Terrestrial Vertebrate ID Field Practical 2 Review

Rough-skinned Newt

Amphibia

Caudata

Salamandridae

NH: Toxic, can kill a human if consumed; aquatic salamander; move to breeding ponds in spring where breeding balls ensue; often active during the day

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Coastal Giant Salamander

Amphibia

Caudata

Dicamptodontidae

NH: Aquatic salamander; found adjacent to small and mid-sized streams and moist forests; voracious predator; may remain in neotenic state as adult and not become terrestrial

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Northwestern Salamander

Amphibia

Caudata

Ambystomatidae

NH: Aquatic salamander; has parotid glands that are poisonous to attackers, and may rear up like a bucking horse when threatened; voracious predator; may remain in neotenic state as adult and not become terrestrial

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Clouded Salamander

Amphibia

Caudata

Plethodontidae

NH: Fully terrestrial salamander; active species, often scrambling away when exposed or even jumping; use a range of areas, including urban neighborhoods

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Ensatina

Amphibia

Caudata

Plethodontidae

NH: Fully terrestrial salamander; highly variable patterned species; found in a wide range of ecosystems subjected to a range of disturbances

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Oregon Slender Salamander

Amphibia

Caudata

Plethodontidae

NH: Fully terrestrial salamander; typically located within stumps or large logs, rarely venturing outside; may only move a few meters across their lifetime

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Dunn's Salamander

Amphibia

Caudata

Plethodontidae

NH: Fully terrestrial salamander; webbed feet; typically found next to streams, but does not typically get into water

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Western Red-backed Salamander

Amphibia

Caudata

Plethodontidae

NH: Fully terrestrial salamander; very long and thin, with small toes and a distinctive maroon back; one of the most abundant woodland salamanders

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Northern Red-legged Frog

Amphibia

Anura

Ranidae

NH: Prefers cool conditions for breeding; found in and forests and lowlands west of Cascades; adults have gold eyes that look out to the sides

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Foothill Yellow-legged Frog

Amphibia

Anura

Ranidae

NH: Found in streams and rivers; tadpoles have flattened shape and enlarged mouth, adaptations to being in fast-moving water; adults have grainy skin

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American Bullfrog

Amphibia

Anura

Ranidae

NH: Invasive species introduced from eastern U.S.; much larger than native frogs and eats anything smaller than it; often found on fringes of warm, sunny ponds

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Coastal Tailed Frog

Amphibia

Anura

Ascaphidae

NH:Found in cold, fast-flowing streams; “tail” is intromittent organ only found on males and used for internal fertilization; hatchlings are nearly transparent

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Pacific Treefrog

Amphibia

Anura

Hylidae

NH: Widespread and highly variable in color and pattern; most likely to hear this species in spring because of loud call and extensive calling period

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Western Toad

Amphibia

Anura

Bufonidae

NH: Parotid glands behind eyes are poisonous to predators; often urinates when handled

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Great Basin Spadefoot Toad

Amphibia

Anura

Scaphiopodidae

NH: Nocturnal, active after rains; can disappear in soil within minutes using spades on hind feet to dig; found in semi-arid areas; breed in ephemeral water bodies

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Northwestern Pond Turtle

Reptilia

Testudines

Emydidae

NH: Found in slow-moving rivers with muddy bottoms; vary wary of people; can live to be 50+ years old

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Western Painted Turtle

Reptilia

Testudines

Emydidae

NH: Occurs in shallow marshes, sloughs, and ponds with lots of aquatic plants; consumes mostly plants, plus insects, crawfish, and other small animals

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Great Basin Collared Lizard

Reptilia

Squamata

Crotaphytidae

NH: Limited to the Great Basin Desert ecosystem; boulders are important habitat components for basking and lookout stations; often basking during hottest time of the day; sometimes runs on hind legs to escape predators

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Common Side-blotched Lizard

Reptilia

Squamata

Phrynosomatidae

NH: Inhabits arid to semi-arid lands in open deserts and sparse woodlands; typically first lizard active in the morning; can often be approached closely

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Western Fence Lizard

Reptilia

Squamata

Phrynosomatidae

NH: Widespread and common; often observed basking on fence posts, rocks, and trees; often climbs and may “corkscrew” around tree to avoid predators

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Pygmy Short-horned Lizard

Reptilia

Squamata

Phrynosomatidae

NH: Ants make up the bulk of its diet; found in dry plateau country and mountains of PNW; has greater tolerance to cold climates so has wide distribution;

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Western Skink

Reptilia

Squamata

Scincidae

NH: Widespread; occurs in areas with sunny openings with scattered rocks, logs, and leaf litter; tail easily detaches when captured; primarily eat insects and spiders

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Southern Alligator Lizard

Reptilia

Squamata

Anguidae

NH: Common in many ecosystems; uses undulating, snake-like locomotion when escaping from predators; eats arthropods and occasional vertebrates

