Large Mammals Objectives Identify common large mammals found

Large Mammals

Objectives Identify common large mammals found in the US Describe characteristics of each of the mammals found in US Identify types of habitats where you might find each of these species List at least one major food source for each Describe some of the behavioral traits of each species

: e f i ildl W Includes animals that are adapted to live in a natural environment without the help of humans. Characteristics: Vertebrates Some are prey Some are predators

Terms to Know Adaptable Coulees Attributes Detection Aquatic Distributed Browse Dominant Canid Draws Carnivore Elevations Carnivorous Elusive Catapulater Fungi

Terms to Know Gangling Opportunistic Gestation Palmate Hardiest Herbivores Inaccessible Inhospitable Lichens Omnivorous Subsistence Territory Tundra Vigorously

Which Track Belongs to Which Animal? ?

WHITE TAILED DEER

White Tailed Deer General Physical Characteristics 4’-6’ long body Reddish brown color to gray Underside of tail is white The white tail serves as an “alarm” when the deer is spooked or alarmed Vary greatly from state to state

White Tailed Deer (cont. ) Buck Male Have antlers Main beam with tines or points that branch off Antlers shed typically in late winter each year Weigh from 80 -300 lbs Doe Females No antlers Weigh from 60150 lbs

White Tailed Deer (cont. ) Habitat Feeding adaptable creatures shoots or shrubs of trees Shrubs Acorns Fungi Grass Swamps River Close areas bottoms proximity of settled areas Herbivores eat: Browse—tender Very Forested Habits Browse is important during the fall & winter; grass is important during the spring & summer

White Tailed Deer (cont. ) Life Cycle Whitetail rut—breeding season October-November Dominant bucks mate with several does Bucks establish territory & defend it vigorously Often fights will break out between bucks Gestation Give period is 7 months birth usually in May or June 1 or 2 offspring Fawns are spotted with virtually no smell to help them avoid detection by predators

White Tailed Deer (cont. ) Extraordinary sense of hearing and smell and see movement well Usually spend their lives in a 1 square mile area Bucks will wander more during rut Average life expectancy is 8 -10 years but have been known to live up to 16 Mortality is the highest during the first 6 months of life. Coyotes are the deer most common predator

MULE DEER

Mule Deer General Physical Characteristics Medium to Large Hoof Mammal Large Ears Blacked tipped ear Body length 4. 5 ft. - 6. 5 ft. 5 -9” tail 3 to 3. 5 ft. tall Reddish brown and grayer in the winter

Mule Deer (cont. ) Bucks 200 -300 lbs. Antlers that fork into nearly equal branches (unlike white tail deer) Shed antlers during late winter and re-grow during spring and summer Does 150 -200 lbs. Carry their fawns 210 days

Mule Deer (cont. ) Habitat Somewhat less adaptable than White tailed Feeding mountain areas, brushy desert areas, wooded hills More restricted now than it was when European settlers first arrived Herbivores like White tailed Browse Prefer Habits Shrubs Grasses Migrate from higher to lower elevations during the winter for better food access

Mule Deer (cont. ) Life Cycle Mule Deer Rut—breeding season (similar to White tail) Typically begins a little earlier than White tail Bucks are polygamous—breed as many does as possible Fawns are spotted at birth with little scent Coyotes & Black Bears are their biggest predators Generally roam over a much larger territory than White tail

K L E

Elk General Large Physical Characteristics hoofed mammals Reddish brown body, dark brown on their neck & cream colored rump area Body length: 7. 5 -9. 5 ft. 4 -8” tail

Elk (cont. ) Bull Can weigh more than 700 lbs. Average wt. 500 lbs. Antlers with often times 6 or more points on each side Shed antlers in late winter to early spring Cow Considerably smaller than bulls 8. 5 month gestation cycle

Elk (cont. ) Habitat Semi-open forested area in mountains Mountain meadows & foothills Found at higher elevations in summer Migrate to lower elevations with the first heavy snowfall Quite elusive animals— difficult to see or secretive Feeding Habits Herbivores Grasses Forbs Brush Bark Graze more than White tail or Mule Deer Cows & Calves form herds & graze together in the summer

Elk (cont. ) Life Cycle Elk rutting period begins in September Bulls have a “bugle” or call to attract cows & to advertise their presence Polygamous males that gather a herd or “harem” of cows The bull will protect this harem from all other bulls Single calf birth normally occurs in May or June; twins are rare Calves remain hidden unless nursing for first 2 weeks Cow & calf rejoin herd after this

Elk (cont. ) Life Cycle (cont. ) Coyotes, grizzly bears & cougars prey on young elk, sick, weak wounded or unwary adults Known to live to age 14 but 8 -10 years old is average

