselves.

S hort-tailed Weasel, sometimes called Ermine, is a c o m m o n n o rthern species. I n wi nter, its p e l a g e tu rns white, but the ta i l reta i n s the black ti p . In s u m m er a white line runs down inside the hind legs. Length: 1 0112 i n .

Long-ta i l e d Weasel is the most com m o n a n d widely distri buted (length: about 1 6 i n . ). I n the Southwest a nd Florida, it has a whitish band across the face ( bridled weasel).

Least Weasel, even shorter (length: 6 i n . ), is the smallest of ca rnivores. less common tha n the others, it lacks the black ti p to its tai l and is always completely white i n winter. It feeds on i nsects and, in wi nter, on mice and shrews .

�-.._ _ ___,..-..,...,.,.,...

1. Least Weasel 2. Long-tailed Weasel ( below)

F I S HER is a big, agile weasel with a heavy, b u s h y tail and a s i l ky pelt. The fu r is very va l u a ble, and s o for years Fishers were contin ually hunted and tra pped. A l­ thou gh a good swimmer, the Fisher does not fi s h . It is a nimble tree-cl imber and looks above ground for most of its foo d : s m a l l mammals, birds, fruit, and nuts. It is reputed to be the fastest mammal in trees and is nearly a s fa st on the ground. Fishers l ive in moist forests. They store extra­

food and return to eat it. Young, th ree to a l itter, are born in early sprin g and begin to h unt in a bout three months. Length: to 3 ft.

MI N K l ive near water. They a re aggressive hunters with a s pecial ta ste for M u s krat, s o m etimes destroying entire colonies. They a l so eat fish, other mamma ls, marsh birds, a n d p o u ltry. M i n k are con­ sta ntly on t h e go, ca rryi ng their you n g by the scruff of the neck on land or pickaback in water. W h e n a n g ry, Mi nk d ischarge a n acrid musk. They spit and squeal with rage. The youn g (five to six) a re the size of pea p o d s at b i rth a n d a re covered with fine whitish hairs. Min k fur is val uable. Several varieties are raised in captiv­ ity. Length: to 2 0 i n . ; weight: to 2 l b . Female smaller.

B LACK- FOOTED FERRET is the largest true weasel (up to 1 8 in. lon g , with 6-i n . ta i l ) . The Blackfoot is l i g ht­ colored, except for its feet and for a dark band across its eyes. A resident of open plains, it feeds m a i n l y on prairie dogs and g round squi rrels. A Ferret wi l l work its way through the burrows of a prairie-dog colony, kill­ ing many of them . All weasels have m usk g lands at the

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----�

_, inally

base of the t a i l , but t h e B l a c kfoot has a stronger odor than most. The removal of prairie dogs, by poison­ i n g , has nearly e l i m i nated these F errets in m a n y areas. Cl osely re­ lated to the Asian polecats. 44

WOLVERINES, powerfu l, brown, and shaggy-haired, are the largest members of the weasel family, reach ing 3 ft. i n leng th . They feed on rabbits, gophers, other small m a m mals, and birds, and are known to k i l l g a m e as large as deer and elk. Wolverines ro b tra ps and de­ stroy caches of tra ppers' foo d . They a re feared and detested a n i mals. Their range just enters the United

States i n the western mountains, but the a n i m a l i s common i n Cana­ dian forests and i n Alaska. It builds an u nderground den l ined with l eaves. H ere th ree to four young are born each s u m mer.

OTTE RS a re l a rge, a q u atic weasels. Two ki n d s live i n North America-the Sea a n d the River Otters.

Sea Otter is l a rger, more val uable, more interesti ng. Ada pted for m a ri ne l ife, it h a s webbed h i n d feet a n d soft, heavy fu r, said t o be the worl d ' s best. Sea Otters l i ve a l o n g rocky Pacific shores, Cal ifornia to Alaska , feeding on s e a urchins, cla ms, a n d fi s h . Rarely going on l a nd, they rest floati n g on the back, front paws folded on the chest. O nce fairly common, they were h unted til l nearly extinct. Now protected, they are returning to iso­ lated bays. Length: 5 ft.

