Mammals

A jumping mouse sits in between grasses on a gravel road.

Image courtesy of Anne Longman

A meadow jumping mouse, moose, and you! What do they have in common? These are all examples of mammals found at Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument. Mammals, or class mammalia, are grouped together based on the following unique characteristics:

• Mammals are warm blooded, meaning they must retain body heat and maintain a steady internal temperature.
• Mammals are vertebrates, meaning they have bones.
• Mammals give live birth instead of laying eggs.
• Mammals have fur or hair.

These broad characteristics allow for a variety of animals to be categorized as mammals, big and small. The monument’s largest wildlife, the moose, is a mammal. Moose are North America’s last remaining megafauna, a category of animals defined by their large size. Moose can be seen walking down roads, eating vegetation, or otherwise making themselves at home within the monument.

Small mammals such as red squirrels and mice are spotted most frequently, but with patience and a little bit of luck, visitors can see lynx, beavers, and even bears! Learn more about mammal diversity at Katahdin Woods and Waters by clicking the images below.

Remember: do not approach wildlife. Maintain a respectful distance at all times. It can save your life.

 

Highlight Mammal Species

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  Canada Lynx

  Learn more about Canada lynxes at the monument.

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  Moose

  Learn more about moose at the monument.

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  Beavers

  Learn more about beavers in the monument.