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Northern Rubber Boa

Reptilia

Serpentes

Boidae

NH: Found in a range of ecosystems, typically with trees or chaparral with plenty of sunlight; secretive, and active mostly at dawn and dusk; burrows in leaves

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North American Racer

Reptilia

Serpentes

Colubridae

NH: Fast-moving diurnal predator that targets rodents, snakes, frogs, and birds; keen eyesight and swiftness make it difficult to capture

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Ring-necked Snake

Reptilia

Serpentes

Colubridae

NH: Found in mixed oak and conifer woodland; in arid areas it becomes restricted to moist riparian areas; take range of insects and small vertebrates as prey

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Common Garter Snake

Reptilia

Serpentes

Colubridae

NH: Typically found near aquatic areas, such as creeks, riparian zones, and marshes; juveniles eat earthworms, adults eat fish, amphibians, and larvae

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California Mountain Kingsnake

Reptilia

Serpentes

Colubridae

NH: Prefers open oak/pine woodlands and brushy chaparral areas; infrequently seen, often hidden in rock crevices and rotting logs; eats lizards, small mammals, bird eggs/chicks, and smaller snakes

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Gopher Snake

Reptilia

Serpentes

Colubridae

NH: Inhabits dry, open terrain such as oak savannas and brushy chaparral; primarily eats small mammals and rabbits; can coil, hiss, and vibrate tail to mimic a rattlesnake when encountered by a predator

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Western Rattlesnake

Reptilia

Serpentes

Viperidae

NH: Venomous; typically found in dry, rocky, brushy locations; primary prey are small mammals and rabbits, which it hunts by ambush

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Virginia Opossum

Mammalia

Didelphimorphia

Didelphidae

NH: Only widespread marsupial in N. America; prehensile tail used to aid in climbing; omnivorous; can respond to predators by feigning death

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American Pika

Mammalia

Lagomorpha

Ochotonidae

NH: Uses rocky, talus slopes often near meadows; does not hibernate but instead lives off vegetation under snow cover; vocalizes from rock perche

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Snowshoe Hare

Mammalia

Lagomorpha

Leporidae

NH: Enormous hind feet aid in moving about in snow; changes coat color between seasons; young born furred and able to locomote; undergoes regular population cycles

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Brush Rabbit

Mammalia

Lagomorpha

Leporidae

NH: Young are born in nest unfurred and blind; rarely ventures more than 1 m from cover; eats grasses, forbs, and browses on shrubs

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North American Porcupine

Mammalia

Rodentia

Erethizontidae

NH: Only mammal in N. America with quills (modified hairs); defends itself by erecting (not throwing) quills and thrashing tail; prefers to eat cambium of conifers

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Coypu

Mammalia

Rodentia

Echimyidae

NH: Aquatic; introduced from S. America; burrows into banks and rests on vegetative mats in water; feeds on plants in and near water

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North American Beaver

Mammalia

Rodentia

Castoridae

NH: Largest N. American rodent; paddle-shaped tail; can build dams to create standing areas of water; feeds on leaves and bark of trees and shrubs; builds dens

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Northern Flying Squirrel

Mammalia

Rodentia

Scuiridae

NH: Nocturnal; secondary cavity nester; has patagium (skin) between legs used to glide (not fly) between trees; important disperser of mycorrhizal fungi

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Western Gray Squirrel

Mammalia

Rodentia

Sciuridae

NH: Diurnal; builds leaf nests; often found near oaks and in\ suburban areas; listed in WA as Threatened, and potentially impacted by introduced squirrels in PNW

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Douglas's Squirrel

Mammalia

Rodentia

Sciuridae

NH: Diurnal; discards conifer cones under favored perches, creating middens; typical of conifer forests; vocalizations often mistaken for a woodpecker

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Yellow-bellied Marmot

Mammalia

Rodentia

Sciuridae

NH: Diurnal; found in open, grassy areas adjacent to rocky areas and talus slopes; retreat to burrows when disturbed; hibernates to avoid cold and snow

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California Ground Squirrel

Mammalia

Rodentia

Sciuridae

NH: Diurnal; can hibernate to avoid cold and snow; retreats to underground burrow when disturbed; found in open areas, roadsides, rocky areas

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Townsend's Chipmunk

Mammalia

Rodentia

Sciuridae

NH: One of several closely related species, but only species on coast in OR and WA; retreats underground when disturbed; eats seeds, fruit, fungi

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Northern Pocket Gopher

Mammalia

Rodentia

Geomyidae

NH: Fossorial, and rarely seen; digs tunnels with its front teeth; has conspicuous burrow systems with exposed soil mounds; found in variety of open ecosystems

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Ord's Kangaroo Rat

Mammalia

Rodentia

Heteromyidae

NH: Nocturnal; huge hind feet and tiny front feet; found in semiarid grasslands, mixed grassland, and scrublands; eats seeds and transports them in cheek pouches

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Roof Rat

Mammalia

Rodentia

Muridae

NH: Nocturnal; exotic from Europe; human commensal; scaly, sparsely haired tail that is longer than head and body length; often found in urban and suburban settings