River Otter, much more com­ mon a n d wides pread, has the rep utati o n of bei n g a fun-lov­ i n g a n i m a l . Otters chase one a n other, wrestl e, tu m ble, and slide down muddy stream b a n ks. They a re excel l ent swi m mers. Otters l ive on small fish, but also eat muskrats, small m a m mals, snails, cray­ fish, insects, frogs, snakes, and s o m e b i r d s . A den i s m a d e in the stre a m ba n k or i n the base of a h o l l o w tree. H ere the fe­ m a l e h a s two or three p u ps i n l ate spri n g . T h e you n g g row slowly and stay with her for nearly a year. During that time, the mother teaches them to swim and hunt. The young play together or with their m other. Otters travel by water but wil l move overl a n d if necessary. Their fur is warm, re m arka bly thick, and very d u ra ble, rating much h i g h er than m i nk. The you ng m a ke fine pets.

I

STRI PED S K U N K, with its two white stri pes down the back, is a sou rce of end less jokes beca use it sq u irts a smelly fl u i d from scent glands under its tai l . However, it g ives fair wa rning before squi rting, by sta m ping fore­ feet, h issin g , a n d ra ising its hair. This com mo n skunk lives on forest borders, fence rows, and open meadows. It h u nts at night for m ice, rats, chipmun ks, a n d a l l kinds

Scent gland of insects. The you n g , three

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to e i g h t, a re born b l i n d in a b u rrow. They g row rap­ i d l y . If d e- s c e n t e d , the young make excellent pets. Length: to 40 i n .

S POTTE D S KUNK, playfu l and n i m b l e , h a s very soft fur. It is the s m a l lest North American sku n k, but its scent is as stron g as that of l a rg e r species. Also called C ivet C at, it l ives in wa ste places, in brush, a n d u n d e r fa rm buildings. Like other sku n ks it hunts at n i g ht, feed ing on insects, small rodents, lizards, snakes, and fruits. Spotted S k u n ks may warn enemies with a u n i q u e h a n dsta nd­ back erect and tai l wavi n g . The tiny

y o u n g ( u s u a l l y fou r to a litte r) are born i n early spri n g . With i n five months they a re as big as their parents. Length : to 22 i n . ; females slightly smaller.

50

HOG-NOSED S K U N KS have a naked, hog-like snout and a broad white band fro m the top of the head over the entire back to the wh ite tai l . They g row to about 28 i n . Found o n l y in the Southwest, these unusual sku nks h ave c o m e n o rth fro m Mexico a n d Central a nd South America, where they are more common . They dig u p l.ar­ v a e , g r u b s , oth e r i n s ects, a nd w o r m s; b i r d s , e g g s , a n d berries a re also eaten. Hog-nosed Skunks have s m a l l l itters. They a re l ess common tha n other s k u n ks; fur, shorter and coarser; claws, heavier and longer.

AMER I C A N BADGER is a fierce, powerfu l fi ghter with few e n e m i es, except the la rgest carn ivo res. It can hold its own a g a inst a pack of dogs. Note the heavy body; short, bushy tail; white stripe and patches on face; and long claws on forefeet. Badgers bu rrow and tunnel after s m a l l rodents . Someti mes they eat s n a kes, b i rds, and birds' eggs. The female builds

her-self a nest of g rass at the end of a deep b u rrow. H ere a litter of th ree

to fou r young are born d u ri n g May or Ju ne. By fa ll the you n g a re able to care for themselves. Length: over 2 ft. , weight: to 20 lb.

5 2

T H E FOX O R DOG FAM I LY comprises widespread,

familiar carn ivores, found the world over. Most are med i u m-sized, active, gregarious anima ls, best de­ scribed as " dog-like." Different species a re similar in general a p peara nce and have not c h a n g ed m a rkedly th rough the ages. Fossils of 30-m i l l ion-year-ol d " d ogs" i n dicate they were very much l i ke those of today. Dogs h ave five toes o n the front feet and usually fo u r on the rea r. Cats can retract their clawsi dogs cannot. Some of these Aesh eaters also eat fruit and berri es. American species include foxes, coyotes, and wolves.

K IT FOX ES, s m a l l , with b i g ea rs, are the pig m i e s of the fox group . They rarely g row as much as a yard long, including a foot of bushy tai l . When pu rsued, they run incredibly fast. Kit Foxes a re found in arid, open coun­ try. The Great Plains species, known as the Swift, has been exte r m i n ated . Kit Foxes feed l a r g e l y o n d esert

rode n ts, a l s o i nsects, liza rds, and b irds . When possible, this Fox car­ ries prey to its d e n . H e re fou r or five you n g are born in early spring. Both fathe r and mother help in raisin g the fa mily.

