A POCKET UIDE TO OMMON Kansas Mammals

A POCKET GUIDE TO COMMON

Kansas MammalsSecond Edition

Text by George Potts and Bob GressPhotos by Bob Gress

Funded by Westar Energy Green Team,Glenn Springs Holdings Inc.,

Occidental Chemical Corporation,and the Chickadee Checkoff

Published by the Friends of the Great Plains Nature Center

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Table of Contents• Acknowledgements • 2

• Introduction • 3

• Species Accounts

Opossums■ Virginia Opossum • 4

Shrews and Moles■ Least Shrew • 6

■ Eastern Mole • 6

Bats■ Eastern Red Bat • 8

■ Big Brown Bat • 8

Armadillos■ Nine-banded Armadillo • 10

Hares and Rabbits■ Eastern Cottontail • 12

■ Black-tailed Jackrabbit • 14

Rodents■ Eastern Chipmunk • 16

■ Woodchuck • 16

■ Thirteen-lined Ground Squirrel • 18

■ Black-tailed Prairie Dog • 20

■ Eastern Gray Squirrel • 22

■ Eastern Fox Squirrel • 22

■ Southern Flying Squirrel • 24

■ Plains Pocket Gopher • 24

■ Hispid Pocket Mouse • 26

Northern Raccoon

Pronghorn

Cover Photo: American Badger

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■ Ord’s Kangaroo Rat • 26

■ American Beaver • 28

■ Western Harvest Mouse • 30

■ Deer Mouse • 30

■ Northern Grasshopper Mouse • 32

■ Hispid Cotton Rat • 32

■ Eastern Woodrat • 34

■ Prairie Vole • 34

■ Common Muskrat • 36

■ North American Porcupine • 38

Carnivores■ Coyote • 40

■ Swift Fox • 42

■ Red Fox • 44

■ Raccoon • 46

■ American Mink • 48

■ American Badger • 50

■ Striped Skunk • 52

■ Bobcat • 54

Deer and Relatives■ Wapiti • 56

■ Mule Deer • 58

■ White-tailed Deer • 60

■ Pronghorn • 62

■ American Bison • 64

Mammal Tracks • 66

Pocket Guides • 68

Red Fox

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AcknowledgementsWe thank Marc Murrell and Lorrie

Beck for editing this text. We thank Dr. Elmer Finck for reviewing the text andsorting out the recent changes in mammalnomenclature and taxonomy. We thank Dr. David Van Tassel for the illustrations ofmammal tracks.

—George Potts and Bob Gress

This publicationwould not bepossible without thesupport of thesesponsors.

American Beaver

Glenn SpringsHoldings, Inc.

IntroductionMammals are the animals most familiar

to people. More than 400 mammal speciesare native to North America and 88 arefound in Kansas. Mammals are the onlyanimals that have hair and feed young withmother’s milk. Other characteristics includebeing warm-blooded, having a backbone,jaws with teeth and a four-chambered heart.Although large mammals may be the mostwell known, the small and secretive speciesare the most abundant. This guidehighlights 40 of the most visible andcommon species. The purpose of this bookletis to help you learn about these fascinatingKansas mammals. It’s meant for your pocketor glove box. Keep it handy.

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Mule Deer

Chickadee Checkoff

■ Virginia Opossum

Measurements:Total Length: 26-35 inchesTail Length: 10-15 inches Weight: 6-13 pounds

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Virginia Opossum Didelphis virginiana

C o m m e n t s : Virginia opossums are marsupials. They have apouch to carry their young. Female marsupials are called jillsand their young, joeys. An opossum’s head contains a small,primitive brain and a narrow muzzle ending in a pink noseand jaws with 50 teeth (more than any other Kansasmammal). Their front feet have five clawed toes and theirhind feet have four clawed toes and an opposable “thumb.”The naked, prehensile or grasping tail assists them whenclimbing. Opossums may give birth in the spring and againlater in the summer. Females bear litters of housefly-sizedyoung that crawl to the fur-lined pouch and attach to one of13 nipples where they feed on milk for about 2 months. Theyoung may then leave the pouch and ride on their mother’sback. Opossums lead a solitary, secretive life, wanderingfrom dusk to dawn in search of food, then spending the daysleeping in a brush pile or hollow log. When threatened,opossums may hiss, growl, bite, climb a tree or feign deathby “playing possum.” Their instinct of “freezing” whenalarmed makes them common casualties of vehicles. Theirmaximum life span in the wild is about 2 years.

D i s t r i b u t i o n : Virginia opossums range from SouthAmerica to Canada. They are found throughout Kansas inshrublands, woodlands, croplands and urban backyards.

F o o d : Virginia opossums are omnivores. Their food includesfruits, seeds, insects, snails, crayfish, frogs, lizards, snakes,mammals and ground nesting birds and their eggs.

■ Least Shrew

Measurements:Total Length: 2.8-3.4 inchesTail Length: 0.6-0.7 inchesWeight: 0.1-0.2 ounce

■ Eastern Mole

Measurements:Total Length: 5.4-7.5 inchesTail Length: 0.8-1.5 inchesWeight: 1.9-3.5 ounces

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Least Shrew Cryptotis parva

C o m m e n t s : Least shrews are the smallest mammals inKansas and are grayish-brown in color. They have a long,pointed, flexible snout, jaws with 30 teeth, small, beady eyes,small ears and a short tail. Most shrews are solitary but someleast shrew nests have been found occupied by severaladults of both sexes. Females bear up to three litters with 4-6young each from March to November. Their maximumlifespan is 18 months.

D i s t r i b u t i o n : Least shrews range from South Americathrough the eastern half of the United States. In Kansas, theyare found in grasslands, shrublands, woodlands and wetlands.

F o o d : Least shrews feed primarily on insects, snails andearthworms and consume 60 to 100 percent of their bodyweight each day.

