WILDLIFE ECOLOGY LAB (BIOLOGY 3446B)
MAMMALS (Labs 6-8)
Lab 6
Family Didelphidae - opossums
1. Virginia opossum
Family Leporidae
2. eastern cottontail
3. Arctic hare
4. European hare
5. snowshoe hare
Family Sciuridae
6. eastern grey squirrel
7. red squirrel
8. woodchuck
Family Castoridae
9. American beaver
Family Cricetidae
10. muskrat
Family Erethizontidae
11. American porcupine
Family Ursidae: bears
12. American black bear
13. grizzly or brown bear
14. polar bear
Family Procyonidae
15. northern raccoon
Lab 7
Family Mustelidae: weasels, badgers, otters
16. American marten
17. fisher
18. short-tailed weasel or ermine
19. least weasel
20. long-tailed weasel
21. American mink
22. northern river otter
23. wolverine
24. American badger
Family Mephitidae
25. striped skunk
Family Canidae
26. coyote
27. wolf
28. red fox
29. Arctic fox
Family Felidae
30. cougar
31. Canada lynx
32. bobcat
Lab 8
Family Otariidae
33. northern (or Alaska) fur seal
Family Odobenidae
34. walrus
Family Phocidae: earless seals
35. harbor seal
36. ringed seal
37. harp seal
Family Cervidae
38. elk
39. mule deer
40. white-tailed deer
41. moose
42. caribou
Family Bovidae: bison, sheep, goats, muskox
43. American bison Bison bison
44. mountain goat Oreamnos americanus
45. muskox Ovibos moschatus
46. bighorn sheep Ovis canadensis
47. Dall’s sheep Ovis dalli
MAMMALS
Opossums
Opossums are the largest marsupial in the Western Hemisphere. Commonly called possums, though that
term refers to Australian fauna of the suborder Phalangeriformes. Their unspecialized biology, flexible diet
and reproductive strategy make them successful colonizers and survivors in diverse locations and
conditions. Most members of this taxon have long snouts, narrow braincase, and a prominent sagittal crest.
Incisors are very small, canines are large, and molars are tricuspid.
Common Name: Virgina opossum (Didelphis virginiana)
Order Didelphimorphia
Family Didelphidae
Range: Primarily eastern North America; southern Canada to Mexico. Only marsupial north of Mexico.
Food habits: Omnivore; feeds on insects and a variety of fruits and other foods. Nocturnal, terrestrial and
arboreal scavenger; predator on ground-nesting birds.
Status and economic importance: Hunted/ furbearer/ pest species.
Identification: Size of house cat. Pointed nose with white face, paper-thin ears, round prehensile tail
(naked and scaly), usually whitish grey body fur.
Dental Formula: 5.1.3.4 / 4.1.3.4
Pikas, Rabbits and Hares
While they are similar rodents in many ways, they differ in that they have: four incisors in their upper jaw
(vs. two as in the Rodentia), almost wholly herbivorous, male’s scrotum is in front of the penis and the
penis contains no bone (unlike in rodents). Resemble rodents in that their teeth grow throughout their life,
necessitating constant chewing to keep them from growing too long.
Common Name: eastern cottontail (Sylvilagus floridanus)
Order Lagomorpha
Family Leporidae
Range: Southern Canada, the eastern U.S., and northern Mexico east of Rocky Mtns.
Food habits: Herbivore; reen vegetation in summer; bark and twigs in winter.
Status: Hunted/ pest (damage to gardens, shrubs, trees)
Identification: Brownish pelage year round, rusty colored nape patch; feet, undersides, and tail are white.
Dental Formula: 2.0.3.3 / 1.0.2.3
Common Name: Arctic hare (Lepus arcticus)
Order Lagomorpha
Family Leporidae
Range: Tundra habitat in Arctic Canada.
Food habits: Herbivore; low growing tundra vegetation.
Status: Hunted species
Identification: Grey or brown in summer; hair white to base, in winter, with black tips on ears. Tail white
year round.
Dental Formula: 2.0.3.3 / 1.0.2.3
Common Name: European hare (Lepus europaeus)
Order Lagomorpha
Family Leporidae
Range: Southern Ontario and central New England states. (Introduced)
Food habits: Herbivore; prefers green foliage.
Status: Hunted species/ pest (can damage crops)
Identification: Brownish grey pelage year round; dorsal surface of tail black. Largest hare.
Dental Formula: 2.0.3.3 / 1.0.2.3
Common Name: snowshoe hare (varying hare) (Lepus americanus)
Order Lagomorpha
Family Leporidae
Range: Boreal and montane forests of northern U.S., Canada and Alaska.
