FW 444 Taxonomy

Subclass: Prototheria (infraclass = Australosphenida)

Order: Monotremata

Family: Ornithorhynchidae

Common: Platypus

• IUCN = Near Threatened & Decreasing

• Distribution = Eastern Australia / freshwater creeks, rivers, lakes, streams

• Diet = small aquatic animals, insects, shrimp/crayfish

• biofluorescent / males have venomous ankle spurs

Subclass: Prototheria (infraclass = Australosphenida)

Order: Monotremata

Family: Tachyglossidae

Common: Echidna

• Long-beaked/short-beaked species

• IUCN = endangered

• distribution = New Guinea, Australia, Tasmania (deserts, montane forests, land dominated by shrubs

• diet = insects

Subclass: Theria (Infraclass: Marsupialia)

Order: Didelphimorphia

Family: Didelphidae

Genus/Species: Didelphis virginiana

Common: Virginia Opossum

• IUCN = LC

• Habitat = forests, urban areas (Eastern North America/central America)

• Diet = omnivorous (insects, fruits)

• feign death as an escape method

Subclass: Theria (Infraclass: Marsupialia)

Order: Diprotodontia (Superorder: Australidelphia)

Family: Macropodidae

Common: Kangaroos

• distribution: new Guinea, Australia, Tasmania (tropical rainforests, deserts, woodlands, savannahs, grasslands)

• diet = herbivores

• polyphyodonts: continuously lose and replace teeth

Subclass: Theria (Infraclass: Marsupialia)

Order: Diprotodontia

Family: Vombatidae

Common: Wombats (common, northern, southern)

• IUCN = LC, CR, NT

• distribution: endemic to australia and surrounding islands (forested, mountains, heathland, adaptable)

• diet: herbivores

• backwards facing pouch, sturdy butts, cube-shaped poop

Subclass: Theria

Superorder: Xenarthra

Order: cingulata

Family: Dasypodidae

Genus/Species: Dasypus mexicanus

Common: Nine-Banded Armadillo

• IUCN = LC

• distribution/habitats: SE US, Mexico, Central America, South America / bottomland hardwood forests, scrub and brushlands

• diet: insects and small invertebrates

• hold breath underwater for 6 mins

Subclass: Theria

Superorder: Xenarthra

Order: Pilosa

Family: Bradypodidae

Common: Three-Toed Sloth

• distribution/habitat: central and south america / forest canopy

• diet: leaves

• abdominal organs anchored to lower ribs to prevent pressing on lungs while hanging upside down

Subclass: Theria

Order: Pilosa

Family: Choloepidae

Genus: Choloepus

Common: Two-Toed Sloth

• Distribution/habitat: Central America and Northern South America / canopy of tropical rainforests/cloud forests

• diet: leaves, stems, buds, fruit

• 4 chamber stomach

• efficient swimmers

Subclass: Theria

Superorder: Xenarthra

Order: Pilosa

Family: Cyclopedidae

Common: Silky Anteater

• arboreal

• tropical forests, silk cotton trees, mangrove forests

• ants (termites, insects)

• no teeth, only long/sticky tongue

Subclass: Theria

Superorder: Afrotheria

Order: Proboscidea

Family: Elephantidae

Genus: Loxodonta

Common: Elephant

• african bush, african forest, asian

• IUCN = endangered/critically endangered

• africa, south asia / savannas, rainforests

• roots, grasses, bark

• create watering holes with their tusks

Subclass: Theria

Superorder: Afrotheria

Order: Macroscelidea

Family: Macroscelididae

Common: Elephant Shrew

• IUCN = LC or DD

• sub saharan africa / varied (desert to forests)

• insectivores

• one of fastest small mammals

Subclass: Theria

Superorder: Afrotheria

Order: Hyracoidea

Family: Procaviidae

Common: Rock Hyrax

• IUCN = LC

• africa, coast of arabian peninsula / savanna, shrubland, desert, boulders/rock formations

• varies, grass during wet season and fruits/leaves during dry season

• adults are inactive 95% of the time

Subclass: Theria

Infraclass: Placentalia

Superorder: Afrotheria

Order: Sirenia

Family: Trichechidae

Common: West Indian Manatee

• US atlantic and gulf of mexico coasts, caribbean, south of brazil’s atlantic coast / shallow rivers, canals, saltwater bays, estuaries, coastal areas

