Knowing and understanding the behavior of animals which could pose a threat to you is paramount to protecting yourself and your loved ones when you venture out into the woods. Knowing and familiarizing yourself with which animals are known to exist in your neck of the woods is important for knowing what kind of predators you could be dealing with. Some animals were once known to have a presence in certain regions of the United States but no longer exist there. For example, at one time, there was a large population of mountain lions that once roamed Virginia however, these species of feline no longer exist in Virginia anymore. There are numerous resources that you can use to familiarize yourself with the wildlife in your area. Your local national parks and park rangers can give you a wealth of information as well as other entities. The Department of Wildlife has regional offices that have a complete list of all wildlife that exists in each region. The information below will help you understand some of the characteristics and behavior of all the common species of animals that exist in the United States and can pose a threat.
Black Bear -Ursus americanus
Biology:
Adult black bears are 50 to 70 inches in length which includes the stubby tail that typically is 3 to 5 inches in length. They stand about 30 inches tall at the shoulder and weigh 110-400 pounds, with some having been recorded being 650 pounds! Here in Virginia, these black beauties average about 220 pounds for the males while the females come in at about 120 pounds. Their fur is long, thick and soft. Their color is typically black to brownish-black but there are some with a cinnamon-brown color. Their muzzle has a tan color which ascends from the nose area and stops towards the curvature of the eyebrows. In some cases, some may also have a V-shape, white mark on their chest. For the most part, the appearance of both males and females are identical to each other with relationship to their fur color. Whereas, size on the other hand will be easy to distinguish as the males are larger then the females.
Basic Characteristics:
Bears are extremely fast and agile as they can run at speeds of 30 miles per hour and swim very well. When walking, their gait is a shuffling, flat-footed gait. When swimming, they paddle like a dog with their head facing up and out of the water. Although bears have good eyesight, their senses of smell and hearing are far sharper and use these senses to be very alert and cautious when roaming about. When they are unable to see something, they will stand on their feet in order to have better visibility of their surroundings. Typically, bears are silent but when under duress or provoked, they will growl and make deep breathing noises with deep, undertone guttural sounds when provoked. A mother will grunt, or huff when calling her cubs to her. When hurt they will bellow, bawl or make sobbing sounds. Bears are mainly nocturnal animals even though they may be found feeding and or moving about during the day. Bears travel alone unless it is a female with her cubs. In this case, she will remain moving about with them for the next two years of their life. If a female bear is with her cubs and feels threatened, the female will indeed attack to defend her cubs at all cost. Bears tend to stay clear of open areas when they are traveling, however, in parks or places where people are prone to leaving food or trash around, bears will become more familiar with frequenting the place. Most places in which black bears are not in contact with humans tend to act more aggressive with humans and will attack them. Cubs are playful and can be found wrestling with each other or playing around in the water. If the mother feels a sense of danger the cubs will go climbing up the trees for protection. It is a known fact that sometimes adult male bears kill and eat the cubs of a litter. Why they will do that is unknown and an unanswered questioned as of yet.
Signs and Tracking:
Bears are territorial and will use their claws and teeth to scar trees in order to mark their individual territory. Other signs of bear activity are paw prints ranging from 3.5 to 7 inches in length. Overturned logs are signs of their foraging for insects, frogs and other creatures for a food source. It is also common to find large droppings of dung, either in discrete or loose piles and with signs of seeds, insect parts, animal hair or nutshells are commonly found in their excrement..
Habitat:
Black Bears are commonly found during the spring and summer months and are the largest carnivores in the East. They can also be found as far up as Canada and as low as Mexico as well as in portions of the east and west coasts. Although they hibernate during the winter seasons, you will find them active in the summer seasons lingering about in streams to keep cool and to fish.
Eating Habits:
Bears use their sense of smell as their main source of seeking out food. Most of their diet consists of fruits and vegetation during the spring and summer months such as pawpaws, skunk cabbage, blackberries, devil-walking stick, persimmons, wild grapes as well as the leaves of hardwoods such as plant roots, grass and apples. They will eat insects at any stage of its development, bee larvae, honey, amphibians, reptiles, small mammals, fish and of course garbage. In fall season, they feast on acorns where they can be found in abundance. They drink lots of water and can be found doing so often throughout the day. When bears are acting beyond their normal state, they will also attack sheep, pigs, goats and even humans.
Life Cycle:
During the summer season, males seek out potential females to mate with. When a male copulates with a female, the act itself causes the female to ovulate although the fertile egg remains dormant until later in the fall. During this time the female will begin to gain the necessary weight needed for hibernation. It takes ten weeks for the egg to develop inside the female womb. During the winter hibernation, the female will give birth in a place of rest. Females typically select a more secluded shelter site as opposed to males. Only female bears and her cubs den together whereas females that are pregnant and males will den by themselves. During hibernation the bear's body temperature goes from 100 degrees Fahrenheit to 94 degrees Fahrenheit while their heart beat drops from 40 beats per minute to eight beats per minute. They also neither poop nor urinate during hibernation as they live off of their fat stores. By the end of winter and their hibernation, they will have lost literally a quarter to a third of their body weight. If they become aroused out of slumber, they will wake up immediately and will be put under duress if disturbed while hibernating. Bears that are underweight or in poor condition will have a shorter period of hibernation as opposed to bears who are hibernating in a healthy condition. It is common for female bears to give birth to one to four cubs. When born, the cubs are blind and pink with with black hair follicles covering them. They tend to be 6 to 9 inches long and weigh 6 to 12 ounces. During this time cubs have the ability to naturally crawl toward the mothers nipples to nurse. After about four weeks the eyes of the cubs will begin to open and a about sixty days after that, they will begin to walk. Once the cubs are about three months old they will begin to leave the den with their mother. The males literally have no part in the rearing of the cubs at all, and is the mother bear who solely takes the responsibility for raising them and teaching them to fend for themselves. The mother weans them by the seventh month and while teaching them how to hunt and catch prey. By fall, the cubs should be about 60 to 100 pounds in weight. The mother bear spends two years with her litter as black bears are not the kind which travel in groups, so if seen, it is the mother and her cubs if found together. During the next winter she will do all she can to get her cubs to be fattened up as she will hibernate with her cubs and remain with them till next summer. By the time the second summer has arrived the whole family separates and the cycle begins anew.
Adult black bears are 50 to 70 inches in length which includes the stubby tail that typically is 3 to 5 inches in length. They stand about 30 inches tall at the shoulder and weigh 110-400 pounds, with some having been recorded being 650 pounds! Here in Virginia, these black beauties average about 220 pounds for the males while the females come in at about 120 pounds. Their fur is long, thick and soft. Their color is typically black to brownish-black but there are some with a cinnamon-brown color. Their muzzle has a tan color which ascends from the nose area and stops towards the curvature of the eyebrows. In some cases, some may also have a V-shape, white mark on their chest. For the most part, the appearance of both males and females are identical to each other with relationship to their fur color. Whereas, size on the other hand will be easy to distinguish as the males are larger then the females.
Basic Characteristics:
Bears are extremely fast and agile as they can run at speeds of 30 miles per hour and swim very well. When walking, their gait is a shuffling, flat-footed gait. When swimming, they paddle like a dog with their head facing up and out of the water. Although bears have good eyesight, their senses of smell and hearing are far sharper and use these senses to be very alert and cautious when roaming about. When they are unable to see something, they will stand on their feet in order to have better visibility of their surroundings. Typically, bears are silent but when under duress or provoked, they will growl and make deep breathing noises with deep, undertone guttural sounds when provoked. A mother will grunt, or huff when calling her cubs to her. When hurt they will bellow, bawl or make sobbing sounds. Bears are mainly nocturnal animals even though they may be found feeding and or moving about during the day. Bears travel alone unless it is a female with her cubs. In this case, she will remain moving about with them for the next two years of their life. If a female bear is with her cubs and feels threatened, the female will indeed attack to defend her cubs at all cost. Bears tend to stay clear of open areas when they are traveling, however, in parks or places where people are prone to leaving food or trash around, bears will become more familiar with frequenting the place. Most places in which black bears are not in contact with humans tend to act more aggressive with humans and will attack them. Cubs are playful and can be found wrestling with each other or playing around in the water. If the mother feels a sense of danger the cubs will go climbing up the trees for protection. It is a known fact that sometimes adult male bears kill and eat the cubs of a litter. Why they will do that is unknown and an unanswered questioned as of yet.
Signs and Tracking:
Bears are territorial and will use their claws and teeth to scar trees in order to mark their individual territory. Other signs of bear activity are paw prints ranging from 3.5 to 7 inches in length. Overturned logs are signs of their foraging for insects, frogs and other creatures for a food source. It is also common to find large droppings of dung, either in discrete or loose piles and with signs of seeds, insect parts, animal hair or nutshells are commonly found in their excrement..
Habitat:
Black Bears are commonly found during the spring and summer months and are the largest carnivores in the East. They can also be found as far up as Canada and as low as Mexico as well as in portions of the east and west coasts. Although they hibernate during the winter seasons, you will find them active in the summer seasons lingering about in streams to keep cool and to fish.
Eating Habits:
Bears use their sense of smell as their main source of seeking out food. Most of their diet consists of fruits and vegetation during the spring and summer months such as pawpaws, skunk cabbage, blackberries, devil-walking stick, persimmons, wild grapes as well as the leaves of hardwoods such as plant roots, grass and apples. They will eat insects at any stage of its development, bee larvae, honey, amphibians, reptiles, small mammals, fish and of course garbage. In fall season, they feast on acorns where they can be found in abundance. They drink lots of water and can be found doing so often throughout the day. When bears are acting beyond their normal state, they will also attack sheep, pigs, goats and even humans.
Life Cycle:
During the summer season, males seek out potential females to mate with. When a male copulates with a female, the act itself causes the female to ovulate although the fertile egg remains dormant until later in the fall. During this time the female will begin to gain the necessary weight needed for hibernation. It takes ten weeks for the egg to develop inside the female womb. During the winter hibernation, the female will give birth in a place of rest. Females typically select a more secluded shelter site as opposed to males. Only female bears and her cubs den together whereas females that are pregnant and males will den by themselves. During hibernation the bear's body temperature goes from 100 degrees Fahrenheit to 94 degrees Fahrenheit while their heart beat drops from 40 beats per minute to eight beats per minute. They also neither poop nor urinate during hibernation as they live off of their fat stores. By the end of winter and their hibernation, they will have lost literally a quarter to a third of their body weight. If they become aroused out of slumber, they will wake up immediately and will be put under duress if disturbed while hibernating. Bears that are underweight or in poor condition will have a shorter period of hibernation as opposed to bears who are hibernating in a healthy condition. It is common for female bears to give birth to one to four cubs. When born, the cubs are blind and pink with with black hair follicles covering them. They tend to be 6 to 9 inches long and weigh 6 to 12 ounces. During this time cubs have the ability to naturally crawl toward the mothers nipples to nurse. After about four weeks the eyes of the cubs will begin to open and a about sixty days after that, they will begin to walk. Once the cubs are about three months old they will begin to leave the den with their mother. The males literally have no part in the rearing of the cubs at all, and is the mother bear who solely takes the responsibility for raising them and teaching them to fend for themselves. The mother weans them by the seventh month and while teaching them how to hunt and catch prey. By fall, the cubs should be about 60 to 100 pounds in weight. The mother bear spends two years with her litter as black bears are not the kind which travel in groups, so if seen, it is the mother and her cubs if found together. During the next winter she will do all she can to get her cubs to be fattened up as she will hibernate with her cubs and remain with them till next summer. By the time the second summer has arrived the whole family separates and the cycle begins anew.
