OKLAHOMA MAMMALS

INTRODUCTION Mammals have several distinct characteristics that distinguish them from other animals. Like other vertebrates, they have a flexible backbone or vertebral column. which supports their body and protects the extensive nerve system of the spinal cord. All mammals have hair, which serves as an insulator to retain body heat and ward off cold. Most Oklahoma mammals are completely fur-covered, though others display only sparse patches of hair. Mammals are warm-blooded {homoeothermic --body regulates its internal temperature) and have a four-chambered heart that circulates but completely separates oxygen-rich and oxygen-poor blood. Since mammals can maintain a constant body temperature independent of surrounding temperatures, they can endure most environmental conditions and are found in a wide range of habitats. Another primary characteristic is that mammals bear their young alive and nourish developing offspring with milk produced from mammary glands, from which the class Mammalia receives its name. In proportion to body size. mammals have large brains surrounded by a prominent braincase. In contrast, mammals differ in many ways. too. They use a variety of forms of locomotion: they can fly. glide. swim. run, leap, climb and burrow. They can either be predator or prey and may feed on meat {carnivores). plants {herbivores), or both {omnivores). Mammals prefer different habitats, too. Some species are under-ground dwellers. whereas others choose to live on land, in water or trees. Some species are so versatile they can use any habitat from the arid, sparsely vegetated land in western Oklahoma to the more humid. forested regions of the southeast. Mammals developed from reptilian ancestors 200 million years ago. The adaptations that made these animals successful have been refined by natural selection as vegetation and climate have changed in response to major geologic changes. Mammals and humans share an important relationship -since we're mammals. too. Man relies on wild and domestic animals fur food, fur, leather, bone, oil, perfume, fertilizers, chemicals and medicine. And hunting and trapping game and furbearing mammals provides many recreational opportunities and substantial revenue. particularly in rural areas. Watching and photographing mammals provides many hours of enjoyment for other outdoor enthusiasts. Except for members of the squirrel family, most mammals tend to be nocturnal and secretive, so it's possible you may never have seen some of those illustrated on the following pages. The diversity of mammals, due to Oklahoma's variable climate, vegetation and habitat types, and geography, may surprise you.  This booklet describes a small cross-section of the more than 100 mammals found in Oklahoma.
	EASTERN FOX SQUIRREL  Length 19-29 inches including 9-14 inch tail. Weight 1-3 pounds. Fur color burnt orange or grizzled brown. Preferred habitat is open upland groves of oak and hickory. Diet of acorns, hickory nuts, insects, bark, berries, sap and seeds. Unlike other squirrels, fox squirrels are not always "early risers." On cold days they may not leave the nest until noon. Summer nest of leaves and twigs. Winter nest in hollow tree. Mate twice a year normally from January to March producing 2 litters. Gestation period 40-44 days, usually 2-5 young are born blind and naked. Remain in nest for about 6 weeks. Range: statewide except extreme west panhandle.
	SOUTHERN FLYING SQUIRREL  Length 9-11 inches including 3 1/2-4 1/2 inch tail. Weight 2-3 ounces. Color medium gray with varying amounts of brownish tinge on upper parts and tail. Underparts are white or creamy. Loose skin along the body extends to support gliding animal. Preferred habitat is hardwood forests or woodlots containing dead trees. Diet chiefly nuts, fruits and insects. Breeding season extends from February into summer with 1 litter being produced. Gestation period about 40 days. Two to 6 young are born in hollow tree. Family may stay together until following spring. Range: eastern half of state.
	EASTERN GRAY SQUIRREL  Length 16-20 inches including 71/2-10 inch tail. Weight 3/4-1 1/2 pounds. Fur gray on back with white undersides. Edge of tail whitish. Ears light gray in fall and winter. Preferred habitat is hardwood forests, city parks. Diet of acorns, hickory nuts, mushrooms, various seeds. Breeds from late December to early autumn often producing two litters per year. Gestation period 44 days. Three to 5 young are born in leafy nest or tree hollow. Young leave nest at 6 weeks. Gray squirrels are most active in the early morning and evening hours, when they come to the ground to glean nuts and seeds from cut branches. Range: eastern two fifths of state.