• mostly sea grasses, aquatic plant roots, leave

• IUCN = vulnerable

Subclass: Theria

Superorder: Euarchontoglires

Order: Scandentia

Family: Tupaiidae

Common: Treeshrews

• IUCN = LC or DD

• south and southeast asia / tropical forests

• opportunistic eaters (insects, eggs, fruits, seeds)

• greater brain to body mass ration (even humans)

Subclass: Theria

Infraclass: Placentalia

Suborder: Euarchontoglires

Order: Dermoptera

Family: Cynocephalidae

Common: Colugo

• IUCN = LC

• southeast asia, Indochina / strictly arboreal

• nocturnal

• strict herbivores

• closest living relatives of primates

• gliding/climbing

Subclass: Theria

Infraclass: Placentalia

Superorder: Euarchontoglires

Order: Primates

Family: Cebidae

Common: New World Monkeys

• IUCN = EN, LC, VU, CR, NT

• tropical and subtropical south and central america / most forests

• arboreal

• frugivores and insectivores (occassionally meat)

Subclass: Theria

Infraclass: Placentalia

Superorder: Euarchontoglires

Order: Primates

Family: Cercopithecidae

Common: Old Word Monkeys

• baboon, mandrill, gelada

• IUCN = CE, E, VU, NT

• quadrupedal

• africa / shrublands, savannas, tropical rainforests, mountain terrains

• leaves, fruits, flowers, insects, snails, small vertebrate

• typically matriarchal societies with one male, litter sizes of one, daughters stay with mothers

Subclass: Theria

Infraclass: Placentalia

Superorder: Euarchontoglires

Order: Primates

Family: Galagidae

Common: Galagos / Bushbabies

• IUCN = LC / EN

• forested regions of sub-saharan africa / thick understory cover or tree cavities

• nocturnal

• omnivorous (insects, fruits)

• toilet claw modified for grooming (hind feet)

Subclass: Theria

Infraclass: Placentalia

Superorder: Euarchontoglires

Order: Primates

Family: Tarsiidae

Common: Tarsiers

• islands of SE Asia / canopy of tropical forests

• only insects

• largest eyes of any mammal in relation to body size

• IUCN = near threatened

Subclass: Theria

Infraclass: Placentalia

Superorder: Euarchontoglires

Order: Primates

Family: Homonidae

Common: Great Apes

• everywhere / jungles, mountainous forests/areas, savannas

• omnivores

• bonobos/orangutans known for peaceful society / chimpanzees participate in warfare

Subclass: Theria

Infraclass: Placentalia

Superorder: Euarchontoglires

Order: Primates

Family: Hylobatidae

Common: Gibbons

• southeast asia / rainforest

• frugivores (insects and vegetation too)

• brachiation/walking

• arms are 1.5x longer than legs (swinging)

• sing to each other

Superorder: Euarchontoglires

Order: Rodentia

Family: Aplodontiidae

Genus: Aplodontia

Common: Mountain Beaver

• western united states / burrow systems near streams, forested areas at sea level, high mountain peaks in deciduous forests

• herbivorous animals (forbs, grasses, ferns)

Family: Echimyidae

Genus/Species: Myocastor coypus

Common: Coypu / nutria

• south america / near bodies of water

• herbivorous (stems, leaves, roots)

• skinny/hairless tail, white patch on muzzle, webbed hind feet

Order: rodentia

Family: Castoridae

Genus/Species: Castor canadensis

Common: North American Beaver

• north america / ponds, lakes, rivers, streams

• semi-aquatic herbivores (bark, leaves, roots, plants)

• transparent eyelids that act as goggles

• iron-rich orange teeth are self sharpening

Order: Rodentia

Family: Caviidae

Genus: Hydrochoerus

Common: Capybara

• IUCN = LC

• south america / tropical forest, bodies of water nearby

• grasses, fruits, roots

• largest rodent in world

Order: Rodentia

Family: Cricetidae

Genus/Species: Microtus pennsylvanicus

Common: Eastern Meadow Vole

• moist grassland with lots of leaf litter (northern north america, canada)