RED a nd G R AY FOXES live over most .of the Un ited State s . The Red Fox spreads north i nto C a n a d a and Alaska: Gray Foxes prefer warmer regions. The Gray Fox (length: 32 to 40 i n . ) is slightly smal ler tha n the Red (length: 36 to 40 i n . ) . Arctic Foxes deve lop white fur in wi nter, but the fu r of Red and Gray Foxes re m a i n s un­ changed. Both foxes feed on rodents, other s m a l l mam­ mals, carrion, poultry, and occasiona l ly fruit and berries. Both prefer open forest and brushland where there is cover for h u ntin g .

• •

• •

In the West, Gray Foxes prefer open country. They occasionally climb trees. Foxes build dens in sandy banks. Here about five young a re born in late spri n g . Both par­ e nts care for the young and teach them to h u n t. By win­

ter the young a re ready to care for themselves. The Red Fox has sev­ e r a l attractive color fo r m s: Cross, S i lver, a n d Black. All color phases may occ u r in o n e l i tter. Foxes a re raised on farms for their fur.

• • 2. Gray Fox • • �

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56

COYOTE looks like an u nderfed pol ice dog. Despite efforts to exterminate them, Coyotes are spreading and i n some places increasing in n u mbers. Their howl i n g is still a fam i l i a r sound on western prairies. Coyotes are intelligent a n i mals. They eat nearly everything: ca rrion,

••

••••

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rodents, ra b bits, so m e in­ sects, g a m e, pou ltry, and fruit. The you n g , born in April , in dens o r shallow b u rrows, stay with parents ti ll fa l l . Length: to 3 ft.

WO LVES were once common in all but the d riest pa rts of th is cou ntry. They h u n ted deer, elk, rabbits, and even smaller mam­ mals. As fa rms were opened, they found

settlers' cattle and sheep an easy banquet. Gray or Ti m ber Wolf, now more a b undant in Canada and Alaska, g rows 5 to 6 ft. long, al­ most 3 0 in. h i g h at the shoulder, and weighs 80 to 1 50 lb. The Red Wolf of the South is sma ller.

Saber-toothed Cat Lynx THE CAT FAM I LY includes large and small species, but a l l have a few common characteristics-short faces, blackened, rough tongue, sharp cutting teeth, and pad­ ded feet with retracting claws. This fam i ly, l i ke the pre­ ced i n g , was once widely distributed. Now a l l species, a n d especia l l y the larger cats, a re red uced in n u m ber and in range. The common domestic cat, a descendant

of a Libyan cat tamed by Egyptians centu ries a g o, now may ru n wild miles from habitations. l i ke its wilder relatives, it feeds on rodents, other s m a l l m a m m a l s, and birds.

MOU NTA I N LIONS, known a lso as cougars, pu mas, or panthers, a re, next to j a g u a rs, the la rgest American cats. They have small heads, long bodies and tails. Color varies from l i g ht ta n to a tawny brown . Now very rare, these l ithe beasts lea p on prey from trees or rocky ledges. They k i l l deer, smaller mammals and sometimes cattle, but normally fea r and avoid

m a n . litters of two to five, born in late winter or early spring, stay with

the mother two years. Length: to 8

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• ft.; weight: 200 lb.

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LYNX is a handsome, stub-tailed cat with thick, soft fur. It is l a rger and paler than the Bobcat, to which it is closely related, with longer ear tufts and legs. Its n a me comes from the Greek and refers to its sharp eyesight or b right eyes. A shy night p rowler of northern woods and mountains, it preys on small mammals, p a rticu larly

S nowshoe Ra b bits, and o n birds, snakes, and fowl . Its l a rge feet en­ a bl e it to wal k on the s n o w when other a n i mals would s i n k . Young (one to four) a re born in late spring in a rock den or hollow tree. Length: to 3 ft.

