NPS/Stephanie Carter Mountain Cottontail (Sylvilagus nuttallii)Mountain Cottontail are medium-sized rabbits, ranging from 14-15 inches (35.5- 38 cm) and generally weigh between 2-3 pounds (0.9-1.3 kg). They are a grey color with a white underbelly and have long hind legs and a large bushy tail. Their ears are relatively small but have black tips. The Mountain Cottontail lives in brushy or wooded areas on slopes or areas that are covered with grasses, willows, or sagebrush. Its diet usually consists of grasses but will eat sagebrush and juniper bark and berries when food is scarce. These rabbits are generally active during the hours of dawn and dusk. Fun Facts: The Mountain Cottontail can reach speeds of up to 18 miles per hour (29 k/ph)!Mountain Cottontails are born altricial- meaning that baby rabbits cannot see and are born without fur. Babies stay with their mother for about a month (30 days) before they leave their burrow and live on their own. 
NPS Photo Desert Cottontail (Sylvilagus audubonii)The Desert Cottontail are medium sixed rabbits, ranging from 14-15 inches (35.5-38 cm) and generally weigh around 1-2 pounds (.5-.9 kg). they are a grey-borwn color, with long ears, and long feet. They also have a orange-colored throat patch and a fluffy, white cottonball- like tail. The Desert Cottontail lives in dry habitats such as grasslands, shrublands, and pinyon-juniper woodlands. These rabbits usually eat grass, cacti, park and other low-lying foliage. These rabbits are most active during the evening and morning, when it is cooler and less predators are out looking for dinner. Fun Fact: The Desert Cottontail can run up to 20 mph and runs in a zig-zag pattern to avoid predators. 
NPS Photo Long-tailed Weasel (Mustela frenata)The Long-tail Weasel is generally 13-18 inches long (33-46 cm) long and usually weigh between 4-11 oz (56-311 g). Its fur color ranges from light brown to a rusty orange in the summer and has a black tipped tail. Long-tailed Weasels are found in forests, open grassy meadows, marshes and near water. These animals eat voles, gophers, mice, squirrels, rabbits, and occasionally birds, frogs, and insects. Long-tailed Weasels are often more active at night but can be seen sometimes during the day. Fun Facts: Long-tail Weasels change the color of their coat depending on the season. In summer its coat is brown, but in winter it changes to white to blend in with the snow!Long-tailed Weasels will sometimes go after prey that is larger than it is, earning it the reputation of a fearsome hunter. 
NPS/ Ann Schonlau Coyote (Canis latrans)
NPS/ Anela Ramos Kopshever Bobcat (Lynx rufus)About twice the size of a housecat at 30 inches (76 cm) and about 20 lbs. (9 kg) in weight, the Bobcat’s fur has a wide range of appearance from a reddish coat with a black underbelly covered with spots to a coat that has no spots. Other identifying trait are their short, stubby tail and large tufts of fur on the cheeks and ears. Bobcats are very adaptable and call a variety of habitats their home ranging from mangrove forests to arid desert climates. Bobcats are a stealthy stalk-and-ambush predator and its diet usually consists of smaller mammals such as rabbits, squirrels, and mice, but occasionally they hunt larger prey like beavers or mule deer. Bobcats are not often seen by people and are more active at night.Fun facts: Bobcats are prey to other large predators such as mountain lions, coyotes, and humans.Once baby bobcats are 7-9 months old, their mother brings them live food so they can practice their hunting skills before their mother takes them on real hunting trips. 
NPS Photo Gray Fox (Urocyon cinereoargenteus)The Gray Fox has coarse, salt-and-pepper gray fur. The chest, back of ears, parts of feet, legs, and neck are a reddish brown color. This fox has a distinctive black strip running down the top of the tail. Adults are typically 35–45 inches (89–105 cm) from nose to tail and weigh between 7 and 14 pounds. These foxes can be found from southern Canada to northern Venezuela; however, they are very elusive as they prefer more secluded habitats. These foxes are primarily nocturnal and prefer hunting from dusk to dawn, but they may be seen foraging in the afternoon.Fun Facts: Gray foxes are great climbers! They have special adaptations to assist in climbing, such as rotating wrists and semi-retractable claws. While these foxes are great at climbing up, they are not very good at climbing down objects, which can result in injuries. 
NPS Photo Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes)The Red Fox has a soft coat that is typically a reddish color on the topside of their body, while their underside is bright white. Red foxes also have black "socks" on their lower legs. They have large, fluffy white-tipped tails that they use to keep themselves warm in the winter and serve as a communication tool with other foxes. Adults are typically 36–42 inches (90–105 cm) from nose to tail and weigh between 7 and 19 pounds. These foxes can be found in grassland, shrubland, and lightly forested areas. They are opportunistic omnivores and typically hunt at dawn and dusk. Red foxes have adapted very quickly to increased human development. In urban areas you may find them dining on garbage and pet food. Fun Facts: Red foxes hear low-frequency sounds extremely well; therefore, they can hear small animals digging multiple miles underground! |
Last updated: August 4, 2024