Wildlife Biology: Canada Lynx and Cougars

Wildlife Biodiversity - Mammals

Carnivores: A class of mammals including 270 species, not all solely flesh-eaters.
Predominant carnivores: Weasels and cats consume a diverse range of foods, and are the most carnivorous. Males typically larger than females.
Geographic Distribution: Found on all continents and oceans.
Important Roles in Ecosystems: Top-down predators regulating prey populations and impacting disease control. Feared, persecuted, and exploited by humans for centuries.
Cougar/Mountain Lion:
- The largest wild cat in the Americas.
- Fur color varies from buffy-grey to tawny/cinnamon.
- Underparts are dull, dirty-white
- Black markings (chest, throat, muzzle, and back of ears).
- Very long tail (more than half the length of the body).
- Ambush predators, preying on ungulates like deer, mountain sheep, goats, wapiti, moose, beavers, and porcupines.
- Cache food.
- Can starve in winters without available prey.
- Endemic to the Americas, extirpated from Eastern North America but recent sightings suggest range expansion. Florida panther a critically endangered subspecies.
- Alberta cougar population tripled in the previous decade.
Canada Lynx:
- Medium-sized mesocarnivore.
- Short-tailed with long stilt-legs.
- Large, well-furred feet for snowshoeing/silent travel in forests.
- Ears tipped with black "elfish" hairs.
- Long facial ruffs and hairs on thighs.
- Black-tipped tail.
- Solitary hunters.
- Primary prey is snowshoe hare (populations cycle).
- Also consumes red squirrels, grouse, and rodents.
- Very fast; use ambush/chase hunting.
Bobcat:
- Tawny or yellowish-brown coat with dark horizontal stripes on the breast and limbs.
- Sides are spotted with dark brown.
- Two black bars across each cheek.
- Shorter ear tufts (<2.5 cm).
- White chin and throat.
- Short tail, white underneath, black above.
- Rare sightings.
- Rarely show claw marks in tracks.
- Inhabit forests and brushy areas where Canada lynx is absent (competitive exclusion).
- Ambush predators: sandstone ledges, brushy valleys.
- Prey includes cottontail, squirrels, mice, beavers, skunks, and birds.
Weasels (Mustelidae):
- Largest family in Carnivora (56 species).
- Inhabit all continents except Antarctica and Australia
- Terrestrial, aquatic, and marine
- Well-developed scent glands.
- Mostly solitary, except river otters.
- Both diurnal and nocturnal.
- Valued for pest control.
- ~38% threatened (IUCN).
- Least weasel: 8 inches; 2.5 ounces; short tail, white feet.
- Short-tailed weasel: 13 inches; 6 ounces; black tipped tail; white feet.
- Long-tailed weasel: 16 inches; 12 ounces; brown feet; black tip.
American Mink:
- Prized for dark brown or black fur (often farmed).
- Usually have white spots on their chin, chest, and belly.
- Cylindrical tail similar to the river otter.
- Smelliest weasel but cannot spray.
Black-footed Ferret:
- Heavier body than other weasels.
- White (creamy) body with dark markings on legs, mask, snout, forehead and back.
- Once widespread in the Great Plains and thought to be extinct but rediscovered in 1981.
- Now in captive breeding programs with releases.
- Typically found near prairie dog towns.
Wolverine:
- Resembles a small bear or skunk.
- Marks territory with feces, urine, scent from anal glands.
- Largest weasel; stocky, long legs; long bushy tail; long hair.
- Dark brown to black with buffy stripes down flanks.
- Lighter forehead; dark muzzle.
- Scavengers in winter; excellent sense of smell and powerful jaws to break bones of large animals.
- Valuable fur (doesn't collect frost).
- Travels long distances.
American Badger:
- Long, yellowish-grey grizzled hair (longer on sides and flanks).
- Short legs and pigeon-toed.
- Three long central claws on front feet.
- White stripe on forehead.
- White cheek patches.
- Short bushy tail, dorso-ventrally flattened.
- Inhabit open prairies, parklands, and grasslands.
- Keystone species; soil nutrient cycling and ground squirrel control.
- Create burrows for other prairie wildlife.
- Subspecies jacksoni (Ontario) and jeffersonii (British Columbia), both are endangered.
Northern River Otter:
- Dark brown dorsally, black when wet.
- Paler below, often with silver-grey throat.
- Broad, flat head.
- Swims quickly using undulating body movements (using hind legs and tail).
- Valved ears and nostrils.
- Conical, tapered tail.
- Similar to, social & playful, unlike most weasels.
Skunks (Mephitidae):
- Formerly considered weasels, now a separate family.
- Distinct, boldly marked fur (unlike most weasels).
- Defensive musk spray.
Striped Skunk:
- Black and white stripes down the back that meet at the head and tail.
- White forehead stripe.
- Variable white patterns on the bushy tail.
- Housecat-sized.
- Tolerant of humans;
- Nocturnal; omnivores (insects/arthropods largest portion of diet)
- Prey for Great-horned owls, sometimes fishers.
Raccoons (Procyonidae):
- Omnivorous.
- Excellent climbers and dexterous hands.
- Successful in urban areas.
Common Raccoon:
- Brownish-grey coat; light grey-brown underparts.
- Bushy tail with alternating dark rings.
- Black mask and white eyebrows.
- Thousands more hand-finger nerves than humans.
- Wash food (enhances sense of touch).
- Long winters often an ecological barrier but spreading via trucks/trains/rivers

Wildlife Biodiversity Review

This covers various aspects of the carnivore family (Mustelae) and other related species, including American badgers, northern river otters, and skunks.