Eastern Mole Scalopus aquaticus

C o m m e n t s : Eastern moles spend nearly 100 percent of theirtime living underground. They are well suited to thislifestyle, having a streamlined body, partially webbedforefeet, a sensitive snout and small ears. Their poorlydeveloped eyes can only distinguish between light and dark.They forage near the top of moist, loamy and sandy soilforming surface ridges. One litter of 3-4 young is born inApril or May. Their maximum lifespan is 4 years.

D i s t r i b u t i o n : Eastern moles range over the eastern half ofthe United States. They are found throughout Kansas.

F o o d : They feed mainly on earthworms and insect larvae.

Measurements:Total Length: 4.1-5 inchesTail Length: 1.7-2.4 inchesWeight: 0.3-0.5 ounces

■ Big Brown Bat


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■ Eastern Red Bat

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Eastern Red Bat Lasiurus borealis

C o m m e n t s : Eastern red bats are solitary, spending the dayhanging like leaves from tree limbs. They rarely roosttogether except for a mother and her young. Males areorange-red and females are chestnut. They forage over fieldsand water in early evenings and swoop for insects aroundlights after dark, consuming up to half their weight eachnight. They migrate in late summer and hibernate in caves,hollow trees and buildings during the winter. Females haveone litter of 3-4 pups usually born in June. Their maximumlifespan is 12 years.

D i s t r i b u t i o n : Eastern red bats range from South Americato the southern border of Canada. They are foundthroughout Kansas.

F o o d : Eastern red bats feed on flying insects, including smallmoths, beetles and bugs.

Big Brown BatEptesicus fuscus

C o m m e n t s : Big brown bats may be the most common bat inKansas. They have soft, brown fur with a naked face andears. Females bear 1-2 young in late May or early June.Several hundred may gather in maternity colonies located inbarns, bridges and attics, walls and chimneys of oldbuildings. They hibernate in caves, rock crevices, mines andbuildings. Big brown bats forage over water, forest edges andfields from dusk to midnight. They drink by scooping sips ofwater while flying. They may live up to 19 years in the wild.

D i s t r i b u t i o n : Big brown bats range from southern CentralAmerica into Canada. They are found throughout Kansas innearly every habitat.

F o o d : Big brown bats consume approximately a third of theirweight each night while feeding on insects, primarily beetles.

■ Nine-banded Armadillo

Measurements:Total Length: 28-31 inchesTail Length: 10-15 inchesWeight: 7-10 pounds

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Nine-banded ArmadilloDasypus novemcinctus

C o m m e n t s : Nine-banded armadillos are oval-shaped, nightforagers that “wear” protective armor. Their immoveablefront and rear upper “shields” are connected by nine bandsof moveable bony plates. Their head, with the exception oftheir rabbit-like ears, outer legs and tail are also armored.Yellowish hair grows sparsely on their belly. Strong claws areused for foraging and digging burrows. Their sensitive nosecan detect enemies and aid in foraging and burrowing. Theyhave 28-36 undifferentiated peg-like teeth. In March or April,females bear four identical pups of the same sex. Theiraverage lifespan is 4 years. This, however, can be shortenedby their instinct to jump straight up when startled, makingthem a frequent victim of vehicles.

D i s t r i b u t i o n : Nine-banded armadillos range from SouthAmerica to south-central and southeastern United States.They are typically found in shrublands and woodlands inthe southern half of Kansas.

F o o d : Nine-banded armadillos feed primarily on earthworms,insect larvae and insects. They also eat small vertebrates,bird eggs, fruits and berries.

■ Eastern Cottontail

Measurements:Total Length: 15-18 inchesTail Length: 1.4-3 inchesWeight: 2.2-3.3 pounds

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Eastern Cottontail Sylvilagus floridanus

C o m m e n t s : Eastern cottontails have altricial young andshorter ears and legs than hares. During the day they mayrest in “forms” or shallow depressions shaded by grasses.Occasionally, they use burrows dug by other mammals toescape severe weather. The underside of their tail and bellyfur is white and their upper and side fur is brownish to gray.They forage in the twilight hours and at night. When dangeris near they “freeze,” and when threatened, make a zigzagdash to cover. If caught they emit a shrill scream. Breedingfrom early spring to late fall, females may produce 6-7 litterswith 3-6 young per litter. Cottontails are an important fooditem for many predators. As a result, most rabbits die beforethey are a year old.

D i s t r i b u t i o n : The eastern cottontail ranges from CentralAmerica through the eastern half of the United States andacross the south-central border of Canada. They are foundthroughout Kansas in shrublands, woodlands, uncultivatedcroplands and gardens.

F o o d : Eastern cottontails feed on green vegetation, includinggrasses, flowers, garden vegetables and the bark of youngtrees in the winter.

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■ Black-tailed Jackrabbit

Measurements:Total Length: 20-24 inchesTail Length: 2.4-3.7 inchesWeight: 5-9 pounds

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Black-tailed Jackrabbit Lepus californicus

C o m m e n t s : Black-tailed jackrabbits were named for theblack, upper tail fur and long, “jackass-like” ears. They aretypical hares, having long ears, long legs and precocialyoung. They live in open areas with good visibility andscattered shrubs for hiding. They can accelerate rapidly to 40miles per hour when escaping predators. Black-tailedjackrabbits can leap as high as 6 feet and as far as 20. Ifcaught by a predator, they will shriek, bite and kick. Femalescan produce 4-7 litters, with 2-4 kits each, from late winter tolate summer. In the past, “jackrabbit roundups” werecommon events where they were herded and clubbed, toboth reduce their numbers and to sell as food. In recent years,changes in farming practices have kept their numbers down.

D i s t r i b u t i o n : Black-tailed jackrabbits range from BajaCalifornia and south-central Mexico to west-central andwestern United States. They prefer arid habitats. They can befound throughout Kansas in prairies, overgrazed rangelandsand croplands.

F o o d : Black-tailed jackrabbits feed on green vegetation,including forbs, grasses, shrubs, cactus, tree bark andagricultural crops.