Food habits: Herbivore; succulent vegetation in summer; twigs, buds, bark in winter.
Status: Hunted species/ pest (girdles young trees)
Identification: Pelt is dark brown in summer and white in winter; large feet; ears small for a hare,
bordered with
black, summer and winter. White winter pelage has bands of darker color at base of hairs.
Dental Formula: 2.0.3.3 / 1.0.2.3
Squirrels and Groundhogs
Belong to a large family of small to medium sized rodents called Sciuridae. Typically have slender bodies
with bushy tails and large eyes. Their fur is generally soft and silky, although much thicker in some species
than others. The colour of squirrels is highly variable, often even within species. Hindlimbs are generally
longer than the forelimbs, and they have four or five toes on each foot. Paws on their forefeet include a
thumb, although it is poorly developed; feet also has a soft pad on the underside.
Common Name: eastern grey squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis)
Order Rodentia
Family Sciuridae
Range: Eastern N.A. from southern Canada to Gulf of Mexico.
Food habits: Herbivore; feeds on a variety of nuts, seeds, fungi, fruit, and tree bark.
Status: Hunted species
Identification: Grey phase most common over range; black (melanistic) form in north. Lighter underparts;
bushy tail has white tips on fur.
Dental Formula: 1.0.1.3 / 1.0.1.3
Common Name: red squirrel (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus)
Order Rodentia
Family Sciuridae
Range: Pine and spruce forests of the northern and western U.S., across Canada into southern Alaska.
Food habits: Omnivore; feeds on a variety of foods including seeds, nuts, eggs, and fungi.
Status: Hunted species; furbearer.
Identification: Upper body reddish, belly white; white eye ring. Black line along side in summer.
Smallest N.A. tree squirrel.
Dental Formula: 1.0.1.3 / 1.0.1.3
Common Name: woodchuck (groundhog) (Marmota monax)
Order Rodentia
Family Sciuridae
Range: Eastern N.A. from central Canada to foothill regions of southern U.S.
Food habits: Feeds on succulent vegetation: herbivore. Hibernates in winter - hence the Groundhog Day
tradition.
Status: Game species/ pest (damages crops, burrows in pastures)
Identification: Heavy bodied and short legged; greyish brown fur; silver tips of hair give frosted
appearance; feet are dark brown to black.
Dental Formula: 1.0.2.3 / 1.0.1.3
Beavers
The Castoridae family contains two living species of beavers and their fossil relatives. Was once a highly
diverse group of rodents, but is now restricted to a single genus, Castor. Large compared to other rodents,
semiaquatic, with sleek bodies and webbed hind feet; more agile in water than on land.
Common Name: American beaver (Castor Canadensis)
Order Rodentia
Family Castoridae
Range: Most of Canada and the U.S., in streams and lakes.
Food habits: Herbivore; feeds on bark and small twigs of many trees (particularly aspen), stores winter
food underwater.
Status: Furbearer. Beaver provided the primary reason for early exploration and settlement of North
America.
Identification: Large rodent (up to 30 kg), rich brown pelage; naked scaly tail shaped like a paddle; huge
front teeth; hind feed are webbed.
Dental Formula: 1.0.1.3 / 1.0.1.3
Mice, Rats, Gerbils and Muskrats
Cricetidae family includes true hamsters, voles, lemmings and New World rats and mice. At almost 660
species, it is the second largest family of mammals and has members throughout the New World, Asia, and
Europe.
Common Name: muskrat (Ondatra zibethicus)
Order Rodentia
Family Cricetidae
Range: Most of Canada and the U.S.; inhabit marshes, lakes, streams.
Food habits: Herbivore; feeds primarily on aquatic vegetation.
Status: Furbearer
Identification: Fur is rich brown; tail long, naked and scaly, flattened from side to side.
Dental Formula: 1.0.0.3 / 1.0.0.3
New World Porcupines
Erethizontidae are large arboreal rodents, distinguished by the spiny covering from which they take their
name. They inhabit forests and wooded regions across North America and into northern South America.
Stout animals, with blunt rounded heads, fleshy mobile snouts, and coats of thick cylindrical or flattened
spines (quills).
Common Name: American porcupine (Erethizon dorsatum)
Order Rodentia
Family Erethizontidae
Range: N.A. from northern Mexico to Alaska and from the Atlantic to the Pacific
Food habits: Herbivore; feeds on a variety of green leaves of forbs, shrubs and trees in summer. In winter
it feeds on bark, new twigs and buds of trees and shrubs; also chews bones and antlers.
Status: Pest species - girdles trees, chews any salty object, destroy crops
Identification: Canada's second largest rodent next to the beaver. 3 feet long, weighs 25 pounds.