Cougar, puma, Mountain Lion -Puma concolor
Biology-
Cougars, mountain lions, panthers and pumas are all the same species. Adult male cougars can weigh from 120 to 220 pounds while the females will weigh 64 to 140 pounds and stand at about two to three feet in height. From their head to their back side they range from 3 1/4 feet to 5 1/4 feet in length with their tale not included. Their tail can be between 23 1/2 inches to 33 1/5 inches in length. Their fur is short and sandy brown with white on the inner legs and belly with some on the lower jaw and middle upper lip area. Their eyes are brown or golden in adults.
Basic Characteristics-
Cougars are loners who will travel long distances in search for food. Although they are active during the day, they primarily do most of their hunting and activity during the evening. They are extremely agile creatures as they can leap 15 feet up into a tree, climb over a 12-foot fence, bound up running 40 feet, reach speeds of 50 mph in a sprint and travel at 10 mph for long distances. Although they are usually quiet animals they do hiss, growl, purr, whistle and scream which can especially be heard during their mating periods.
Signs and Tracking-
Cougar paw prints are typically 3 1/2 inches wide with four toes visible. Two toes are higher in the middle with the outer two somewhat lower in a diagonal form with the rear paw pad making a kinda smudged "M" shape. Their paws curve in a similar fashion as human feet do where you can indicate both the right and left paw marks. Cougar scat tends to be segmented and be about an inch in length. It will have signs of hair, bones (which will cause the excrement to have a whitish look). They tend to leave their scat marks near the places they have killed their prey, or along dirt roads or trails, and as a territory marker, which tends to be more common among male cougars as opposed to females. Another form of behavior to know is that they use their hind legs to scrape the ground leaving behind some dirt mounds with urine and scat. This is typically done to mark their dominance which oftentimes is near or overlaps another cougar's territory, draw females to mate with or ward off any males who might try to harm him or his mate. Scratch marks are also commonly used to mark their presence since other cougars will smell around the marks left behind.
Habitat-
Cougars are very environmentally adaptable and can live in deserts, swamps, mountains and prairies. They like to choose places that are conducive to ambushing prey or giving them cover in order to pursue their hunt.
Eating Habits-
Cougars will hunt by themselves during the evening hours and during dusk or dawn. Their choice of attack is done through attacking their prey from behind as they are highly skilled at stalking and stealth to catch their prey by surprise. Once they attack from the rear they go in for the neck for the final blow. Cougars tend to favor deer and smaller animals such as coyotes, raccoons, rodents, elk, and even porcupines. A cougar will eat, on average, a deer per week. When they want to save their catch for eating later, they will drag the carcass of the animal they killed to another place where they would cover it with grass, pine needles, and dead leaves to protect it from spoilage and other would-be predators. Such a kill would then be used for feeding upon for several days.
Life Cycle-
During most of a male cougar's life, the male is a solitary animal with exception to the time period of their mating seasons which takes place during late winter or early spring. During this time period the male will pair up with a female, but only briefly in order to mate. Once the mating is finished the male cougar will leave and the female cougar will rear up the baby cubs herself. A female cougar's gestation is approximately 92 days and only take a female cougar a year and a half to reach sexual maturity. Although they go in heat regularly throughout the year, they will usually only produce once every two to three years. During the time of her pregnancy she will seek out a den among rocks or a dense thicket to give birth to her cubs. A female can give birth to one or four kittens but average around three. Once they are born the cubs will have black spots on their sandy brown fur and will have blue eyes until three months of age. The kittens are protected by their mother as the male may kill any they find. During the first three months of their life the kittens are fed solely by their mother's milk. After three months, she weans them, and spends the next year and nine months teaching the young cubs how to hunt as they depend entirely on the mother's skills for their food.
Cougars, mountain lions, panthers and pumas are all the same species. Adult male cougars can weigh from 120 to 220 pounds while the females will weigh 64 to 140 pounds and stand at about two to three feet in height. From their head to their back side they range from 3 1/4 feet to 5 1/4 feet in length with their tale not included. Their tail can be between 23 1/2 inches to 33 1/5 inches in length. Their fur is short and sandy brown with white on the inner legs and belly with some on the lower jaw and middle upper lip area. Their eyes are brown or golden in adults.
Basic Characteristics-
Cougars are loners who will travel long distances in search for food. Although they are active during the day, they primarily do most of their hunting and activity during the evening. They are extremely agile creatures as they can leap 15 feet up into a tree, climb over a 12-foot fence, bound up running 40 feet, reach speeds of 50 mph in a sprint and travel at 10 mph for long distances. Although they are usually quiet animals they do hiss, growl, purr, whistle and scream which can especially be heard during their mating periods.
Signs and Tracking-
Cougar paw prints are typically 3 1/2 inches wide with four toes visible. Two toes are higher in the middle with the outer two somewhat lower in a diagonal form with the rear paw pad making a kinda smudged "M" shape. Their paws curve in a similar fashion as human feet do where you can indicate both the right and left paw marks. Cougar scat tends to be segmented and be about an inch in length. It will have signs of hair, bones (which will cause the excrement to have a whitish look). They tend to leave their scat marks near the places they have killed their prey, or along dirt roads or trails, and as a territory marker, which tends to be more common among male cougars as opposed to females. Another form of behavior to know is that they use their hind legs to scrape the ground leaving behind some dirt mounds with urine and scat. This is typically done to mark their dominance which oftentimes is near or overlaps another cougar's territory, draw females to mate with or ward off any males who might try to harm him or his mate. Scratch marks are also commonly used to mark their presence since other cougars will smell around the marks left behind.
Habitat-
Cougars are very environmentally adaptable and can live in deserts, swamps, mountains and prairies. They like to choose places that are conducive to ambushing prey or giving them cover in order to pursue their hunt.
Eating Habits-
Cougars will hunt by themselves during the evening hours and during dusk or dawn. Their choice of attack is done through attacking their prey from behind as they are highly skilled at stalking and stealth to catch their prey by surprise. Once they attack from the rear they go in for the neck for the final blow. Cougars tend to favor deer and smaller animals such as coyotes, raccoons, rodents, elk, and even porcupines. A cougar will eat, on average, a deer per week. When they want to save their catch for eating later, they will drag the carcass of the animal they killed to another place where they would cover it with grass, pine needles, and dead leaves to protect it from spoilage and other would-be predators. Such a kill would then be used for feeding upon for several days.
Life Cycle-
During most of a male cougar's life, the male is a solitary animal with exception to the time period of their mating seasons which takes place during late winter or early spring. During this time period the male will pair up with a female, but only briefly in order to mate. Once the mating is finished the male cougar will leave and the female cougar will rear up the baby cubs herself. A female cougar's gestation is approximately 92 days and only take a female cougar a year and a half to reach sexual maturity. Although they go in heat regularly throughout the year, they will usually only produce once every two to three years. During the time of her pregnancy she will seek out a den among rocks or a dense thicket to give birth to her cubs. A female can give birth to one or four kittens but average around three. Once they are born the cubs will have black spots on their sandy brown fur and will have blue eyes until three months of age. The kittens are protected by their mother as the male may kill any they find. During the first three months of their life the kittens are fed solely by their mother's milk. After three months, she weans them, and spends the next year and nine months teaching the young cubs how to hunt as they depend entirely on the mother's skills for their food.
Bobcat -Lynx rufus
Biology-
Bobcat adults are 28 to 47 inches in length which includes the stubby tail which typically is 6 inches in length. They stand at about 30 inches tall at the shoulder and weigh 18 to 24 pounds, with some to have been recorded as being 35 pounds yet such is rare. Size wise males are larger in proportional then females. Their fur is thick and long. Their color is typically black spots with brownish exterior mingled some with white hair. Their ears tips are pointed blacked tufts. Their muzzle has a tan with whiteness and darkish stripped in the head with a white interior belly and legs and neck. They have three to four dark bands on the tail and their bodies are rangy and muscular. Their rear legs as longer then their front one. Their claws are retractable and needle-sharp which is used for gripping and or attacking their prey.
Basic Characteristics-
Bobcats have very good vision and hearing. Their sense of smell is also good. They are very agile when it comes to climbing when it comes to pursing possible prey and or if done in order to get away from potential threats. They also use the branches on trees to rest on and or to search for possible prey. They are quick, and very strong and aggressive. However, they do not like water by any means and they will go out of their way to avoid any crossing which would require them to enter into the water. Although in required they will but most of the time they will take the path of least resistance to avoid entering into water if possible. They are most commonly active during the time of the early evenings. And will remain active for about three hours before sunset till midnight and before dawn until three hours after sunrise.
Signs and Tracking-
Bobcats leave feces, urine, and scent which is produced in its anal glands, as well as marks made by clawing on trees in order to mark their territory. Their scat will be segmented and at times smooth, or hairy, dark brownish black in color or even whitish looking, with rear paw scratches.
Habitat-
Bobcats live mainly in the forest and mountain regions and can also be found near farming country where swamps and forests areas near bottom lands or wooded hills, can offer these cats areas to den as well as animals to be a source for food. They use throughout their territory many types of shelters, brush piles, thickets, rock ledges and even hollow logs. They can also live close to developed areas as long as there is wooded and bushy areas to provide them cover for breeding, hunting and resting.
Eating Habits-
They hunt by means of stalking, or stick around areas in which has a proliferation or an abundance of food near by, as they move through covered areas as they stalk, looking and seeking to listen to those animals which are around in search for food. Once such a food source is found they then creep up to be within 20 to 35 feet of their prey, crouching and or standing still till they go in for the kill. And will either rush in to attack or will pounce upon their prey going for the throat, neck or the base of the skull, as they bite down. A bobcat will eat till it is full then cover the carcass with leaves or if in the winter snow then return several times if needed to keep feeding. Bobcats main choices of food are mice, rabbits, squirrels, birds, voles, chipmunks, shrews, and snowshoe hares. However not as common they do also kill and eat fish, minks, skunks, porcupines, foxes, insects and frogs. They will also kill deer but more commonly the fawns than adults as adult deer are more able to defend themselves and run away. Because of this disadvantage they tend to attack the adults while they are sleeping as they are to difficult to attack when awake. Where as the fawns, they hunt them even when they are awake as their size is small enough rush at and attack. In the winter time, when most small prey is not so abundant to say the least, they will spend more of their time hunting deer then any other time or season. As bobcats hunt and kill more deer then any other animal in the winter months. Bobcats will travel along side habitual routes from 2 to 7 miles per night hunting. Males bobcats in the summer have about a 16 square mile range while female bobcats ranges are about half of that. During the winter season males will tend to overlap into other male territories as they will tend to expand their range and territory distance to find food. While females on the other hand will not commonly trespass into another females zone.
Life Cycle-
Bobcats breed in the winter season to early spring season. During this time period a male bobcat will commonly mate with the female bobcat several times and travel with the female bobcat for some time. However, as time progresses the male will eventually leave while the female will be the primary and sole caretaker in rearing her kittens. A females gestation is sixty-two days and typically this time period of her being pregnant if during the spring will be during April to May time period. During this time she will find a den, or rock overhand and or a thicket to give birth. A female can give birth between one to six kittens but usually its between two or four. When a female bobcat gives birth the kittens are born blind, with a full coat of hair with spots. After about eight or nine days their eyes open, and are weaned after about two months. The young kittens will stay with their mother into the coming fall and even sometimes into the coming winter. A female bobcat will fully mature sexually within a year of being born. In some places bobcats have been known to live as long as fifteen years in the wild while in other places they have been found to typically average six to eight years, but many unfortunately die due to starvation, and disease as being the main causes and don't tend to outlive their first and second winter before mastering their hunting skills.