	13- LINED GROUND SQUIRREL  Length 9-12 inches inch including 2 1/2-5 1/4 inch tail. Weight 3-7 ounces. Color of head and underparts yellowish tan to brownish gray. Back color pattern consists of 13-15 brown and pale yellow stripes. Preferred habitat is grassy prairies or rocky areas. Diet chiefly green grasses in spring and early summer, seeds in late summer and fall. Insects, field mice, bird eggs and fledglings are also eaten. Ground squirrels remain underground from September through March, coming up in warm weather. Breeds in spring. Young may number 7-10. Gestation period 23-28 days. Range: statewide except for southeastern corner.
	PLAINS POCKET GOPHER  Length 7-10 inches including 2-3 inch tail. Weight 7-14 ounces. Short fur typically pale brown above and lighter colored on underparts. Preferred habitat is loose, sandy soil in open and sparsely wooded areas. Diet includes roots, tubers, rhizomes and grass stems. Dwelling is an underground maze of interconnected tunnels containing food storage cubicles and sleeping chamber. Three to 5 young are born blind and almost naked but develop rapidly and strike out on their own at 2 months. Name of animal derived from two slit-like pouches, one on either side of head; used for carrying food and nest material. Range: statewide except for northeastern corner.
	PRAIRIE DOG  Length 12-16 inches including 2-4 inch tail. Weight 2-3 pounds. Color grizzled yellow- gray with slightly lighter underparts. Habitat is semiarid plains and plateaus, overgrazed pastures. Highly social animals, prairie dogs group together in colonies commonly called "towns." Entrance to burrow is volcano-shaped cone designed to keep 9ut surface water. Diet includes wild grasses, succulent forbs and some cultivated crops. During severe winter weather they are dormant. but a few days of mild weather will bring them out again. After a gestation period of 28-32 days, 3-5 young are born in early May in burrow nest chamber. Range: western half of state.
	EASTERN COTTONTAIL  Length 14-17 inches. Ears 2 1/2-3 inches. Weight 2-4 pounds. Color generally grizzled tan, brown and gray mixture; white or light tan on feet and underside. Underside of tail white, resembling powder puff. Preferred habitat is edge cover, brush, creek bottoms, briar patches and swamps. Diet includes herbaceous vegetation in summer and bark and twigs of woody vegetation in winter. Three to 5 litters are produced during February-September breeding season. Four to 7 young born after gestation period of 26-30 days, usually in grass and fur lined nest found in shallow depression in ground. Young leave nest in less than 3 weeks. Range: statewide.
	SWAMP RABBIT  Length 14-17 inches. Ears 3 1/2-4 inches. Weight 4-6 pounds. Has shorter, sleeker, darker fur than cottontail's. Rust color on hind feet. Underside of tail white. Preferred habitat is marshes, floodplain forests, sloughs and other areas of standing water. Diet consists mainly of grasses, sedges, shrubs, and tree twigs and bark. Readily takes to water and swims well. Peak mating season from mid- February to September; normally 3-5 litters born to each female yearly, usually in grass and fur-lined nest on mound above water. Young leave nest in 3 weeks. Range: eastern third of state with scattered isolated populations.
	BLACKTAILED JACK RABBIT  Length 21-23 inches. Ears 6-7 inches. Weight 4-7 pounds. Buff-brown color above, white on underparts. Ear tips and topside of tail black. Diet consists of green vegetation. Particularly fond of alfalfa, can damage this crop when numbers are great. Habitat ranges from sparse brushland to open plains to irrigated croplands. Mating season January through September. One to 6 fully-furred young are born after a gestation period of 41-47 days. Eyes are open at birth. One to 4 litters per year are normally born in grass and fur-lined nest. Young independent in 3-4 weeks. Range: statewide but more common in western Oklahoma.
	RIVER OTTER  Length 36 1/2-50 inches including 12-17 inch tail. Weight 10-30 pounds. Short, dense fur that is dark brown to pale chestnut above and light brown to silver gray below. Preferred habitat along streams and lakes. Diet consists of fish, crayfish, frogs, insects, earthworms, birds and occasionally small mammals. Dens in abandoned beaver or muskrat lodges or uses burrows dug by other animals. Breeds in late winter and early spring. Gestation period 288-375 days. One to 4 (usually 2) young are born blind and helpless. Young weaned at 90 days and family group breaks up 3 months later. Range: eastern rivers, streams and reservoirs.