■ Woodchuck


■ Eastern Chipmunk

Measurements:Total Length: 9.6-12 inchesTail Length: 3.6-4 inchesWeight: 3-4.3 ounces

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Eastern Chipmunk Tamias striatus

C o m m e n t s : Eastern chipmunks’ presence are usuallyannounced by their chipping vocalizations. They run aroundnervously gathering and storing food in their undergroundtunnels. They have bushy tails and reddish-brown fur withdark stripes along their back and face. A litter of 4-5 youngare born in April. Longevity is up to 5 years.

D i s t r i b u t i o n : Eastern chipmunks range throughout theeastern part of the United States and southeast Canada. Theyare found in oak-hickory woodlands of extreme eastern Kansas.

F o o d : Eastern chipmunks feed on a variety of nuts, seeds,berries and insects.

Woodchuck Marmota monax

C o m m e n t s : Woodchucks, sometimes called “groundhogs,”are the largest member of the squirrel family in Kansas.Their gnawing activity wears down their constantly-growingincisor teeth. They live in underground dens, where theyhibernate in winter. While hibernating, their heart rate,breathing and body temperatures are greatly reduced for 4-6months. They may lose up to half their body weight duringthis period. In spring, females produce 3-4 kits. Longevity isup to 6 years.

D i s t r i b u t i o n : Woodchucks are found throughout theeastern half of the United States and from southeast Canadainto Alaska. In Kansas, they are found in shrublands,woodlands and uncultivated croplands.

F o o d : Woodchucks feed primarily on wild forbs, but also eatalfalfa, grain crops, bark and buds.

■ Thirteen-lined Ground Squirrel

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Measurements:Total Length: 9-12 inchesTail Length: 3-5 inchesWeight: 3-7.5 ounces

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Thirteen-lined Ground Squirrel Spermophilus tridecemlineatus

C o m m e n t s : Thirteen-lined ground squirrels are long, slenderburrowing animals with 13 rows of yellowish stripes andspots and internal cheek pouches. They are solitary andforage during the day sitting upright periodically to checkfor predators. They spend the winter hibernating in theirunderground dens. Females bear a litter of 8-10 young inMay. They can live up to 5 years.

D i s t r i b u t i o n : Thirteen-lined ground squirrels are native tothe prairies of the Great Plains of the United States andCanada. They are found in Kansas in prairies, overgrazedrangelands, parks, cemeteries and golf courses.

F o o d : Thirteen-lined ground squirrels feed on grasses, seeds,insects and sometimes on small vertebrates such as smallbirds and reptiles.

■ Black-tailed Prairie Dog


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Black-tailed Prairie Dog Cynomys ludovicianus

C o m m e n t s : Black-tailed prairie dogs, named for their black-tipped tails and dog-like “bark,” once lived throughout theGreat Plains in “towns” that extended for miles andcontained hundreds of thousands of individuals. Currentdog towns seldom exceed 100 acres due to changes in landuse and poisoning. They excavate a complex undergroundsystem of tunnels and rooms that may be as deep as 15 feetwith horizontal tunnels reaching 10-15 feet long. The soil ispushed to the surface to create numerous mounds. Theyforage throughout the day with sentinels sitting upright,standing guard as others feed. When a predator is sighted,the sentinel “barks” and the entire colony scampers to theirprotective burrows. Abandoned burrows provide homes forspiders, salamanders, toads, ornate box turtles, snakes andburrowing owls. In the spring, females produce a single litterof 2-10 pups. They may live up to 8 years.

D i s t r i b u t i o n : Black-tailed prairie dogs live on the HighPlains from northern Mexico to southern Canada. They arefound in shortgrass prairies and overgrazed rangelands ofthe western half of Kansas.

F o o d : Black-tailed prairie dogs feed primarily on greenvegetation, including grasses, forbs, seeds, stems and theoccasional insect.


■ Eastern Fox Squirrel


■ Eastern Gray Squirrel

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Eastern Gray Squirrel Sciurus carolinensis

C o m m e n t s : Eastern gray squirrels have long, bushy tailswith whitish fringe and gray fur. They search for foodduring the day and use their front feet to eat while sitting ontheir hindquarters. Communications include scolding barks,teeth clicks and tail flicks. Throughout the day they are seenjumping from tree to tree or resting on limbs with their legsdangling down. Females bear litters of 3-6 young in earlyspring and late summer. They may live as long as 12 years.As woodland cover increases in eastern Kansas, graysquirrels displace fox squirrels.

D i s t r i b u t i o n : Gray squirrels range throughout the easternhalf of the United States and southeast and south-centralCanada. They are found in oak-hickory forests in the easternquarter of Kansas.

F o o d : Gray squirrels feed on nuts, seeds, berries, buds, insectsand occasionally on bird eggs and nestlings.

Eastern Fox Squirrel Sciurus niger

C o m m e n t s : Eastern fox squirrels have fox-like, bushy tails withorange fringe and reddish-orange fur. They are larger thaneastern gray squirrels and spend more time on the ground.Several nests of leaves may be constructed in forked brancheshigh in trees and used for resting or rearing their young.During winter they prefer nests in hollow trees. Their behavior,reproduction and longevity are similar to gray squirrels.

D i s t r i b u t i o n : The range of eastern fox squirrels is fromnortheast Mexico through the eastern half of the UnitedStates into south-central Canada. They are common in oak-hickory woodlands and wooded parks and neighborhoodsthroughout Kansas.

F o o d : They feed on nuts, seeds, berries, buds and insects.Occasionally they eat bird eggs and nestlings.

Measurements:Total Length: 8-9 inchesTail Length: 3-5 inchesWeight: 1.6-3 ounces

■ Plains Pocket Gopher

Measurements:Total Length: 9.2-12.6 inchesTail Length: 2.5-4.1 inchesWeight: 6-10.7 ounces

■ Southern Flying Squirrel

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Southern Flying Squirrel Glaucomys volans

C o m m e n t s : Southern flying squirrels live in woodpecker holesand tree cavities. They cannot fly, but they can “glide” up to 300feet due to a web of skin extending from their front to hind legs.When gliding they appear flat and square with a flattened tailthat provides an efficient rudder to control their aerialmaneuvers. Before landing the tail flips upward and the squirrellands, hind feet first, with his head up. Females produce twolitters of 1-7 young. Longevity in the wild is up to 6 years.