Pelage has sensory hairs, brown woolly undercoat, long cream-tipped guard hairs, and stiff quills (~ 30,000
per animal).
Dental Formula: 1.0.1.3 / 1.0.1.3
Bears
Classified as caniforms, or doglike carnivores. Although there are only eight living species of bear, they are
widespread. Modern bears include a large body with stocky legs, a long snout, shaggy hair, plantigrade
paws (walking on the soles of their feet) with five non-retractable claws, and a short tail.
Common Name: American black bear (Ursus americanus)
Order Carnivora
Family Ursidae
Range: Scattered populations throughout the U.S. and Canada.
Food habits: Omnivore; Consumes a variety of foods including berries, nuts, tubers, insects, small
mammals, eggs, honey, carrion, and garbage.
Status: Hunted species/ furbearer/ pest (at camp sites)
Identification: Black is most common color phase (others cinnamon, white); face brown and straight or
Roman in profile.
Dental Formula: 3.1.4.2 / 3.1.4.3
Common Name: grizzly or brown bear (Ursus arctos)
Order Carnivora
Family Ursidae
Range: Alaska, western Canada, and Rocky Mtn. states.
Food habits: Omnivore; (meat, fruit, grass, grubs, small mammals, salmon)
Status: Hunted species/ furbearer.
Identification: Color ranges from pale yellowish to dark brown; usually white tips on hairs; dished
(concave) facial profile; noticeable shoulder hump; front claws long and curved.
Dental Formula: 3.1.4.2 / 3.1.4.3
Common Name: polar bear (Ursus maritimus)
Order Carnivora
Family Ursidae
Range: Arctic maritime regions of Canada, Alaska (circumpolar)
Food habits: Carnivore; Feeds primarily on seals.
Status: Hunted species/ furbearer
Identification: Large size; white to pale yellowish white fur.
Dental Formula: 3.1.4.2 / 3.1.4.3
Procyonidae
Procyonidae is a New World family that includes raccoons and ringtails. They are relatively small animals
and almost all have banded tails and distinct facial markings. Like bears, procyonids are plantigrade.
Because of their omnivorous diet they have lost some adaptations for flesh-eating found in their
carnivorous relatives resulting in poorly developed carnassial teeth.
Common Name: northern raccoon (Procyon lotor)
Order Carnivora
Family Procyonidae
Range: Throughout southern Canada and most of the U.S., nearly everywhere there is water.
Food habits: Omnivore; eats fruits, nuts, cereal crops, insects, frogs, crayfish, birds’ eggs; usually
nocturnal.
Status: Hunted species/ furbearer/ pest (damages crops, raids poultry yards, etc.)
Identification: Pelage greyish pepper-and-salt mixture; black face mask; alternating rings of yellowish
white and black on tail.
Dental Formula: 3.1.4.2 / 3.1.4.2
Weasel Family
Mustelidae are commonly referred to as the weasel family and are carnivorous mammals. Typically small
animals with short legs, short round ears, and thick fur. Most are solitary, nocturnal animals, and are active
year-round.
Common Name: American marten (Martes Americana)
Order Carnivora
Family Mustelidae
Range: Central Alaska, throughout Canada into montane regions of northern and western U.S. (coniferous
forests)
Food habits: Carnivore; red squirrels and other small mammals.
Status: Furbearer
Identification: Soft dense yellowish brown to dark brown fur; pale buff patch on throat and breast
Dental Formula: 3.1.4.1 / 3.1.4.2
Common Name: fisher (Martes pennant)
Order Carnivora
Family Mustelidae
Range: Northern and central Canada, montane regions of northern and western U.S.
Food habits: Carnivore; feeds primarily on small mammals (porcupines).
Status: Furbearer
Identification: Dark brown to nearly black pelage; white tips on fur give frosted appearance.
Dental Formula: 3.1.4.1 / 3.1.4.2
Common Name: ermine (short-tailed weasel) (Mustela ermine)
Order Carnivora
Family Mustelidae
Range: Occurs throughout Alaska, Canada, and the northern and western U.S.
Food habits: Carnivore; mostly small mammals (mice) and birds.
Status: Furbearer
Identification: Brown with white underparts in summer; white in winter; black tipped tail all year; tail ~
one-third total body length.
Dental Formula: 3.1.3.1 / 3.1.3.2
Common Name: least weasel (Mustela nivalis)
Order Carnivora
Family Mustelidae
Range: Throughout Alaska and Canada into north central U.S.
Food habits: Carnivore; almost exclusively mice.
Status: Furbearer
Identification: Smallest carnivore; brown above, whitish below in summer; white overall in winter; no
black tip at end of short tail.