	BEAVER  Length 34-40 inches including 9-10 inch paddle-shaped tail. Weight 30-60 pounds. Fur dense, brown, waterproof. Tail scaly, flattened horizontally. Preferred habitat is streams, lakes, mountain meadows. Constructs dam of branches, mud, vegetation. House or lodge made of same material, usually a large cone-shaped structure having one or more underwater entrances. Bank dens are also common. Diet consists of bark, cambium, roots and twigs of willows, cottonwoods and other trees. Mates in January and February. Usually 2-4 young called "kits" born in April or May on dry platform nest in lodge. Young remain a part of family until mature, usually 2-4 years. Range: statewide.
	MUSKRAT  Length 20-25 inches including 8-11 inch tail. Weight 2-4 pounds. Coat of thick, dark brownish or blackish fur with coarse, darker guard hairs. Fur silvery underneath. Tail naked, semiflattened vertically. Inhabits marshes, lakes, ponds, water-courses. Active at all hours. Diet of cattail and bull rush stems, mussels and aquatic grasses. Builds a cone-shaped house from stems of bulrushes, cattails and mud or lives in bank burrow with underwater entrance. Mating season from April to September. Gestation period 22-30 days. Five to 6 young driven out when 1 month old as female prepares for next litter. Most valuable furbearer in U .S. in number trapped. Range: statewide.
	WHITE- FOOTED MOUSE  Length 6-7 1/2 inches including 2 1/2-3 inch tail. Weight 1-1 1/4 ounces. Color of upper parts pale to rich reddish brown. Belly and feet white. Tail usually shorter than head and body and has large ears up to 1/2 inch long. Habitat consists of woody or brushy areas, sometimes open areas. Diet of seeds, nuts and insects. Stores seeds and nuts. Nests any place that affords shelter, including old bird or squirrel nests, buildings, stumps and logs. Breeds all year in south. Gestation period 21-27 days. One to 7 (usually 4) young born in nest lined with plant down and shredded materials. Females breed at 10-11 weeks. Range: statewide.
	LEAST SHREW  Length 21/2-31/2 inches including 1/2-3/4 inch tail. Weight 1/8-1/4 ounces. Color dark brown on back with dark gray underparts. Species characterized by short tail. Preferred habitat is prairies and weedy fields. Diet consists of insects, snails, slugs, earthworms and sometimes vegetation. Can eat more than its body weight in a day. Nest built of grasses, leaves and twigs in surface depressions. Mating season extends from March to October. Two to 7 young are born after a 21-23 day gestation period. Female born in the spring can produce a litter at the end of the breeding season. Young are weaned at about 20 days. Range: statewide except for western edge of panhandle.
	EASTERN MOLE  Length 5 1/2-7 1/2 inches including 3/4-1 1/2 inch tail. Weight 3/4-31/2 ounces. Male larger than female. Color silver gray. Some have yellowish orange patch on breast. Preferred habitat is moist lawns, gardens, and fields. Avoids arid soils. Spends most of life underground. Digs shallow tunnels to search for food and deeper tunnels for permanent living quarters. Broad front feet adapted for tunneling. Diet includes earthworms, insects and some vegetable matter. Nests beneath rocks, stumps, logs and debris. Two to 5 young born in March or April after a 6 week gestation period. Young weigh about 1/5 ounce. Only 1 litter produced per year. Young are independent at 1 month. Range: statewide.
	PORCUPINE  Length 25-31 inches including 7-9 inch tail. Weight 10-20 pounds. Coat overall blackish with overlay of yellow-tipped hairs. Most of body, especially rump and tail, thickly set with long sharp spines that dislodge easily. Preferred habitat is forested areas, although they are sometimes found in brush-lands. Diet consists of inner bark, small twigs, bark of pines, poplar and other trees. They depend on their keen sense of smell and hearing. Dens in hollow trees or almost any place where it can get out of the weather. Mates late fall or early winter. Gestation period about 7 months. One to 2 well-developed young are able to climb trees and eat solid food a few hours after birth. Range: rare in western Oklahoma.  Statewide, becoming more common in western OK.
