The Aquatic Mammals of SE Texas

Most mammal study is INDIRECT STUDY –

• Tracks tell us how they move, where they go.

• Scat tells us what they eat.

• Nests, burrows, etc. tell us where they find shelter.

• Skulls, etc. reveal their adaptations for their particular niche.

What does this have to do with Aquatic Science at KCHS?

• The entire “Lago de Collins” is the work of two species of mammals:

• Homo sapiens dug it. • Castor canadensis maintains it. • ALL other aquatic lifeforms have benefited

from the work of these two. • All area mammals are attracted to “Lago

de Collins” for the food, water, & shelter it offers.

Order Didelphimorphia

The New World Marsupials

Virginia Opossum Didelphis virginiana

Order Insectivora

The Shrews & Moles

Southern Short-tailed ShrewBlarina carolinensis

The only North American mammal with a poisonous bite!

Least Shrew Cryptotis parva

Order Lagomorpha

The Rabbits & Hares

Swamp RabbitSylvilagus aquaticus

Order Rodentia

Mice, Rats, Squirrels, & Beaver

Golden Mouse Ochrotomys nuttalli

Cotton MousePeromyscus gossypinus

Eastern Harvest MouseReithrodontomys humulis

Hispid Cotton RatSigmodon hispidus

Rice RatOryzomys palustris

MuskratOndatra zibethicus

NutriaMyocastor coypus

NON - NATIVE

American BeaverCastor canadensis

Order Chiroptera

The Bats

Big Brown BatEptesicus fuscus

Evening BatNycticeius humeralis

Mexican Free-tailed BatTadarida brasiliensis

Rafinesque's Big-eared Bat Plecotus rafinesquii

Eastern PipistrellePipistrellus subflavus

Seminole Bat Lasiurus seminolus

Northern Yellow Bat Lasiurus intermedius

Hoary Bat Lasiurus cinereus

Red Bat Lasiurus borealis

Silver-haired Bat Lasionycteris noctivagans

   

Order Carnivora

Dogs, Cats, Weasels, & Bears

(oh my!)

Long-tailed Weasel Mustela frenata

Front: 1" x 1"Hind: 1/2" x 1 1/2"

Mink Mustela vison

Striped Skunk Mephitis mephitis

Eastern Spotted Skunk Spilogale putorius

Northern River Otter Lutra canadensis

Raccoon Procyon lotor

Louisiana Black Bear Ursus americanus louisiana

5 in. L X 5 in. W

   

7 in L X 5 in. W

Bobcat Lynx rufus

Red Wolf Canis rufusEXTIRPATED

Coyote Canis latrans

Gray Fox Urocyon cinereoargenteus

Red Fox Vulpes vulpes

Order Artiodactyla

The Even-toed Grazers

Feral Pig Sus scrofaNON-NATIVE

White-tailed Deer Odocoileus virginianus

Aquatic Science Mammal Assignments

1. Pick 10 mammals from those lectured on yesterday. Categorize each of these mammals according to their diet – Carnivore, Herbivore, Insectivore or Omnivore.

2. Pick 10 mammals from those lectured on yesterday. Construct a food web, showing how these mammals fit in the ecosystem. You may use other organisms (plants, invertebrates, amphibians, fishes, etc.) to fill out your web. Remember – Arrows point to the EATERS.