D i s t r i b u t i o n : Southern flying squirrels can be found inthickly wooded areas from Central America through the easternhalf of the United States and into southeast Canada. They arefound in oak-hickory forests in the eastern quarter of Kansas.

F o o d : Southern flying squirrels forage at night on nuts, seeds,leaf and flower buds, berries, insects, nestling birds, birdeggs and carrion.

Plains Pocket Gopher Geomys bursarius

C o m m e n t s : Plains pocket gophers are solitary rodents thatspend nearly all their life in a network of undergroundtunnels, coming out only at night to forage around theirentrance and to breed. They are built for digging withstrong, clawed front legs. The obvious sign of their presenceis a line of dirt piles along the surface of the ground. Theyhave large, external, fur-lined, pocket-like cheek pouchesused for hauling food. In spring, 1-6 pups are born. Theyusually live less than 5 years.

D i s t r i b u t i o n : Plains pocket gophers range throughout theGreat Plains. They are found throughout Kansas in prairies,overgrazed rangelands, parks, golf courses, cemeteries andresidential lawns.

F o o d : Plains pocket gophers feed on forbs, grasses, stems, rootsand are particularly fond of alfalfa fields.

Measurements: Total Length: 7.6-9.5 inchesTail Length: 3-4.6 inchesWeight: 1.4-2.1 ounces

■ Ord’s Kangaroo Rat

Measurements:Total Length: 9.8-11 inchesTail Length: 5.2-6.2 inchesWeight: 1.9-3.3 ounces

■ Hispid Pocket Mouse

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Hispid Pocket MouseChaetodipus hispidus

C o m m e n t s : Hispid pocket mice have external cheek pouchesfor storing food and are the largest pocket mice in Kansas.They gather food at night and spend the day in shallow,underground burrows. Their bristly fur is brownish gray ontop and white below with a broad yellow-orange band inbetween. Females produce at least two litters per year with5-6 young per litter. They can live up to 3 years in the wild.

D i s t r i b u t i o n : Hispid pocket mice range from central Mexicothrough the central United States. They are often found in thesand prairies of the western two-thirds of Kansas.

F o o d : Hispid pocket mice feed on seeds, tender green plantsand occasionally insects.

Ord’s Kangaroo Rat Dipodomys ordii

C o m m e n t s : In kangaroo fashion, excited Ord’s kangaroo ratsjump on both hind feet using their tail for balance. Theirleaps may be 6 feet long and 2 feet high. They have a thickbody, short neck, large head and a long tail with a fur tuft atthe end. Ord’s kangaroo rats forage at night. In dry seasons,they conserve metabolic water by absorbing it from theirkidneys and bladder, thus surviving for months withoutdrinking. Their burrows are dug at the base of shrubs, grassclumps or along sandy roadways. Litters of 2-5 young areborn in May and September. Their lifespan in the wild isabout 1 year.

D i s t r i b u t i o n : Ord’s kangaroo rats are found in sandy, semi-arid regions throughout central Mexico, the Great Plains andthe western United States. They live in sandy prairies andovergrazed rangelands in the western half of Kansas.

F o o d : Ord’s kangaroo rats feed on seeds, grains, forbs, grasses,flowers, buds, tubers and insects.

■ American Beaver


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American Beaver Castor canadensis

C o m m e n t s : American beavers are the largest rodents inKansas. They use trees, other vegetation and mud to builddams and sometimes their dome-shaped lodges. MostKansas beavers live in bank burrows along streams andrivers. Beavers have large, orange incisor teeth and strongjaws. They have large, webbed hind feet, a horizontallyflattened, scaly tail and coarse brown fur covering gray silkyunder-fur. Beavers are active throughout the year from duskto dawn. In the twilight hours they may be observedswimming, their head causing a triangle-shaped wake on thesurface of the water. Females bear a litter of 3-4 kits in Mayor June. They may live up to 15 years in the wild.

D i s t r i b u t i o n : American beavers are found in aquatichabitats from northern Mexico to Alaska. They are found inKansas wherever there is water and a source of edible trees.

F o o d : Beavers feed on rhizomes, roots and shoots of aquaticplants and leaves and twigs of trees in warm months. Theycache tree branches underwater next to their den site in winterallowing them to access their food even during ice cover.


■ Deer Mouse

Measurements:Total Length: 5-6.6 inchesTail Length: 1.7-2.9 inchesWeight: 0.7-0.9 ounces

■ Western Harvest Mouse

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Western Harvest MouseReithrodontomys megalotis

C o m m e n t s : Western harvest mice resemble house mice andare sometimes seen when hay is harvested. They harvestseeds from sunset to midnight by climbing grass stalks andshrubs. Their soft fur is brownish on top, grayish on thesides and white below. Females produce up to seven littersper year with 3-5 young per litter. They usually live less thana year in the wild.

D i s t r i b u t i o n : Western harvest mice range from southernMexico through the western half of the United States. Theyare found in prairies and uncultivated croplands in Kansas.

F o o d : Western harvest mice feed on seeds of grasses andwildflowers, young plants and insect larvae. They consumeup to one-third of their weight per day.

Deer Mouse Peromyscus maniculatus

C o m m e n t s : Foraging at night, deer mice are known to cachetheir food in bird nests, mattresses, shoes and teapots. Theirfur is reddish-brown on their back and white on their belly.They have large hairless ears, white feet and a bicolored tail.Females can produce up to 10 litters per year with 4-5 youngper liter. Deer mice are common prey for most predators.Their maximum lifespan is 2 years.

D i s t r i b u t i o n : Deer mice are the most widespread rodentsin North America, living in many different habitats fromMexico to Alaska. They are found in woodlands, shrublandsand prairies in Kansas.

