Lab 7-

Suborder Fissipedia1)

Carnassial

pair common; used for shearing meat

2) Prominent sagittal

crest 3) Transverse mandibular

fossa

4) Large braincase

Family Canidae: Dogs, foxes and wolves1) Digitigrade: Walk on their digits, but not on

soles of feet-

increases stride length 2) Claws do not retract-

not used for attacking prey

3) Bunodont

molars for crushing-

broad diet 4) 2 upper molars, 3 lower molars (exceptions exist)

5) Long rostrum

Canis latrans (Coyote)

1)

Thin rostrum 2) Diameter of upper canine < 12 mm diameter

3) Grizzled, usually black-tipped tail

Range: Cosmopolitan in BC, throughout North and Central American

to Panama

Diet: -

90% mammals: Voles, mice, eastern cottontails, ground squirrels, chipmunks but also eat fruit, birds, snakes, lizards, frogs, insects, carrion,and occasionally livestock.

- Urban areas: Garbage, rodents, pet food, cats and dogs (keep your cats indoors!) - Considered one of the most adaptable mammals

FUN FACTS-They can jump over 4m (over 13 feet!)-Travel up to 30km per day in search of food-Mate in pairs, produce 4-7 pups (up to 19!)-Vast array of vocalizations (yips, howls, barks, yelps)-Most abundant livestock predator in Western North America, causing majority of sheep, goat, cattle losses

-CONSERVATION STATUS -Not At Risk (Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada)

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Canis lupus (Gray Wolf)

1)

Broad, powerful rostrum 2) Diameter of upper canines > 12 mm

3) Post-orbital processes thick and convex

Range: In BC: Cosmopolitan except for very urban areas (ie. Lower Mainland), prefers very remote areas away from human encroachment

DIET- Variable, heavily influenced by habitat: Deer, moose, elk, sheep, caribou, rodents, birds, and in marine environments, salmon, seals, and beached whales

FUN FACTS-Thought to be closest ancestor of domestic dogs, which are actually classified as a subspecies of grey wolf: Canis lupis familiaris-Complex, fluid social system- common belief that a pack is maintained with rigid dominance hierarchy unsupported in wild wolves-Once had one of largest ranges of any mammal-Eats anywhere from 5-30 lbs of meat per meal-Drinks large amounts of water afterwards which may prevent kidney failure

CONSERVATION STATUS-Threats include hunting for sport and for pelts, extermination, habitat loss, poisoning, conflicts with ranchers-COSEWIC- Not At Risk (though many special interest groups beg to differ!)

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Vulpes vulpes (Red Fox)

1)

Postorbital processes thin and concave 2) Temporal ridges form a “v”

(for vulpes!)

3) Black feet and thick, bushy tail with a white tip

Range: Cosmopolitan in BC (outside Lower Mainland and other densely populated areas)

DIET - Invertebrates such as insects, mollusks, crayfish, and earthworms as well as fruit, rodents (voles and mice), rabbits, birds, eggs, amphibians, small reptiles, fish, and carrion

FUN FACTS-Commercially important in the fur industry, esp. Silver morph-Introduced in Australia in the 19th century for fox hunting, now a serious conservation issue -Solitary outside breeding season, male and female raise 4-6 kits-Selective breeding was done with silver foxes which resulted in more affectionate animals (their ears even got floppy!)

CONSERVATION STATUS-Stable populations throughout most of range-COSEWIC- Not At Risk

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Family Felidae: Cats1) Digitigrade

2) Claws retract, used for attacking prey (cheetah is an exception)

3) Shearing molars and well-developed carnassials 4) 1-2 lower molars (jaw shortening = increased bite force)

5) Short rostrum

Lynx rufus (Bobcat)

1)

Short tail tipped in black only on dorsal surface 2) Ears tufted, tipped in black

3) ”Normal”

presphenoids 4) 2 upper premolars

RANGE: Central and Southern BC

DIET: Mainly snowshoe hare and cottontails, but also squirrels, voles, birds, fish, insects, and deer (occasionally livestock and poultry)

FUN FACTS-Solitary and territorial-Female has 2-4 kits in April or May, sometimes a second litter in the fall-Aggressive- outcompete larger Lynx in areas where two species overlap-Parasite infection common- ie. Toxoplasma gondii

CONSERVATION STATUS-Threats include disease, predation and interspecific competition by gray wolves and cougars, starvation, vehicles, habitat loss-COSEWIC- Not At Risk

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Lynx canadensis (Canadian Lynx)

1)