• mostly vegetation and fungi (occasionally insects)

• spreaders of mycorrhizal fung

Superorder: Euarchontoglires

Order: Rodentia

Family: Cricetidae

Genus: Clethrionomys

Common: Red-backed Vole

• north america / cool, mossy coniferous forests, stumps, logs, brush piles

• insects, nuts, grains, seeds, fungi, flowers, leaves, roots, lichens

• chestnut brown stripe from head to tail

• underparts dark slate gray to almost white

• offspring bald and blind, 2-3 litters a year, store root bulbs and nuts for later

Order: Rodentia

Family: Cricetidae

Genus: Ondatra

Common: Common Muskrat

• IUCN = LC

• marshes, swamps, sloughs, ponds, rivers, lakes

• aquatic vegetation

• half size of beaver, hairless/rat-like tail, webbed feet,

• domed shaped houses up to 8ft tall

• mild musk

Order: Rodentia

Family: Cricetidae

Genus: Dicrostonyx

Common: Collared Lemming

• northernmost latitudes of north america, europe, asia / tundra or taiga, digging burrowa

• herbivorous

• fur turns completely white in winter

• dark lines along back of summer coat

• double digging claw

Order: Rodentia

Family: Cricetidae

Genus: Synaptomys

Common: Bog Lemming

• IUCN = LC

• canada, northeast US (not east coast) / bogs, grasslanfs, forests, marshes, meadows (lower quality habitats)

• grasses, sedges, some species small invertebrates

Order: Rodentia

Family: Cricetidae

Genus: Sigmodon

Common: Hispid Cotton Rat

• areas that are dense and grassy (crop fields, meadows, roadsides

• south united states

Order: Rodentia

Family: Cricetidae

Genus: Peromyscus

Common: Deermouse

• north america, mesoamerica / everywhere

• invertebrates, seeds, flowers, fruits/nits (coprophagic)

• most common rodent in most parts of NA

• large eyes, big ears, dark top, light bottom/limbs, long tails, prominent whiskers

Superorder: Euarchontoglires

Order: Rodentia

Family: Cricetidae

Genus: Neotoma

Common: Eastern woodrat

• medium-sized rodent, grayish-brown dorsal, white central, tail has fur

• opportunisitc (nuts, seeds, foliage, fungi, buds)

• “pack rats”

Order: Rodentia

Family: Cricetidae

Genus: Reithrodontomys

Common: Fulvous Harvest Mouse

• seeds, grasses

• very small, bicolored long tail, white belly

• north america

• build spherical nests on ground or several feet off ground

Order: Rodentia

Family: Cricetidae

Genus: Ochrotomys

Common: Golden Mouse

• SE United States / thick woodlands and swampy areas

• mostly seeds, sometimes berries or insects

• IUCN = LC

Order: Rodentia

Family: Cricetidae

Genus: Oryzomys

Common: Rice Race

• Eastern/midwestern US, southern mexico, central america / wetlands, coastal marshes, subtropical/tropical foests, farmlands

• opportunistics feeder (seeds, grasses, carrion, invertebrate, small vertebrates

Order: Rodentia

Family: Dasyproctidae

Common: Agouti

• central and south america / tropical forests

• nuts, berries, roots, fruits, leaves

• mutualistic relationship with brazil nut tree

Subclass: Theria

Superorder: Euarchontoglires

Order: Rodentia

Family: Erethizontidae

Genus: Erethizon

Common: North American Porcupine

• wetsern US, canada, northern mexico / coniferous and mixed-forest habitats

• IUCN = LC

• generalist herbivores (diet changes)

Order: Rodentia

Family: Geomyidae

Genus Geomys

Common: Pocket Gopher

• IUCN = LC, NT, EN

• north and central america / prefer grasslands and shrublands

• roots, grasses, shrubs, bulbs

• fur lined pockets to carry food

Order: Rodentia

Family: Heteromyidae

Genus: Chaetodipus

Common: Pocket Mouse

• north america / arid habitats

• seeds, insects, vegetation

• fur-lined storage pouches on outside of their cheeks

Superorder: Euarchontoglires

Order: Rodentia

Family: Heteromyidae

Genus: Dipodomys

Common: Kangaroo Rat

• southwestern to midwest US, mexico / deserts and grasslands, burrows

• omnivorous (grasses, seeds, insects)