Bobcat adults are 28 to 47 inches in length which includes the stubby tail which typically is 6 inches in length. They stand at about 30 inches tall at the shoulder and weigh 18 to 24 pounds, with some to have been recorded as being 35 pounds yet such is rare. Size wise males are larger in proportional then females. Their fur is thick and long. Their color is typically black spots with brownish exterior mingled some with white hair. Their ears tips are pointed blacked tufts. Their muzzle has a tan with whiteness and darkish stripped in the head with a white interior belly and legs and neck. They have three to four dark bands on the tail and their bodies are rangy and muscular. Their rear legs as longer then their front one. Their claws are retractable and needle-sharp which is used for gripping and or attacking their prey.
Basic Characteristics-
Bobcats have very good vision and hearing. Their sense of smell is also good. They are very agile when it comes to climbing when it comes to pursing possible prey and or if done in order to get away from potential threats. They also use the branches on trees to rest on and or to search for possible prey. They are quick, and very strong and aggressive. However, they do not like water by any means and they will go out of their way to avoid any crossing which would require them to enter into the water. Although in required they will but most of the time they will take the path of least resistance to avoid entering into water if possible. They are most commonly active during the time of the early evenings. And will remain active for about three hours before sunset till midnight and before dawn until three hours after sunrise.
Signs and Tracking-
Bobcats leave feces, urine, and scent which is produced in its anal glands, as well as marks made by clawing on trees in order to mark their territory. Their scat will be segmented and at times smooth, or hairy, dark brownish black in color or even whitish looking, with rear paw scratches.
Habitat-
Bobcats live mainly in the forest and mountain regions and can also be found near farming country where swamps and forests areas near bottom lands or wooded hills, can offer these cats areas to den as well as animals to be a source for food. They use throughout their territory many types of shelters, brush piles, thickets, rock ledges and even hollow logs. They can also live close to developed areas as long as there is wooded and bushy areas to provide them cover for breeding, hunting and resting.
Eating Habits-
They hunt by means of stalking, or stick around areas in which has a proliferation or an abundance of food near by, as they move through covered areas as they stalk, looking and seeking to listen to those animals which are around in search for food. Once such a food source is found they then creep up to be within 20 to 35 feet of their prey, crouching and or standing still till they go in for the kill. And will either rush in to attack or will pounce upon their prey going for the throat, neck or the base of the skull, as they bite down. A bobcat will eat till it is full then cover the carcass with leaves or if in the winter snow then return several times if needed to keep feeding. Bobcats main choices of food are mice, rabbits, squirrels, birds, voles, chipmunks, shrews, and snowshoe hares. However not as common they do also kill and eat fish, minks, skunks, porcupines, foxes, insects and frogs. They will also kill deer but more commonly the fawns than adults as adult deer are more able to defend themselves and run away. Because of this disadvantage they tend to attack the adults while they are sleeping as they are to difficult to attack when awake. Where as the fawns, they hunt them even when they are awake as their size is small enough rush at and attack. In the winter time, when most small prey is not so abundant to say the least, they will spend more of their time hunting deer then any other time or season. As bobcats hunt and kill more deer then any other animal in the winter months. Bobcats will travel along side habitual routes from 2 to 7 miles per night hunting. Males bobcats in the summer have about a 16 square mile range while female bobcats ranges are about half of that. During the winter season males will tend to overlap into other male territories as they will tend to expand their range and territory distance to find food. While females on the other hand will not commonly trespass into another females zone.
Life Cycle-
Bobcats breed in the winter season to early spring season. During this time period a male bobcat will commonly mate with the female bobcat several times and travel with the female bobcat for some time. However, as time progresses the male will eventually leave while the female will be the primary and sole caretaker in rearing her kittens. A females gestation is sixty-two days and typically this time period of her being pregnant if during the spring will be during April to May time period. During this time she will find a den, or rock overhand and or a thicket to give birth. A female can give birth between one to six kittens but usually its between two or four. When a female bobcat gives birth the kittens are born blind, with a full coat of hair with spots. After about eight or nine days their eyes open, and are weaned after about two months. The young kittens will stay with their mother into the coming fall and even sometimes into the coming winter. A female bobcat will fully mature sexually within a year of being born. In some places bobcats have been known to live as long as fifteen years in the wild while in other places they have been found to typically average six to eight years, but many unfortunately die due to starvation, and disease as being the main causes and don't tend to outlive their first and second winter before mastering their hunting skills.
grey Wolf, timber wolf -Canis lupus
Biology-
Adult black bears are 50 to 70 inches in length which includes the stubby tail which typically is 3 to 5 inches in length. The stand at about 30 inches tall at the shoulder and weigh 110-400 pounds, with some to have been recorded as being 650 pounds. Here in Virginia these black beauties average about 220 pounds for the males while the females come in at about 120 pounds. Their fur is long, thick and soft. Their color is typically black to brownish black in color but there are some which are cinnamon in color. Their muzzle has a tan color which ascends from the nose area and stops towards the curvature of eyebrows. Some may also have a V shape white mark on their chest in some cases. In regard to both the male and females appearance both are identical to each other with relationship to their fur color. Where as size on the other hand will be easy to distinguish as the males are larger then the females.
Basic Characteristics-
Bear are extremely fast as they can run at a speed of 30 miles per hour and can swim very well. When walking they walk is a shuffling, flat-footed gait. When in water swimming they paddle like a dog with their head facing up and out of the water. Bears have a good eyesight but there main sense of smell and hear are far sharper and are very alert and cautious when roaming about. When unable to see something they will stand on their feet in order to have a better visible view of their surroundings. Typically bears are silent when when under duress they will growl and make deep breathing noises, and our deep undertone guttural sounds when provoked. A mother will grunt, or huff when calling her cubs to her. When hurt they will bellow, bawl or make sobbing sounds. Bear are mainly nocturnal animals even though they may be found feeding and or moving about during the day. Bears travel alone unless it is a female with her cubs which in this case she will remain moving about with them for the next two years of their life. If a female bear is with her cubs and feels threatened the female will indeed attack to defend her cubs at all cost. When traveling bears tend to stay clear of open areas. But in parks or places where people are prone to leaving food out, bears tend to be less concern for their safety and will be more unlikely to flee or move away from the area. Most places in which black bears are not in contact with humans tend to act more aggressive with humans and will attack them. Cubs are playful and can be found wrestling with each other and or playing around in the water. If the mother feels a sense of danger the cubs will go climbing up the trees for protection. It is a known fact that sometimes adult male bears kill and eat the cubs of a litter. But why is a questioned unanswered as of yet.
Signs and Tracking-
They use their claws and teeth to scar trees in order to mark their individual territory. Some of the signs one can look for are paw prints ranging from 3.5 inches to 7 inches in length. Also over turned logs are signs of their searching for insects and or other creatures such as frogs for a food source. Large droppings, discrete or in loose piles with signs of seeds found in the dung and or insect parts, animal hair or nutshells are common.
Habitat-
Wolves live and thrive in a wide range of habitats from dense forest to desert, remote areas and Arctic tundra.
Eating Habits-
The wolf is a carnivore, an animal suited for catching, killing and eating other creatures. Wolves prey primarily on large, hoofed mammals called ungulates. In Minnesota, the white-tailed deer is the wolf’s primary prey, with moose, beaver, snowshoe hare and other small mammals also being taken. Elsewhere, wolves prey on caribou, musk-oxen, bison, Dall sheep, elk, and mountain goats.
All of these ungulates have adaptations for defense against wolves, including a great sense of smell, good hearing, agility, speed, and sharp hooves. As these prey are so well adapted to protecting themselves, wolves feed upon vulnerable individuals, such as weak, sick, old, or young animals, or healthy animals hindered by deep snow. By killing the inferior animals, wolves help increase the health of their prey population a tiny bit at a time. When inferior animals are removed, the prey population is kept at a lower level and there is more food for the healthy animals to eat. Such “culling” also ensures that the animals which reproduce most often are healthy and well suited for their environment. Over many generations, this selection helps the prey become better adapted for survival.
Wolves require at least 3.7 pounds of meat per day for minimum maintenance. Reproducing and growing wolves may need 2-3 times this much. It has been estimated that wolves consume around 10 pounds of meat per day, on average. However, wolves don’t actually eat everyday. Instead, they live a feast or famine lifestyle; they may go several days without a meal and then gorge on over 20 pounds of meat when a kill is made.
In Minnesota, each wolf eats an average of 15-20 adult-sized deer or their equivalent per year to meet their nutritional requirements. Based on this average, and the estimate of 2,400 wolves in Minnesota, wolves kill the equivalent of about 36,000 to 48,000 adult-sized deer per year. In comparison, Minnesota hunters take around 52,500 deer per year in wolf range (over 250,000 for the entire state) and several thousand are killed during collisions with vehicles.
Wolf predation on ungulates varies seasonally. It is highest during mid to late winter, when animals are suffering from poor nutrition and the snow is deep, making them easier to kill. It is also quite high in early summer when prey animals have their young, as wolves prey heavily on vulnerable young.
The question of whether wolf predation is additive (the number of animals killed are in addition to those which would die otherwise) or compensatory (animals wolves kill would die anyway) is a complicated one, as wolf predation effects vary with the prey species, time of year, area, and system. It is quite probable that wolf predation is both additive and compensatory, and the real question is how much of it is additive.
For example, wolf predation on deer is moderated by the severity of the winters. In a severe winter, wolves may kill healthy deer which would have survived the winter had they not had been made vulnerable by the deep snow. This would be an example of wolf predation as an additive factor. Conversely, in a mild winter, when the snow levels are low, healthy deer easily escape wolves. Therefore, the deer captured are primarily sick or weak. This would be an example of compensatory mortality, as most of these deer probably would not have survived the winter. This is why it is rare to find a starving deer in Minnesota wolf range.
Reciprocally, prey populations may limit wolf numbers. When considering the examples above, the potential for prey numbers or conditions to regulate wolf numbers is observable. In a mild winter, deer will be healthier and wolves may not be able to catch enough animals to feed themselves. This may cause a decrease in the wolf population. It is also possible that several severe winters in a row would decrease deer populations and wolves may not be able to kill enough food to eat, so again wolf numbers would decrease.
Another factor complicating our ability to determine the precise effect of wolf predation, is that it is difficult to tease out the effects wolves have on their prey populations in areas where there are many different predators. For example, in Yellowstone National Park, in addition to wolves, there are grizzly bears, coyotes, mountain lions, bobcats, lynx, wolverines, and black bears which all prey on Yellowstone ungulates.
In summary, we cannot generalize about what kind of effect wolves have on their prey populations, because their effect is dependent on so many factors. It is possible to get an indication of wolf and prey population trends in a small area or system, but generalizing from one to the other is not always valid.
