Check off the following Mammals as you find them.{rr}Sonoran mammals tend to be nocturnal, so are more likely to be seen after dark. The larger mammals are now confined to remote mountainous regions. Classification: Place each family you encounter into its correct Order. Locate the mammals in their chordate context.
Antelope (Pronghorn)/Pronghorn Antelope. Species: {i}Antilocapra americana.{~i} Family: Bovidae. {rr}Size: Length - Upto 4.5' (1.4 m) Shoulder height - Upto 3.5' (1.1 m) Weight - 75 to 140 lbs (34 to 63.5 kg). {rr}Diet: Herbivorous. {rr}The only species found within the subfamily Antilocapridae. The horns of both sexes are bone with a horn sheath, they have two prongs which project forward and are slightly curved. Fur upperparts are tan in summer, gray in winter and underparts are white. Also the large rump patch (erected when disturbed) is white. Can run up to 84 mph (40 mph standard).
Badger (American)/American Badger. Species: {i}Taxidea taxus.{~i} Family: Mustelidae. {rr}Size: 20.5 to 34.25" (52.1 to 87 cm). {rr}Diet: Small mammals.{rr}A burrow dwelling mammal, widely distributed in the western USA and able to live in all four North American deserts. Often nocturnal except in remote places.
Bat (Sanborn's Long-nosed)/Sanborn's Long-nosed Bat. Species: {i}Leptonycteris sanborni.{~i} Family: Phyllostomatidae. {rr}Size: 2.75 to 3.375" (6.9 to 8.4 cm). {rr}Diet: Pollen, nectar and insects. {rr}Nocturnal. Primary pollinator of several key Sonoran plants - eg the Giant Saguaro and the Century Plant. Populations have been decimated in recent times, which threatens the plants they pollinate.
Bear (Black)/Black Bear. Species: {i}Ursus americanus.{~i} Family: Ursidae. {rr}Size: 5 to 61' (152 to 183 cm), {rr}Diet: Omnivorous {rr}Smaller and blacker than the grizzly, but otherwise much the same. Only appears in the more remote and mountainous desert regions.
Bobcat/Bobcat. Species: {i}Felis rufus.{~i} Family: Felidae. {rr}Size: 28 to 49.375" (71 to 125 cm). {rr}Diet: Hare, mice, squirrels & bats. {rr}The most common wildcat. Nocturnal, with slightly tufted ears and a piercing scream!
Coati (Mundi)/Coati Mundi. Species: {i}Nasua nasua.{~i} Family: Procyonidae. {rr}Size: 33.375 to 52.75" (85 to 134 cm). {rr}Diet: Omnivorous. {rr}Diurnal and gregarious, with groups of up to 25 individuals, mostly females and their young. Males are larger than females.
Coyote/Coyote. Species: {i}Canis latrans.{~i} Family: Canidae. {rr}Size: 41.375 to 52" (105 to 132 cm). {rr}Diet: Omnivorous. {rr}Diurnal or nocturnal, versatile and intelligent. Greatly and needlessly persecuted by farmers, but without much effect on its numbers.
Deer (Mule)/Mule Deer. Species: {i}Odocoileus hemionus.{~i} Family: Cervidae. {rr}Size: Length - up to 6.5 ' (2 m) Shoulder height - 3 to 3.5' (0.9 to 1.1 m) Male weight - 125 to 400 lbs (61.2 to 181.4 kg) Female weight - 100 to 150 lbs (45.4 to 68 kg). {rr}Diet: Herbivourous. {rr}Active in the morning, evening and some nights. Social structure: single to small groups. Fur is red in summer and brown in winter, tail is black tipped. Makes a snorting noise when alarmed.
Dog (Blacktailed Prairie Dog)/Blacktailed Prairie Dog. Species: {i}Cynomys ludovicianus.{~i} Family: Sciuridae. {rr}Size: Body - 11 to 13" (27.9 to 33 cm) Tail - 3 to 4" (7.6 to 10.2 cm) Weight - 2 to 3 lbs (0.9 to 1.4 kg). {rr}Diet: Herbivorous. {rr}Diurnal. Has small ears and a comparatively long tail. Incisors are yellow. Fur on upperparts has a yellowish appearance, and whitish underparts. Nests in the ground and has a mound at the entrance to the burrow.
Fox (Gray)/Gray Fox. Species: {i}Urocyon cinereoargenteus.{~i} Family: Canidae. {rr}Size: 31.5 to 44.25" (80 - 113 cm). {rr}Diet: Omnivorous. {rr}A beautifully coloured fox, spotted grey above, reddish-orange on flanks and tail. A mainly nocturnal forager, but is sometimes seen out during the day.
Fox (Kit)/Kit Fox. Species: {i}Vulpes macrotis.{~i} Family: Canidae. {rr}Size: 15 to 20" (38 - 51 cm). {rr}Diet: Rodents, birds & scorpions.{rr}Largely nocturnal fox that makes its own underground dens.