• long hind legs, long tail with white tuft at end, four toes

• go entire life without drinking water (concentrate urine)

Family: Zapodidae

Genus: Napaeozapus

Common: Woodland Jumping Mouse

• reddish

• long legs, long tail for jumping

• north eaterns US

• hibernate

• IUCN = not threatened

• omnivores (seeds, berries, insects, fungus)

• hibernate

Family: Zapodidae

Genus: Zapus

Common: Meadow Jumping Mouse

• yellowish

• northern US to canada

• IUCN = not threatened

• hibernate

• long legs long tail for jumping

Superorder: Euarchontoglires

Order: Rodentia

Family: Muridae

Genus/Species: Mus musculus

Common: House Mouse

• no white underside, smaller, small beady black eyes, big ears, scaly tail

• highly adaptable, found where people are

• omnivores and coprophages

• produce up to 14 litters in a year

Superorder: Euarchontoglires

Order: Rodentia

Family: Muridae

Genus: Rattus

Common: Brown Rat and Roof Rat

• brown: brown dorsal, grey ventral, scaly and skin colored tail,

• roof: uniform black, black and scaly tail and very long, smaller than brown rat

• worldwide / wide variety habitat

• omnivores

• invasive species and disease vectors (brown rats outcompete roof rats)

Order: Rodentia

Family: Sciuridae

Genus: Cynomys

Common: Prairie Dog

Order: Rodentia

Family: Sciuridae

Genus: Glaucomys

Common: Flying Squirrel

Order: Rodentia:

Family: Sciuridae

Genus: Ictidomys

Common: Thirteen-lined Ground Squirrel

Order: Rodentia

Family: Sciuridae

Genus/Species: Marmota monax

Common: Woodchuck/Groundhog

Order: Rodentia

Family: Sciuridae

Genus: Neotamias

Common: Western Chipmunks

Order: Rodentia

Family: Sciuridae

Genus/Species: Sciurus carolinensis

Common: Eastern Gray Squirrel

Order: Rodentia

Family: Sciruidae

Genus/Species: Sciurus niger

Common: Eastern Fox Squirrel

Order: Rodentia

Family: Sciuridae

Genus/Species: Tamias striatus

Common: Eastern Chipmunk

Order: Rodentia

Family: Sciuridae

Genus: Tamiasciurus

Common: North American Red Squirrel

Order: Chiroptera

Family: Molossidae

Genus: Tadarida brasiliensis

Common: Brazilian Free-Tailed Bat

• IUCN = LC

• tails extend beyond two hind legs

• ears rounded and large

• deep upper lip wrinkles

• southern US and south america / forest, rocky areas, caves, artificial structures

• highest recorded flight altitude

• insectivorous

• large colonies of individual

Order: Chiroptera

Family: Phyllostomidae

Common: Leaf-Nosed Bats

• fruit-eating bats, flower bats, vampire bats

• vampire bats can walk/jump

• south america, central america, southwestern us / dense rainforests, deserts, caves, roost in forest during day

• carnivorous, insectivorous, fruigivorous, nectarivorous, hematophagy

• noseleaf structure, large eyes, tragus present

• IUCN = EN, VU

Order: Chiroptera

Family: Pteropodidae

Common: Megabats (fruit bats)

• tropical and subtropical regions of africa, asia, australia / forested habitats and savannas

• herbivorous (fruit, nectar, pollen)

• males can produce milk

Order: Chiroptera

Family: Vespertillionidae

Genus/Species: Lasiurus cinereus

Common: Northern Hoary Bat

• IUCN = LC

• insectivore

• north america, columbian basin / temperate, tropical, forest habitats with mix of forest/open areas with edge

• very strong flier

• migrates

• only land mammal of hawaii

Order: Chiroptera

Family: Vespertillonidae

Genus/Species: Lasiurus borealis

Common: Eastern Red Bat

• IUCN = LC

• north america / forests, urban areas

• insectivores

• migratory

• males and females look different

Order: Chiroptera

Family: Vespertilionidae

Genus/Species: Lasiurus ega

Common: Northern Yellow Bat

• southwestern US some of south america / thick vegetated forests, natural groves of palm trees

