Mammals

Weighing an average of 40 pounds, Beavers are the largest
rodents in North America. They are built to live in water
with their thick fur, webbed feet, paddle-shaped tails, and
ears and nostrils that close when they dive under water.
Beavers also have strong, constantly growing incisor teeth
that allow them to gnaw through wood. They are herbivores
and prefer to eat leaves, bark, twigs, roots and aquatic
plants. Although occasionally active during the day, Beavers
are mostly nocturnal.

Black Bears (Ursus americanus) are the most common and
widely distributed bear in North America. Historically they
ranged over most of the forested regions of North America
but they currently reside in 38 states, approximately 62% of
their historic range. In Washington the population is
estimated to be between 25,000 and 30,000 individuals.

Historically, Bobcats (Lynx rufus, named for their short
tail) could be found across the 48 contiguous United States,
Canada and Mexico. However, due to agriculture expansion and
hunting for their fur, populations declined and became
restricted in the Midwest U.S. and Central Mexico.

Known in Native American lore as the "trickster," the Coyote
has survived and thrived by being highly adaptable. Coyotes
make their homes in diverse habitats from deserts to
forests, also living close to people in rural areas, suburbs
and even cities. Coyotes are generally active throughout the
day, with activity peaking at dawn and dusk. They may also
be active at night, especially in cities where they feel
safer after dark.

Deer are a common sight throughout Washington State,
although the kind of deer varies by region. On the west side
of the Cascade Mountains the Columbian Black-tailed Deer is
the dominant species. You can find Mule Deer and
White-tailed Deer east of the Cascade crest, and the
endangered Columbian White-tailed Deer are found in pockets
of habitat along the lower Columbia River.

Although moles are very common in Western Washington, they
are rarely seen due to their subterranean lifestyle. But you
usually know when they're around. As moles excavate and
maintain their underground burrow systems, excess soil is
pushed to the surface forming molehills.

The Mountain Beaver is not a mountain version of the Beaver
who makes dams. They are different animals. Mountain Beavers
are stocky burrowing mammals typically between 10 and 18
inches long and weighing from 1 to 3 pounds. Their fur is
dark brown and they have rounded heads with small beady eyes
and small ears. Their legs are short but strong and they
have long, strong claws for digging on the front feet.

The Virginia Opossum is the only marsupial (pouched mammal)
native to North America. Also known simply as "possums,"
they originally lived only in the southeastern United
States. Opossums were introduced to the West in 1890 and
currently have established populations along the West Coast
from British Columbia to San Diego.

Historically found in forests, wetlands and along river and
stream corridors the highly adaptable Raccoon has learned to
thrive in close proximity to humans. Now you can find
commonly Raccoons in suburbs and even busy cities.

North American River Otters (Lontra canadensis) were once
found across most of North America and in all major
waterways of the United States and Canada occupying one of
the largest geographic areas of any North American mammal.

After a more than 70 year absence, Gray Wolves are returning
to Washington State. This is an exciting time for
conservationists and wildlife enthusiasts who value the role
this keystone species plays in maintaining a healthy
ecosystem. According to the Washington Department of Fish
and Wildlife (WDFW), wolves were formerly common throughout
much of the state, but as ranching and farming by
European-American settlers expanded during the period
between 1850 and 1900, the wolves were heavily trapped,
poisoned and hunted. By the 1930’s, wolves had been
eliminated as a breeding species in Washington.