	ARMADILLO  Length 24-32 inches including 9-14 inch tail. Weight 8-17 pounds. Color generally dark gray or sooty black, lighter at edge of armor plate. Outer covering, except for underparts, consists of shell-like plating which is solid atop the head, over the shoulders and hind quarters. Joined to the fore and aft plates are nine bands of plating that are flexible where they join. The tail plating consists of joined flexible rings. Preferred habitat is woodland, open savannas, scrub areas. Presently expanding its range northward through Oklahoma. Diet of insects but will eat fruits. Breeds in July. Four identical young born in burrow in spring. Range: statewide.
	STRIPED SKUNK  Length 20-28 inches including 7-10 inch tail. Weight 6-10 pounds. Typical color is black overall except for white stripes (two) extending forward over rump to converge at neck and form white skull cap, sometimes sides of tail, occasionally tip, are white. Skunks may be found in woods, plains, swamps, meadows, suburbs and countryside. Diet includes rats, mice, chipmunks, insects, fruits, berries and birds' eggs. Preferred den sites under buildings and in burrows so long as site is dry. Skunks mate in late winter or early spring. Gestation period about 63 days. Four to 10 young born in den lined with vegetation. Family breaks up in August or September. Range: statewide.
	SPOTTED SKUNK  Length 18-21 1/2 inches including 6 1/2-9 inch tail. Weight 1-1 1/2 pounds. Male larger than female. Overall color black with white mark on forehead, under each ear and along neck, back and sides. Tail has white tip. Preferred habitat is forest edge, wooded stream banks and prairies. Favorite den sites are dry areas beneath buildings, overhanging creek banks, woodpiles or other animals' burrows. Diet consists of mice, birds, eggs, insects and sometimes fruit or vegetables. Mates in March and April. Litters of 4-9 (usually 5) young are born after a gestation period of 50-65 days. Young weaned at 50-54 days. Range: state- wide except for western edge of panhandle.
	BADGER  Length 22-28 inches including 4-6 inch tail. Weight 13-25 pounds. General color is grayish to reddish, with white stripe extending from nose to shoulders. Black patches are prominent on face and chin. Throat and mid-ventral region whitish. Feet dark brown to black. Preferred habitat is dry, open country. Diet includes ground squirrels, pocket gophers, moles and mice, occasionally carrion. Breeding season is August to September. although fertilization is delayed until February. Gestation period about 43 days. Usually 2-3 young are born in a grass-lined burrow. Weaned at 6 weeks family breaks up in late summer. Range: western three/fourths of state.
	MINK  Length 17-26 inches including 5-9 inch tail. eight 1-2 pounds. Color a uniform dark own to almost black with white patch on in. Occasionally has scattered small white spots on belly. Tail slightly bushy. Preffered habitat is streams, marshes, lakes near woods. Males may range several miles along streams. Diet consists of small mammals, birds, frogs, fish and eggs. Mates February or March. Gestation period 45-60 days. Two to 6 young born in hollow tree, crevice in rocks or burrow in stream bank. Family unit breaks up in fall. Demand for mink pelts is so great that a separate industry raises the animals domestically for sale to the fur market. Range: eastern four/fifths of state.
	RACCOON Length 26-40 inches including 8-12 inch tail. Weight 8-35 pounds, usually 15-20 pounds. Body covered with dense fur ranging from yellow to almost black. Darker on face. Bushy tail ringed with bands buff and dark brown or black, depending on color phase of animal. Preferred habitat is anywhere near water, woods and marsh. Diet includes fish, crayfish, frogs, fruit, vegetables, insects, eggs and poultry. Dens in hollow tree or dry cavern among rocks Nocturnal in habits. Mates January through June. Two to 6 (usually 4) young born about 63 days later in a nest or hollow. Leave nest at 2 months, family breaks up when young are about 1 year old. Range: statewide.