• IUCN = LC

• insectivore

• dull, sooty yellow fur

• tail is entirely furred with no white marks on wrists and shoulders

• favorite are palm trees

• does not migrate

Order: Chiroptera

Family: Vespertilionidae

Genus: Corynorhinus

Common: Rafinesque’s Big-eared Bat

• IUCN = LC

• endemic to south-central, SE US / roosting: caves, tree cavities

• insectivore (lepidoptera specialist)

• extended ears

• chemoreception to identify newborn pups

Order: Chiroptera

Family: Vespertilionidae

Genus/Species: Eptesicus fuscus

Common: Big Brown Bat

• IUCN = LC

• southern canada, US, central america / suburban, rural or urban

• insectivorous (single bat can eat up to 1,000 insects a day)

• relatively large

• long, reddish brown to dark brown fur (light underneath)

• small eyes

• broad mouth/snout

• live in large colonies

Order: Chiroptera

Family: Vespertilionidae

Genus: Myotis

Common: Little Brown Bat (Myotis)

• IUCN = EN

• north america (dying from WNS) / mostly roost in caves and mines in winter, trees and other structures in summer

• variety of flying insects

Order: Chiroptera

Family: Vespertilionidae

Genus: Perimyotis

Common: Tricolored Bat

• IUCN = VU

• eastern north america / tree foliage and builfings in summer, hibernate in caves/mines in winter

• insectivore

• smallest bats in eastern/midwestern NA

• blond fur thats gray at bottom, yellowish in middle, red/brown at tip

• reddish forearms, black wings

• one of two bat species most frequently associated with rabies in humans

Order: Pholidota

Family: Manidae

Common: Pangolin

• africa, india, southeast asia / rainforest, forests, grasslands

• insectivores

• most trafficked mammal on earth (scales, meat)

• IUCN = VU, EN, CR

Order: Carnivora

Family: Canidae

Genus/Species: Canis familiaris

Common: Domestic Dog

• anywhere humans live

• kibble

• research suggest dogs evolved from two differnt wolf populations

• research also suggests dogs likely the first animals that humans domesticated 30-40,000 years ago

Order: Carnivora

Family: Canidae

Genus/Species: Canis latrans

Common: Coyote

• IUCN = LC

• forests, desserts, grasslands, swamps, suburban landscapes

• coyotes and badgers will sometimes hunt together

• coyotes found in northeast are larger than those in historical range

• highly adaptable to urban landscapes

Order: Carnivora

Family: Canidae

Genus/Species: Canis rufus

Common: Red Wolf

• IUCN = CE

• formerly Texas-NY, now eastern NC

• large and small mammals (opportunistic)

Order: Carnivora

Family: Canidae

Genus/Species: Urocyon cinereoargenteus

Common: Northern Gray Fox

• IUCN = LC

• black stripe down tail and neck

• black fur around eyes, lips, and nose

• shorter limbs than red fox

• can climb trees

• northeast, south, and central america / wooded areas, forest edges

• small rodents, cottontails, fruit

Order: Carnivora

Family: Canidae

Genus/Species: Vulpes vulpes

Common: Red Fox

• reddish colored coat, black legs and ears, bushy tail with white tip

• north america, europe / wide range of habitats including dense forests, grasslands, prairies, mountains, deserts (good in urban areas)

• omnivorous (rabbits, mice, birds, insects, fruit)

• really good hearing and can hear rodents digging

Order: Carnivora

Family: Canidae

Genus/Species: Vulpes lagopus

Common: Arctic fox

• artic and tundra habitats, edges of forests, burrows

• omnivorous and opportunistic feeders (prefer rodents)

• only mammal native to iceland

• IUCN = LC

Order: Carnivora

Family: Mephitidae

Genus/Species: Mephitis mephitis

Common: Striped Skunk

• north america / woodlands, open fields, and agricultural areas

• omnivore and opportunistic

• polygamous

• vector for rabies

• spray from 15ft away

Order: Carnivora

Family: Mephitidae

Genus: Spilogale

Common: Spotted Skunk

• insectivorous (fruits, small animals)