BOBCAT, a ptly called Wildcat, i s a s m a l l , fea rless h u nter that may attack a n i mals many times i ts size. It usual ly feed s on rabbits, ground squ irrels, mice, and bird s . The Bobcat p refers h unting on the ground, al­ though it can climb trees. It usua lly h unts with i n the same a rea of 4 to 5 sq . mi. of forest, or semi-a rid ta blelands. It dens i n h o l l o w trees o r other protected places. N ote the bobbed tai l . This wa ry animal is ra rely seen . Two to fou r yo u n g a re born i n l ate spring

a nd stay with their mother ti l l fal l . B y t h e ti me they a re ready t o leave, they can h u nt. Length: to 3 ft.; weight: to 25 l b .

JAG U A RS, which look l i ke Old World leopards, in­ clude the l argest and most powerful American cats. The S outh A merican kinds are the largest. Ja g u a rs p refer dense thickets but can l ive in deserts as well as i n wet j u n g l e . Ja g u a rs attack l a rge a n d s m a l l m a m m a l s a nd have no enemies but man. The young (two to four), born in late spri ng, are more spotted than the a d u lts. They req u i re two years to matu re, stayi n g with the mother nearly all that time. Length: to 7 ft.; weight: to 250 lb. Females smaller.

AQUATIC CARNIVO RES

SEALS and SEA LIONS, together with Walruses, make up the three fam ilies of aquatic carnivores. All are grace­ ful, powerful swi mmers that feed on fish and other marine l ife. Their legs are modified i nto fl ippers; their bodies are strea m l i n e d . On l a n d, wh ere seals c o m e to rest a nd raise their young, tbey are slow a n d c l u m sy. The herds, depleted after years of uncontrolled sealing, are now in­ creasin g . But several species, like the Elephant Seal, are still rare and may never stage a comeback. The F u r S e a l s of t h e Pri bilof I s l a n d s , once nearly exterminated, now n u m ber nearly 4 m i l l ion, with a potential fur val u e o f $ 1 00,000,000.

64

SEA L I O N S and their relatives, the Fur Seals, have

ears. Other seals are earless. The N9rthern Sea lion is a h u g e beast wei g h i n g up to 1 , 700 l b . The C a lifornia S ea lion is s m a l l er ( weight: to 600 lb., length: to 8 ft. ) a n d l ives fa rth er south. Males are much l a rger than fe­ males, which have only a single pup at a time. Sometimes both species a re seen together, feed ing on fish and

6

s q u i d. F e m a l es of the s m a l ler spe-·--

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ci es may be ca ptured you n g and

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H A R B O R SEALS are small and rem a i n close to land, near harbors, bays, and m ouths of rivers. Unl i ke other seals, Harbor Seals frequently come ashore to rest and sleep. They h u nt alone, feeding on fish and crustaceans, but c o n g reg ate in herds on l a n d . Their e n e m i e s a re sha rks, killer whales, a n d m a n . Each fa l l , these seals g row a new coat of coa rse, spotted h a i r, varyi n g in

color from yellowish g ra y to near­ b l a c k . T h e si n g l e y o u n g or p u p is born white b u t soon sheds and g rows a s potted coat. It h a s to be taught to swi m a n d to catch fish . Length: about 5 ft.; weight: 1 50 lb.

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1. Beaver, 30 in. 2. Field Mouse, 6 in.

Reproduction potential of a pair of field mice

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OF fllLD M I C E

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RODENTS, the la rgest order of mammals, are the most successful a n d most wi despread g roup. Ro­ dents are to be found on every con­ ti nent and all oceanic islands, from the arctic to the tropics, below sea l evel to a bove ti mber l i n e . They g reatly outn u m ber h u ma n bei ngs. Those species that travel with man q uickly take over new doma ins. Over 1 ,600 kinds (su bspecies) of rodents are found in North America .

Rodents are generally small; mosl are less t h a n a foot l o n g a n d well u nder a pound i n wei g ht. The few e xceptions i n c l u d e beavers, which may wei g h 50 to 60 l b . C h a ra cter­ istic of rodents are fou r pro m i n ent, yellow or orange i ncisor teeth . These continue to grow d u ri n g the e nti re lifeti me of the a n i m a l . As these wear, the hard enamel on thei r surface forms a sha rp, chisel­ l i ke edge. After these teeth comes a disti nct gap in the jaw before the chewi ng teeth, which never total more than 1 8 . The food of rod ents is m a i n l y veg eta ble; s o m e species eat in sects and other animal food.