Life Cycle-
Wolves are monogamous and remain mating together for life and living in tight-knit family groups. Wolves breed in February through March and after a gestation period of 63 days, four to six pups are born around the end of April or early-May. However, the higher the latitude, the later the breeding. For instance, wolves in northern Canada living at a latitude of 71 degrees breed in late March through April. Before giving birth the mother will seek for herself a den to give birth in. At birth the pups are born blind with closed eyes and deaf, have dark fur and are unable to regulate their own body temperature. They have a little if any sense of smell, but their sense of taste and touch is well developed. Their eyes open and are blue at about 11 to 15 days but their vision is not fully developed yet. At this point they will begin to start going outside of the den. At around 27 days their hearing improves and around 31 days. From 20 to 77 days the mother at this time will leave the den in order to find food for her young as the gradual process of weaning is taking place. Also during this time period the pups will follow the adults up to a mile in distance away from the den. After 8 to 10 weeks the adult will then abandon their den and move to another site. At this time weaning will have been completed as the pups will now feed off of the carcasses provided by the adults. From 8 to 16 weeks the pups eyes will change from blue to a yellow gold color and the pups will begin following the adults hunting for short spurts and returning by themselves back to the den. By 14 to 27 weeks the pups will now begin to go on hunts with their parents and will reach a weight of 28-70 pounds. By weeks 27 to 51 the pups will now travel with their parents and begin full time hunting together. During this time period the pups will begin showing their signs of dominance or submissiveness behavior wise and weigh up to 100 pounds. By 1 to 3 years wolves will now have fully developed sexual maturity wise and their weight can range from 60 to over 100 pounds. As the wolves begin fully forming the pack it is during this time that usually those which are going to stay, stay and form a family pack for life, or those which leave, leave and form their own. Over the winter months, some wolves may disperse to find mates and territories of their own. Others die, and by spring, before the arrival of a new crop of pups, the pack size has often diminished. And the dominant wolf pair take over.
Adult black bears are 50 to 70 inches in length which includes the stubby tail which typically is 3 to 5 inches in length. The stand at about 30 inches tall at the shoulder and weigh 110-400 pounds, with some to have been recorded as being 650 pounds. Here in Virginia these black beauties average about 220 pounds for the males while the females come in at about 120 pounds. Their fur is long, thick and soft. Their color is typically black to brownish black in color but there are some which are cinnamon in color. Their muzzle has a tan color which ascends from the nose area and stops towards the curvature of eyebrows. Some may also have a V shape white mark on their chest in some cases. In regard to both the male and females appearance both are identical to each other with relationship to their fur color. Where as size on the other hand will be easy to distinguish as the males are larger then the females.
Basic Characteristics-
Bear are extremely fast as they can run at a speed of 30 miles per hour and can swim very well. When walking they walk is a shuffling, flat-footed gait. When in water swimming they paddle like a dog with their head facing up and out of the water. Bears have a good eyesight but there main sense of smell and hear are far sharper and are very alert and cautious when roaming about. When unable to see something they will stand on their feet in order to have a better visible view of their surroundings. Typically bears are silent when when under duress they will growl and make deep breathing noises, and our deep undertone guttural sounds when provoked. A mother will grunt, or huff when calling her cubs to her. When hurt they will bellow, bawl or make sobbing sounds. Bear are mainly nocturnal animals even though they may be found feeding and or moving about during the day. Bears travel alone unless it is a female with her cubs which in this case she will remain moving about with them for the next two years of their life. If a female bear is with her cubs and feels threatened the female will indeed attack to defend her cubs at all cost. When traveling bears tend to stay clear of open areas. But in parks or places where people are prone to leaving food out, bears tend to be less concern for their safety and will be more unlikely to flee or move away from the area. Most places in which black bears are not in contact with humans tend to act more aggressive with humans and will attack them. Cubs are playful and can be found wrestling with each other and or playing around in the water. If the mother feels a sense of danger the cubs will go climbing up the trees for protection. It is a known fact that sometimes adult male bears kill and eat the cubs of a litter. But why is a questioned unanswered as of yet.
Signs and Tracking-
They use their claws and teeth to scar trees in order to mark their individual territory. Some of the signs one can look for are paw prints ranging from 3.5 inches to 7 inches in length. Also over turned logs are signs of their searching for insects and or other creatures such as frogs for a food source. Large droppings, discrete or in loose piles with signs of seeds found in the dung and or insect parts, animal hair or nutshells are common.
Habitat-
Wolves live and thrive in a wide range of habitats from dense forest to desert, remote areas and Arctic tundra.
Eating Habits-
The wolf is a carnivore, an animal suited for catching, killing and eating other creatures. Wolves prey primarily on large, hoofed mammals called ungulates. In Minnesota, the white-tailed deer is the wolf’s primary prey, with moose, beaver, snowshoe hare and other small mammals also being taken. Elsewhere, wolves prey on caribou, musk-oxen, bison, Dall sheep, elk, and mountain goats.
All of these ungulates have adaptations for defense against wolves, including a great sense of smell, good hearing, agility, speed, and sharp hooves. As these prey are so well adapted to protecting themselves, wolves feed upon vulnerable individuals, such as weak, sick, old, or young animals, or healthy animals hindered by deep snow. By killing the inferior animals, wolves help increase the health of their prey population a tiny bit at a time. When inferior animals are removed, the prey population is kept at a lower level and there is more food for the healthy animals to eat. Such “culling” also ensures that the animals which reproduce most often are healthy and well suited for their environment. Over many generations, this selection helps the prey become better adapted for survival.
Wolves require at least 3.7 pounds of meat per day for minimum maintenance. Reproducing and growing wolves may need 2-3 times this much. It has been estimated that wolves consume around 10 pounds of meat per day, on average. However, wolves don’t actually eat everyday. Instead, they live a feast or famine lifestyle; they may go several days without a meal and then gorge on over 20 pounds of meat when a kill is made.
In Minnesota, each wolf eats an average of 15-20 adult-sized deer or their equivalent per year to meet their nutritional requirements. Based on this average, and the estimate of 2,400 wolves in Minnesota, wolves kill the equivalent of about 36,000 to 48,000 adult-sized deer per year. In comparison, Minnesota hunters take around 52,500 deer per year in wolf range (over 250,000 for the entire state) and several thousand are killed during collisions with vehicles.
Wolf predation on ungulates varies seasonally. It is highest during mid to late winter, when animals are suffering from poor nutrition and the snow is deep, making them easier to kill. It is also quite high in early summer when prey animals have their young, as wolves prey heavily on vulnerable young.
The question of whether wolf predation is additive (the number of animals killed are in addition to those which would die otherwise) or compensatory (animals wolves kill would die anyway) is a complicated one, as wolf predation effects vary with the prey species, time of year, area, and system. It is quite probable that wolf predation is both additive and compensatory, and the real question is how much of it is additive.
For example, wolf predation on deer is moderated by the severity of the winters. In a severe winter, wolves may kill healthy deer which would have survived the winter had they not had been made vulnerable by the deep snow. This would be an example of wolf predation as an additive factor. Conversely, in a mild winter, when the snow levels are low, healthy deer easily escape wolves. Therefore, the deer captured are primarily sick or weak. This would be an example of compensatory mortality, as most of these deer probably would not have survived the winter. This is why it is rare to find a starving deer in Minnesota wolf range.
Reciprocally, prey populations may limit wolf numbers. When considering the examples above, the potential for prey numbers or conditions to regulate wolf numbers is observable. In a mild winter, deer will be healthier and wolves may not be able to catch enough animals to feed themselves. This may cause a decrease in the wolf population. It is also possible that several severe winters in a row would decrease deer populations and wolves may not be able to kill enough food to eat, so again wolf numbers would decrease.
Another factor complicating our ability to determine the precise effect of wolf predation, is that it is difficult to tease out the effects wolves have on their prey populations in areas where there are many different predators. For example, in Yellowstone National Park, in addition to wolves, there are grizzly bears, coyotes, mountain lions, bobcats, lynx, wolverines, and black bears which all prey on Yellowstone ungulates.
In summary, we cannot generalize about what kind of effect wolves have on their prey populations, because their effect is dependent on so many factors. It is possible to get an indication of wolf and prey population trends in a small area or system, but generalizing from one to the other is not always valid.
Life Cycle-
Wolves are monogamous and remain mating together for life and living in tight-knit family groups. Wolves breed in February through March and after a gestation period of 63 days, four to six pups are born around the end of April or early-May. However, the higher the latitude, the later the breeding. For instance, wolves in northern Canada living at a latitude of 71 degrees breed in late March through April. Before giving birth the mother will seek for herself a den to give birth in. At birth the pups are born blind with closed eyes and deaf, have dark fur and are unable to regulate their own body temperature. They have a little if any sense of smell, but their sense of taste and touch is well developed. Their eyes open and are blue at about 11 to 15 days but their vision is not fully developed yet. At this point they will begin to start going outside of the den. At around 27 days their hearing improves and around 31 days. From 20 to 77 days the mother at this time will leave the den in order to find food for her young as the gradual process of weaning is taking place. Also during this time period the pups will follow the adults up to a mile in distance away from the den. After 8 to 10 weeks the adult will then abandon their den and move to another site. At this time weaning will have been completed as the pups will now feed off of the carcasses provided by the adults. From 8 to 16 weeks the pups eyes will change from blue to a yellow gold color and the pups will begin following the adults hunting for short spurts and returning by themselves back to the den. By 14 to 27 weeks the pups will now begin to go on hunts with their parents and will reach a weight of 28-70 pounds. By weeks 27 to 51 the pups will now travel with their parents and begin full time hunting together. During this time period the pups will begin showing their signs of dominance or submissiveness behavior wise and weigh up to 100 pounds. By 1 to 3 years wolves will now have fully developed sexual maturity wise and their weight can range from 60 to over 100 pounds. As the wolves begin fully forming the pack it is during this time that usually those which are going to stay, stay and form a family pack for life, or those which leave, leave and form their own. Over the winter months, some wolves may disperse to find mates and territories of their own. Others die, and by spring, before the arrival of a new crop of pups, the pack size has often diminished. And the dominant wolf pair take over.
coyote -Canis latrans
Biology-
Studies where done on the DNA of coyotes that showed that coyotes interbred with the grey wolf during the time Canada was expanding throughout the East. As a result of this those coyotes whom were born from this interbreeding were found to be much larger. There sizes ranged from 41 inches to 48 inches long which includes their tail. Their weight can range from 20 to 50 pounds, the males being the larger and more weightier of the two. Coyotes have a similar look and body structure of that of German shepards, pointy reddish brown ears with sandy blonde inner ear hair, sandy blonde hair on their slender long narrow snout with reddish brown hair in the middle extending toward the eyes with a mixture of black, blonde and reddish down face. Course dense long fur along the body mainly the coat is black, reddish down with a hint of blonde cover it. The interior part of the leg is sandy blonde while the outer part is reddish brown. Bushy tail with black tip which then extends to the main posterior area with sandy blonde, black and reddish brown intermingled with blackish spots. Some may have less or no reddish brown and more sandy brown with black mingled coats
Basic Characteristics-
Coyotes live either alone, or as a pack, or in pairs (the female and her mate). When living as a pack they tend to be in packs between 3-8, the pack will consist of the adult male and his female mate and their offspring. They spend their days resting in bushy areas or around shrubs in dense mountainous or hilly terrain. They are active during twilight, and in the evening time but are most active during the time of dawn and at dusk in areas where there is human activity. Whereas in places where human activity is low they may be found active during the day as well. Coyotes have a keen sense of smell, excellent eyesight as well as hearing and are extremely alert and cautious as well. They are able to run as speeds of 25 to 35 miles per hour. An individual territory of a coyote is between 1 and 10 square miles and will in packs defend their territory however, by themselves and or when with their paired mate are not so commonly known to defend their marked territory. They can aptly swim and jump with extreme agility. They communicate with sounds of barking, yips, and howls when seeking to communicate with one another. And will mark their territory by means of leaving feces in particular locations and urinating on bushes and other wilderness objects a strongly scented smell which is use to warm off other possible coyotes from trespassing on their territory. In places where coyotes are hunted down in large numbers coyotes will produce larger litters.