Dental Formula: 3.1.3.1 / 3.1.3.2
Common Name: long-tailed weasel (Mustela frenata)
Order Carnivora
Family Mustelidae
Range: Southern Canada, throughout the U.S. and most of Mexico
Food habits: Carnivore; mostly small mammals.
Status: Furbearer
Identification: Long slender body and neck. Brownish body and feet with white underparts.
White with black-tipped tail in north in winter. Longer tail and larger body size than ermine (tail > 44% of
total body length).
Dental Formula: 3.1.3.1 / 3.1.3.2
Common Name: American mink (Mustela vison)
Order Carnivora
Family Mustelidae
Range: Throughout Canada, Alaska, and U.S. except for desert southwest (near streams, lakes and
marshes)
Food habits: Carnivore; feeds on small mammals (muskrats), birds, eggs, frogs, crayfish, fish.
Status: Furbearer
Identification: Dark rich brown fur with white chin patch; slightly bushy tail.
Dental Formula: 3.1.3.1 / 3.1.3.2
Common Name: northern river otter (Lutra Canadensis)
Order Carnivora
Family Mustelidae
Range: Throughout most of North America along streams and lakes.
Food habits: Carnivore; eats fish, frogs, crayfish, and other aquatic invertebrates.
Status: Furbearer
Identification: Rich brown fur above, silvery sheen below; small ears and borad snout; webbed feet; thick
tail tapering toward tip.
Dental Formula: 3.1.4.1 / 3.1.3.2
Common Name: wolverine (Gulo gulo)
Order Carnivora
Family Mustelidae
Range: Alaska and northern Canada.
Food habits: Carnivore; feeds primarily on small mammals.
Status: Furbearer
Identification: Dark brown body fur with a paler head; 2 broad yellowish stripes that start at shoulders and
join on rump; thick bushy tail.
Dental Formula: 3.1.4.1 / 3.1.4.2
Common Name: American badger (Taxidea taxus)
Order Carnivora
Family Mustelidae
Range: Western Canada and western U.S. into northern Mexico; grasslands, desert.
Food habits: Carnivore; digs for small mammals.
Status: Furbearer
Identification: Heavy bodied and short legged; yellowish grey pelage; White stripe over top of head and
white cheeks with black spot; feet black with long claws.
Dental Formula: 3.1.3.1 / 3.1.3.2
Skunks
Skunks are mammals best known for their ability to secrete a liquid with a strong, foul odor. General
appearance varies from species to species from black-and-white to brown or cream coloured. Recent
genetic evidence separated them from the Mustidelidae family listed above.
Common Name: striped skunk Mephitis mephitis
Order Carnivora
Family Mephitidae
Range: Central and southern Canada, throughout U.S., and northern Mexico.
Food habits: Omnivore; feeds on mice, eggs, insects, berries, carrion.
Status: Furbearer/ pest (gets into garbage, etc.)
Identification: Size of house cat; black body with narrow white stripe on forehead; broad white band on
nape divides into a V at the shoulders, with much variation in length and width of stripes. Scent glands
well developed.
Dental Formula: 3.1.3.1 / 3.1.3.2
Canidae
Canidae is the family of carnivorous and omnivorous mammals that includes wolves, foxes, jackals,
coyotes, and domestic dogs. Vary in size from the fennec fox to the grey wolf. Generally long legged and
agile bodies adapted for chasing prey. All canids are digitigrade (walk on their toes), possess bushy tails,
non-retractile claws and a dewclaw on their front feet.
Common Name: coyote (Canis latrans)
Order Carnivora
Family Canidae
Range: Most of North America
Food habits: Carnivore; food predominantly small rodents and rabbits.
Status: Hunted species/ furbearer/ pest (kills livestock)
Identification: Medium sized dog; grey or reddish grey pelage; rusty colored legs, feet, and ears; nose
more pointed and tail bushier than in most dogs.
Dental Formula: 3.1.4.2 / 3.1.4.3
Common Name: wolf (grey wolf, timber wolf) (Canis lupus)
Order Carnivora
Family Canidae
Range: Primarily Alaska and Canada.
Food habits: Carnivore; feeds on small and large animals (pack hunters).
Status: Furbearer
Identification: Fur color varies from white to black; usually grey. Ears more rounded and relatively
smaller than coyote. Largest canid in North America.
Dental Formula: 3.1.4.2 / 3.1.4.3
Common Name: red fox (Vulpes vulpes)
Order Carnivora
Family Canidae
Range: Most of North America except for western Great Plains.
Food habits: Carnivore; feed on small mammals, birds, and eggs.
Status: Furbearer
Identification: Usually reddish-yellow with white belly fur. Bushy tail tipped in white; legs and feet
black. Darker color phases in far north and west.