F o o d : Deer mice feed on green vegetation, nuts, berries, fruits,seeds and insects.

Measurements: Total Length: 5.4-6.4 inchesTail Length: 1.5-2 inchesWeight: 1.1-1.6 ounces

■ Hispid Cotton Rat

Measurements:Total Length: 8-14 inchesTail Length: 3.5-5 inchesWeight: 2-9 ounces

■ Northern GrasshopperMouse

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Northern Grasshopper MouseOnychomys leucogaster

C o m m e n t s : Because of their strong social bonds, predatorylife style and loud, high pitched howls, northern grasshoppermice have been compared to large carnivores like wolves.They mark their territories with strong scent and vigorouslyattack intruders. They have a short tail, robust body and soft,silky fur. They feed at night and spend most of the day inunderground burrows. From spring to early fall they produce2-3 litters of 2-6 young and live up to 3 years in the wild.

D i s t r i b u t i o n : Northern grasshopper mice are found in aridand semiarid regions ranging from Mexico through centraland western United States and into Canada. They are mostoften found in dry, sandy grasslands and shrublands of thewestern two-thirds of Kansas.

F o o d : Northern grasshopper mice are the most carnivorous ofmice species. Eighty percent of their diet consists ofgrasshoppers and other insects, 10 percent rodents and theremaining 10 percent includes seeds and other plant materials.

Hispid Cotton Rat Sigmodon hispidus

C o m m e n t s : Hispid cotton rats forage at dusk and dawn andrarely store their food. Their bristly fur is yellowish-brownwith flecks of black and gray on top and whitish-gray below.Unlike other rats their tails are relatively short. Females canproduce many litters from spring through fall with 7-9 youngper litter. Average lifespan in the wild is less than one year.

D i s t r i b u t i o n : Hispid cotton rats range from South Americato the southeast and south-central United States. They live inprairies, uncultivated croplands, shrublands and wetlands of Kansas.

F o o d : Hispid cotton rats feed on grass stems, leaves, seeds,grains, cotton, insects and small vertebrates, including miceand fledgling birds.

Measurements:Total Length: 12-16 inchesTail Length: 5-7 inchesWeight: 10-14 ounces

■ Prairie Vole

Measurements:Total Length: 5.5-7.2 inchesTail Length: 1-1.8 inchesWeight: 1.7-2.5 ounces

■ Eastern Woodrat

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Eastern Woodrat Neotoma floridana

C o m m e n t s : Eastern woodrats resemble a large mouse and aregrayish-brown with a white throat, belly, feet and a furry tail.They build their nests in rock ledges, tree bases, brush piles,fencerows, old buildings and abandoned vehicles. Typicalnests are cone-shaped, 4 feet across and 3 feet high. Due totheir habit of storing small “treasures” in their stick nests,woodrats are often called “pack rats.” These treasures mightinclude shiny bottle caps, pieces of colored glass and emptyshotgun shells. Two litters of 3-4 young are produced betweenFebruary and September. Maximum longevity is 3 years.

D i s t r i b u t i o n : Eastern woodrats range from southeast tomid-central United States. They can be found in woodlandsthroughout Kansas.

F o o d : Eastern woodrats feed on buds, leaves, bark, nuts, fruits,berries, forbs and dry mushrooms.

Prairie Vole Microtus ochrogaster

C o m m e n t s : Prairie voles are a major food source for many ofthe large, predatory mammals of Kansas. These mice haveblack and white “peppery” fur with a yellowish tinge on thebelly. They construct runways at the soil’s surface wherethey forage during the night then retreat to a network oftunnels below ground to store collected food. Femalesproduce about four litters of 3-4 young per year. Theiraverage life span is less than a year.

D i s t r i b u t i o n : Prairie voles range throughout the prairies ofthe United States and Canada. They are found in large numbersin grasslands and fallow croplands throughout Kansas.

F o o d : Prairie voles feed on grasses, forbs, seeds, roots andrhizomes.

■ Common Muskrat

Measurements:Total Length: 19-23 inchesTail Length: 8-10 inchesWeight: 1.5-3.5 pounds

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Common MuskratOndatra zibethicus

C o m m e n t s : Common muskrats are water-dwelling rodents.Well adapted to aquatic life, they have partially webbed feet, avertically flattened scaly tail and dense, waterproof fur. Theircone-shaped “houses” made of damp vegetation can be 5 feetacross and 4 feet high. They also construct bank burrows withunderwater entries. Muskrats forage mostly in the twilighthours and at night. They are often mistaken for small beaverswhen swimming. Tracks show footprints with a tail dragmark. Females can bear up to three litters per year with 2-9kits per litter. Maximum longevity in the wild is 4 years.

D i s t r i b u t i o n : Common muskrats live in nearly all aquatichabitats from the southern United States through Alaska.They are found throughout Kansas in marshlands, ponds,lakes and slow moving rivers and streams.

F o o d : Common muskrats feed on aquatic plants, fish, crayfish,snails, mussels and occasionally on eggs and young birds.

■ North American Porcupine


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North American PorcupineErethizon dorsatum

C o m m e n t s : North American porcupines are heavy bodied,yellowish-black rodents that move with a slow waddlinggait. On the Great Plains, they are the second largest rodent,behind only the beaver. They have reddish-orange incisorteeth, poor eyesight and curved claws. As many as 30,000yellowish-white quills are hidden within the fur of theirback, rump and tail, but are absent from their belly.Porcupines make their dens in hollow trees, small caves orunder rock ledges and are good climbers. They are solitaryand generally forage at night. When challenged, they archtheir back and slap the aggressor with their heavily-quilledtail. Usually, a single cub is born in April or May. They maylive 20 years in the wild.

D i s t r i b u t i o n : North American porcupines range fromnorthern Mexico to Alaska. They inhabit wooded areas incentral and southwestern Kansas.

F o o d : They feed on the tender bark in the tops of cottonwoodtrees and on grasses, forbs, alfalfa and corn.

