Chapter 4: Wildlife Conservation and Management
Small Mammals

Small mammals are smaller-sized, warm-blooded animals with hair. Young are nourished with milk from the mother. Examples are foxes, rabbits, and squirrels. Small mammals are found throughout North America.

Range Maps

All animal descriptions are accompanied by a map showing the animal's habitat range. The maps are color-coded as follows:

Large-sized, brown rodent; naked tail, scaly and paddle-shaped. Large chestnut-colored front teeth and webbed short feet for swimming.

Habitat and Habits:
Lives in streams, rivers, ponds, or lakes. Constructs houses of sticks, logs, and mud or burrows in banks; builds dams serving as habitat. Herbivorous. Lives up to 11 years. Two to four kits born Apr. - Jul.

Medium-sized with reddish-spotted fur and black on top at tip of very short tail. Light-spotted underside including face.

Habitat and Habits:
Lives in thickets of shrubs or trees, swamplands, woodlands, rimrock, and rocky prairies. Carnivorous. Mainly nocturnal and solitary. Two to four kittens in one litter can be born throughout year.

Medium-sized with salt-and-pepper fur; face is white under gray and rust; rust color on neck, flanks, and legs; bushy tail topped with black stripe and tip.

Habitat and Habits:
Lives in thickets of shrubs or trees, open woodlands, and rocky areas. Omnivorous. Mostly nocturnal. Three to seven young born Apr. - May.

Medium-sized, usually reddish-yellow but sometimes gray; can range from darker to lighter; bushy tail with white tip; usually dark legs and paws.

Habitat and Habits:
Lives in mixed woodlands, farming areas, and open country. Carnivorous. Three to seven young born Apr. - May.

A large-footed hare with black-tipped, relatively small ears. In summer, dark brown with small tail dark above and dusky to white below. In winter, white on tips of hairs that remain dark at base.

Habitat and Habits:
Lives in swamps, forests, and thickets. One of the shyest of the hares, tries to hide in brush. Nocturnal. Mostly Herbivorous, but fond of frozen meat. One to six young per litter; two to three litters per year.

Medium-sized with dark brown fur and white chin patch; tail slightly bushy.

Habitat and Habits:
Lives along rivers, streams, marshes, ponds, and lakes. Carnivorous. Polygamous. Four to ten young born Jan. - Mar.

Small with brown to grayish-brown fur and grayish underside; black, scaly tail; partially-webbed hind feet.

Habitat and Habits:
Lives in marshes, ponds, and streams.
Omnivorous; feeds primarily on aquatic vegetation, but also on frogs, and small fish on occasion. Two to six young per litter; two to three litters per year.

Small to medium-sized with gray to dark gray fur; whitish face, and small ears; rat-like tail.

Habitat and Habits:
Lives in woodland and farming areas. Omnivorous. Nocturnal. Up to 14 young per litter several times a year. Young remain in mother’s pouch for several months.

Large and weasel-like with brown fur and silvery face, chin, and underside; feet webbed; tail thick at base.

Habitat and Habits:
Lives in aquatic habitats around marshes, ponds, and streams. Carnivorous, feeding on fish, frogs, crayfish, and crustacea. Lives more than 14 years. One to five young.

Large rodent, size of small dog; chunky body with short legs. Color varies from black to brownish-yellow. Sharp spines on rump and tail.

Habitat and Habits:
Lives in forests or in brushy areas. Herbivorous; likes salt. Lives up to 8 years. Primarily nocturnal. Mates in fall; one young born May - Jun.

Small with brownish-gray fur with cottontail; large ears but not as large as jack rabbit.

Habitat and Habits:
Lives in heavy brush in forests, farmlands, thickets of shrubs or trees, swamplands,
and weed patches. Herbivorous. Four to seven young per litter; three to four litters per year.

Medium-sized with dark and light mixed fur; distinctive black mask across white face; small- to medium-sized ears and ringed tail.

Habitat and Habits:
Lives in woods, often near water. Omnivorous. Nocturnal. Two to seven young born Apr. - May.

Medium-sized with black fur and white stripes from top of head to nose.

Habitat and Habits:
Lives in semi-open prairies, thickets of shrubs or trees, farming areas, and mixed woods near water. Omnivorous. Mostly nocturnal. Emits a strong scent in defense. Five to six young born in May.

Larger rusty-yellowish with orange-red underside and bushy tail tipped with darker hairs.

Habitat and Habits:
Lives in open woodlands, river bottoms, and pine forests with interspersed clearings. Herbivorous. Lives up to 10 years. Two to five young born in Jan. and May.

Medium-sized with inner yellowish-rusty and gray or white-tipped hairs; lighter underside and bushy tail with varying dark hairs tipped white or yellow.

Habitat and Habits:
Lives in forests, river bottoms, pine forests interspersed with hardwoods, and clearings. Herbivorous. Lives up to 15 years. Two to five young per litter.

Smallest of tree squirrels in its range. Yellowish or reddish back and whitish belly; bushy tail.

Habitat and Habits:
Lives in coniferous or mixed hardwood forests. Nests in tree cavities or branches. Herbivorous. Lives up to 10 years. Three to seven young born Mar. - Apr.

Long-bodied and short-legged; brown back and white or yellow underside; long tail with black tip.

Habitat and Habits:
Lives on all types of land, preferably near water. Carnivorous. Mostly nocturnal. Four to eight young born Apr. - May.