mammals

SUPER SURPRISE THURSDAY #55

We’re heading out our own back door and into the woods to find today’s super surprise animal. As we’re hiking, be on the lookout and keep your distance, because this animal has one stinky defense!

MEET THE STRIPED SKUNK!

   Range/Habitat: Canada-North Mexico/ woodlands, suburbs

   Diet: Omnivore: fruits, seeds, fish

   Length/Weight: 22-30”/ 5 ½-14lb

   Conservation Status: common

Fun Facts:

• Striped skunks are solitary.
• They are known for their stinky defense system. Striped skunks will stand on their front feet and spray a predator with a very foul smelling liquid!
• Striped skunks’ main predator is the Great Horned Owl because the owl has no sense of smell.
• They are crepuscular (active at dawn and dusk).
• Young striped skunks stay with their mother’s for almost a year.
• Striped skunks winter in dens and burrows.

These stinky little mammals are really cute! It is best to watch them from a distance or from inside the house, you certainly don’t want to encounter the wrong end of these animals!

MAMMAL MONDAY GREATEST HITS! 

We’re on vacation this week, but we’ve left you with a week of our greatest hits and the first stop is the chilly north! Enjoy!

Is it chilly outside or is it just us? We’ve traveled up into the cold arctic to find today’s animal! So put on your coats, gloves, scarves and hats and let’s meet this very furry mammal! Snow shoes ready? Come meet…

MEET THE MUSK OX!

   Range/Habitat: Northern Canada-Greenland (Arctic)/tundra

   Diet: Herbivore: grasses

   Length/Weight: 6 ¼-7 ½ ft/450-900lbs

   Conservation Status: common

Fun Facts:

• Musk Ox get their names from their strong odor.
• They have double coats to keep them warm in the cold arctic. The outer coat protects them from snow and rain. The soft undercoat provides insulation.
• Musk Ox look larger than they are, because of their thick fur coats.
• Both female and male musk ox have large, broad, curved horns.
• Musk Ox are more closely related to goats and sheep than other oxen.
• They live in herds that are led by a dominant female.
• Musk ox form circles around their calves when threatened by predators.

Musk ox are large extra furry mammals! You need all that fur to stay warm in the cold arctic winters! They are not animals you want to challenge either, being charged by a musk ox does not look like fun!

MAMMAL MONDAY #53

Today we’re going to Southwest America today to meet a teeny tiny mammal! So grab your gear and let’s head out to make a new friend!

MEET THE HISPID COTTON RAT!

   Range/Habitat: Southwest United States-North South America/ mountains,

grassy

    Diet: Omnivore: grub, plants

    Length/Weight: 5-8”/ 3 5/8- 8 oz

    Conservation Status: common

Fun Facts:

• Hispid Cotton Rats are active day and night
• They have stiff, coarse fur.
• Hispid Cotton Rats are solitary.
• They dig burrows.
• Hispid Cotton Rats make nests of grass and plants.
• They are excellent swimmers.

Hispid cotton rats are adorable little members of the rodent family. What do you think? Are you a rodent fan?

SUPER SURPRISE THURSDAY #52

We are so happy to be back on dry land today! We’re going to the Wild West of North America to meet a handsome ungulate. Let’s grab our hiking gear and walking sticks and set out on today’s adventure!

MEET THE MULE DEER!

   Range/Habitat: West North America/ mountains, forests, grasslands

   Diet: Herbivore: plants

   Length/Weight: 2 ¾-7 ft/ 120- 460 ft

   Conservation Status: common

Fun Facts:

• Mule deer are gray-brown in winter and rusty brown in the summer.
• Male mule deer have antlers that they shed once a year.
• Mule deer have black tips on their tales.
• They are also called the Black Tailed Deer.
• They have very large ears.
• Mule deer are related to White tailed deer.

We just love Mule deer! They are majestic looking, especially the males with their large antlers! Do you love deer? What’s your favorite species?