■ Coyote


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Coyote Canis latrans

C o m m e n t s : Coyotes are incredibly adaptable and are foundin nearly all habitats of North America. They live alone, inpairs or packs. Home ranges can be as large as 25 squaremiles. They are vocal and shortly after nightfall may howl toindicate their location, claim their territory, reinforce socialbonds or simply because they enjoy howling. Pairssometimes mate for life. Their den sites include cavitiesunder rock ledges, hollow logs, shrub thickets and densabandoned by other mammals. They may use several denswhen rearing pups. Litters of 4-7 pups are born in spring.They can live up to 10 years in the wild.

D i s t r i b u t i o n : Coyotes range from South America throughAlaska. They occupy all habitats in Kansas.

F o o d : Coyotes hunt from dusk to dawn for rabbits, mice, rats,squirrels and ground nesting birds. They also eat plant matter,including fruits and berries. They will scavenge dead livestockand kill poultry, small livestock, cats and small dogs.

■ Swift Fox

Measurements:Total Length: 31-33 inchesTail Length: 10.8-11.2 inchesWeight: 5.1-5.3 pounds

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Swift Fox Vulpes velox

C o m m e n t s : Swift foxes are the smallest member of the dogfamily in North America. Adults weigh less than typicalhouse cats. Resembling small coyotes, they have a slenderbody, long, pointed ears and a bushy tail with a black tip.Swift foxes live in underground dens with several tunnels,rooms and entrances. Separate chambers are used forsleeping and storing food. Hunting usually occurs at night.Litters of 3-6 pups are born in late winter and early spring.They may live 5 years in the wild. Their most notoriouspredators are coyotes.

D i s t r i b u t i o n : Swift foxes are found in arid and semi-aridregions from Mexico to southern Canada. They are found inthe shortgrass prairies and rangelands in the western thirdof Kansas.

F o o d : They feed on rabbits, hares, mice, rats, ground squirrels,insects, birds and small reptiles.

■ Red Fox


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Red Fox Vulpes vulpes

C o m m e n t s : Red foxes are smaller than coyotes and largerthan swift foxes. They have a bright, rusty-red coat with awhite belly, white chin and a bushy, red tail with a white tip.They dig dens in wooded hillsides or stream banks or usedens constructed by other mammals. They hunt alone fromdusk to dawn and are noted for their comical “mouse leap,”where they spring straight up and pounce with all four feeton their rodent prey. Litters of 4-9 pups are born in late winteror early spring. They may live up to 10 years in the wild.

D i s t r i b u t i o n : Red foxes are the most widely distributedcarnivore in the world and found in North America, Europe,North Africa and Asia. They are found in all but the westernquarter of the United States and occupy nearly all of Canadaand Alaska. They are most commonly found in woodlandsand shrublands throughout Kansas. They may inhabit urbanareas along river corridors and highway interchanges.Coyotes will catch and kill red foxes.

F o o d : Red foxes feed on rabbits, hares, mice, rats, insects, groundnesting birds, carrion, fruits, berries, garbage and poultry.

■ Raccoon

Measurements: Total Length: 26-38 inchesTail Length: 8-12 inchesWeight: 12-27 pounds

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Raccoon Procyon lotor

C o m m e n t s : The name raccoon is derived from theAlgonquin Indian word “arathkone” meaning “one who canscratch with their hands.” Raccoons are noted for “washing”their food in water. Most people recognize them by theirblack mask and ringed tail. They are intelligent andextremely curious. Their dens are located in hollow trees,cavities below rock ledges, under old farm buildings and inchimneys. They forage alone during the night, often within asquare mile. Sows bear litters of 3-7 kits in the spring andraise them alone. In the wild they live up to 6 years.

D i s t r i b u t i o n : Raccoons range from South America tosouthern Canada. They are found in woodlands, both ruraland urban, throughout Kansas. They are usually moreabundant near agricultural areas.

F o o d : Raccoons are omnivores with more than half of their dietbeing plant matter. They eat fruits, berries, nuts, grains,insects, fish, frogs, small turtles, crayfish, snails, mussels,mice, birds and eggs. They also raid garbage cans.

■ American Mink

Measurements:Total Length: 20-27 inchesTail Length: 6-10 inchesWeight: 1.5-3 pounds

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American MinkMustela vison

C o m m e n t s : American mink are long and slender with shortlegs. They have soft, brown fur with white spots on theirchin, throat or chest and a tail with a bushy tip. They maketheir dens beneath riverbank tree roots, in hollow trees andlogs and in abandoned muskrat and beaver dens. They areexcellent swimmers that search for prey in or near waterfrom dusk to dawn. Females bear litters of 4-5 kits in earlysummer. Their longevity in the wild can reach 6 years.

D i s t r i b u t i o n : American mink are found from the easterntwo-thirds of the United States through Canada and most ofAlaska. They are found statewide in Kansas near aquatichabitats, but less common in the western third of the state.

F o o d : American mink feed on fish, crayfish, snails, mussels,frogs, snakes, muskrats, mice and rabbits.

■ American Badger


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American Badger Taxidea taxus

C o m m e n t s : Pound for pound, American badgers are likelythe most powerful mammals in Kansas. They have stout,flattened bodies, powerful forelegs with large, re-curvedclaws, strong jaw muscles, short ears and a short, furry tail.If threatened, they attack explosively with hissing, growlingand biting. They inhabit open country and are frequentlyfound with colonial rodents, especially prairie dogs. Theydig their dens in hillsides and road embankments leaving aconspicuous dirt mound at the entrance. Except during themating season, badgers are solitary. Females bear a litter of1-5 young in late spring. Badgers can live 12-14 years butfew make it past 2 years in the wild.

D i s t r i b u t i o n : American badgers are found from southernMexico through the western two-thirds of the United Statesinto southwest Canada.

F o o d : American badgers feed on pocket gophers, prairie dogs,ground squirrels, mice, rabbits and insects.