Signs and Tracking-
One of the main tracking signs to look for is their paw tracks as apposed to domestic dogs which have an alternate gate, coyotes paw prints are straight as you could make a direct line from the first paw print to that of the other three in a parallel line formation. Their dung will also shows signs as well in regard to their presents as they will have in it plant matter, insect remains, bird parts, animal hair, as well as small mammal remains.
Habitat-
Coyotes can be found in grasslands, out in the open and or wooded habitats and marshlands as well. During a coyotes lifespan the females in the months of April or May will seeks out a birthing den or in places such as brushy cool slopes, or a hollow log, a hole under a stump, or fallen tree, or a crevice among rocks. The size of dens tend to be about a foot in width and about 20 ft long.
Eating Habits-
Coyotes hunting and eating habits are as follows. They can be found in marshlands hunting for ducks and other birds which are found swimming in the marshes. When a coyote is hunting small prey they will creep up quietly to their prey, pause in order to know where their preys location is exact then spring suddenly so as to catch their prey. If they seek to kill larger animals such as a deer they team up together as a group chasing the prey taking turns as they seek wear out their prey and finally killing it by biting the throat which then causes sever bleeding and ultimately suffocation. However they tend to hunt after young fawns rather than adults. If they want to store their food for later use they will bury the carcass then mark the area with their urine in order to find it later. Coyotes also will search for wild fruits and berries during their season but ninety percent of a coyote's diet is meat. from either animals they hunted and killed, or from those found dead. Here are a list of animals coyotes eat. fish, frogs, rabbits, crayfish, insects, birds, snakes, cats, dogs, foxes, raccoons, opossums, deer, muskrats, hare, snowshoe, livestock such as chickens, sheep, goats and so forth, and small rodents as well.
Life Cycle-
Female coyotes go into heat once per year and it occurs during the late winter period. A females gestation period is 58-63 days. In the months of April or May the female seeks out a birthing den i places such as brushy cool slopes, or a hollow log, a hole under a stump or fallen tree, or a crevice among rocks.The size of dens tend to be about a foot in width and about 20 ft long. A female will give birth between 4 to 8 pups but average around 6 normally. When a coyote pup is born, their eyes are closed and weigh about 9 ounces, and are covered with woolly gray-brown fur. During this time the male coyote will bring its mate food. After two weeks the eyes of the pups will open. And after three week the coyote pups will then begin to roam about in and out of their den. Both the female and her mate will both hunt, eat and regurgitate their food in order to feed the pups for the next six weeks. After nine week are complete the young pups are then weaned and the family leaves the den and the young are taught to hunt.
At around six months old the young coyotes will begin to leave their family unit during the early fall season. And during this time period the young coyotes females will venture 30 to 50 miles out, while the males will go as far as 100 miles in distance. Females will typically not breed until their second winter. And around nine months both will have become fully grown. But those who do not leave the family pack, to find territories of their own, will stay even up to a year and a half. Some coyotes pairs remain for a life time while others one to several years.
Studies where done on the DNA of coyotes that showed that coyotes interbred with the grey wolf during the time Canada was expanding throughout the East. As a result of this those coyotes whom were born from this interbreeding were found to be much larger. There sizes ranged from 41 inches to 48 inches long which includes their tail. Their weight can range from 20 to 50 pounds, the males being the larger and more weightier of the two. Coyotes have a similar look and body structure of that of German shepards, pointy reddish brown ears with sandy blonde inner ear hair, sandy blonde hair on their slender long narrow snout with reddish brown hair in the middle extending toward the eyes with a mixture of black, blonde and reddish down face. Course dense long fur along the body mainly the coat is black, reddish down with a hint of blonde cover it. The interior part of the leg is sandy blonde while the outer part is reddish brown. Bushy tail with black tip which then extends to the main posterior area with sandy blonde, black and reddish brown intermingled with blackish spots. Some may have less or no reddish brown and more sandy brown with black mingled coats
Basic Characteristics-
Coyotes live either alone, or as a pack, or in pairs (the female and her mate). When living as a pack they tend to be in packs between 3-8, the pack will consist of the adult male and his female mate and their offspring. They spend their days resting in bushy areas or around shrubs in dense mountainous or hilly terrain. They are active during twilight, and in the evening time but are most active during the time of dawn and at dusk in areas where there is human activity. Whereas in places where human activity is low they may be found active during the day as well. Coyotes have a keen sense of smell, excellent eyesight as well as hearing and are extremely alert and cautious as well. They are able to run as speeds of 25 to 35 miles per hour. An individual territory of a coyote is between 1 and 10 square miles and will in packs defend their territory however, by themselves and or when with their paired mate are not so commonly known to defend their marked territory. They can aptly swim and jump with extreme agility. They communicate with sounds of barking, yips, and howls when seeking to communicate with one another. And will mark their territory by means of leaving feces in particular locations and urinating on bushes and other wilderness objects a strongly scented smell which is use to warm off other possible coyotes from trespassing on their territory. In places where coyotes are hunted down in large numbers coyotes will produce larger litters.
Signs and Tracking-
One of the main tracking signs to look for is their paw tracks as apposed to domestic dogs which have an alternate gate, coyotes paw prints are straight as you could make a direct line from the first paw print to that of the other three in a parallel line formation. Their dung will also shows signs as well in regard to their presents as they will have in it plant matter, insect remains, bird parts, animal hair, as well as small mammal remains.
Habitat-
Coyotes can be found in grasslands, out in the open and or wooded habitats and marshlands as well. During a coyotes lifespan the females in the months of April or May will seeks out a birthing den or in places such as brushy cool slopes, or a hollow log, a hole under a stump, or fallen tree, or a crevice among rocks. The size of dens tend to be about a foot in width and about 20 ft long.
Eating Habits-
Coyotes hunting and eating habits are as follows. They can be found in marshlands hunting for ducks and other birds which are found swimming in the marshes. When a coyote is hunting small prey they will creep up quietly to their prey, pause in order to know where their preys location is exact then spring suddenly so as to catch their prey. If they seek to kill larger animals such as a deer they team up together as a group chasing the prey taking turns as they seek wear out their prey and finally killing it by biting the throat which then causes sever bleeding and ultimately suffocation. However they tend to hunt after young fawns rather than adults. If they want to store their food for later use they will bury the carcass then mark the area with their urine in order to find it later. Coyotes also will search for wild fruits and berries during their season but ninety percent of a coyote's diet is meat. from either animals they hunted and killed, or from those found dead. Here are a list of animals coyotes eat. fish, frogs, rabbits, crayfish, insects, birds, snakes, cats, dogs, foxes, raccoons, opossums, deer, muskrats, hare, snowshoe, livestock such as chickens, sheep, goats and so forth, and small rodents as well.
Life Cycle-
Female coyotes go into heat once per year and it occurs during the late winter period. A females gestation period is 58-63 days. In the months of April or May the female seeks out a birthing den i places such as brushy cool slopes, or a hollow log, a hole under a stump or fallen tree, or a crevice among rocks.The size of dens tend to be about a foot in width and about 20 ft long. A female will give birth between 4 to 8 pups but average around 6 normally. When a coyote pup is born, their eyes are closed and weigh about 9 ounces, and are covered with woolly gray-brown fur. During this time the male coyote will bring its mate food. After two weeks the eyes of the pups will open. And after three week the coyote pups will then begin to roam about in and out of their den. Both the female and her mate will both hunt, eat and regurgitate their food in order to feed the pups for the next six weeks. After nine week are complete the young pups are then weaned and the family leaves the den and the young are taught to hunt.
At around six months old the young coyotes will begin to leave their family unit during the early fall season. And during this time period the young coyotes females will venture 30 to 50 miles out, while the males will go as far as 100 miles in distance. Females will typically not breed until their second winter. And around nine months both will have become fully grown. But those who do not leave the family pack, to find territories of their own, will stay even up to a year and a half. Some coyotes pairs remain for a life time while others one to several years.
red and gray Fox -Vulpes vulpes and Urocyon cinereoargenteus
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Biology-
Both species are genetically the same. The red fox are 35 to 41 inches long including their tail which is typically 12 to 16 inches. They weigh from 8 to 12 pounds of which the females are smaller than the males which can reach up to 17 pounds. Although a foxes fur are thick and full their body mass is not as they may seem from a visual standpoint. The red foxes fur is reddish orange which is slightly darker on the back which has a mixture of dark grey intermingled.
Basic Characteristics-
Foxes are extremely intelligent and cautious. They have a strong sense of smell, excellent eye sight, and hearing.
Signs and Tracking-
One of the main tracking signs to look for is their paw tracks as apposed to domestic dogs which have an alternate gate, coyotes paw prints are straight as you could make a direct line from the first paw print to that of the other three in a parallel line formation. Their dung will also shows signs as well in regard to their presents as they will have in it plant matter, insect remains, bird parts, animal hair, as well as small mammal remains.
Habitat-
Red Fox- The red fox lives mainly in farmland that stretch into and brushy and wooded areas,
Grey Fox- The gray fox lives mainly in deciduous forest and brushland, along lands which link or follow rivers and streams.
Eating Habits-
Foxes eat plants as well as small mammals.
Life Cycle-
Female coyotes go into heat once per year and it occurs during the late winter period. A females gestation period is 58-63 days. In the months of April or May the female seeks out a birthing den i places such as brushy cool slopes, or a hollow log, a hole under a stump or fallen tree, or a crevice among rocks.The size of dens tend to be about a foot in width and about 20 ft long. A female will give birth between 4 to 8 pups but average around 6 normally. When a coyote pup is born, their eyes are closed and weigh about 9 ounces, and are covered with woolly gray-brown fur. During this time the male coyote will bring its mate food. After two weeks the eyes of the pups will open. And after three week the coyote pups will then begin to roam about in and out of their den. Both the female and her mate will both hunt, eat and regurgitate their food in order to feed the pups for the next six weeks. After nine week are complete the young pups are then weaned and the family leaves the den and the young are taught to hunt.
At around six months old the young coyotes will begin to leave their family unit during the early fall season. And during this time period the young coyotes females will venture 30 to 50 miles out, while the males will go as far as 100 miles in distance. Females will typically not breed until their second winter. And around nine months both will have become fully grown. But those who do not leave the family pack, to find territories of their own, will stay even up to a year and a half. Some coyotes pairs remain for a life time while others one to several years.
Both species are genetically the same. The red fox are 35 to 41 inches long including their tail which is typically 12 to 16 inches. They weigh from 8 to 12 pounds of which the females are smaller than the males which can reach up to 17 pounds. Although a foxes fur are thick and full their body mass is not as they may seem from a visual standpoint. The red foxes fur is reddish orange which is slightly darker on the back which has a mixture of dark grey intermingled.
Basic Characteristics-
Foxes are extremely intelligent and cautious. They have a strong sense of smell, excellent eye sight, and hearing.
Signs and Tracking-
One of the main tracking signs to look for is their paw tracks as apposed to domestic dogs which have an alternate gate, coyotes paw prints are straight as you could make a direct line from the first paw print to that of the other three in a parallel line formation. Their dung will also shows signs as well in regard to their presents as they will have in it plant matter, insect remains, bird parts, animal hair, as well as small mammal remains.
