Mammal Skulls

Mammal SkullsEnvirothon, 2010

Short-tailed shrew

InsectivoreRed-tipped teethVenomous mammal. Regular front feet (as opposed to moles)Eat mice

Wood Chuck

RodentLarge front incisors (enamel often orange)Gap between molars and incisors

The Whitetail Deer, Odocoileus virginianus,

The most widespread artiodactyl found in North America.

Males of the species, possess antlers which are shed from January to March.

Grow out again in April or May.

Good eyesight and acute hearing, but depend mainly on their sense of smell to detect danger.

No incisors on the top,

River Otters

Long, streamlined animals with a thick tapered tail and short legs.

Flatter skull than bobcat with triangular brain case

Found in and near fresh water rivers and lakes

Range throughout much of the northern US and Canada as well as the southeast US

Mink Found in every state except Arizona.

Adult Minks grow to about 2 feet in length, with up to half of this length being the tail. A member of the weasel family

Carnivores - feed on small vertebrates and occasional insects

Ermine Also known as the Weasel

Found in the north temperate and frigid sectors of Eurasia and North America.

Carnivores that hunt primarily at night.

They are specialist predators of small, warm blooded vertebrates, preferably mammals.

Gray Fox (Urocyon cinereoargenteus)Unique among canids in its ability to climb trees.

Strong, hooked claws that allow them to scramble up trees to avoid predators or to get fruit.

Mostly nocturnal and dens during the day in hollow trees.

A solitary hunter and eats a wide variety of food including small mammals, birds, small invertebrates and some plants.

Top of skull U-shaped.

Black tipped tail.

Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes) Native to North America, Europe and most of Asia and has been introduced to Australia and Africa.

A member of the order Carnivora

An omnivore. It mostly eats rodents, lagomorphs, insects, fruit and occasionally carrion.

White tipped tail

Prefers grasslands

Top of skull V-shaped

Pocket Gophers37 species of pocket gophers found in North America.

Small specialized mammals

Heavy front limbs well adapted for burrowing.

Live most their lives underground in elaborate tunnels and emerge only at night mainly to breed. The name "pocket" gopher comes from their large cheek pouches used to store food

Larger than mouse, two grooves on upper incisors

MolesFossorial or underground dwelling mammals Dig tunnelsForage on subterranean invertebrates. Bodies are streamlined, the eyes are tiny, the legs are short, and external ears are lacking. Forelimbs, armed with large flat claws, are positioned for powerful digging movements. Flat skull Insectivore

Voles143 species of voles found world wide.

Small mouse-like rodents that occupy nearly all habitat types.

Can be distinguished from mice by their short tails and robust body.

A favorite food source for many predators such as owls and fox. Family Muridae and the subfamily Arvicolinae, which also includes lemmings.

Molars zig-zag.

Smaller ears, shorter tail than mouse

MouseThe term "mouse" refers to any number of small rodents within the Muridae family.

The House mouse Mus musculus, is often associated with human populations and can be found on every continent.

Molars are straight

Mice, like all rodents, have ever growing incisors, and therefore, need to chew on wood or other materials to wear them down. This, along with their appreciation for human food and crops, and the propensity to spread disease, causes the mouse to be one of humanity's worst pests.

Bobcat

Indigenous throughout North America.

Lynx rufus.

Bobcats are strict carnivores (meat eaters).

Coyote Found from Central America north through central

Unlike its larger relative, the wolf, coyotes are less likely to form packs often hunting in pairs, or in family units depending on prey availability.

Adaptable -utilize a range of habitats including forests, clear cuts, prairie and farm land.

Sagittal crest on back of skull, convex depressions Above eye

The American Opossum

Ranges in North America, from Central America and Mexico in the south, through the United States east of the Rocky Mountains and north into southwestern Ontario.

They have a long head with a pointed snout and long whiskers.

All opossums have long, prehensile tails with a scaly appearance.

Opossums are omnivores with a wide diet including fruits, grains, insects and carrion.

50 teethmore than any other mammal

Cottontail Rabbit

The 13 species of Cottontail rabbits can be found throughout much of North America.

Very adaptive and occupy all terrains and most habitats. Born altricial, or naked of hair and are dependent on their mothers for many weeks.

Two peg-like incisors behind front incisors,

Lacy network on side of skull

American Badger

Found primarily on the great plains of North America.

One of the larger members of the Mustelidae family

Solitary animal.

Excellent digger using its powerful forelimbs to tunnel rapidly through the soil.

Triangular brain case on skull

Last 2 molars are triangular

American Beaver

The largest rodent found in North America.

Aquatic herbivores

Make large dams of wood and mud to flood and create habitat. Using their large incisors, beavers can chew through the biggest trees.

Muskrat

Aquatic rodent. An herbivore that chews on small saplings for food as well as eating a variety of other plants. Muskrats were once heavily trapped for their fur. Decline in demand has allowed this species to overpopulate many areas.Found over much of North America with the exception of the Southwest.

Raccoonblack bandit like masked and ringed tail. nocturnal omnivores found from southern Canada to Panama. diet consist of crayfish, crabs, frogs, fish, nuts seeds and berries

muskox Thought to have crossed the Bering Strait to Canada 90000 years ago Lifts and drops its massive head to break the snow crust when it becomes too hard to paw through Engages in elaborate head-butting clashes to determine dominance and possession of a herdTest Your Knowledge

White tailed deer

Short-tailed Shrew

Cottontail rabbitSimilar, but different. What is each?

BobcatOtterSimilar, but different. What is each?

Red FoxGray FoxSimilar, but different. What is each?

WoodchuckBeaverSimilar, but different. What is each?

Mink ErmineSimilar but different.Which is which?

ShrewMoleSimilar but different.Which is which?

Mouse Pocket Gopher

VoleSimilar but different.Which is which?

MuskratBeaver

Coyote

Oppossum

Muskox