■ Striped Skunk


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Striped SkunkMephitis mephitisC o m m e n t s : Stocky and short-legged, striped skunks have

long, black fur with a white head patch that extends downthe neck and splits into two stripes as it fans toward the tail.Striped skunks usually live in dens excavated by othermammals. They forage alone at night and are commonvictims of vehicles. They are normally docile and prefer toretreat rather than fight. If provoked, they face the challenger,bend their back and spray them with a mist of musk fromtwo anal glands causing temporary blindness. They canspray accurately up to 12 feet. Females produce litters of 6-7kits in spring. They can live up to 5 years in the wild.

D i s t r i b u t i o n : Striped skunks are found from centralMexico to central Canada. They are found throughoutKansas in woodlands, shrublands, prairies and urban areas.

F o o d : Striped skunks feed on insects, mice, rats, bird eggs,turtle eggs, earthworms, frogs, crayfish, fruits, berries andgrain crops.

■ Bobcat

Measurements:Total Length: 33-40 inchesTail Length: 4-6.5 inchesWeight: 8-22 pounds

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Bobcat Lynx rufus

C o m m e n t s : Sometimes called “wildcats,” bobcats get theirname from their short or “bobbed” tail. They have long legs,toes with retractile claws, dark spotted reddish-brown fur ontop and gray fur with black spots on their belly. Their densare found in brush piles, hollow logs, caves and in rockoutcroppings. They hunt alone from dusk to dawn andrarely use the same daytime resting area. Bobcats mark theirterritories with urine and feces. Females usually bear a singlelitter of 2-4 kittens in the summer. They may live up to 14years in the wild.

D i s t r i b u t i o n : Bobcats have the widest distribution ofnative cats in North America ranging from southern Mexicoto southern Canada. They are found in Kansas shrublandsand woodlands.

F o o d : Half of the diet of bobcats consists of rabbits and hares.They also feed on mice, rats, birds and occasionally on fawnsand injured adult deer.

■ Wapiti


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Wapiti Cervus elaphus

C o m m e n t s : The Shawnee Indians called elk “wapiti,”meaning “pale rump.” They are the largest member of thedeer family in Kansas. They are a light brown below anddarker brown across the back. Their rump and tail are strawcolored. Mature bulls grow antlers nearly 5 feet long and 5feet wide in summer and early fall. The antlers are carriedthrough winter and are shed in early spring. In earlyautumn, “bugling” bulls announce their dominance duringthe breeding season. The bull’s neck and shoulders swell andsparring bulls may dual over control of a harem of 10-20cows. Herds congregate together in winter and cows delivera single calf, usually weighing about 30 pounds, in earlyJune. Wapiti live up to 15 years in the wild.

D i s t r i b u t i o n : Wapiti formerly ranged throughout theNorth American continent north of Mexico. Today they arefound in prairies, shrublands and woodlands of the RockyMountain region of the United States and Canada and thePacific Northwest. There are a couple of small, free-rangingherds in Kansas.

F o o d : Wapiti are primarily grazers feeding on grasses andforbs. In the winter they browse on shrubs, bark and twigs.

■ Mule Deer


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Mule Deer Odocoileus hemionus

C o m m e n t s : Mule deer are gray in color and have a short,black-tipped tail and large ears. When alarmed they arefamous for running and springing with all four feet hittingthe ground simultaneously. Males have antlers, withcharacteristic Y-shaped forks, that start growing in spring andare shed in late winter. The breeding season, or rut, peaks inlate October and early November. Does usually deliver twinfawns in late May or early June weighing on average 8pounds each. In the wild they can live up to 15 years.

D i s t r i b u t i o n : Mule deer range from central Mexicothrough the western half of the United States into westernCanada and southern Alaska. They were once abundant inthe shrublands and riparian woodlands of the western two-thirds of Kansas. Nearly extirpated in Kansas by 1900, theyare now present in the rolling hills and breaks of the westernthird of the state.

F o o d : Mule deer are primarily browsers feeding on shrubs andtree twigs usually at dusk and dawn. They also feed ongrasses, forbs, grains crops and alfalfa.

■ White-tailed Deer

Measurements: Total Length: 54-86 inchesTail Length: 6-14 inchesWeight: 90-275 pounds

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White-tailed Deer Odocoileus virginianus

C o m m e n t s : White-tailed deer are smaller and morenumerous than mule deer in Kansas. They have relativelyshort ears and are tawny brown in color. Their bushy tail,brown above and white below, “flags” from side to sidewhen they are running. Whitetails are excellent swimmers,can run 35 miles per hour and jump an 8-foot fence. Duringsevere winters whitetails gather in areas near abundant foodand cover. Bucks have antlers with 3-6 unforked points oneach beam. Antlers start growing in spring and are shed inlate winter. The peak of the whitetail breeding season, or rut,occurs in November. Young does usually have one fawn inMay or June while twins are usually the norm in older doesand triplets aren’t uncommon. Each fawn weighs about 5pounds. They can live up to 15 years in the wild. They arethe most popular big game mammal in the United States.

D i s t r i b u t i o n : White-tailed deer range from northern SouthAmerica to Canada. They are typically found in woodlandsor riparian corridors throughout Kansas.

F o o d : White-tailed deer feed mostly at dawn and dusk onleaves, stems, buds and bark. They also eat acorns, graincrops and alfalfa.

■ Pronghorn


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Pronghorn Antilocapra americana

C o m m e n t s : Often called “antelope” the pronghorn is the onlymember of the family Antilocapridae. The buck’s black hornsare forked or “pronged.” Females may be hornless or havesmaller horns with no forks. The hardened sheath covering ofeach horn is shed in late winter. A pronghorn’s coarse haircontains air pockets, which provides insulation against thecold. The combination of keen eyesight and their ability to runup to 60 miles per hour allow them to elude potentialpredators. They rarely jump fences but prefer to crawl underthem. They browse in small herds during the summer butform larger herds in winter. Twin births are the rule with doesdelivering fawns weighing up to 7 pounds in late May orearly June. They may live up to 10 years in the wild.