Short tail tipped in black dorsal and ventral 2) Ears tufted, tipped in black

3) Large paws 4) “Winged”

presphenoids

5) 2 upper premolars

RANGE: Central and Northern BC, widespread throughout Canada

DIET: Specialist predators, feed almost exclusively on snowshoe hares

FUN FACTS:-Solitary, secretive-Nocturnal: Hunt at night using sight and ambush-Huge feet allow them to travel across deep snow-Survival of young (2-4 kits) depends heavily on availability of prey species-Size of Canadian lynx population tends to follow the approximately 10 year-long rise and decline of snowshoe hare numbers

-CONSERVATION STATUS:-Threats- climate change (shrinking habitat, Northward spread of competitive species, the Bobcat)-COSEWIC- Not At Risk

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Puma concolor (Cougar)

1)

Tail >50% of BL 2) Uniformly light brown

3) 3 upper premolars

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Puma_range.png

RANGE: Cosmopolitan in BC, with Vancouver Island holding the highest concentration of cougars in their range (from Northern Canada through South America)

DIET: Mule and white tailed deer, elk, bighorn sheep, rodents, insects, porcupines

FUN FACTS:-Holds the Guinness world record for animal with most names (cougar, panther, mountain lion, puma, painter, catamount, mountain screamer, etc.)-Ambush predator, leaps onto back of prey and delivers suffocating neck bite-Cannot roar, lacks specialized larynx and hyoid apparatus of other big cats

CONSERVATION STATUS:-Populations vary widely depending on location-Extirpated in Eastern North America except for isolated sub-population in Florida, may be recolonizing parts of former eastern territory-COSEWIC- Data Deficient

Family Mephitidae: Skunks and stink badgers

1) Black with contrast colouration 2) Bushy tails

3) Well-developed anal scent glands 4) Omnivorous

Mephitis mephitis (Striped Skunk)

1)

Unbroken white stripes on black pelage 2) It’s a skunk!

3) 1st

molar squarish 4) Profile of cranium appears convex (curved)

RANGE: Most of North American continent North of Mexico; In BC, Eastern half of the province only though occupy most of South

DIET: Mice, eggs, carrion, insects, grubs, berries, worms, salamanders, frogs, moles, birds, roots, fungi, and grasses.

FUN FACTS:-One of primary predators of honeybee, thick fur protects from stings-Poor vision, vulnerable to road traffic-Fewer than 10% survive past 3 years-Virtually predator-less, with one exception: The great horned owl

CONSERVATION STATUS-COSEWIC- Not At Risk

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Spilogale gracilis (Western Spotted Skunk)

1)

Dorsal pelage with white stripes 2) It’s a skunk! (with spots)

3) 1st

molar squarish 4) Profile of cranium appears straight

RANGE: Extreme South Western BC to Northern Mexico

FUN FACTS:-Sprays from “handstand” position!-Climbs trees to escape potential threats-Diet similar to that of Mephitis -All spotted skunks have a different pattern of spots-Very helpful to humans because their diet consists of many animals considered pests

CONSERVATION STATUS:-COSEWIC- Not At Risk

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Family Mustelidae: Weasels1) Elongate bodies with short legs

2) Well-developed anal scent glands 3) Shearing molars, 1 upper that is narrow in middle

4) Prominent carnassials 5) Large braincase

Enhydra lutris (Sea Otter)

1)

Thick, gray pelage 2) Flipper-like hind feet

3) 3 upper premolars 4) Round skull with large braincase, reduced rostrum

5) No carnassials; teeth for crunching

RANGE: Pacific Rim from Northern Japan to Baja Peninsula in Mexico- In BC, populations on Northern West coast of Vancouver Island as well as Central coast

DIET: Sea urchins, clams, mussels, abalone, crustaceans, snails, sometimes fish

FUN FACTS:-Keystone species- maintain health of ecosystems (ie. Kelp beds)-Heaviest mustelid, though smallest marine mammal-Female tethers her single pup to strand of kelp while she forages-Predators include bald eagles which will snatch a pup off surface-Luxurious coat apparently yields 1,000,000 hairs per square inch!