MO E S O

Moose General Very Physical Characteristics large hoofed mammal Medium brown, with upper lip overhanging lower lip Long legged, massive animals 8 -10’ body length 3 -4” tail length Height: 5 -6. 5 ft

Moose (cont. ) Bulls Huge palmate antlers —shaped like hands with fingers spread wide Weigh in excess of 1, 000 lbs. in the fall Very aggressive during rut Cows Don’t normally have antlers Very common to have twin calves

Moose (cont. ) Habitat Prefer Bogs Swamps River bottoms Other areas along water courses Around fresh water lakes Herbivores Feed on many kinds of aquatic plants in the water Bark Twigs Browse

Moose (cont. ) Breeding period in early fall Bulls mate as many females as possible Combat between bulls in very common Calves are very gangling and weak at birth Wolves & bears prey on young moose as well adult moose Adults are particularly vulnerable during winter (deep snow can limit mobility)

Elk Moose White Tail Deer Which Track Belongs to Which Animal? ? Mule Deer

n r o h g n o r P e p o l e t An

Pronghorn Antelope General Physical Characteristics: Medium to Large Hoof Animal Reddish and White Coat Weighs between 90 and 120 pounds Stands 3 ½ feet tall at the shoulder Both sexes have horns Females are shorter than males Run 30 -40 miles per hour and bounds up to 20 feet.

Pronghorn Antelope (Con’t. ) Bucks: Broad black Masks that run up Their faces. Pronged black horns 12 -20 inches long. Does: o Doesn’t have black marks up face. o. Has black horns 3 -4 inches long.

Pronghorn Antelope (Con’t. ) Habitat: Grasslands, Feeding Bush lands, and desert. Habits: Grazes on grasses, forbs, and cactus in the summer. Sagebrush in the winter.

Musk Ox

Musk Ox General Physical Characteristics Similar to a Bison Much smaller Much longer hair 6” long hair on back 2’to 3’ long hair on flank, neck & chest 7 -8’ long bodies Height at shoulder— 4. 5 -5. 5 ft.

Musk Ox (cont. ) Bulls 500 -900 lbs. Horns that curl down, up then out Glands under each eye that give off a strong musky odor when disturbed Cows 20 -30% smaller than male Horns same as male Glands under each eye that give off a strong musky odor when disturbed

Musk Ox (cont. ) Habitat Artic tundra of northern Canada, Alaska, Greenland & a few Artic Islands Bleek, treeless & barren Very inhospitable— very difficult to live in Rarely gets above freezing even in summer Feeding Habits Sedge Birch & Willow Trees Grasses

Musk Ox (cont. ) Life Cycle Breeding season—July & August Dominant bulls within a group protecting from intruders Bull fights can be very vicious Single births in April or May Mortality is quiet high because of the weather…many times calves will die before they dry and get to their feet May only raise a calf every other year because of such harsh weather conditions

Musk Ox (cont. ) Primary predator is the wolf Calves are very vulnerable, Adults are rarely successfully attacked Unique Form defense system a circle with calves on the inside, cows & bulls facing outward presenting a formidable array of horns Wolves are often very patience and often are successful at snatching a calf or two

Bison

Bison General Very Physical Characteristics large hooved animal Chocolate brown in color, with longer darker main from behind the shoulders forward Distinct hump over front shoulder Up to 10’ in length

Bison (cont. ) Bulls Up to 10’ long Up to 6’ tall at shoulder 2, 000 -3, 000 lbs. Black upturned horns that are larger than the cows Cows Up to 5’ tall at shoulder 700 -900 lbs. Upturned black horns

Bison (cont. ) Habitat Used to be most of North America Now days Private ranches Various national parks out west Feeding Habits Herbivores Primarily grazers Variety of grasses Bluestem Gramma Buffulo

Bison (cont. ) Breeding season—July & August Bulls fight furiously to breed as many cows as possible Single birth usually in May Follows mother for 3 -4 days Weaned at 6 -7 months 10 -20 year life span in wild, 30 in captivity Predators are Grizzly Bears & Wolves

Bl B k ac r a e

Black Bear (cont. ) General Not Physical Characteristics necessarily black on color Can range from jet black to cinnamon or blonde in color and most shades in between Often white blaze or spot on chest No hump over shoulder 5 -6’ in body length 2 -3’ tall at shoulders

Black Bear (cont. ) Male Weights very depending on location, time of year, etc. Average is 300 -600 Not uncommon for a male to weigh 800 Female Weights very depending on location, time of year, etc. Sows weigh much less than a male

Black Bear (cont. ) Habitat Swamps Bogs Forested areas Mountains Seldom seen in the open Used to be widespread in US Feeding Habits Omnivorous & very opportunistic— adaptable, take advantage of every opportunity Eat anything from insects to large mammals, berries to green grass Predator of Mule Deer Fawns & Elk Calves