N o rth American rodents fit i nto 1 3 fa milies (9 in U.S . ) . Our largest fa m i l i es are the s q u i rrels, m a i nly active by day, and the N ew World mouse fa mily, which i n cl u des

vari-Paramys ( prim itive rodent )

ous New World rats (pp. 95- 1 0 1 ). Some rodents dwell underground; some in trees; some are sem i-aquatic. N ot all rodents are harmful; most have little economic effect. Muskrat, n utria , a n d beaver have val u a bl e furs . Many rodents provi d e food for meat-eati n g m a m m a l s . O n l y a few native rats, m i ce, a n d gophers c a u se d a m a g e . T h o s e t h a t d o a r e t h e more dan gerous beca use they mature rapidly and breed frequently. An acre of land may have 1 0 to 300 Meadow Mice; the record is nearly 1 0,000 per acre. Drastic rises and falls of rodent popu­ lation may occur. I ntrod uced Old World house mice, Norway Rats, and Roof Rats are destructive.

68

TREE DWELLERS

THE SQU I RREL FAM I LY is a large and diverse group including ground as wel l as tree species, and some spe­ cies-such as woodchucks-which do not look l i ke squir­ rels at a l l . Despite these differences, a l l squi rrels have b ushy or at least furry tai l s a n d fa irly rounded heads. Some m e m bers of this group a re eate n . S q u i rrel stew was a standard dish, and woodchucks, too, have graced ta bles. Nearly a l l terrestrial squirrels have a l o ng winter sl eep-hi bernati o n . Yo u n g s q u i rrels, es peci a l l y flying squirrels, make good pets, easy to feed and keep.

WOODC H U C KS hi bernate in deep burrows from early October to February. When they emerge, their shadows

do not foretel l the weather, despite the s u perstition. Til l gardens a n d wild plants are up, woodch ucks have a hard ti m e g etti n g e n o u g h food . Two to s i x you n g a re born i n Apri l . Their eyes o pen fou r weeks later. By fal l they a re nearly fu l l grown, i f they have escaped hunters, hawks, foxes, and coyotes. Length:

to 2 ft. ; weight: to 1 2 l b . F e males

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70

1. Hoary Marmot

M A R M OTS a re western relatives of woodch ucks and

belo n g to the same genus. Hoary Marmots are fou nd fro m the Pacific N orthwest up thro u g h A l a s k a . Their shri l l , whistl i n g call is common i n mou ntai ns, where they live u n d e r l oose rocks. Length: 25 to 30 i n . The Yel low­

bellied Marmot is a s m a l l e r, socia l a n i m a l of lower s l o pes of western mpuntains. Yellowish fur on the ab­ domen accounts for its name. Mar­ mots are food for coyotes, foxes, wolves, and bobcats.

T H I RTEEN- LINED GROUND SQU I R R E L, widely dis­ tri buted o n prairie and plain, i s 8 to 1 2 in. long. These " g o p h ers" d a m a g e some crops but also eat i nsects, m ice, and s m a l l birds. They, in turn, are food for carni­ vores, hawks, and sna kes. After a s u m m e r of feeding, they h i bernate i n a g rass-lined chamber at the end of a l on g tu n ne l . H ere the six to ten

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squir-rels a re g radually extendi ng their . ·

2. Townsend Ground Squi rrel

1 . Richardson Ground Squirrel

GROUND S Q U I RRELS are striped or spotted bu rrow­ ing rodents of several closely related g roups. Typica l are:

Richardson G r o u n d S q u i rrel is g rayish brown, me­

d i um-sized, 1 0 in. long, with very small ears and a short (2 to 4 i n . ) tail, which is bordered by white or light gray. They l ive i n colonies i n meadows and sagebrush . T o w n s e n d G r o u n d S q u i rrel is a s m a l l ( 5 t o 7 i n . ) , g rayish a n i m a l with a short tail . Lives i n d ry sagebrush valleys. You n g: seven to ten i n a l itter.

Fra n k l i n Ground Squirrel (toto/ length: 1 4 to 1 6 in . )

is l a rger and more g ray than other plains " gophers." I t i n h a bits prairies, pastures, pla nted fields. Diet: g rass, soft plants, and seeds; some i nsects and small mammals.

Spotted G r o u n d Squirrel is a pale, spotted s pecies,

a bout 9 i n . l o n g . Lives i n sandy soi l , near rocks, never strayi ng far from its bu rrow. Its cal l is a bi rd-like whistle.