CONSERVATION STATUS:-World numbers decreased from 150,000-300,000 to about 1000-2000 individuals after 1911- hunted for their fur-Successful reintroductions-US: Endangered-BC: Special Concern (populations increasing)

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Lontra canadensis (River Otter)

1)

Thick brown fur, rudder-like tail 2) Webbed feet

3) 4 upper premolars 4) Flat skull, reduced rostrum

http://fwp.mt.gov/content/getItem.aspx?id=9537

RANGE: Inhabits inland waterways and coastal areas throughout North America to Gulf of Mexico

DIET: Fish, insects, frogs, crustaceans, small mammals, sometimes water fowl

FUN FACTS:-”River otter” a misnomer- can live in marine environments-Often mistaken for much rarer sea otter-Uses dens built by other animals, sometimes killing beavers and muskrats to take over their lodges-Delayed implantation: Fertilized egg does not implant in uterus for several months (common in mustelids)

CONSERVATION STATUS:-COSEWIC- Not At Risk

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Gulo gulo (Wolverine)

1)

Long, dark pelage with broad, light stripes on sides 2) Looks like a large, powerful marten

3) Well-developed sagittal

crest, but less so than Martes pennanti

4) 4 upper premolars 5) Largest land weasel skull

RANGE: Primarily isolated Northern areas: Northern Canada, Siberia, Russia, Northern Europe but do range further South

DIET: Opportunistic predator, but carrion makes up large part of diet

FUN FACTS:-Ferocity disproportionate to body size (22-45lbs)!-Has been known to kill prey as large as moose -Mate in summer, but implantation 6 months later -Dumbbell-shaped upper molar allows it to tear up meat from frozen solid carrion as well as to crush bones to extract marrow

CONSERVATION STATUS:-COSEWIC- Western population (BC) Special Concern-Eastern population (Quebec, Labrador ) Endangered or Extirpated

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Martes americana (American Marten)

1)

Thick brown pelage, yellow patch on chest 2) 4 upper premolars

-RANGE: Mature coniferous or mixed forests in Alaska and Canada, and South through the Rockies

DIET: Omnivorous; favorite prey is red squirrel, though eats fish, frogs, insects, carrion, fruit, and vegetation

-

May be affected by deforestation

FUN FACTS:-Solitary outside mating season-Males aggressively defend territory of 1-3 square miles-Claws semi-retractable (similar to cats’), used for climbing trees-Large foot pads relative to body weight used for walking on snow

CONSERVATION STATUS-Trapping and deforestation have decreased numbers-COSEWIC- Newfoundland population Threatened-COSEWIC- Not At Risk in BC

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Martes pennanti (Fisher)

1)

Thick brown pelage, grizzled head and neck 2) Black feet

3) Well-developed sagittal

crest 4) 4 upper premolars

RANGE: Across most of Canada and U.S. and Southern Alaska, cosmopolitan in BC

DIET: Ruffed grouse, squirrels, mice, voles, shrews, carrion, hares, even raccoons

FUN FACTS:-Consistently eats porcupines!-Bites them on the face, then flips them over to expose the soft underbelly-Needs very large home range for animal of its size: About 50 X greater than expected for body weight (4-15lbs)-Don’t actually eat much fish

CONSERVATION THREATS:-Same as marten due to dependence on mature coniferous forests-COSEWIC- Data Deficient (but numbers probably decreasing)

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Mustela erminea (Short-tailed Weasel/Ermine)

1)

Brown dorsal, white ventral pelage 2) Tail 30% of total length, black tip

3) 3 upper premolars 4) Auditory bullae

nearly twice as long as wide

5) Posterior edge of palatines rounded

Mustela frenata (Long-tailed Weasel)

1)

Brown dorsal, yellow ventral pelage 2) Tail 50% of total length, black tip

3) 3 upper premolars 4) Auditory bullae

nearly twice as long as wide

5) Posterior edge of palatines rounded (contrast to Mephitis)

Mustela nivalis (Least Weasel)

1)

Brown dorsal, white ventral pelage 2) Tail <25% of total length

3) Small 4) 3 upper premolars

5) Auditory bullae

nearly twice as long as wide 6) Cranium ≤

35 mm

Mustela spp.

RANGES:M. erminea: Most of North America, Northern Europe, Siberia and Russia; cosmopolitan

in BC-Subspecies haidarum Threatened in BC

M. frenata: Southern Canada through Northern parts of S. America- most widely distributed mustelid in the world

-Not At Risk

M. nivalis: Most of Canada (all of BC) as well as Northern parts of Europe, Asia, and even North Africa (smallest member of Order Carnivora)

-Not At Risk

DIET: All of these species extremely ferocious predators for their small sizes- prey on voles, mice, rabbits, hares, birds, eggs, invertebrates, rats, frogs, and lizards

Neovison (Mustela) vison (American Mink)

1)

Thick, dark fur with white patches ventrally 2) Partially webbed feet

3) 3 upper premolars 4) Auditory bullae

nearly twice as long as wide

5) Posterior edge of palatines rounded (contrast to Mephitis)

RANGE: Throughout Canada and continental U.S. and Alaska; cosmopolitan in BC but almost always found near water