	WOODCHUCK Length 22-26 inches including 4-6 inch tail. Wight 4-12 pounds. Color varies but is typically a grizzled grayish brown with darker forehead and tail; underparts a lighter shade. Preferred habitat rolling farmland and pasture receiving moderate rainfall. Diet includes grass, row crops, clover. Mates in early spring after emergimg from hibernation. Gestation period 31-32 days. Two to 6 (usually 4) young are born April or May in a grass-lined underground den. At 4 months, 3-pound young are independent. Den, usually located on well-drained slope, commonly has 3 entrances. Woodchuck is often seen sitting upright on mound of dirt at "front door ." Range: northeastern portion of state.
	SWIFT FOX  Length 24-32 inches including 9-12 inch tail. Weight 4-6 pounds. A small, large-eared, pale buffy yellow fox having a black spot on either side of snout and black tip on tail. Preferred habitat short grass and mixed grass prairies. Diet mainly consists of rats, mice, rabbits and insects. Less wary than other foxes, the swift fox has been exterminated over much of its range. May dig own burrows or use deserted burrows of other animals such as badger or prairie dog. Breeds in late winter. Three to 6 young born in March or April nurse about 10 weeks. Both parents care for young until they leave in late summer or early fall. Range: panhandle and extreme northwest.
	RED FOX  Length 36-41 inches including 14-16 tail. Weight 10-15 pounds. Color generally reddish brown. Ears and feet trimmed with black; underparts and tip of tail white. Preferred habitat rolling farmland mixed with streams, wooded areas and marshes. Diet includes insects, rodents, grass, fruit, small birds. The red fox is most notable for its skill as a mouse-catcher. Mates January or February; 4-10 cubs born 49-56 days later, usually in abandoned burrow. Cubs remain in den 3-5 weeks, leave it at about 3 months. Family group disperses in August. When pursued, red fox prefers to stay above ground to elude capture. Range: sparse statewide, most dense in northeast.
	GRAY FOX  Length 32-45 inches including 11-16 inch tail. Weight 7-13 pounds. Color generally a "salt and pepper" gray, with sides of neck, lower flanks and underside of tail a rusty color. Preferred habitat is wooded areas and swamps, but not rolling farmland. Rocky brushlands ideal. Diet includes rodents, birds, insects and carrion. Especially fond of cottontail rabbits. The gray fox is an excellent climber. Permanent den in hollow tree, hole in sandy ground or cavern in rocks, where it spends the day. Mates from January to February, 2-7 cubs born 55-63 days later. Family breaks up in early fall. Range: primarily eastern half of state; sparse in western Oklahoma.
	BOBCAT  Length 30-36 inches including 5-6 inch tail. Weight 10-30 pounds, usually 15-20 pounds. Color pale brown to reddish brown with black streaks and spots above, whitish with dark spots below. Ear tufts small. Tail barred with black, black on top of tail tip; white underneath. Preferred habitat is bottomland forests, canyons and mountains. Active mostly at night. Climbs and swims well. Diet includes rats, mice, rabbits, snakes, birds, occasionally small domestic livestock and poultry. Mates in late winter. Gestation period 60-63 days. Usually 2 kittens born in hollow log, natural cave or thicket. Young weaned at 2 months. Family breaks up in 6-7 months. Range: statewide.
	COYOTE  Length 33-53 inches including 11-16 inch tail. Height at shoulder 21 inches. Weight 20-50 pounds. Color grayish or tawny, nearly white on underparts. Preferred habitat is open plains with occasional brush thickets and former forest land that has been opened up. Diet includes fruits and vegetables, rodents, birds, insects and carrion. Favorite food is rabbit. Dens in caves, rock shelters, hollow trees or burrow dug in ground. Mates in January or February, young born 60-65 days later, blind, helpless and covered with short, dark fur. Leaves den area at 3 months. By fall young coyotes are on their own and may range as much as 100 miles from birthplace. Range: state- wide.
	RED BAT  Length 4-4 1/2 inches. Weight 1/4-1/2 ounce. A brick-red to rusty-red bat with white-tipped hairs. Tail membrane fully furred above. Females distinctly paler color than males. Preferred habitat is wooded areas. Usually roosts in trees, occasionally in caves. Diet of insects captured mostly in flight. Bats emit sounds and listen for echo to detect prey. Occasionally will alight on vegetation to pick off insects. Breeding occurs mainly in late summer and early fall. Young are born from late May to early June. Usually 3-4 young (occasionally 1-5) cling to their mother and nurse until they become too heavy for her to fly with. Leaves roost at deep dusk to feed. Range: statewide from March through October .