Habitat-
Red Fox- The red fox lives mainly in farmland that stretch into and brushy and wooded areas,
Grey Fox- The gray fox lives mainly in deciduous forest and brushland, along lands which link or follow rivers and streams.
Eating Habits-
Foxes eat plants as well as small mammals.
Life Cycle-
Female coyotes go into heat once per year and it occurs during the late winter period. A females gestation period is 58-63 days. In the months of April or May the female seeks out a birthing den i places such as brushy cool slopes, or a hollow log, a hole under a stump or fallen tree, or a crevice among rocks.The size of dens tend to be about a foot in width and about 20 ft long. A female will give birth between 4 to 8 pups but average around 6 normally. When a coyote pup is born, their eyes are closed and weigh about 9 ounces, and are covered with woolly gray-brown fur. During this time the male coyote will bring its mate food. After two weeks the eyes of the pups will open. And after three week the coyote pups will then begin to roam about in and out of their den. Both the female and her mate will both hunt, eat and regurgitate their food in order to feed the pups for the next six weeks. After nine week are complete the young pups are then weaned and the family leaves the den and the young are taught to hunt.
At around six months old the young coyotes will begin to leave their family unit during the early fall season. And during this time period the young coyotes females will venture 30 to 50 miles out, while the males will go as far as 100 miles in distance. Females will typically not breed until their second winter. And around nine months both will have become fully grown. But those who do not leave the family pack, to find territories of their own, will stay even up to a year and a half. Some coyotes pairs remain for a life time while others one to several years.
American Alligator -Alligator mississippiensis
Biology-
The American alligator is the largest reptile in North America. It has a long armored body with thick scales or bony plates called osteoderms or scutes. It has short, powerful legs and a long, round snout. (The American crocodile has a long, pointed snout.) Its eyes are on the top of its head. When the alligator is in the water, it can swim with just the top of its head above the water. This can help it sneak up on its prey. When the American alligator slips under the water, its nostrils and ears close up and a membrane covers its eyes. Its long tail helps it move through the water. The alligator has up to 80 teeth in its mouth at a time. When its teeth wear down, new ones will grow. Over an alligators lifetime, it may go through 2,000-3,000 teeth! Females can grow to lengths of about nine feet. Males grow to lengths of 13-14 feet and can weigh up to 500 pounds. The name alligator comes from the Spanish word, el lagarto, which means lizard.
Basic Characteristics-
During very cold and very hot weather, the American alligator may dig a den or gator hole in the mud. Gator holes often fill with water and provide habitats for fish and watering holes for birds and other animals. The American alligator doesn't hibernate, but during very cold weather it may become dormant. The American alligator was once hunted for its meat and skin. Its population once has decreased so dramatically that it was listed as an endangered species. Today, its population has increased and it is listed as a threatened species. It is listed as threatened, not because its numbers are dangerously low, but because it looks so much like the American crocodile, which is an endangered species.
Signs and Tracking-
They use their claws and teeth to scar trees in order to mark their individual territory. Some of the signs one can look for are paw prints ranging from 3.5 inches to 7 inches in length. Also over turned logs are signs of their searching for insects and or other creatures such as frogs for a food source. Large droppings, discrete or in loose piles with signs of seeds found in the dung and or insect parts, animal hair or nutshells are common.
Habitat-
The American alligator is found in the southeastern United States from the southern Virginia border south to Florida and west along the Gulf Coast to the Rio Grande in Texas.The American alligator can be found in a variety of freshwater habitats including rivers, marshes, swamps, and lakes.
Eating Habits-
The American alligator is a carnivore. It eats fish, turtles, snakes, small mammals and carrion. It does most of its hunting in the water. It swallows small prey whole. It drags larger prey underwater and drowns it.
Life Cycle-
The American alligator reaches breeding age when it is about 10 years old. Mating occurs in the late spring. The male attracts a mate and warns off competition with a load roar. When courting a female, the male butts up against her taps her snout with his snout. After mating, the female builds a mound nest of grass and mud. The mound can be as high as three feet. She then digs a depression in the top of the mound using her rear legs and lays between 35-50 eggs in the depression. She covers the eggs with vegetation and guards the nest.The eggs hatch in a little over a month. Right before the young begin to hatch, they start making a high-pitched squeaking or chucking sound. This lets the female know that it is time to take the vegetation off the eggs. The temperature of the nest can determine the sex of the hatchlings! If the nest is 82-86°F, the hatchlings will be females, if the nest is 90- 93°F all the hatchlings will be male! When the nest is between 82°F and 90°F, the hatchlings will be both male and female. Once the young alligators hatch, the female carries them in her mouth or on her back down to the water. Once the young alligators are in the water, they form groups or pods. Young alligators eat insects, shrimp, tadpoles, frogs and small fish. The female aggressively defends her young during their first year, but young alligators are often eaten by large fish, birds, raccoons, bobcats, and even other alligators. In the wild, the American alligator can live to be 35 years old. In captivity it can live to be 50 years old.
The American alligator is the largest reptile in North America. It has a long armored body with thick scales or bony plates called osteoderms or scutes. It has short, powerful legs and a long, round snout. (The American crocodile has a long, pointed snout.) Its eyes are on the top of its head. When the alligator is in the water, it can swim with just the top of its head above the water. This can help it sneak up on its prey. When the American alligator slips under the water, its nostrils and ears close up and a membrane covers its eyes. Its long tail helps it move through the water. The alligator has up to 80 teeth in its mouth at a time. When its teeth wear down, new ones will grow. Over an alligators lifetime, it may go through 2,000-3,000 teeth! Females can grow to lengths of about nine feet. Males grow to lengths of 13-14 feet and can weigh up to 500 pounds. The name alligator comes from the Spanish word, el lagarto, which means lizard.
Basic Characteristics-
During very cold and very hot weather, the American alligator may dig a den or gator hole in the mud. Gator holes often fill with water and provide habitats for fish and watering holes for birds and other animals. The American alligator doesn't hibernate, but during very cold weather it may become dormant. The American alligator was once hunted for its meat and skin. Its population once has decreased so dramatically that it was listed as an endangered species. Today, its population has increased and it is listed as a threatened species. It is listed as threatened, not because its numbers are dangerously low, but because it looks so much like the American crocodile, which is an endangered species.
Signs and Tracking-
They use their claws and teeth to scar trees in order to mark their individual territory. Some of the signs one can look for are paw prints ranging from 3.5 inches to 7 inches in length. Also over turned logs are signs of their searching for insects and or other creatures such as frogs for a food source. Large droppings, discrete or in loose piles with signs of seeds found in the dung and or insect parts, animal hair or nutshells are common.
Habitat-
The American alligator is found in the southeastern United States from the southern Virginia border south to Florida and west along the Gulf Coast to the Rio Grande in Texas.The American alligator can be found in a variety of freshwater habitats including rivers, marshes, swamps, and lakes.
Eating Habits-
The American alligator is a carnivore. It eats fish, turtles, snakes, small mammals and carrion. It does most of its hunting in the water. It swallows small prey whole. It drags larger prey underwater and drowns it.
Life Cycle-
The American alligator reaches breeding age when it is about 10 years old. Mating occurs in the late spring. The male attracts a mate and warns off competition with a load roar. When courting a female, the male butts up against her taps her snout with his snout. After mating, the female builds a mound nest of grass and mud. The mound can be as high as three feet. She then digs a depression in the top of the mound using her rear legs and lays between 35-50 eggs in the depression. She covers the eggs with vegetation and guards the nest.The eggs hatch in a little over a month. Right before the young begin to hatch, they start making a high-pitched squeaking or chucking sound. This lets the female know that it is time to take the vegetation off the eggs. The temperature of the nest can determine the sex of the hatchlings! If the nest is 82-86°F, the hatchlings will be females, if the nest is 90- 93°F all the hatchlings will be male! When the nest is between 82°F and 90°F, the hatchlings will be both male and female. Once the young alligators hatch, the female carries them in her mouth or on her back down to the water. Once the young alligators are in the water, they form groups or pods. Young alligators eat insects, shrimp, tadpoles, frogs and small fish. The female aggressively defends her young during their first year, but young alligators are often eaten by large fish, birds, raccoons, bobcats, and even other alligators. In the wild, the American alligator can live to be 35 years old. In captivity it can live to be 50 years old.
Rattle snake -crotalus
Biology-
The rattlesnake is infamous for its distinctive rattling sound which creates the ability to warn any near by person of its existence. The rattle is found at the end of the snakes tail. The rattler itself comes from the same protein which is found in animals who have horns and nails as it is the very protein which produces those very things. The sound is very distinctive as it sounds is like the sound of small beads being shaken in a maraca hand instrument shaken very quickly. These snakes are classified as pitvipers due to their heat-sensing organs which are found between the eyes and nostrils which have a pit-shape appearance. In their mouth these creatures have fangs in their upper mouth which are hollow and so as to inject venom when they bite. The fangs tend to be about half and inch in length. Although they are indeed dangerous they will not strike unless provoked.
The venom-producing glands, which are located on each side of the snakes skull is what causes the head to have its broad arrow head like look. As the snake sheds it skin a new segment is added to a rattlers rattle. Thereby allowing one to know how many times the snake has gone through its shedding process.However, do to the fact that snakes move about through out the wilderness it is common for a snakes rattlers to be broken or scraped off as they regrow back throughout the year. A young rattle snake has the ability to shed three to four times in a year. While an average adult will shed mainly once or twice a year, however there are those who may shed up to four times in a season.
Personal Experience-
I once had an occasion when I was in my late teens in which I was walking with my brother way up on the hill side where I grew up behind my home in a natural park we lived close by to and almost stepped right on top of a rattlesnake who was merely passing by from the brush over the pathway into the brush again, Once I saw the snake right before I was about to step down I quickly moved away and slowly walked backwards as to not alarm the snake. And within a few minutes it was gone into the brush heading toward the direction it was moving toward.
Rattlesnakes are quite calm if left alone and as I have many of times heard with on a trail their presence it was without a doubt they merely wanted to express their whereabouts rather than to be encountered all together. Most I would say who have been bitten where either not listening to their rattling or came up upon it and startled the snake altogether, In the summer times they will indeed search for water to drink as the heat index changes and will even drown in the water if they are not able to get out do to landscape issues. If possible they are best left alone as they will not both you if they are allowed to just move along, but if the danger factor is to serious the only way to kill it is to cut the head off. But be aware even after death the fangs in the mouth are still able to inject poison and is best left unhandled, using a shovel and burying it is best.
Basic Characteristics-
Pitvipers bite in order to kill their prey as well as a defense mechanism as well. They use it sense of feeling so as to sense vibration and heat-sensing to know the location of their prey and or position of their predator. When they strike the fangs inject venom into their victim. Once the animal is bitten and runs off the snake will sniff out the location of the dead animal and follow its sent. Rattlesnakes do most their feeding from mid-evening till about mid-morning. They are also know to climb into shrubs or small trees looking for prey or for basking sites.
Signs and Tracking-
They use their claws and teeth to scar trees in order to mark their individual territory. Some of the signs one can look for are paw prints ranging from 3.5 inches to 7 inches in length. Also over turned logs are signs of their searching for insects and or other creatures such as frogs for a food source. Large droppings, discrete or in loose piles with signs of seeds found in the dung and or insect parts, animal hair or nutshells are common.