• perform handstand when threatened

• US, central america

Order: Carnivora

Family: Mustelidae

Genus/Species: Enhydra lutris

Common: Sea Otters

• IUCN = EN

• strong social bonds, very playful

• coastal marine areas (kelp beds)

• marine invertebrates

Order: Carnivora

Family: Mustelidae

Genus/Species: Lontra canadensis

Common: North American River Otter

• aquatic areas (lakes, rivers, shorelines), minimal pollution and good access to water

• strongly piscivorous (occasionally birds)

• can hold breath for 8 minutes

• IUCN = LC

Order: Carnivora

Family: Mustelidae

Genus/Species: Martes americana

Common: American Marten

• IUCN = LC

• north north america / mature, northen hardwood forests, den in hollow trees or vacant ground burrows

• small mammals, birds, insects

• orange fur on throat and chest, dark brown fur on back and legs, smaller than fishers

Order: Carnivora

Family: Mustelidae

Genus/Species: Pekania pennanti

Common: Fisher

• IUCN = LC

• northern north america / various forest habitats, avoids open areas

• mainly snowshoe hares, porcupines, red squirrels, red-backed vole

• size of domestic cat, long bodies with short legs, retractable claws, thick dark brown coat, bushy tail

• sexually dimorphic

• hiss and growl when upset

Order: Carnivora

Family: Mustelidae

Genus/Species: Neogale vison

Common: American Mink

• brown/black fur and white chin, long body, long neck, long thick tail

• forested areas near rivers, streams, lakes, ponds, marshes

• carnivore (mice, fish, frogs, birds)

Order: Carnivora

Family: Mustelidae

Genus/Species: Neogale frenata

Common: Long-tailed Weasel

• largest weasel in NA

• long body, long neck, long tail, black tip on tail

• brown on top, yellowish-white on sides in summer, white coat in winter

• NA, some SA / anywhere near water with abundant prey

• small mammals, birds, other animals, herps, insects

• IUCN = LC

• often prey on animals larger than themselves

Order: Carnivora

Family: Mustelidae

Genus/Species: Mustela richardsonii

Common: American Ermine

• long body, long tail but shorter than LT weasel

• fur color changed based on season

• brown or white

• black tipped tail, black eyes

Order: Carnivora

Family: Mustelidae

Genus/Species: Taxidea taxus

Common: American Badger

• grasslands, dry forests, farmland

• opportunistic (snakes, mammals, carrion, insects)

• overall tan with black on ventral side, feet, facial markings

• males slightly larger

• massic claws for digging

• IUCN = LC

Order: Carnivora

Family: Odobenidae

Genus/Species: Odobenus rosmarus

Common: Walrus

• coastal areas and northern oceans /Northeastern canada to greenland and northern seas off russia and alaska

• IUCN = VU

• carnivores (shellfish, sea cucumbers, molluscs)

• can survive temperatures as low as -31 farenheit

Order: Carnivora

Family: Otaridae

Genus/Species: Zalophus californianus

Common: Califronia Sea Lion

• carnivores (squid, octopus, lake, steelhead salmon, northern anchovy, herring)

• broad front flipper, long narrow snouts, 5 claws on hind flippers

• IUCN = LC

• shallow waters of eastern North Pacific Ocean, rocky coves, sandy beaches, marina docks, jetties

• one of msot gregarious marine mammals

• noisy sounds/bark

• external ear flaps

• can use rear flippers to walk on land

Order: Carnivora

Family: Phocidae

Genus/Species: Phoca vitulina

Common: Harbor Seal

• IUCN = LC

• coastlines of northern hemisphere / coastal waters, shores

• carnivorous

• slow heart rate down while underwater to conserve oxygen

• no external ear flaps

• five digits on flippers

• hind flippers point away from body

Order: Carnivora

Family: Phocidae

Genus/Species: Neomonachus tropicalis

Common: Caribbean Monk Seal

• IUCN = EXTINCT

• caribbean, guld of mexico, western atlantic / warm, temperate subtropical and tropical waters

• carnivorous (fish, crustaceans, octopus, squid)

