|
Guide to New York State Mammals |
|
Click a category below or search. The
categories below are sorted roughly by size (smallest to
largest).
You can also discuss New York State wildlife, share
photos, and get identification help in our
message board. |
| |
|
|
|
Search for an animal |
|
|
|
Shrews (not
mice). |
|
*
|
They look like mice, but they are not
rodents at all. These elusive little creatures are difficult
to identify. To tell them apart from
mice and
rats, look for tiny eyes, and apparent lack of external
ears. To tell different shrews apart? Pay attention to the details.
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
Mice and
Rats
(little rodents you find in fields and
buildings). |
| |
Although commonly found around the house
or farm as pests or pets, some of these critters are native
to the woods and meadows of upstate NY. These rodents can be
found indoors or out. Don't confuse them with
Shrews
or even
Moles. |
|
| |
|
|
|
Moles
(rarely seen
burrowers). |
| |
Most
moles sighting are of dead moles. It is not surprising
considering they are underground
dwellers that rarely greet us on the surface. We have three
species in NY State. Identifying them should be fairly easy. |
|
| |
|
|
|
Bats
(fury flying
creatures). |
| |
Easy to identify by their
winged forelimbs,
large ears and nocturnal behavior. They are generally small
and almost exclusively insectivorous. In fact, they place a
large role in controlling insect populations in the world. Bats are known to
carry rabies in NY State and should not be handled.
|
|
| |
|
|
|
Squirrels
(Chipmunks and
Groundhogs too). |
| |
These rodents are easily identified by
their large bushy tails, streamlined bodies and food hording
habits. The groundhog is a squirrel, but not very
streamlined. Click here to Identify that squirrel that has been stealing
all of your birdseed.
|
|
| |
|
|
|
Rabbits
(and Hares). |
| |
Nature's
"prey of choice," rabbits have
many adaptations to escape hungry predators Their large
ears, short tails, strong hind legs, and ability to
multiply rapidly are all strategies to proliferate when on
so many menus. There are three varieties of rabbit in our area. |
|
| |
|
|
|
Weasel-like mammals
(Otters,
Fishers, Weasels, Minks and Martens). |
|
* |
These
animals all have long, slender bodies, stubby limbs,
triangular heads and whiskers. They are excellent hunters. These are arguably the most
playful, yet elusive of NY's mammals. |
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
Opossums
(our state's
only marsupial). |
|
*
|
There's only one marsupial in NY state.
With its grayish-brown fur (often appearing frosted), white
face, pink noses and prehensile (grasping tails), the
Virginia Opossum is quite an odd creature in this region. |
|
| |
|
|
|
Raccoons
(nature's bandit). |
|
*
|
There is only one type of Raccoon in New
York State, but it is found practically everywhere. There's
probably one outside your window right now; watching you. |
|
| |
|
|
|
Porcupines
(spiny bark
eaters). |
| |
There
is only one type of porcupine in New York State: The North
American Porcupine. We've compiles some facts about this
animal's infamous quills. |
|
| |
|
|
|
Skunks
(stink). |
| |
We
have one species of skunk in New York State. I had bold
black and white fur and can spray its stink 15 feet with
amazing accuracy. |
|
| |
|
|
|
Beaver-like animals
(aquatic rodents
including Beavers, Muskrats and Nutria). |
| |
These aquatic rodents can be difficult to
tell apart at first glance. Especially if they are in water.
Of course we cover the American Beaver here, but also a
"rat" that's not a rat, and one troublesome invasive
species. |
|
| |
|
|
|
Cat and Dog-like animals
(Foxes, Wolves,
Coyotes, Bobcats, Cougars, and the Lynx). |
|
*
|
They are either related to cats or dogs or look similar
enough to be grouped together for identification purposes.
Foxes are included in this group. Some of these are
considered to be extinct in NY State or are federally
endangered.
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
Large mammals
(Bears, Deer,
and the moose). |
| |
These are the largest mammals you will find in
Upstate NY. Includes bears, deer, and moose. All the animals
in this groups can easily hurt you. |
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
| |
*This image is
licensed under the
Creative Commons
Attribution ShareAlike 2.5 License.
|
|