mammal skulls envirothon, 2010. short-tailed shrew insectivore red-tipped teeth venomous mammal....
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Mammal Skulls
Envirothon, 2010
Short-tailed shrewInsectivoreRed-tipped teethVenomous mammal. Regular front feet (as opposed to moles)Eat mice
Wood Chuck
RodentLarge front incisors (enamel often orange)Gap between molars and incisors
The Whitetail Deer, Odocoileus virginianus,
The most widespread artiodactyl found in North America.
Males of the species, possess antlers which are shed from January to March.
Grow out again in April or May.
Good eyesight and acute hearing, but depend mainly on their sense of smell to detect danger.
No incisors on the top,
River Otters
Long, streamlined animals with a thick tapered tail and short legs.
Flatter skull than bobcat with triangular brain case
Found in and near fresh water rivers and lakes
Range throughout much of the northern US and Canada as well as the southeast US
Mink Found in every state except Arizona.
Adult Minks grow to about 2 feet in length, with up to half of this length being the tail. A member of the weasel family
Carnivores - feed on small vertebrates and occasional insects
Ermine Also known as the Weasel
Found in the north temperate and frigid sectors of Eurasia and North America.
Carnivores that hunt primarily at night.
They are specialist predators of small, warm blooded vertebrates, preferably mammals.
Gray Fox (Urocyon cinereoargenteus)Unique among canids in its ability to climb trees.
Strong, hooked claws that allow them to scramble up trees to avoid predators or to get fruit.
Mostly nocturnal and dens during the day in hollow trees.
A solitary hunter and eats a wide variety of food including small mammals, birds, small invertebrates and some plants.
Top of skull U-shaped.
Black tipped tail.
Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes) Native to North America, Europe and most of Asia and has been introduced to Australia and Africa.
A member of the order Carnivora
An omnivore. It mostly eats rodents, lagomorphs, insects, fruit and occasionally carrion.
White tipped tail
Prefers grasslands
Top of skull V-shaped
Pocket Gophers37 species of pocket gophers found in North America.
Small specialized mammals
Heavy front limbs well adapted for burrowing.
Live most their lives underground in elaborate tunnels and emerge only at night mainly to breed. The name "pocket" gopher comes from their large cheek pouches used to store food
Larger than mouse, two grooves on upper incisors
MolesFossorial or underground dwelling mammals Dig tunnelsForage on subterranean invertebrates. Bodies are streamlined, the eyes are tiny, the legs are short, and external ears are lacking. Forelimbs, armed with large flat claws, are positioned for powerful digging movements. Flat skull Insectivore
Voles143 species of voles found world wide.
Small mouse-like rodents that occupy nearly all habitat types.
Can be distinguished from mice by their short tails and robust body.
A favorite food source for many predators such as owls and fox. Family Muridae and the subfamily Arvicolinae, which also includes lemmings.
Molars zig-zag.
Smaller ears, shorter tail than mouse
MouseThe term "mouse" refers to any number of small rodents within the Muridae family.
The House mouse Mus musculus, is often associated with human populations and can be found on every continent.
Molars are straight
Mice, like all rodents, have ever growing incisors, and therefore, need to chew on wood or other materials to wear them down. This, along with their appreciation for human food and crops, and the propensity to spread disease, causes the mouse to be one of humanity's worst pests.
Bobcat
Indigenous throughout North America.
Lynx rufus.
Bobcats are strict carnivores (meat eaters).
Coyote
Found from Central America north through central
Unlike its larger relative, the wolf, coyotes are less likely to form packs often hunting in pairs, or in family units depending on prey availability.
Adaptable -utilize a range of habitats including forests, clear cuts, prairie and farm land.
Sagittal crest on back of skull, convex depressions Above eye
The American Opossum
Ranges in North America, from Central America and Mexico in the south, through the United States east of the Rocky Mountains and north into southwestern Ontario.
They have a long head with a pointed snout and long whiskers.
All opossums have long, prehensile tails with a scaly appearance.
Opossums are omnivores with a wide diet including fruits, grains, insects and carrion.
50 teeth…more than any other mammal
Cottontail RabbitThe 13 species of Cottontail rabbits can be found throughout much of North America.
Very adaptive and occupy all terrains and most habitats. Born altricial, or naked of hair and are dependent on their mothers for many weeks.
Two peg-like incisors behind front incisors,
Lacy network on side of skull
American Badger
Found primarily on the great plains of North America.
One of the larger members of the Mustelidae family
Solitary animal.
Excellent digger using its powerful forelimbs to tunnel rapidly through the soil.
Triangular brain case on skull
Last 2 molars are triangular
American Beaver The largest rodent found in North America.
Aquatic herbivores
Make large dams of wood and mud to flood and create habitat. Using their large incisors, beavers can chew through the biggest trees.
Muskrat
Aquatic rodent. An herbivore that chews on small saplings
for food as well as eating a variety of other plants.
Muskrats were once heavily trapped for their fur. Decline in demand has allowed this species to overpopulate many areas.
Found over much of North America with the exception of the Southwest.
Raccoon•black bandit like masked and ringed tail. •nocturnal •omnivores • found from southern Canada to Panama. •diet consist of crayfish, crabs, frogs, fish, nuts seeds and berries
muskox Thought to have crossed the Bering Strait to Canada 90 000 years ago Lifts and drops its massive head to break the snow crust when it becomes too hard to paw through Engages in elaborate head-butting clashes to determine dominance and possession of a herd
Test Your Knowledge
White tailed deer
Short-tailed Shrew
Cottontail rabbit
Similar, but different. What is each?
Bobcat Otter
Similar, but different. What is each?
Red Fox Gray Fox
Similar, but different. What is each?
Woodchuck Beaver
Similar, but different. What is each?
Mink Ermine
Similar but different.Which is which?
Shrew Mole
Similar but different.Which is which?
Mouse Pocket Gopher
Vole
Similar but different.Which is which?
Muskrat Beaver
Coyote
Oppossum
Muskox