Jackrabbit (Black-tailed)/Black-tailed Jackrabbit. Species: {i}Lepus californicus.{~i} Family: Leporidae. {rr}Size: Body - 17 to 21" (43.2 to 53.3 cm), Ears - 6 to 7" (15.2 to 17.8 cm) Weight - 3 to 7 lbs. {rr}Diet: Herbivorous. {rr}Seek safety in flight. Two or more litters a year, with 3-8 young per litter, after a gestation period of 30 - 48 days. Fur is blackish-gray on upperparts, black-tipped ears, flanks are white. Active in early morning and early evening.
Jaguar/Jaguar. Species: {i}Panthera onca.{~i} Family: Felidae. {rr}Size: Average body - 6' (1.82 m) Average Shoulder - 28" (68 to 76 cm) Average male weight - 122 lbs (54 kg) Average female weight - 81 lbs (36 kg). {rr}Diet: Carnivorous. {rr}After mating, female gives birth to 1 - 4 cubs (gestation ~100 days), they will stay with the mother for up to 2 years. The female comes into oestrus again in as short a time as 7 weeks. The jaguar is very rarely seen this far north anymore although they used to be found as far as California. It is by far the largest and most powerful of the New World felids. Colouration: Spotted rosettes on tan/yellow fur.
Lion (Mountain)/Mountain Lion (Cougar). Species: {i}Felis concolor.{~i} Family: Felidae. {rr}Size: 59.125 to 108" (150 to 274 cm) {rr}Diet: Prefers larger mammals. {rr}Technically a 'small' cat because it purrs. Mostly a western cat, but is found in the south east. Solitary and territorial and threatened by habitat destruction.
Peccary (Collared)/Collared Peccary or Javelina (pronounced 'havelina'). Species: {i}Dicotyles tajacu.{~i} Family: Tayassuidae. {rr}Size: 34.25 to 40" (87 to 102 cm). {rr}Diet: Mainly herbivourous. {rr}Pig-like but not a true pig. Generally smaller than pigs and typically desert-dwelling. Gregarious and feeds mainly on cacti and other succulents.
Porcupine (North American)/North American Porcupine. Species: {i}Erethizon dorsatum.{~i} Family: Erithizontidae. {rr}Size: 25.5 to 36.5" (64.8 to 93 cm). {rr}Diet: Herbivorous. {rr}Covered in long, grey-brown hairs with quills on the rump and tail. Solitary and nocturnal, it is essentially a forest-living animal that has been able to extend its range into desert regions. Can also climb.
Raccoon/Raccoon. Species: {i}Procyon lotor.{~i} Family: Procyonidae. {rr}Size: 23.75 to 37.375" (60.3 to 95 cm) {rr}Diet: Omnivorous. {rr}Solitary and nocturnal and resourceful. Found east to west across the USA and just gets into Canada.
Sheep (Bighorn)/Bighorn Sheep. Species: {i}Ovis canadensis.{~i} Family: Bovidae. {rr}Size: Shoulder height - 2.5 to 3.5' (0.8 to 1.1m), Male weight - 125 to 275 lbs (56.7 to 124.7 kg), Female weight - 75 to 150 lbs (34 to 68 kg), {rr}Diet: Herbivourous.{rr}Males have massive curved horns. Fur is gray-brown, with a white rump. Social structure: usually found in groups, herd composition varies seasonally by sex.
Skunk (Striped)/Striped Skunk. Species: {i}Mephitis mephitis.{~i} Family: Mustelidae. {rr}Size: 20.5 to 31.5" (52.2 to 80 cm). {rr}Diet: Omnivore. {rr}Black overall with two broad white stripes fusing on the head. Nocturnal, found in all North American deserts and widely elsewhere.
Squirrel (Round-tailed Ground)/Round-tailed Ground Squirrel. Species: {i}Spermophilus tereticaudus.{~i} Family: Sciuridae. {rr}Size: 8 to 10.5" (20.4 to 26.6 cm). {rr}Diet: Seeds, other plant parts & insects. {rr}Restricted to the SW corner of the USA and adjacent Mexico. Active early and late in the day, but retreats to burrow during the midday heat. Intensively studied physiologically.
Squirrel (Rock)/Rock Squirrel. Species: {i}Spermophilus variegatus.{~i} Family: Sciuridae. {rr}Size: Body - 10 to 11" (25.4 to 27.9 cm) Tail - 7 to 10" (17.8 to 25.4 cm). {rr}Diet: Herbivorous. {rr}Diurnal. Largest ground squirrel within this range. Incisors are yellow. Fur on upperparts is mixed black and white, tail is a blackish-brown and buffy-white. Forages in open. Nests beneath boulders. Hibernates in winter.
Woodrat (White-throated)/White-throated Woodrat (Packrat). Species: {i}Neotoma albigula.{~i} Family: Cricetidae. {rr}Size: Body - 7.5 to 8.5" (19 to 21.6 cm) Tail - 5.5 to 7.3" (14 to 18.6 cm). {rr}Diet: Herbivorous. {rr}Up to two litters a year with 3 - 4 young per litter. Usually nests in vegetation on the ground. Fur is grayish on upperparts, and white to grayish on underparts, tail is brown on top and white below. Found near rocks and mesquite trees.