Dental Formula: 3.1.4.2 / 3.1.4.3
Common Name: Arctic fox (Alopex lagopus)
Order Carnivora
Family Canidae
Range: Tundra regions of northern Alaska and Canada.
Food habits: Carnivore; scavenger; follows polar bears. Also eats small mammals, birds, and eggs.
Status: Furbearer
Identification: Short rounded ears and heavily furred feet. Two color phases, blue or white; both phases
are dullish brown in summer.
Dental Formula: 3.1.4.2 / 3.1.4.3
Cats
Felidae is the family of cats and are the strictest carnivores of the thirteen terrestrial families in the order
Carnivora. Aside from lions, wild felids are generally solitary; cheetahs are also known to live and hunt in
groups. Secretive animals, often nocturnal, and live in relatively inaccessible habitats. Agile, flexible
bodies with muscular limbs. Tail is generally between 1/3 and ½ the length of their body. Limbs are
digitigrade with soft toe pads and retractable claws. Head is highly domed shaped with a short muzzle.
Skull possesses zygomatic arches and a large sagittal crest; allowing for the attachment of strong jaw
muscles.
Common Name: cougar (mountain lion, puma, panther) (Puma concolor)
Order Carnivora
Family Felidae
Range: Scattered populations throughout North America.
Food habits: Carnivore; feeds largely on deer, but will take smaller mammals.
Status: Hunted species/ pest (takes livestock)
Identification: Large tawny to greyish cat; dark brown on tip of long tail, backs of ears and sides of nose.
Dental Formula: 3.1.3.1 / 3.1.2.1
Common Name: Canada lynx (Lynx Canadensis)
Order Carnivora
Family Felidae
Range: Throughout Canada and Alaska into northern U.S.
Food habits: Carnivore; feeds on small mammals and birds.
Status: Furbearer
Identification: Short-tailed cat; tail is black-tipped; tufted ears.
Dental Formula: 3.1.2.1 / 3.1.2.1
Common Name: bobcat (Lynx rufus)
Order Carnivora
Family Felidae
Range: Throughout much of southern Canada, the U.S. and Mexico,
Food habits: Carnivore; feeds on small mammals and birds.
Status: Furbearer
Identification: Short tailed cat, with black on dorsal surface of tail.
Dental Formula: 3.1.2.1 / 3.1.2.1
Eared Seals
Eared seals are one of the three groupings of Pinnipeds (fin-footed mammals). Adpated to semi-aquatic
lifestyle, feeding and migrating in the water but breeding and resting on land or ice. Ontariids are able to
turn their hind limbs forward and walk on all fours, making them far more maneuverable on land than other
Pinnipeds. Have a more dog-like head, sharp, well-developed canines and a visible external pinnae.
Common Name: northern fur seal (Alaska fur seal) (Callorhinus ursinus)
Order Carnivora
Family Otariidae
Range: Northern Pacific coast of North America.
Food habits: Carnivore; feed mostly on fish and squid. Can move about on land using both front and hind
flippers.
Status: Furbearer
Identification: Males much larger than females; blackish above, reddish on belly, and grey on shoulders
and front of neck. Females grey above and reddish below.
Dental Formula: 3.1.6 / 2.1.5
Odibenidae
Odobenidae are a family of Pinnipeds whose only living species is a walrus.
Common Name: walrus (Odobenus rosmarus)
Order Carnivora
Family Odobenidae
Range: Arctic waters of northern hemisphere.
Food habits: Carnivore; feeds mainly on marine molluscs, occasionally eats seals.
Status: Hunted; hides, meat and ivory tusks important to Eskimos.
Identification: Huge seal with 2 large white tusks. Skin bay colored when dry, black when wet.
Dental Formula: 1.1.3 / 0.1.3
Earless Seals
True seals, or earless seals, are more specialized for aquatic life than otariids. Lack external ears and have
sleak, streamlined bodies. A smooth layer of blubber lies underneath their skin and they are able to diver
blood flow to this layer to help control their temperature. Cannot turn hind flippers and are therefore very
clumsy on land.
Common Name: harbor seal (Phoca vitulina)
Order Carnivora
Family Phocidae
Range: Primarily in arctic regions of Pacific and Atlantic oceans.
Food habits: Carnivore; feeds on fish, shellfish and squids.
Status: Furbearer/ pest (eats commercial fish and damages fish nets)
Identification: Small seal with iron grey skin with brown spots, brown with grey spots, or uniform silver
grey or brownish black.
Dental Formula: 3.1.5 / 2.1.5
Common Name: ringed seal (Phoca hispida)
Order Carnivora
Family Phocidae
Range: Arcic Ocean south to Labrador and Hudson Bay, and Alaska.