D i s t r i b u t i o n : Pronghorns were found in numbers secondonly to bison in the Great Plains from Mexico to Canada.Pronghorns are now found in the western quarter of Kansas.

F o o d : Pronghorns feed on sagebrush, cactus, forbs and young,tender grasses.

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■ American Bison

Measurements:Total Length: 80-150 inchesTail Length: 17-33 inchesWeight: 900-2,000 pounds

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American Bison Bison bison C o m m e n t s : American bison, or “buffalo,” are the heaviest

land mammal native to North America. Prior to settlementan estimated 60 million bison roamed North America. Theywere a major resource for the Great Plains Indians providingfood, shelter, clothing, fuel, tools and dozens of other itemsessential for survival. The last wild bison in Kansas waskilled in 1879 at Point of Rocks north of Elkhart. Bisonfrequently wallowed in dusty or muddy spots to shed hairand rid themselves of insect and parasite pests. Thousandsof these saucer-shaped “buffalo wallows,” some 30 feetacross and more than 2 feet deep, are still visible today.Bison breed from early July to late September. Cows usuallydeliver one reddish calf weighing up to 35 pounds in Aprilor May. They can live up to 30 years.

D i s t r i b u t i o n : Bison were originally found from Mexico toCanada and throughout much of the United States but mostnumerous in the Great Plains. Public and private captiveherds are scattered across Kansas. The best viewingopportunities exist at Maxwell Wildlife Refuge near Cantonand Finney Game Refuge near Garden City.

F o o d : Bison are grazers feeding on a variety of grasses and forbs.

Mammal Tracks

H: 2"-3.5" F: 2.5"-4"Dog

H: 1.7" F: 1.7"Swift Fox

H: 2" F: 1.8"Nine-banded

Armadillo

H: 2" F: 1.5"Virginia

Opossum

H: 2" F: 2.3"Striped Skunk

H: 2" F: 2.3"Red Fox

H: 2.3" F: 2.5"Coyote

H: 1.3" F: 1.5"House Cat

H: 2" F: 2"Bobcat

H: 3" F: 3"Mountain Lion

H: 1.7" F: 1.3"American Mink

01

12

34

67

89

21

23

46

78

93

45

Inches (English decimal)

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H: 2" F: 2.5"AmericanBadger

H: 4" F: 2.5"NorthernRaccoon

H&F: 3-4.9"Elk

H: 3" F: 2.5"White-tailed

Deer

H: 1.6" F: 1.6"Pronghorn

H: 2.7" F: 1.5"Eastern Fox

Squirrel

H: 2.6" F: 1"CommonMuskrat

H: 2.5" F: 1.5"Black-tailedJackrabbit

H: 3" F: 1"Eastern

Cottontail

H: 7" F: 3.5"American

Beaver

H: 3.9" F: 3.3"North

AmericanPorcupine

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Pocket Guides Bob Gress, Editor

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Single copies of these Pocket Guides may be picked up free at theGreat Plains Nature Center. Copies can be mailed for $3.00 each bysending your check, payable to GPNC, to: Pocket Guides, GreatPlains Nature Center, 6232 East 29th Street North, Wichita, KS 67220.

Great Plains Nature CenterThe Great Plains Nature Center is a cooperative project between

the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Kansas Department of Wildlife andParks and the City of Wichita Department of Park and Recreation.The Nature Center features the Koch Habitat Hall, Owl’s Nest GiftShop, Coleman Auditorium and 2 miles of Chisholm Creek Parknature trails. For more information visit the Great Plains NatureCenter web site at www.gpnc.org. Please visit or contact us at: GreatPlains Nature Center, 6232 East 29th Street North, Wichita, KS67220. Phone: (316) 683-5499.

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Bob Gress is the former director of the Great Plains Nature Center andthe co-founder of www.BirdsInFocus.com.

Dr. George D. Potts is a retired Friends University Biology Professor.© 2013 Great Plains Nature Center

Petroleum Corporation, manufacturesvinyls and specialty chemical products,plus chlorine and caustic soda – thebuilding blocks of pharmaceuticals,water disinfectants and detergents.OxyChem endeavors to safeguard theenvironment, protect the safety andhealth of employees and neighboringcommunities.

Oxy’s Wichita Plant has a 440-acrePrairie Wetland Conservation Area con-sisting of wetlands and native grasses.The site is home to numerous wildlife and is certified as a Wildlife at Work siteand as a Corporate Lands for Learningsite by the Wildlife Habitat Council.

Westar Energy Green TeamWestar Energy, Inc. is the largest utility

in Kansas serving nearly 700,000 cus-tomers with about 35,000 miles of trans-mission and distribution lines. Since 1989,their employees have operated an environ-mental team. The Green Team membersvolunteer hours to improve wildlife habitatthrough wetland creation and restorationand native grass and tree planting. Theybuild bridges and trails and work to protectand reintroduce sensitive plant and animalspecies. The Green Team can be contactedat 785-575-8125 or [email protected].

Chickadee CheckoffThe Chickadee Checkoff program is a

voluntary donation program for nongameprojects sponsored by the KansasDepartment of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism.Kansas taxpayers are able to contribute ontheir individual state income tax form.Donations can also be made by sending acheck to Chickadee Checkoff Program, 512SE 25th Ave., Pratt, KS 67124. Since 1980,the Chickadee Checkoff program has distrib-uted over $4 million to projects that helpendangered species, assist in reintroductionefforts of sensitive species, supports wildlifeeducation projects at schools and naturecenters, and supports hundreds of othernongame conservation projects.

Glenn Springs Holdings Inc. / Occidental ChemicalCorporation

Glenn Springs Holdings, Inc. (GSHI)manages environmental restoration proj-ects for Occidental PetroleumCorporation. Our scientists, engineersand managers are dedicated to preserv-ing the environment. Lands once degrad-ed by industrial activities are remediatedto restore natural habitat and nourishwildlife.

Occidental Chemical Corporation(OxyChem), a subsidiary of Occidental

Documents

A POCKET UIDE TO OMMON Kansas Mammals