Antelope G r o u n d Squi rrel of the Southwest runs

with its tai l curled over its back. Common i n desert a reas, they feed m a i n l y on seeds.

74

G O LDEN- MANTLED GRO UND S Q U I RREL, a hand­ some rod ent, i s more c h i p m u n k- l i ke than its relatives, but has a heavier build and lacks the stripes which chi p­ m u n ks have on the side of the face. The Golden-mantled Grou n d S q u i rrel is easily seen in western p i n e forests, among rocks and fal len timber. Its reddish head and the white stri pe with black borders on each side of its back

are conspicuous. li ke other g round squirrels, it digs burrows for shelter, for raisi ng its three to seven young, and for hi bernati ng i n winter. Food: seeds, especi a l l y p i n e , a n d fruit. Length: 1 0 to 1 1 i n .

ROCK GRO U N D SQUI RRELS, found i n the Southwest, a re o u r l a rg e st terrestrial squi rrel s. Rock S q u i rrels re­ s e m b l e tree s q u i rrels in a p peara nce, with l o n g , bushy tai l s . They i n h a bit rocky pl aces, from deserts to moun­ tai n tops, nesti n g a n d h i bernati ng under stones. Al­ though they often perch on some bou lder or vantage poi nt, their dull g ray color makes them hard to see. N uts ,

seeds, g rasses, and grains are pre­ ferred foods, t h o u g h some i nsects a re eaten occasionally. The Cali­ fornia Gro u n d Squi rrel is similar iA appearance and ha bits . Length: 1 7 to 2 1 in.

PRAI R I E DOGS are closely related to the g round squir­ rels ( p p . 7 1 -75 ). They are socia l ani mals living i n large colonies or "towns" marked by low mounds of bare d i rt a n d s a n d which have been excavated from their bur­ rows. Alert travel e rs c a n see these rodents sitti n g u p­ ri g ht o n their mounds watc h i n g for d a n g er. If a h a wk, coyote, or even a tourist approaches, they g ive a quick, s h rill warning whistle and disappear. Pra i ri e Dogs feed m a i n l y on g r a ss a n d other green vegetati o n . The two g roups (White-tailed and Black-tailed) both have

set bodies, rounded heads, and coarse fur. Length: 1 4 to 1 7 in . Females slightly smaller than males, but other­ wise s i m i l a r . They have fou r to six you n g in spri n g . The Black-ta i l e d Prairie Dog, the more com m o n s peci es, is seen in the lower prairies. It is rusty yellow with a black­ tipped tai l . The White-tailed Prairie

Dog is slightly smaller, with a white­ ti pped tai l . It prefers h i g h e r mesas and mountains and does not make conspicuous mounds.

EAST E R N C H I PM U N KS are a b u ndant i n woodlands. They sca mper from log to log, nervous and a lert. They eat n uts, seeds, fruit, a n d-now a n d t h e n - a n i n sect. Eastern Chipmunks are ground-lovi ng, though they may c l i m b i nto shrubs and lower branches of trees. They dig long, shal low burrows, which include a nesting chamber. Three to five young are born about 30 days after mating

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--a n d l e--ave the nest --a m o nth l --ater. Adult length: 9 to 1 0 in . ; fe m a l es s i m i l a r to males. Voice i s a l ow­ pitched "chuck" often heard before the chipmunk is seen. When caught young, they make good pets. 78

L E AST C H I P M U N K i s a small (length: 6 to 9 i n . ), vari a b l e western species, the most widely d i stri b uted of the chi p m u n ks. All the dozen or more su bspecies have stri pes extending to the base of the tai l . Color varies from d u l l yel low to gray brown. The eastern forms have richer­ colored stripes. least Chip­

m u n k s r u n w i t h t a i l u p­ ri g ht, prefer m ore o p e n country tha n Eastern Chip­ m u n ks; l i k e them, ta me

C H I PMUNKS a l l have striped

backs and cheeks. Most a re curi­ ous and friendly, and can be en­ ti c e d to take a n ut o r g r a i n of corn fro m the h a n d . T h e i r eco­ nomic value is li mited, but forests wo u l d n ot be the s a m e without them. Of a bout 65 forms, those below and on pp. 78 -79 are common and representative. Townsend C h i p m u n k (9 to 1 1 i n . ), large, genera l l y d a rk, has black stri pes in its g ray fur. Commonest i n northwestern for­ ests a n d h i g h Si erras.

