Gnawing Mammals. Mammal Characteristics Warm – Blooded Usually have a protective coat of hair...
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Transcript of Gnawing Mammals. Mammal Characteristics Warm – Blooded Usually have a protective coat of hair...
Gnawing Mammals
Mammal Characteristics
Warm – Blooded
Usually have a protective coat of hair and a bony skeleton
Babies are fed milk with mammary glands
Gnawing Mammals Sometimes referred to as rodents Have 4 large incisor teeth in front of their
mouth Teeth never stop growing
Must gnaw on something or teeth become overgrown
Most diverse group of mammalsMany different species that live in different
environments
Most are herbivores
House Mouse
House Mouse
6 – 8” in length .5 to 1 oz in weight Gray or brown in color Long, hairless tails Live in buildings during cold seasons Live anywhere food and shelter can
be found in same place
House Mouse
Begins reproducing at 2 months of age, capable of having 8 litters a year
Litter sizes range from 3 to 11 young
Born naked, helpless, and blind Important food source for predatory
animals and birds
Muskrat
Muskrat
Grows to 24” from nose to tail at maturity
Nocturnal animal that inhabits the freshwater biomes of North America
Does not hibernate Flat hairless tail that it uses as a
rudder when it swims
Muskrat
7 or 8 offspring in each litter Young muskrats swim when they
are 3 weeks old Often trapped or are preyed upon
by eagles, otters, and minks Seldom grow to be older than 4 yrs
old
Eastern Fox Squirrel
Eastern Fox Squirrel
Largest squirrel in North America 19 – 28” long 1.5 – 3 lbs Eats nuts, fruits, corn, roots, and insects 2-4 are born in early spring and can live
to 6 years old Range in color from rusty yellow to black
Woodchuck
Woodchuck A.K.A. Groundhog 20-27” long from head to tail Weighs 5-10 lbs. Brown in color Eats green plants during spring and
summer Hibernates from Sept. until spring Prefers open woodlands and meadows Causes problems for farmers
Eats crops and mounds up dirt
Black-Tailed Prairie Dog
Black-Tailed Prairie Dog
Yellowish brown in color with a black-tipped tail
Plains dweller that builds dams around the entrance to its burrow to prevent flooding
Range goes on narrow band from Texas to Canada
Black-Tailed Prairie Dog
14-17” long from nose to tail Weigh 2-3 pounds Young are born in litters of 3-5 in
March and April Very social animals
Greet and graze peacefully together
Cottontail Rabbit
Cottontail Rabbit Live in different environments in
North America ranging from deserts to wooded areas
Diets revolve around grass and other vegetation
Short legs (cannot run well) Brown to gray in color 14-17” in length Prefer bushy habitats
Cottontail Rabbit
Hide from prey by sitting very still 4 to 7 young in litter 3 to 4 litters / yr
Porcupines
Porcupines
Known for its sharp quills Cause damage to trees and shrubs
as they gnaw the buds and bark for foodOften kills the trees if bark is gone
Chews on anything that is salty, including human property
Beaver
Beaver
Hard-working animal Dam-building skills prevent soil
erosion and stores water Webbed hind feet Long, flat tail which helps in swimming When dangers approach, beavers slap
their tails on the surface to signal to other members of the colony
Beaver
Long, flat tail which helps in swimming
When dangers approach, beavers slap their tails on the surface to signal to other members of the colony
3-4 feet in length and up to 70 pounds Young are not mature until 2 years old Fur is reddish brown in color