	WHITETAIL DEER  Height at shoulder 3-31/2 feet. Weight 50- 275 pounds. usually 120-160 pounds. Color varies with seasons; adults usually tawny in midsummer. gray in winter. Underparts white. Fawns exhibit white spots on reddish coats for 31/2 months. Mature bucks wear antlers. which are shed yearly. They consist of main forward curving beam on each side from which single tines project upward. Preferred habitat is low. mixed woodlands. forest edges. second growth. Diet of grass, bark, twigs, acorns, domestic crops and young shoots of trees and other plants. When running large tail is raised showing conspicuous white underside. Mating season late fall. One (commonly 2) fawn born in late spring. Range: statewide.
	MULE DEER  Height at shoulder 3-3 1/2 feet. Weight of males 125-400 pounds, females 100-150 pounds. Summer color reddish, winter coat gray. Tail black on top. Some have white rump patch. Fawns lose spots in 86 days. Mature males' antlers begin growing April or May and falloff in late December or early January. Antlers branch equally from main beam. Preferred habitat is semiarid prairies, open forests and brush lands. Diet consists of twigs, grasses, herbs and agricultural crops. Runs with stiff- legged gait with tail held down. Mates from late October to December. One to 3 (usually 2) young born in late spring. Range: western third of Oklahoma.
	AMERICAN ELK  Height at shoulder 41/2-5 feet. Weight 700-1,000 pounds for adult bulls. Cows 500- 600 pounds. Body color grayish brown, with dark chestnut along neck and mane. A yellowish-white patch covers rump. Adult males have antlers, cows do not have antlers. Preferred habitat varies from mountain country to hilly lowlands. Diet consists mostly of grasses in spring and summer, twigs and leaves in winter. Mating period early fall. Gestation period 249-262 days. Usually a single calf produced. Calf is weaned at 3 months. Range: Wichita Mountains National Wildlife Refuge and selected transplant sites in northeastern Oklahoma and Cookson Wildlife Management Area.
	ANTELOPE  Height at shoulder 3 feet. Weight 100-125 pounds. Bucks larger than does. Both sexes have horns, those of buck longer than ears; those of doe shorter than ears. Outer covering or sheath of horn shed yearly, while core is permanent. Upper body color varies from reddish brown to tan. Neck has black mane; underparts, rump and two bands across the neck are white. In male, face and patch on side of neck are black. Diet includes shrubs, grasses and weeds. Antelope mate in early fall. Gestation period 230-240 days. One to 3 (usually 2) are born in rolling country having low vegetation. When 4 days old young antelope can outrun man. Adult antelope can run 38 miles per hour. Range: panhandle counties.
	AMERICAN BISON  Height at shoulder 5-6 feet. Weight 800- 2,000 pounds. A large, dark brown animal with massive head, high hump on shoulders, and long shaggy hair on shoulders and front legs. Tail short-haired except for tuft at end. Short, up curving horns on both sexes. Habitat open plains, grasslands. Presently exists only in protected herds. Diet mostly grasses, although some browse is taken in winter. Breeds July through October. Gestation period about 9 months. One (rarely 2) reddish-brown calf is born. It joins the herd as soon as it is able to stand. Calf weaned at 1 year, but may remain with mother for 3 years. Range: Wichita Mountains National Wildlife Refuge and several private herds in state.
	BLACK BEAR  Length 4-6 feet. Height at shoulder 2-3 feet. Weight 150-400 pounds. Color varies from blackish to chocolate brown to pale cinnamon. Preferred habitat is inaccessible forests, swamps, brushy areas. Diet consists of nuts, berries, grasses, insects, eggs, honey, small mammals and carrion. Not active predators. Hibernates in winter but can arouse quickly. Dens in caves, hollow logs, large trees or beneath boulders. Mates in late June and July. Gestation period of 7-8 months. One to 3 cubs are born in January to March in the winter den. Young are weaned in August. Family breaks up at end of second winter. Range: extreme southeast and tier of eastern counties.