Black Bear (cont. ) Life Cycle Generally solitary animals except when females are in estrus Not true hibernators during winter like people once thought Their body temperatures don’t drop dramatically, therefore waking and wandering occasionally

Black Bear (cont. ) Young generally born in January when the sow is still in her den Weigh about 8 oz. when born One to 3 cubs is normal Stay with mother for 2 years A boar will sometimes kill & eat young cubs Lifespan in the wild is about 12 -15 yrs

Griz zly B ear

Grizzly Bear General Physical Characteristics Massive bear w/ pronounced hump over its front shoulders Generally brown color Fast or faster than a horse for a short distance 6 -9’ in body length 3 -4’ tall at shoulders 500 -1000 lbs.

Grizzly Bear (cont. ) Feeding Habitat Mountains of MT, WY & ID Yellowstone National Park Habits Omnivorous Eat Elk & Moose at times

Grizzly Bear (cont. ) Life Cycle Very solitary animals Except during estrus when a female can withstand a male Big bears fight over females Usually ferocious affairs—much roaring & noise but rarely fatal Tiny at birth Stay Other with mothers for 2 years grizzly bears are predators

Grizzly Bear (cont. ) Boars will eat and kill cubs, even their own Sows will fight hard to protect their cubs Usually successful in protecting them Rarely boar will kill sow & cubs & eat them 20 year lifespan in wild

Polar Bear

Polar Bear General Large Physical Characteristics yellowish-white bear Very quick & agile Large webbed paws Thick oily fur Attributes—make great swimmers 6. 5 -8’ long 3 -4’ standing at shoulders 600 -800 lbs is average for males Females considerably smaller

Polar Bear (cont. ) Habitat Rocky shores Ice floes Islands of the artic Feeding habits Carnivorous— feeding almost exclusively on meat Heavily on seals & washed-up carcasses of whales & walrus

Polar Bear (cont. ) Life Cycle Loaners Accepting Bred companionship only for mating in June or July Young born in January Sow may weigh 600 lbs. Cubs rarely weigh more than 2 lbs. 2 cubs typically born Dependent on mother for first 2 yrs. of life

Polar Bear (cont. ) Predators Other polar bears Males will kill & eat young Have been known to dig a sow & offspring out of a den to kill & eat them 20 yr. life expectancy in the wild

u o M n i nta n o Li

Mountain Lion General Physical Characteristics Large, long tailed, secretive & largely nocturnal cat Tan to grayish in color Only young have spots Claws that are partially retractable 5 -8’ long slender body 2 -3’ long tail 100 -200 lb. males Fast for short distances Stalk within striking distance of pray

Mountain Lion (cont. ) Habitat Feeding Cycle Forest Carnivore—feeds Mountains heavily on White Tail & Mule Deer Smaller mammals Swamps Deserts Not in close proximity of humans

Mountain Lion (cont. ) Life Cycle Solitary animals except when females are receptive of males Require live Young large amounts of uninhabited space to born in April or May Breeding can take place anytime of year 2 -5 spotted kittens born in a den selected by female Only raise litter every other year Females very protective 10 -12 year average life span in wild

Gray Wolf

Gray Wolf General Large, Physical Characteristics dog like predator Thick coat of fur Bushy tail Generally found in groups called packs Black, tan or gray 100 -200 lbs. is average 3. 5 -5’ long 16” tails

Gray Wolf (cont. ) Habitat Open forest Tundra Remote area with little or no human disturbance Feeding Habit Carnivore Eat anything from mouse to moose Ripe fruits & berries on occasion Can kill prey as large as a moose especially in deep snow

Gray Wolf (cont. ) Life Cycle Very social animals Mate for life Dominant male & female produce all the offspring for pack Raising young is a community affair 4 -6 pups born in a den selected by female Canid—young dog, wolf, etc. born helpless with eyes closed Generally young are on their own by 1 yr. old Grizzly Bear may take young if left unguarded 10 yr. life span in wild

Predator Versus Prey Predators Prey- animals that feed on other animals. the animal being eaten by the predator. Predation- when one animal is eaten by another. Competition- different species of wildlife compete for the same food supply, cover, nesting sites, or breeding sites.

Research Your Own Wildlife Animal: http: //gf. state. wy. us/services/education/specie sindx. asp#

6 Positive Relationships between Humans and Wildlife: Commercial- the harvest and sale of wildlife and/or wildlife products. Recreational- Hunting and fishing; photographing wildlife. Biological- pollination of crops, soil improvement, water conservation, and control of harmful diseases and parasites.

6 Positive Relationships between Humans and Wildlife: Aesthetic- refer to beauty. Scientific- Using wildlife for scientific study. Social- provide humans the opportunity for variety in outdoor recreation, hobbies, and adventure.