Food habits: Carnivore; mostly marine invertebrates.
Status: Fur bearer/ hunted species; important for meat and skin.
Idenitfication: Small dull yellowish to brownish seal with dark spots and streaks along back.
Dental Formula: 3.1.5 / 2.1.5
Common Name: harp seal (Phoca groenlandica)
Order Carnivora
Family Phocidae
Range: Arctic and North Atlantic Oceans.
Food habits: Carnivore; feeds on macroplakton and fish.
Status: Furbearer/ hunted species
Identification: Greyish or yellowish seal with dark brown or black face and saddle marking on back.
Females less distinctly marked.
Dental Formula: 3.1.5 / 2.1.5
Deer
Deer are the ruminant mammals forming the family Cervidae. Male deer of all species (except Chinese
water deer) and female reindeer grow and shed new antlers each year. Generally have agile, compact
bodies and long, powerful legs suited for rugged woodland terrain. They are also excellent jumpers and
swimmers. Teeth are adapted to feeding on vegetation, and like other ruminants, they lack upper incisors;
having a tough pad at the front of their upper jaw instead.
Common Name: elk (wapiti) (Cervus elaphus)
Order Artiodactyla
Family Cervidae
Range: Scattered populations in western Canada and western U.S.
Food habits: Herbivore; feeds on grasses, herbs, twigs, bark.
Status: Hunted species
Identification: Large reddish brown deer with pale yellowish rump patch and small white tail. Adult
males have large spreading antlers in late summer and autumn.
Dental Formula: 0.0.3.3 / 3.1.3.3
Common Name: mule deer (includes blacktailed deer) (Odocoileus hemionus)
Order Artiodactyla
Family Cervidae
Range: Western North America.
Food habits: Herbivore; feeds on grasses, twigs, herbs, bark.
Status: Hunted species
Identification: Reddish brown in summer; blue-grey in winter. Large ears, black-tipped tail; may have
whitish rump patch. Males have large branching antlers in fall.
Dental Formula: 0.0.3.3 / 3.1.3.3
Common Name: white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus)
Order Artiodactyla
Family Cervidae
Range: Throughout central and southern Canada, most of U.S. and Mexico.
Food habits: Herbivore; eats twigs, shrubs, fungi, acorns, grass, herbs.
Status: Hunted species/ pest
Identification: Reddish in summer, blue-grey in winter. Large white tail raised as “flag”. Males have
antlers in fall/early winter; tines originate from main beam.
Dental Formula: 0.0.3.3 / 3.1.3.3
Common Name: moose (Alces alces)
Order Artiodactyla
Family Cervidae
Range: Throughout Alaska and Canada into northern U.S.
Food habits: Herbivore; nrowses on woody plants in winter and feeds on aquatic vegetation in summer.
Status: Hunted species
Identification: Large dark brown deer with greyish legs, overhanging snout, pendant bell on throat.
Males have massive, palmate, flat antlers.
Dental Formula: 0.0.3.3 / 3.1.3.3
Common Name: caribou (Rangifer tarandus)
Order Artiodactyla
Family Cervidae
Range: Northern and central Canada and Alaska.
Food habits: Herbivore; feeds on a variety of plants and mosses (lichens in winter).
Status: Hunted species
Identification: Heavy-set deer with large round hooves; body fur chocolate brown with whitish neck and
rump patch (woodland, boreal forest), paler overall in northern populations (barren ground, tundra). Only
genus of deer family where both males and females bear antlers; males have larger semipalmate antlers.
Dental Formula: 0.0.3.3 / 3.1.3.3
Bovidae
A bovid is a cloven-hoofed ruminant mammal. Males (and sometimes females) bear characteristic
unbranching horns covered in a permanent sheath of keratin. All bovids have four toes on each foot; walk
on the central two (the hooves) while the outer two (dewclaws) are much smaller and rarely, if ever, touch
the ground.
Common Name: American bison (Bison bison)
Order Artiodactyla
Family Bovidae
Range: Scattered populations remaining in western Canada and U.S.
Food habits: Herbivore; grazes mostly on grasses.
Status: Hunted species
Identification: Large dark brown mammal with massive head, high hump on shoulders. Long shaggy
hair on head, shoulders, and front legs. Curved horns.
Dental Formula: 0.0.3.3 / 3.1.3.3
Common Name: mountain goat (Oreamnos americanus)
Order Artiodactyla
Family Bovidae
Range: Mountain regions of southern Alaska, western Canada, and northern U.S.
Food habits: Herbivore; feeds on high mountain vegetation.