Cliff C hi p m u n k l ives at lower a ltitudes, preferri ng pi iion pine mesas. Stri pes are indisti nct except for a black one down the middle of the back. Color g rayish . Y e l l ow- p i n e C h i p m unk, of higher altitudes i n west­ ern forests, is brown, with distinct black-and-white stri pes, includ i n g a black stri pe through the eye. Feeds on pine seeds and seeds of Mountain Mahogany.

C olorad o C h i p m u n k is a western species, preferring h igher m o u ntains. ( Length: 8 to 1 0 i n . ; weight: 2 to 2 V2 o z . ) Typi cal c h i pm u n k color with g rayish- brown si des, ta i l da rker and ti pped with black. Most co m m o n in the Yellow Pi n e forests. C l osely related to U m b r o u s C h i p­ m u n k .

Colorado Chipmunk

R E D S Q U I RRELS (or Spruce or Pine Squi rrels), are our s m a l l est tree squi rrels. They i n habit coniferous forests, fi l l i n g them with noisy chatter. S u m mer color is d u ller, with a black line along the sides. Wi nter fur is brig hter, a nd disti nct ear tufts develop; no other eastern squirre l has the m . Red Squirrels eat seeds, nuts, fruit, cones, in­ sects, m u s h rooms, occasiona l ly eggs. They b u i l d a nest of leaves in a tree hole or an empty woodpecker nest. Three to six young, born in spring, are mature by fal l . Length: 1 1 to 1 4 i n .

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C H I C KA R EES or DOUGLAS SQU I RRELS are agile tree-dwel lers, found i n the tal l pi nes a n d spruces of the North west. In feedi n g they gnaw the stem s of g reen cones till the cones drop to the ground. Then they climb down to harvest. The seeds are dug from the cones or, if the sq u i rrel h a s fed, th e cones a re h i d d e n a way. The Chickaree, resembling the eastern Red Squirrel, has the

same loud, chatteri ng cal l . The un­ derparts a re reddish brown; the u pper pa rts a re rusty i n winter, o l ive brown in s u m mer, at which ti m e there is a l so a black line on the sides. litters of a bout five are born i n June. You n g can care for themselves by fal l .

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1 . Eastern

GRAY SQUI RRELS, so often seen in pa rks, are found

throu g hout the East and i n the far West. The Western Gray Squirrel is larger but otherwise simi lar. No other tree squirrels are large and gray. Gray and other tree squirrels do not h i bernate as ground sq u i rrel s do. An

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2. Western Gray Sq uirrel Black phase of Eastern Gray Sq ui rre l

1 . North of Grand Canyon

TU FT - EA R E D o r A B ERT SQU I RRELS, larger tha n

Gray S q ui rrels (length: 1 9 t o 2 1 i n . ), a r e confined to Yellow Pine forests of the Southwest. All h ave tufts on ea rs, with tufts more promi nent i n wi nter. These a re our most attractive squi rrels. O n the north side of Grand Canyon l i ves a n i solated group of

these squi rrels. These are the Kai­ b a b S q u i rrels, with the t a i l c o m­ pletely white. South of the Canyon, tails a re blackish or g ray above. 2. South of Gra nd Canyon

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rel g roup (length: 1 9 to 25 i n . ) . They live on forest borders, feeding on acorns, fru it, seeds, and corn. Fox S q u irrels va ry in color. They a re commonly a buff color with g ray on the sides . Some are a l most entirely g ray. Occasional ly, these squi rrels are nearly black except for whit.e spots o n the head. The n ests , large and b u l ky, a re built i n tree fo rks or in tree cavities. Usu a l ly two litters of two to five

F LYING SQU IRRELS a re sma ll, d rab-brown a bove, wh ite below, with a loose fold of skin ex­ ten d i n g from the front to rear leg s . They do not fly, but glide by extending their limbs a n d stretch­ ing the membrane between . Flying Squirrels, in contrast to others, a re a l most entirely nocturnal . Their d iet i n c l u des a n i m a l matter, n uts, a n d fruit. Fur is soft and silky; eyes a re large. The larger Northern a n d s m a l l e r Southern species m a ke in­ terestin g pets i n spite of their nocturna l habits .