Effective November 18, 2009, the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency changed their guidelines for distance learning. Students are now required to spend a minimum amount of time on each course page before proceeding to the certification exam.

Click here to go to the latest version of the Today's Hunter in Tennessee online course—the official hunter education course of the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency.

The following course material is for reference only. Please go to the new course to complete your Tennessee certification.

Small Mammals

Two of the most common small game animals are rabbits and squirrels. By studying these animals, you can learn to recognize their tracks.

Some small mammals that are sought after primarily for their pelts are called furbearers. Two popular breeds are fox and mink.

Characteristics of Mammals

Mammals are warm-blooded animals with hair. Young are nourished with milk from the mother.
Mammals can be carnivorous (meat eating), herbivorous (plant eating), or omnivorous (meat and plant eating).
Mammals seek to regulate their temperature. Mammals in cold climates must keep warm, and mammals in hot climates must keep cool.
Small mammals live shorter lives than large mammals, in general.
Mammals vary in social behavior—some species live in groups, and other species are solitary except when mating or raising offspring.

Some Small Mammal and Their Tracks