Status: Hunted species
Idenitfication: White goat with long fur, definite beard, short smooth black horns curved back.
Dental Formula: 0.0.3.3 / 3.1.3.3
Common Name: muskox (Ovibos moschatus)
Order Artiodactyla
Family Bovidae
Range: Northeastern Alaska and across Arctic Canada
Food habits: Herbivore; feeds on tundra grasses, willows, forbs and sedges.
Status: Hunted species/ furbearer
Identification: Brownish long silky hair that hangs to feet. Broad flat horns close to skull, curved tips point
forward.
Dental Formula: 0.0.3.3 / 3.1.3.3
Common Name: bighorn sheep (Ovis Canadensis)
Order Artiodactyla
Family Bovidae
Range: Mountain regions of western Canada, the U.S., and northern Mexico
Food habits: Herbivore; browse and graze on a variety of plants.
Status: Hunted species
Identification: Brown to greyish-brown sheep with creamy white rump patch. Massive coiled horns in
males, small and uncoiled in females.
Dental Formula: 0.0.3.3 / 3.1.3.3
Common Name: Dall’s sheep (Ovis dalli)
Order Artiodactyla
Family Bovidae
Range: Mountain regions of Alaska and northwestern Canada
Food habits: Herbivore; browse and graze a variety of plants.
Status: Hunted species
Identification: White overall with massive coiled horns. Dark (blackish grey) color phase called Stone
sheep
Dental Formula: 0.0.3.3 / 3.1.3.3
Dental Formula
A dental formula is the expression in symbols of the number and arrangement of teeth on one side of the
upper and lower jaws. Number of teeth are listed in order of incisor, canine, premolar, and molar on the
upper and lower jaw respectively. For instance, the dental formula for the picture below would read: 3.1.4.2
/ 3.1.4.3, totaling in 20 teeth in the upper jaw [(3+1+4+2) x 2] and 22 teeth in the lower jaw [3+1+4+3) x
2].
Skulls
Order: Didelphimorphia
Family: Didelphidae – Opossum
Identification: Extremely small brain case, no auditory bullae (note: five upper incisors on each side).
Order: Lagomorpha
Family: Leporidae – Rabbits and hares
Identification: Two pairs of upper incisors, side of rostrum fenestrates (holes), long diastema; canines
abscent, prominent supraorbital process. Rabbits: interparietal present, supraorbital process attached
posteriorly. Hares: no interparietal, supraorbital process not attached posteriorly.
Order Rodentia: All have only one pair of upper incisors and lower incisors (ever
growing), and no canines
Order: Rodentia
Family: Sciuridae - Squirrels
Identification: Small infraorbital foramen zygomatic arch much flattened at front to form zygomatic plate,
large supraorbital process.
Order: Rodentia
Family: Castoridae – Beavers
Identification: Small infraorbital foramen (sciuromorph), large incisors, external auditory meatus tubular,
conspicuous lateral depression in side of rostrum (origin of part of masseter muscle).
Order: Rodentia
Family: Cricetidae – New World rats, mice, muskrats
Identification: Skull shapes variable, enlarged (medium-sized) infraorbital foramen; vertically elongate
(myomorph), large zygomatic plate.
Order: Carnivora
Family: Ursidae - Bears
Identification: Large skulls, orbits small relative to rest of skull, first 3 premolars rudimentary (peg-like)
or lost (diastema), no carnassials; molars broad and flat, rostrum broad and massive.
Order: Carnivora
Family: Procyonidae - Raccoons
Identification: Carnassials have high cusps; little shearing action, crushing teeth, long rostrum
Order: Carnivora
Family: Mustelidae – Badgers, weasels, otters, wolverine
Identification: Long brain case but short rostrum (pushed-in face), less than 40 teeth, carnassials for
shearing, palate usually extends past last molars, upper molar (usually 1) rotated 90 degrees, compressed
auditory bullae.
Order: Carnivora
Family: Mephitidae – Skunks
Identification: Long brain case and rostrum is short and flat, last upper molar is very large, upper
carnassials less developed than Mustelidae family, auditory bullae small and rounded (same dental formula
as Mustelidaes).
Order: Carnivora
Family: Canidae – Wolves, coyotes, foxes
Identification: Long narrow rostrum, generally have well-developed saggital crest, strong canines and
carnassials.
Order: Carnivora
Family: Felidae - Cats
Identification: Rostrum shortened, skull convex – arched in profile, large orbitals, number of teeth reduced
(28 or 30); one upper and lower molar OR upper molar very small, carnassials well developed; no grinding
surfaces.