Eating Habits-
They eat mainly small mammals, mice, voles, chipmunks, squirrels, shrews, cottontails and from time to time birds.
Life Cycle-
During the winter they hibernate in places they can be found below the frost line in cracks, crevices and any small cave like structure they can find in the rocks so they can retain the temperature of body heat of 50 degrees Fahrenheit (or 10 degrees Celcius). Once the temperature rises to about 60 degrees rattle snakes will emerge and sun bathe. When the weather drops below 60 they may indeed retreat back to their dens to seek warmth in their dens. But as the days grow warmer, they will eventually leave and explore about living throughout the wilderness. During the heated months of the summer they use in the woods blueberry bush patches and thickets . Rattlers can hibernate alone or in groups of fifty or more.
Before she lays her eggs the female will build up her fat reserves before she is able to use that energy to use on a new brood. During mating time the female will after mating will require a different habitat from that of males and that of none pregnant females. A female what is pregnant typically will stay within 500 yards of her winter den. During this time she will seek to regulate you body temperature and are known to not even eat while during gestation. They will give birth during autumn and have litters between five to seventeen young.
Young rattlesnakes are about 10 to 14 inches. No matter how young even from birth newborns have the ability to inject venom from their fangs. Their rattle is a single button like knob at the end of their tail. Young juveniles will stay with their mother for up to two weeks. By autumn they will follow the adults sent and travel back to them main hibernating dens. And it will take up to four to five years before reaching sexual maturity. While females may not even have a littler till five to eight years of age. The life expectancy of a rattler is sixteen to thirty years.
The rattlesnake is infamous for its distinctive rattling sound which creates the ability to warn any near by person of its existence. The rattle is found at the end of the snakes tail. The rattler itself comes from the same protein which is found in animals who have horns and nails as it is the very protein which produces those very things. The sound is very distinctive as it sounds is like the sound of small beads being shaken in a maraca hand instrument shaken very quickly. These snakes are classified as pitvipers due to their heat-sensing organs which are found between the eyes and nostrils which have a pit-shape appearance. In their mouth these creatures have fangs in their upper mouth which are hollow and so as to inject venom when they bite. The fangs tend to be about half and inch in length. Although they are indeed dangerous they will not strike unless provoked.
The venom-producing glands, which are located on each side of the snakes skull is what causes the head to have its broad arrow head like look. As the snake sheds it skin a new segment is added to a rattlers rattle. Thereby allowing one to know how many times the snake has gone through its shedding process.However, do to the fact that snakes move about through out the wilderness it is common for a snakes rattlers to be broken or scraped off as they regrow back throughout the year. A young rattle snake has the ability to shed three to four times in a year. While an average adult will shed mainly once or twice a year, however there are those who may shed up to four times in a season.
Personal Experience-
I once had an occasion when I was in my late teens in which I was walking with my brother way up on the hill side where I grew up behind my home in a natural park we lived close by to and almost stepped right on top of a rattlesnake who was merely passing by from the brush over the pathway into the brush again, Once I saw the snake right before I was about to step down I quickly moved away and slowly walked backwards as to not alarm the snake. And within a few minutes it was gone into the brush heading toward the direction it was moving toward.
Rattlesnakes are quite calm if left alone and as I have many of times heard with on a trail their presence it was without a doubt they merely wanted to express their whereabouts rather than to be encountered all together. Most I would say who have been bitten where either not listening to their rattling or came up upon it and startled the snake altogether, In the summer times they will indeed search for water to drink as the heat index changes and will even drown in the water if they are not able to get out do to landscape issues. If possible they are best left alone as they will not both you if they are allowed to just move along, but if the danger factor is to serious the only way to kill it is to cut the head off. But be aware even after death the fangs in the mouth are still able to inject poison and is best left unhandled, using a shovel and burying it is best.
Basic Characteristics-
Pitvipers bite in order to kill their prey as well as a defense mechanism as well. They use it sense of feeling so as to sense vibration and heat-sensing to know the location of their prey and or position of their predator. When they strike the fangs inject venom into their victim. Once the animal is bitten and runs off the snake will sniff out the location of the dead animal and follow its sent. Rattlesnakes do most their feeding from mid-evening till about mid-morning. They are also know to climb into shrubs or small trees looking for prey or for basking sites.
Signs and Tracking-
They use their claws and teeth to scar trees in order to mark their individual territory. Some of the signs one can look for are paw prints ranging from 3.5 inches to 7 inches in length. Also over turned logs are signs of their searching for insects and or other creatures such as frogs for a food source. Large droppings, discrete or in loose piles with signs of seeds found in the dung and or insect parts, animal hair or nutshells are common.
Eating Habits-
They eat mainly small mammals, mice, voles, chipmunks, squirrels, shrews, cottontails and from time to time birds.
Life Cycle-
During the winter they hibernate in places they can be found below the frost line in cracks, crevices and any small cave like structure they can find in the rocks so they can retain the temperature of body heat of 50 degrees Fahrenheit (or 10 degrees Celcius). Once the temperature rises to about 60 degrees rattle snakes will emerge and sun bathe. When the weather drops below 60 they may indeed retreat back to their dens to seek warmth in their dens. But as the days grow warmer, they will eventually leave and explore about living throughout the wilderness. During the heated months of the summer they use in the woods blueberry bush patches and thickets . Rattlers can hibernate alone or in groups of fifty or more.
Before she lays her eggs the female will build up her fat reserves before she is able to use that energy to use on a new brood. During mating time the female will after mating will require a different habitat from that of males and that of none pregnant females. A female what is pregnant typically will stay within 500 yards of her winter den. During this time she will seek to regulate you body temperature and are known to not even eat while during gestation. They will give birth during autumn and have litters between five to seventeen young.
Young rattlesnakes are about 10 to 14 inches. No matter how young even from birth newborns have the ability to inject venom from their fangs. Their rattle is a single button like knob at the end of their tail. Young juveniles will stay with their mother for up to two weeks. By autumn they will follow the adults sent and travel back to them main hibernating dens. And it will take up to four to five years before reaching sexual maturity. While females may not even have a littler till five to eight years of age. The life expectancy of a rattler is sixteen to thirty years.
Different Types of Rattlesnakes
Ability to Swim- Able
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Eastern Diamondback (Crotalus atrox) - Known for the diamond shapes found on the back portion of the body
Habitat- Live in This species usually inhabits dry sandy areas, palmetto or wiregrass flatwoods, pinewoods, coastal dune habitats, or hardwood hammocks. They generally avoid wet areas but sometimes live along the edges of swamps Body Size: Generally 2.75 to 3.27 feet in length however, the largest one ever found was 8 feet long. Males are larger then females. Color: Brown, tan, or yellowish and covered with diamond shapes on the back, which are brown and surrounded by lighter scales. Hibernation Differences- Rocky ledges, talus slides and boulder fields. by itself or in a group |
Ability to Swim- Able
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Timber (Crotalus horridus horridus)-
Habitat- Live mainly in the wooded uplands and mountains. Body Size: Generally 3 to 4 feet in length and rarely as long as 5.5 feet. Males larger then females. Color: There are two types those whose heads are yellow, while the body will have yellow with black or dark brown crossbands pattern. The others have a black head, and dark stripped dulls or even blot out the bodies crossband pattern. While the tail will have for both types is a black velvet look it. Hibernation Differences- Rocky ledges, talus slides and boulder fields. by itself or in a group |
Life Cycle-
The life of a timber rattle snake is spent mostly surrounding their denning area, which are, rocky ledges, talus slides and boulder fields. They typically will be facing south-ward in order to have as much sun exposure as possible, During the winter they hibernate in places they can be found below the frost line in cracks, crevices and any small cave like structure they can find in the rocks so they can retain the temperature of body heat of 50 degrees Fahrenheit (or 10 degrees Celcius). But as the days grow warmer, they will eventually leave and explore about living throughout the wilderness. During the heated months of the summer they use in the woods blueberry bush patches, thickets grassy fields to chill out in to escape the heat. The average distance a rattler travels is about three miles in a kind of circle from its den where it will hunt, seek a mate and return back to the den once the temperature begins to drop in autumn.
The life of a timber rattle snake is spent mostly surrounding their denning area, which are, rocky ledges, talus slides and boulder fields. They typically will be facing south-ward in order to have as much sun exposure as possible, During the winter they hibernate in places they can be found below the frost line in cracks, crevices and any small cave like structure they can find in the rocks so they can retain the temperature of body heat of 50 degrees Fahrenheit (or 10 degrees Celcius). But as the days grow warmer, they will eventually leave and explore about living throughout the wilderness. During the heated months of the summer they use in the woods blueberry bush patches, thickets grassy fields to chill out in to escape the heat. The average distance a rattler travels is about three miles in a kind of circle from its den where it will hunt, seek a mate and return back to the den once the temperature begins to drop in autumn.
Ability to Swim- Able
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Sidewinder (Crotalus cerastes) -
Habitat- Live in the deserts regions. Body Size: Generally 1.5 to 2.5 feet in length and rarely as long as 5.5 feet. Females are larger then males. Color: Tan, buff, yellowish-brown, pink, or ash gray, overlaid with 28-47 dorsal blotches, the belly is white and the rattle is brown in adults. Hibernation Differences- As Sidewinders prefer to stay out of sight, they will often set up home in burrows. This is where Sidewinders hibernate during the coolest months of the year. It’s also where they give birth, recuperate from the experience and protect their young. |
Eating Habits-
They are nocturnal during the hot months and diurnal during the cooler months of its activity period, which is roughly from November to March. Desert rodents (such as kangaroo rats), lizards, sometimes birds. When the snake is ready to hunt it lies almost totally buried in the sand, in ambush waiting to attack it's prey.
They are nocturnal during the hot months and diurnal during the cooler months of its activity period, which is roughly from November to March. Desert rodents (such as kangaroo rats), lizards, sometimes birds. When the snake is ready to hunt it lies almost totally buried in the sand, in ambush waiting to attack it's prey.
Ability to Swim- Able
When a cottonmouth swims they swim keeping their body on the surface and do so even when not swimming or slows down. **WARNING** People tend to confuse northern water snakes and brown water snakes with the cottonmouth. |
Cottonmouth (Agkistrodon piscivorus) - Also known as the water moccasin.
