PA Mammalian Predators

1. PA Mammalian Predators

2. Eastern Coyote • AKA brush wolf, prairie wolf, coy-dog • Largest wild canine in PA • During wolf bounties of 1800’s, many were turned in by mistake • By 1990 populations had rebounded

3. Eastern Coyote: Identification • Larger than Western Coyote: may be due to hybridization with wolves • Males: 45-55 lbs. • Females: 35 to 40 pounds • Many different coat colors and patterns: tri-color (German shepherd-like), red, blonde and dark brown (appears black at a distance)

4. IDENTIFICATION • Tri-color • RED

5. Black Phase • BLONDE PHASE

7. Eastern Coyote: Diet • Generalist: small mice, voles, deer, rabbits, wood chuck, birds, plant matter • Sometimes prey on domestic animals (sheep, chickens, ducks, dogs, cats)

9. Eastern Coyote: General Biology • Monogamous, but not for life • May hunt alone or with family group, not a true pack animal like the wolf • Nocturnal • Smell and hearing are keen; very alert • Prefer heavy brush, edges • PA population estimated at 40,000

10. PA Game Commission Bag Limits • COYOTES: No closed season. Unlimited. Outside of any big game season (deer, bear, elk and turkey), coyotes may be taken with a hunting license or a furtaker license, and without wearing orange. During any big game season, coyotes may be taken while lawfully hunting big game or with a furtakers license.

12. Owl In an SUV grill http://www.cnn.com/video/?hpt=hp_c3#/video/us/2013/02/11/dnt-owl-trapped-in-suv.wsvn

13. Mustelid Family Predators • Examples: Mink, Otter, Fisher, Weasels • Others not in PA: Ferret, Badger, Wolverine LEAST WEASEL

14. OTTER MINK

15. FISHER

16. WEASELS • Mustelid family • Strong musk odor • Found worldwide except Antarctica • 3 species in PA: ermine, long-tailed weasel, least weasel • Long, slim bodies, short legs, 5 clawed toes

17. WEASELS • ERMINE

18. WEASELS • Least Weasel

19. WEASELS • Long tailed Weasel

20. WEASELS: Diet • Consummate Predators: kill and consume wide varieties of prey (including animals larger than themselves) • Mice, voles, rats, shrews, snakes, birds, insects • Very fast metabolism for size: eat 1/3 body weight every 24 hrs. • Keen smell, sight, hearing

21. WEASELS: Biology • Aggressive and quick • Secretive and wary=difficult to study in nature • Delayed implantation: • Mate in summer/fall • Fertilized egg implants in uterus in spring • WHY??? • 1.Assures litters arrive when prey is abundant • 2.Does not restrict mating to a short period

22. FISHER • Size of a house cat 12lbs.-30 lbs. • Males 2 times heavier than females • Appear black from a distance, really cream underneath; tri-colored hair

23. FISHER: Habitat • Climb trees very well: den in holes in the trees, rest in nests, pursue prey • Continuous forest areas

24. FISHER: Biology • Low population densities and large home ranges: 30 square miles • Nocturnal • Produce 1 litter per year: 2 or 3 cubs • Born and raised in a tree cavity • Solitary and opportunistic predators: • Snowshoe hare and porcupine • RARELY EAT FISH!!

25. FISHER: Population • Widely distributed prior to 1800’s • Timber cutting and unregulated trapping almost eliminated by 1900’s • Reintroduced to Catskills, WV, PA • 1994 PSU and Game Commission released in Allegheny National Forest

27. BOBCAT • 36” long with a 6” tail • 15-35 lbs. • Grey brown fur, dark spots and bars • Neck and belly white • Ruff of fur on ears

28. Bobcat: Habitat • Mountains, deep forest, swamp • Very elusive, prefer to stay away from people • Most common in North Central PA • In 2000 estimated pop. was 3500 adults • Very restricted hunting/trapping season

29. PA Game Commission Bag Limits • BOBCAT (WMUs 2A, 2C, 2E, 2F, 2G, 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 4A, 4C, 4D and 4E): Jan. 15-Feb. 5. One bobcat per license year, but all licensed furtakers may obtain one permit.

31. Bobcat Eye Adaptation • Nocturnal • Pupils: slit shaped, open wide

33. Bobcat: Diet • Mice, wood rat, shrew, squirrel, chipmunk, bird, rabbit, hare, porcupine, mink, muskrat, fish, frog • Sick/injured deer: cover and save carcass

34. Bobcat: Breeding • Males can travel up to 20 miles in a single night to find a female • Males play no part in raising young • Females guard litter; young often killed by males, owls, foxes • Mature bobcat has few enemies except man

35. Bobcat: Hunting Adaptations • Sharp sight, smell and especially hearing • 4 large canines: pierce and hold • 5 retractable, hooked claws on front • 4 on rear

36. Bobcat: Retractable Claws

37. Red Fox: Appearance

38. Gray Fox: Appearance

39. Red Fox And Gray Fox • Canidae family (coyote, wolf, domestic dog, fox) • Gray only member of Canidae to climb trees

40. Red Fox and Gray: Biology • Males: “dogs” Females: “vixen” • Young are born in dens underground • Both parents care for young • Do not hibernate but will use bushy tail to conserve heat in severe weather

41. Red Fox and Gray: Biology • Swift runners, can swim • Nocturnal • Opportunistic predators: mice, rabbits, woodchucks, opossum, cats, chickens, squirrels, fruits, grasses • Bury uneaten food in ground

42. Habitat • Red: prefers rolling farmland, woods, marshes and streams • Gray: heavy woods, rugged, mountains

43. Exit Ticket…..To leave this room you must answer these questions…. • List one surprising new idea you learned about mammalian predators. • Name 2 weasels found in PA. • See #2. • What is the common characteristic shared by the Mustelid family? • Name 2 adaptations that help the canines locate prey.