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Red Tree Vole

Mammalia

Rodentia

Cricetidae

NH: Arboreal; nocturnal; spend almost entire lives in canopy of conifer trees; eat Douglas-fir needles; home range can be as small as a single tree

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Dusky-footed Woodrat

Mammalia

Rodentia

Cricetidae

NH: Nocturnal; build large nests of sticks, rocks, and other materials on ground or in vegetation; typical of scrub and woodland ecosystems

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Western Deermouse

Mammalia

Rodentia

Cricetidae

NH: Nocturnal; large eyes and ears, naked ears are characteristic of the genus; found in a wide range of ecosystems

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Vagrant Shrew

Mammalia

Eulipotyphia

Soricidae

NH: Tiny (3-8 grams); insect-eating; rarely encountered; prefers moist areas

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Townsend's Mole

Mammalia

Eulipotyphia

Talpidae

NH: Fossorial; rarely seen; eats insects and worms; has broad forepaws used for digging; elaborate tunnel system with piles of dirt excavated above entrances

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Eastern Little Brown Myotis

Mammalia

Chiroptera

Vespertilionidae

NH: Nocturnal, and uses echolocation to capture insect prey; small- bodied; roosts in colonies; migratory; hibernates in caves and mines; roosts in buildings in summer

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Townsend's Big-eared Bat

Mammalia

Chiroptera

Vespertilionidae

NH: Nocturnal, but forages late at night; often hunts at edge between forest and open areas; typically solitary

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Striped Skunk

Mammalia

Carnivora

Mephitidae

NH: Nocturnal; unmistakable due to unique color pattern and foul odor; omnivorous; typically stomps feet and raises tail before spraying; found in many ecosystems

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Pacific Marten

Mammalia

Carnivora

Mustelidae

NH: Peak activity around dusk and dawn; uses snags and logs as den sites; active climber; eats small mammals, berries, fruit; found in coniferous forests

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North American River Otter

Mammalia

Carnivora

Mustelidae

Mostly nocturnal; aquatic; eats fish, crawfish, and other aquatic items; uses dens from other animals; can be found in social groups

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Long-tailed Weasel

Mammalia

Carnivora

Mustelidae

NH: Northern populations molt into white winter coat; hunts small

mammals and rabbits; uses range of ecosystem types

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American Mink

Mammalia

Carnivora

Mustelidae

NH: Semi-aquatic; characteristic white chin patch; hind toes slightly webbed; eats birds, mammals, fish, frogs; dens in banks of streams, under tree roots

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American Badger

Mammalia

Carnivora

Mustelidae

NH: White striped face; short legs, stocky; long claws and robust forelimbs for digging; found in grasslands, deserts, open areas; fiercely defensive; mostly carnivorous

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Northern Raccoon

Mammalia

Carnivora

Procyonidae

NH: Nocturnal; omnivorous; good climber; black mask and ringed tail; often found near water sources; highly dexterous hands; do well in human-dominated areas

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Ringtail

Mammalia

Carnivora

Procyonidae

NH: Nocturnal; good climber; typical of rocky outcroppings, canyons, talus slopes in dry ecosystems; eats fruit, mice, and other small prey

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American Black Bear

Mammalia

Carnivora

Ursidae

NH: Omnivorous; wide variation in color; good climber; den sites in hollow trees, rocky outcroppings, root wads; hibernate in\ northern part of range

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Northern Gray Fox

Mammalia

Carnivora

Canidae

NH: Nocturnal; often climbs tall trees; dens in rocky outcroppings, logs, brush; omnivorous; often found in riparian areas and forests with hardwood trees

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Coyote

Mammalia

Carnivora

Canidae

NH: Relatively longer ears than wolf and holds tail down when running; can get into packs; feed on small- to medium-sized prey; found in all natural ecosystems

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Gray Wolf

Mammalia

Carnivora

Canidae

NH: Largest canid; relatively shorter ears than coyote and often holds tail horizontally when running; pack with 5-10 members; uses medium- to large-sized prey

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Bobcat

Mammalia

Carnivora

Felidae

NH: Active throughout day; take prey from mice to deer, but often take rabbits at night; solitary; found in wide range of ecosystems

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Puma

Mammalia

Carnivora

Felidae

NH: Takes medium- and large-sized prey; cache prey under brush for later consumption; found in wide range of ecosystems; solitary

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Pronghorn

Mammalia

Artiodactyla

Antilocapridae

NH: Short, black horns; have excellent vision and can run >72 km/h; use open grasslands and sagebrush areas; found in social groups

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Mule Deer

Mammalia

Artiodactyla

Cervidae

NH: Males have dichotomously branching antlers; bound away from danger in a stot where all 4 feet hit the ground together; prefer open areas and ecotones

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Wapiti

Mammalia

Artiodactyla

Cervidae

NH: Male has enormous antlers; during rut males give “bugle” vocalization; browses and grazes on range of plants; prefers open and brush areas, as well as forest

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