Order: Artiodactyla
Family: Cervidae – Deer, elk, moose, caribou
Identification: No upper incisors, lower canines close to and resemble incisors, antlers in males only
(except reindeer), antlers entirely bony; shed annually
Order: Artiodactyla
Family: Bovidae – Bison, goats, muskox, sheep
Identification: Horns usually present in both sexes, horns not branched and consist of permanent bony
cores with permanent horny sheaths.
Order: Artiodactyla
Family: Antilocapridae - Pronghorns
Identification: Horns consist of bony cores covered with a deciduous sheath; horns reduced in females,
high, prominent orbits; unusually far back in skull.
Example questions used on the bellringer Bio 3446 Lab Exam
1.
Northern Bobwhite (F)
a) Common Name
b) Order - Galliformes
c) Sex - Female
2.
Sora
a) Common Name
b) Family – Rallidae
c) Food Habits - Omnivore
3.
Muskrat (Food)
a) Common Name
b) Family - Cricetidae
c) Food Habits – D
4.
American Woodcock
a) Common Name
b) Order - Charadriiformes
c) Economic Importance – hunted species
5.
Greater Snow Goose
a) Common Name
b) Order - Anseriformes
c) Food Habits - Herbivorous
6.
Cougar (Range)
a) Common Name
b) Status - Game species/ pest (takes livestock) (0.5 marks each)
c) Range = A
7.
American Black Duck (Wing)
a) Common Name
b) Family – Anatidae
c) Order – Anseriformes
8.
Teeth Question
a) A = premolars
b) B = incisors
c) C = molars
9.
Mallard (F)
a) Sex – Female
b) Family – Anatidae
c) Clutch size range of tribe – 7 to 12, also accept 9 to 10 (the mode)
10. Passenger Pigeon
a) Common Name
b) Order - Columbiformes
c) Status – Extinct
11. Elk (Range)
a) Common Name
b) Status – Game species
c) Range = B
12. Walrus (Food)
a) Family - Odobenidae
b) Order - Carnivora
c) Food Habits - B
13. Barrow’s Goldeneye (F)
a) Common Name
b) Sex - Female
c) Food Habits – Carnivore
14. Mallard (Wing)
a) Common Name
b) Food Habits – Omnivorous
c) Economic importance – Hunted species
15. Common Eider (F)
a) Common Name
b) Sex - Female
c) Family - Anatidae
16. Eastern Cottontail (Range)
a) Common Name
b) Family – Mustelidae
c) Range = A
17. Short-tailed weasel (Food)
a) Common Name – also accept ermine
b) Order – Carnivore
c) Food Habits – C
18. Greater Scaup (Wing)
a) Common Name
b) Family - Anatidae
c) Food Habits – Carnivorous
19. Fisher (Food)
a) Common Name
b) Family – Mustelidae
c) Food Habits - A
20. Northern Shoveler (Wing)
a) Common Name
b) Clutch size range of tribe – 7-12 also accept 9-10 (the mode)
c) Order – Anseriformes
21. Teeth Question (Carnassials)
= d and o
22. Ruddy Duck (M)
a) Common Name
b) Sex - Male
c) Tribe – Oxyurini
23. Green-winged teal (M)
a) Common Name
b) Sex - Male
c) Food Habits – Omnivorous
24. Mule Deer (Range)
a) Order - Artiodactyla
b) Family - Cervidae
c) Range = B
25. Long-tailed Duck (M in breeding plumage)
a) Common Name – also accept oldsquaw
b) Food Habits - Carnivorous
c)
Range of Clutch Size for Tribe – 4-12
26. Pronghorn (Food)
a) Common Name
b) Family - Antilocapridae
c) Food Habits - B
27. Redhead (Wing)
a) Common Name
b) Family – Anatidae
c) Food Habits – Herbivorous
Video Questions
1.
a) What is an adult male Wild Turkey called? – a Tom
b) What are baby Wild Turkeys called? - poults
c) What are yearling female Wild turkeys called? – Jennies
2.
a)
What were the 2 major mammalian predators of the Finlayson Caribou herd? – Wolves and
humans
b) True or False, excessive snow depth was preventing Carribou in the Finlayson herd from finding
enough food. – False
c) True or False, disease in the Finlayson Caribou herd was limiting the population growth of the
herd. – False
3.
Buck scrapes are used by male white-tailed deer to:
A) Mark his territory to keep other males out
B) Advertise his presence to receptive females
C) All of the above
D) None of the above
Answer = C
Bonus Questions
1.
2.
3.
Which species is the smallest member of the order Carnivora – Least Weasel
True or False, The Labrador Duck (now extinct) was at one time the most abundant duck in North
America – False
Which Family in the Order Rodentia is the most diverse (has the greatest number of species)? Muridae