• extinct due to over hunting for oil and overfishing of reefs

Order: Carnivora

Family: Procyonidae

Genus/Species: Procyon lotor

Common: Northern Racoon

• woodland and urban areas / North America

• omnivore (fruits, seeds, crayfish, eggs, frogs)

• IUCN = LC

Order: Carnivora

Family: Procyonidae

Genus/Species: Bassariscus astutus

Common: Ringtail

• central and south america / desert, canyons, riparian areas, oak woodlands

• omnivore (mostly insects but also small birds, mammals, reptiles)

• IUCN = LC

Order: Carnivora

Family: Procyonidae

Genus/Species: Potos flavus

Common: Kinkajou

• elongated body, short legs, long prehensile tail, reversible hind feet, rounded head and ears, small muzzle, big eyes, thick and woolly fur, honey-brown color

• honey bears

• arboreal and frugivorous

• central and south america / variety of forest habitats

Order: Carnivora

Family: Ailuridae

Common: Red Panda

• temperate asian forests / southwest asia

• mostly leaves and bamboo

• fewer than 10,000 in wild

Order: Carnivora

Family: Ursidae

Genus/Species: Ursus americanus

Common: American Black Bears

• IUCN = LC

• fur can range from white to black, cinnamon, brown and other colors

• opportunistic omnivores

Order: Carnivora

Family: Felidae

Genus/Species: Felis catus

Common: Domestic Cat

• carnivores (birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish)

• areas with humans / worldwide

• group is called a clowder

Order: Carnivora:

Family: Felidae

Genus/Species: lynx canadensisan

Common: Canadi Lynx

• IUCN = LC

• carnivores (snowshoe hare, ducks, moles)

• triangular ears with black tufts, long hair on lower cheek, BIG FEET

• population numbers coincide with that of snowshoe hare

Order: Carnivora

Family: Felidae

Genus/Species: lynx rufus

Common: Bobcat

• IUCN = LC

• forests, deserts, mountains, swamps, farmland, rock dens or tree crevice

• small mammals (woodchucks, rabbits, skunks, racoons, moles, squirrels, birds, reptiles)

• most common wildcat in NA

Order: Carnivora

Family: Felidae

Genus/Species: Panthera Onca

Common: Jaguar

• IUCN = Near Threatened

• largest cat of americas, large round head, short legs, whiter underside

• tropical areas

• any larger prey (peccaries)

Order: Carnivora

Family: Felidae

Genus/Species: Puma concolor

Common: Puma, Cougar, Mountain Lion, Florida Panther, etc.

• IUCN = LC

• all habitats

• large prey but especially deer

• 4th largest cat in the world (purrs)

Order: Carnivora

Family: Herpestidae

Common: Mongoose

• meerkat, banded mongoose, yellow mongoos, indian grey mongoose

• small animals (rodents, birds, reptiles, frogs, insects)

• some species supplement with fruits, nuts, eggs, seeds

• indian grey mongoose and others are known for ability to fight and kill venemous snakes (cobras)

Order: Carnivora

Family: Hyaenidae

Common: Hyenas

• striped hyena, spotted hyena, aardwolf, brown hyena

• deserts, woodlands, scrublands, savannahs, mountains

• strict carnivores (bone crushes, one termite eater)

• low butt, long thick neck, wolfish face, laugh

• can bite through 2.5 inch bone

Order: Carnivora

Family: Viverridae

Common: Civets and Genets

• Africa: woodlands, savannas, mountains

• Asia and SEA: tropical forests, plantations

• cat and ferret like (long bodies, short legs)

• spots, striped or bands

• multiples black rings on tails

• round, erect ears

• mostly nocturnal hunters

• strongly arboreal

• family includes the binturong (prehensile tail)

Order: Eulipotyphyla

Family: Erinaceidae

Common: Hedgehog

• deserts, grasslands/meadows, forests, suburban areas

• omnivorous (insects, berries, frogs, mushrooms, snakes, grass)

• some species have a natural immunity to snake venmos

Order: Eulipotyphyla

Family: Soricidae

Genus: Blarina

Common: Short-tailed Shrew

• rudimentary cholocation

• toxic saliva

• relatively large and robust, inconspicuous ears and minute eyes, snout is pointed, short tail

• insects, annelids, hypogeous fungi, slugs and snails, centipedes, spiders