Carnivores

Carnivores are a group of mammals that prey on other animals. Some carnivores eat exclusively meat, while others are more omnivorous and include plant materials in their diet.

 

Common Carnivores at Lake Roosevelt

 

Black bear

NPS/Neal Herbert

American Black Bear

Ursus americanus

• Lives in forested habitats, but can sometimes be found in open country

• Omnivores; diet includes a range of grasses, grubs, small mammals, and berries

• Hibernates during winter months

• Female bears can have 1–2 cubs every other year, which generally stay with their mother for over a year for protection and care

• If you encounter a black bear, make yourself as large as possible: stand up, wave your hands, and make loud noises to deter the bear away

 

Bobcat

NPS/Neal Herbert

Bobcat

Lynx rufus

• Can be found in coniferous forests and open fields

• Hunts rabbit, squirrels, mice, voles, beavers, skunks, and ground-nesting birds

• Most recognizable by their spotted bodies and distinctive short tail

• Adult male weigh 20–30 pounds and average 3 feet in length, while females are smaller

 

Coyote

NPS/Jane Gamble

Coyote

Canis latrans

• Common throughout North America, both in wilderness and developed areas

• Primarily carnivorous; diet consists of squirrels, mice, hares, birds, amphibians, reptiles and carrion and occasionally berries and other vegetation

• Grey or tan coat color, with lighter-colored underparts, and a long, bushy tail

• Have thrived despite efforts from people to control their population due to their high reproductive rate and flexible diet

 

Mink

© Rick McMeechan

Mink

Mustela vision

• Small weasels with sleek dark brown to black coats and tails

• Can have spots of white fur on the chin or belly

• Live around water sources in dense coniferous forests

• Diet consists of frogs, fish, waterbirds, eggs, mice, voles, snakes, and aquatic insects

• Dens are usually dug into riverbanks and serves as storage for surplus food

 

Mountain lion

NPS Photo

Mountain Lion

Puma concolor

• Also known as cougar, puma, panther

• Can live in many different habitats, including forests, grassland, and desert

• Obligate carnivores, meaning they can eat only meat

• Preferred diet consists mainly of deer

• As apex predators, mountain lions play an important role in limiting herbivore populations, which helps maintain diverse and sustainable ecosystems

• If you encounter a mountain lion, keep small children close and do not run. Make yourself big and loud and deter the mountain lion away

 

Northern river otter

© Rick McMeechan

Northern River Otter

Lontra canadensis

• Can be found in fresh, brackish, or salt water, and can travel overland for considerable distances

• Have long, streamlined bodies, short legs, webbed toes, and long, tapered tails adapted to their mostly aquatic lives

• Diet consists mostly of fish, but they also eat freshwater mussels, crabs, crayfish, amphibians, birds, bird eggs, fish eggs, and small mammals

• Although seldom seen, they are relatively common throughout Washington in ponds, lakes, rivers, sloughs, estuaries, bays, and in open waters along the coast

 

Red fox

NPS/ Neal Herbert

Red Fox

Vulpes vulpes

• Widely distributed throughout the United States

• Reddish-orange fur, large, pointed ears, long fluffy tail, and pointed snout

• Omnivorous diet includes rodents, birds, small game, grasses, acorns, tubers, grains, fungi, and berries fruits

• Seen in the forested areas and along the edge of open grassy areas

 

Striped skunk

NPS Photo

Striped Skunk

Mephitis mephitis

• Known for their ability to spray predators with foul-smelling fluid, which is also an eye and skin irritant

• Occurs throughout most lowland areas in Washington, particularly in open fields, pastures near brushy fencerows, and rock outcroppings

• Easily recognized by their glossy black fur with two white stripes extending down their backs and tails

• Diet includes insect larvae, grasshoppers, beetles, and bees, carrion, eggs, amphibians, berries, and green vegetation