DIET: Fish, amphibians, aquatic invertebrates, rodents, birds, and reptiles

FUN FACTS:-Heavily farmed species for fur, especially in the BC Fraser Valley-Often these farms are the target of animal rights activists-Wild numbers have decreased due to loss of habitat, pollution of their water supply, and the mixing of domestic mink genes into those of the wild stock

CONSERVATION STATUS:-COSEWIC- Not At Risk

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Taxidea taxus (American Badger)

1)

Gray or grizzled, white stripes and patches on face 2) Powerful front limbs with long claws

3) 3 upper premolars 4) Triangular braincase

5) First upper molar a rounded triangle, not a dumbbell shape

RANGE: Western and Central US, Northern Mexico, Central Canada, and South Western BC

DIET: Small mammals, ground nesting birds, reptiles, insects, and some vegetationTaxidea taxus jeffersonii endangered

due to habitat loss from urbanization, agriculture

FUN FACTS:-Fossorial carnivores, live underground in burrows called setts-Usually solitary, but may form clans (2-15 individuals)-Ferocious!-Capable of fighting off wolves, coyotes, and bears

CONSERVATION STATUS:-BC subspecies: Taxidea taxus jeffersonii-COSEWIC- Endangered

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Family Procyonidae: Raccoons and allies Procyon lotor (Raccoon)

1) Long, ringed tails 2) Mask on face

3) Poorly developed carnassials 4) Crushing teeth

5) Rounded braincase

RANGE: Throughout North and Central America from Canada south to Panama; Southern and Central BC

DIET: Omnivorous: Rodents, earthworms, fish, fruit, vegetation, grubs, eggs, birds, frogs, lizards

FUN FACTS: -Raccoons have increased in abundance and distribution with urbanization- very adaptive!-Extremely tactile- “washing” motions are made whether water is available or not-Probably more to do with tactile experiencing of food-Normally 6-15lbs, can exceed 60lbs in urban areas!-Carries some risk of zoonotic disease (rabies, Baylisascaris procyonis)

CONSERVATION STATUS:-Not At Risk

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Family Ursidae: Bears1) Huge size, large claws 2) Massive rostrum

3) Poorly developed carnassials 4) Crushing cheek teeth

Ursus americanus (American Black Bear)

1)

Variable pelage 2) Claws on forelimbs same size as hindlimb

claws

3) Rostrum straight, or convex 4) Prominent sagittal

crest (less than brown bear)

RANGE: Northern Alaska to Southern Mexico, all Canadian provinces except PEI; cosmopolitan in BC

DIET: Omnivorous- Herbs, berries, tubers, skunk cabbage, grasses, insect larvae, tree bark, carrion, rodents, fish, eggs, sometimes young ungulates (ie. Deer fawns, moose and elk calves)

FUN FACTS:-More than 800,000 today on the continent-90-600lbs, largest ever recorded was a male who was 881lbs!-Females give birth to and nurse their young while hibernating-Extremely variable pelage (from pure white to black, with many shades of blonde and brown in between)-Can run up to 48km/hr on flat ground and up/downhill, excellent climbers and swimmers-Outcompeted by brown bears where they are sympatric

CONSERVATION STATUS: Not At Risk

Ursus arctos (Brown Bear)

1)

Variable pelage, hump between shoulders 2) Claws on forelimbs twice length of hindlimb

claws

3) Rostrum concave 4) Prominent sagittal

crest

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- Extirpated from prairies - Population

estimated at 26,000 to 29,000 animals worldwide

-

At risk due to habitat loss and fragmentation, hunting (450 licenses released each year!)

-

Kodiak bears a unique subspecies, males 700 kg!

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RANGE: Western Canada, Russia, Siberia, US (mainly Alaska), some isolated pockets in Europe (Italy, Spain); cosmopolitan in BC except Lower Mainland and Vancouver Island, mainly more remote Central and Northern areas

DIET: 90% vegetation such as roots, grasses, fungi but also eat fish, small mammals, and occasionally hunt large mammals (ie. Deer, elk, moose)

FUN FACTS!-Prefer semi-open country in mountainous areas-Can run 56km/hr-They have a 4m reach!-Coastal bears larger than inland bears (fish availability)-One of biggest threats in US is genetic bottlenecking-Climate change has resulted in increased interactions between brown and polar bears, hybridizations have occurred

CONSERVATION STATUS:-COSEWIC- Special Concern-Needs reassessment- last one was in 2002!

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Volunteer opportunities with Carnivora…

Mountain View Conservation and Breeding Societywww.mtnviewconservation.org

Vancouver Aquariumwww.vanaqua.org

Critter Care Wildlife Society (mammal rehab only)www.crittercarewildlife.org

Wildlife Rescue Association of BCwww.wildliferescue.ca