Habitat- Live mainly in water-filled ditches, streams, wetlands, rivers, creeks, lakes, reserviors, ponds, swamps and marches and adjoining land habitats. Body Size: Generally 2 to 3 feet in length and rarely as long as 5.9 feet. Males are larger then females. Color: Olive or brown interrupted by dark crossbands with paler brown centers. Young are brighter markings than adults with a yellowish tail tips. Hibernation Differences- Will hibernate with other venomous snakes in a den. This is typically so that the increase of heat can be used by other snakes in order to survive the cold. Eating Habits- They eat fish such as bass, pickerel, catfish, frogs, toads, turtles, snakes and small mammals. |
Ability to Swim- Able
**WARNING** Copperheads may release a cucumber-smelling musk if touched. |
Copperhead (Agkistrodon contortix) -
Habitat- Live mainly in favors deciduous forest and mixed woodlands. It is often associated with visible exposures of bedrock, but is also found in low-lying, swampy regions Body Size: Generally 1.6 to 3 feet in length and rarely as long as 3.3 feet. Males are about 15 percent larger then females. Color: Pale tan to pinkish-tan ground color that becomes darker towards the fore-line, overlaid with a series of 10–18 crossbands. Hibernation Differences- In dens made up of rocks and also often den inside logs and in holes carved out by other animals. |
Ability to Swim- Able
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Canebrake (Crotalus horridus atricaudatus) -
Habitat- Live mainly in canebrakes, ridges and grassy areas near swamps, bushy fields, and hardwood/mixed hardwood-pine forests. Body Size: Generally 3 to 4 feet in length and rarely as long as 5.5 feet. Males are about 15 percent larger then females. Color: There are two types those whose heads are yellow, while the body will have yellow with black or dark brown crossbands pattern. The others have a black head, and dark stripped dulls or even blot out the bodies crossband pattern. While the tail will have for both types is a black velvet look it. Hibernation Differences- Rotting stumps, by itself or in a group. |
Bark Scorpion -Centruroides sculpturatus
Biology-
Adult black bears are 50 to 70 inches in length which includes the stubby tail which typically is 3 to 5 inches in length. The stand at about 30 inches tall at the shoulder and weigh 110-400 pounds, with some to have been recorded as being 650 pounds. Here in Virginia these black beauties average about 220 pounds for the males while the females come in at about 120 pounds. Their fur is long, thick and soft. Their color is typically black to brownish black in color but there are some which are cinnamon in color. Their muzzle has a tan color which ascends from the nose area and stops towards the curvature of eyebrows. Some may also have a V shape white mark on their chest in some cases. In regard to both the male and females appearance both are identical to each other with relationship to their fur color. Where as size on the other hand will be easy to distinguish as the males are larger then the females.
Basic Characteristics-
Bear are extremely fast as they can run at a speed of 30 miles per hour and can swim very well. When walking they walk is a shuffling, flat-footed gait. When in water swimming they paddle like a dog with their head facing up and out of the water. Bears have a good eyesight but there main sense of smell and hear are far sharper and are very alert and cautious when roaming about. When unable to see something they will stand on their feet in order to have a better visible view of their surroundings. Typically bears are silent when when under duress they will growl and make deep breathing noises, and our deep undertone guttural sounds when provoked. A mother will grunt, or huff when calling her cubs to her. When hurt they will bellow, bawl or make sobbing sounds. Bear are mainly nocturnal animals even though they may be found feeding and or moving about during the day. Bears travel alone unless it is a female with her cubs which in this case she will remain moving about with them for the next two years of their life. If a female bear is with her cubs and feels threatened the female will indeed attack to defend her cubs at all cost. When traveling bears tend to stay clear of open areas. But in parks or places where people are prone to leaving food out, bears tend to be less concern for their safety and will be more unlikely to flee or move away from the area. Most places in which black bears are not in contact with humans tend to act more aggressive with humans and will attack them. Cubs are playful and can be found wrestling with each other and or playing around in the water. If the mother feels a sense of danger the cubs will go climbing up the trees for protection. It is a known fact that sometimes adult male bears kill and eat the cubs of a litter. But why is a questioned unanswered as of yet.
Signs and Tracking-
They use their claws and teeth to scar trees in order to mark their individual territory. Some of the signs one can look for are paw prints ranging from 3.5 inches to 7 inches in length. Also over turned logs are signs of their searching for insects and or other creatures such as frogs for a food source. Large droppings, discrete or in loose piles with signs of seeds found in the dung and or insect parts, animal hair or nutshells are common.
Habitat-
Black Bears can be commonly found during the spring and summer months and are the largest carnivore in the East. They can be found as far up as Canada and as low as Mexico and in portions of the east and west coast. , As they hibernate during the winter seasons. In the summer seasons during the times of hot weather becomes prevalent, they can be found lingering about in streams to keep cool.
Eating Habits-
Bear main sense of smell is their main source of seeking out food. Most of their diet consist of fruits and vegetation during the spring and summer months such as pawpaws, skunk cabbage, blackberries, devil-walking stick, persimmons, wild grapes and the leaves of hardwoods as well as plant roots, grass and apples. They will even eat insects at any stage of its development, bee larvae, honey, amphibians, reptiles, small mammals, fish and of course garbage. In fall season they feast on acorns, in areas which acorns will be found in abundance. They tend to drink lots of water as they can be found often doing so through out the day. When bears are acting beyond their normal state they will also attack sheep, pigs, goats and even humans.
Life Cycle-
During the summer season males bears seek out potential females to mate with. When a male bear copulates with a female the act itself causes the female to ovulate. Although the fertile egg remains dormant till later on in the fall. During this time the female will begin to gain the necessary weight needed for hibernation. It takes ten weeks for the egg to develop inside the female womb, Later the female bear will give birth in winter hibernation place of rest. Females typically select a more secluded shelter site as opposed to males. Only female bears and her cubs den together as female that are pregnant and males will den by themselves. During hibernation the bears body temperature go from 100 degrees Fahrenheit to 94, while their heart beat drops from forty beats to eight beats per minute. During their hibernation bears neither poop nor urinate. As bears live off of their fat and by the end of winter they will loose literally a quarter to a third of their body weight. If aroused out of slumber they will wake up immediately which will put them under duress if disturbed while hibernating. As bears which are underweight and or living in a poorer state of condition will have a shorter period of hibernation as opposed to those who are in a healthier state and hibernating in a better state of condition. It is common for female bears to give birth between one to four cubs. When born the cubs are blind and are pink covered with black hair follicles all over. The tend to be 6 to 9 inches long and will weigh 6 to 12 ounces. During this time cubs have the ability to naturally crawl toward the mothers nipples to nurse. After about four weeks it is then the eyes of the cubs will begin to open and a about sixty days they will begin to walk. Once the cubs are about three months old they will begin to leave the den with their mother. While the male bears literally has no place in the rearing of the cubs at all it is the mother bear which is solely takes the responsibility for raising them and teaching them to fend for themselves. The mother weans them by the seventh month and during this time period she teaches them to hunt and catch prey. By the time of fall the cubs should be about 60 to 100 pounds in weight. The mother bear spends two years with her litter as black bears are not the kind which travel in groups, so if seen it is the mother and her cubs which are found together if spotted. During the next winter she will do all she can to get her cubs to be fattened up as she will hibernate with her cubs and remain with them till next summer. By the time of the second summer has arrived the whole family separates and the cycle begins anew.
Adult black bears are 50 to 70 inches in length which includes the stubby tail which typically is 3 to 5 inches in length. The stand at about 30 inches tall at the shoulder and weigh 110-400 pounds, with some to have been recorded as being 650 pounds. Here in Virginia these black beauties average about 220 pounds for the males while the females come in at about 120 pounds. Their fur is long, thick and soft. Their color is typically black to brownish black in color but there are some which are cinnamon in color. Their muzzle has a tan color which ascends from the nose area and stops towards the curvature of eyebrows. Some may also have a V shape white mark on their chest in some cases. In regard to both the male and females appearance both are identical to each other with relationship to their fur color. Where as size on the other hand will be easy to distinguish as the males are larger then the females.
Basic Characteristics-
Bear are extremely fast as they can run at a speed of 30 miles per hour and can swim very well. When walking they walk is a shuffling, flat-footed gait. When in water swimming they paddle like a dog with their head facing up and out of the water. Bears have a good eyesight but there main sense of smell and hear are far sharper and are very alert and cautious when roaming about. When unable to see something they will stand on their feet in order to have a better visible view of their surroundings. Typically bears are silent when when under duress they will growl and make deep breathing noises, and our deep undertone guttural sounds when provoked. A mother will grunt, or huff when calling her cubs to her. When hurt they will bellow, bawl or make sobbing sounds. Bear are mainly nocturnal animals even though they may be found feeding and or moving about during the day. Bears travel alone unless it is a female with her cubs which in this case she will remain moving about with them for the next two years of their life. If a female bear is with her cubs and feels threatened the female will indeed attack to defend her cubs at all cost. When traveling bears tend to stay clear of open areas. But in parks or places where people are prone to leaving food out, bears tend to be less concern for their safety and will be more unlikely to flee or move away from the area. Most places in which black bears are not in contact with humans tend to act more aggressive with humans and will attack them. Cubs are playful and can be found wrestling with each other and or playing around in the water. If the mother feels a sense of danger the cubs will go climbing up the trees for protection. It is a known fact that sometimes adult male bears kill and eat the cubs of a litter. But why is a questioned unanswered as of yet.
Signs and Tracking-
They use their claws and teeth to scar trees in order to mark their individual territory. Some of the signs one can look for are paw prints ranging from 3.5 inches to 7 inches in length. Also over turned logs are signs of their searching for insects and or other creatures such as frogs for a food source. Large droppings, discrete or in loose piles with signs of seeds found in the dung and or insect parts, animal hair or nutshells are common.
Habitat-
Black Bears can be commonly found during the spring and summer months and are the largest carnivore in the East. They can be found as far up as Canada and as low as Mexico and in portions of the east and west coast. , As they hibernate during the winter seasons. In the summer seasons during the times of hot weather becomes prevalent, they can be found lingering about in streams to keep cool.
Eating Habits-
Bear main sense of smell is their main source of seeking out food. Most of their diet consist of fruits and vegetation during the spring and summer months such as pawpaws, skunk cabbage, blackberries, devil-walking stick, persimmons, wild grapes and the leaves of hardwoods as well as plant roots, grass and apples. They will even eat insects at any stage of its development, bee larvae, honey, amphibians, reptiles, small mammals, fish and of course garbage. In fall season they feast on acorns, in areas which acorns will be found in abundance. They tend to drink lots of water as they can be found often doing so through out the day. When bears are acting beyond their normal state they will also attack sheep, pigs, goats and even humans.
Life Cycle-
During the summer season males bears seek out potential females to mate with. When a male bear copulates with a female the act itself causes the female to ovulate. Although the fertile egg remains dormant till later on in the fall. During this time the female will begin to gain the necessary weight needed for hibernation. It takes ten weeks for the egg to develop inside the female womb, Later the female bear will give birth in winter hibernation place of rest. Females typically select a more secluded shelter site as opposed to males. Only female bears and her cubs den together as female that are pregnant and males will den by themselves. During hibernation the bears body temperature go from 100 degrees Fahrenheit to 94, while their heart beat drops from forty beats to eight beats per minute. During their hibernation bears neither poop nor urinate. As bears live off of their fat and by the end of winter they will loose literally a quarter to a third of their body weight. If aroused out of slumber they will wake up immediately which will put them under duress if disturbed while hibernating. As bears which are underweight and or living in a poorer state of condition will have a shorter period of hibernation as opposed to those who are in a healthier state and hibernating in a better state of condition. It is common for female bears to give birth between one to four cubs. When born the cubs are blind and are pink covered with black hair follicles all over. The tend to be 6 to 9 inches long and will weigh 6 to 12 ounces. During this time cubs have the ability to naturally crawl toward the mothers nipples to nurse. After about four weeks it is then the eyes of the cubs will begin to open and a about sixty days they will begin to walk. Once the cubs are about three months old they will begin to leave the den with their mother. While the male bears literally has no place in the rearing of the cubs at all it is the mother bear which is solely takes the responsibility for raising them and teaching them to fend for themselves. The mother weans them by the seventh month and during this time period she teaches them to hunt and catch prey. By the time of fall the cubs should be about 60 to 100 pounds in weight. The mother bear spends two years with her litter as black bears are not the kind which travel in groups, so if seen it is the mother and her cubs which are found together if spotted. During the next winter she will do all she can to get her cubs to be fattened up as she will hibernate with her cubs and remain with them till next summer. By the time of the second summer has arrived the whole family separates and the cycle begins anew.
