Animals:
American Black Bear
The American Black Bear scientific name is Ursus americanus. Black bears rarely attack when they are confronted by humans. Only 23 people were killed by black bears between the 80 year span from 1900 to 1980. Of course more attacks have been by the black bear rather than the brown simply because the population is bigger, not that they are more aggressive.
Females reach maturity anywhere from 4-5 years after they are born. However males do not reach full maturity until 5-6 years after they are born. Females usually have 2-3 cubs. They give birth in January or February because their mating season is in the summer.
American Black Bears are known to hibernate. Before they hibernate they gain up to 30 pounds because they cannot eat in their deep sleep. They consume 25 to 40% of their body weight. The bears enter the sleep when they go into their dens during October and November. The American Black Bear is known to wake up after 3-5 months. They wake up and go back into their routine when spring time comes.
These bears occasionally have other colors in them such as brown. They are very fast for their size around 200 to 600 pounds. From nose to tail they are usually 5-6 feet long. The length from their paw to the top of their shoulders reach 30 to 40 inches. They can run up to 25 miles per hour.
American Black Bears will eat insects such as bees, yellow-jackets, and ants and their larvae. During the night they eat and catch salmon. The salmon will spot the black bears coat in the day. These bears eat a ton of vegetation. Hunters have had deer and other animals taken away from them because black bears are known to eat them. Black bears also have the skill to climb into trees and steal Bald Eagles eggs.
Females reach maturity anywhere from 4-5 years after they are born. However males do not reach full maturity until 5-6 years after they are born. Females usually have 2-3 cubs. They give birth in January or February because their mating season is in the summer.
American Black Bears are known to hibernate. Before they hibernate they gain up to 30 pounds because they cannot eat in their deep sleep. They consume 25 to 40% of their body weight. The bears enter the sleep when they go into their dens during October and November. The American Black Bear is known to wake up after 3-5 months. They wake up and go back into their routine when spring time comes.
These bears occasionally have other colors in them such as brown. They are very fast for their size around 200 to 600 pounds. From nose to tail they are usually 5-6 feet long. The length from their paw to the top of their shoulders reach 30 to 40 inches. They can run up to 25 miles per hour.
American Black Bears will eat insects such as bees, yellow-jackets, and ants and their larvae. During the night they eat and catch salmon. The salmon will spot the black bears coat in the day. These bears eat a ton of vegetation. Hunters have had deer and other animals taken away from them because black bears are known to eat them. Black bears also have the skill to climb into trees and steal Bald Eagles eggs.
Bald Eagle
The Bald Eagle's scientific name is Haliaeetus leucocephalus. The eagle is brown with a white head and tail. Their tails are slightly wedge-shaped and long. The tail and feet are bright yellow. Their legs are feather free. Surprisingly females are 25% larger than males.
The Bald Eagle is very sensitive to human activity, and is found most in areas that are free of humans and human disturbance. Sometimes a Bald Eagle will move into a big city if it has some resources it needs. As an example a family of Bald Eagles just moved into a city in New York.
Many Bald Eagles just feed on fish as their main food source such as trout and salmon. They also depend on carrion which means the carcasses of dead animals. The carcasses could be as big as a whale. These animals will even scavenge food from camp sites. They eat many things. Some of them are beavers, deer fawns, and rabbits.
The Bald Eagle creates the largest nest in North America to breed in. The birds are ready to mate at 4 or 5 years of age. They produce 1 to 3 eggs per year. To breed they return to the place that they were born. If one of the birds in the pair dies, the other will find a new mate. Some people believe the Bald Eagle is an ENDANGERED SPECIES.
* SEE BOTTOM
The Bald Eagle is very sensitive to human activity, and is found most in areas that are free of humans and human disturbance. Sometimes a Bald Eagle will move into a big city if it has some resources it needs. As an example a family of Bald Eagles just moved into a city in New York.
Many Bald Eagles just feed on fish as their main food source such as trout and salmon. They also depend on carrion which means the carcasses of dead animals. The carcasses could be as big as a whale. These animals will even scavenge food from camp sites. They eat many things. Some of them are beavers, deer fawns, and rabbits.
The Bald Eagle creates the largest nest in North America to breed in. The birds are ready to mate at 4 or 5 years of age. They produce 1 to 3 eggs per year. To breed they return to the place that they were born. If one of the birds in the pair dies, the other will find a new mate. Some people believe the Bald Eagle is an ENDANGERED SPECIES.
* SEE BOTTOM
Bobcat
The Bobcat's scientific name is the Lynx rufus. It has a brown to gray coat and many people think it resembles the Lynx, although the Lynx is much bigger. This cat like animal has a whiskered face and black-tufted ears. It has black bars on its forelegs and a black-tipped, stubby tail. This caused the name,"Bobcat".
The animal has been hunted a lot for both sport and fur. The population still proves healthy. This cat is territorial and will use many methods to mark its territory. Some of them are claw marks and urinating around their surroundings.
The Bobcat is a predator. This cat can go long without eating. Although, when prey is abundant they will eat heavily. It prefers hares and rabbits, but it will hunt and eat anything from insects to deer.
Bobcats usually live to be around six or eight years of age. A few reach over 10. The oldest has been 32 years old in captivity and 16 years old in the wild. This animal breeds from winter to spring. The female may be ready to breed as early as her first summer. The male will be ready generally by his second summer. Bobcats typically do not have a set mate and will breed will others for the rest of their active lives.
The animal has been hunted a lot for both sport and fur. The population still proves healthy. This cat is territorial and will use many methods to mark its territory. Some of them are claw marks and urinating around their surroundings.
The Bobcat is a predator. This cat can go long without eating. Although, when prey is abundant they will eat heavily. It prefers hares and rabbits, but it will hunt and eat anything from insects to deer.
Bobcats usually live to be around six or eight years of age. A few reach over 10. The oldest has been 32 years old in captivity and 16 years old in the wild. This animal breeds from winter to spring. The female may be ready to breed as early as her first summer. The male will be ready generally by his second summer. Bobcats typically do not have a set mate and will breed will others for the rest of their active lives.
Canadian Lynx or Northern Lynx
The Canadian Lynx or Northern Lynx's scientific name is the Lynx canadensis. It is a relative or the Eurasian Lynx. However, in some characteristics the Canadian Lynx acts more like the Bobcat. Many people think it is identical to the regular house cat in almost every way except it is much larger.
It has a powerful body on top of short and furry legs. Their feet are very hefty. The Canadian Lynx has a short, bobbed tail that has a black tip at the end. They have a spotted yellowish brown to grey coat. In the summer it might turn a bit on the reddish brown side. Also, the coat may have black markings. They have a triangular shaped face and black tufted ears. It has 28 teeth. The Lynx can be anywhere from 11-45 pounds. When they are full grown, they can be 2-4 feet tall. Usually 2 feet high around the shoulders.
The Canadian Lynx is very quick and fast. It will strike an animal at any moment. Since they have many nerves, they can feel when they puncture or bite another animal. The male hunts alone and will travel up to 12 miles at night when he is in search of food. The male has a hunting of about 20 square miles. The female is about 10 square miles. The Lynx mainly hunts snowshoe hares. (That is why the populations for the most part go hand in hand). They will also eat rodents, birds, meadow voles, and some will try for deer. Like other cat related species it will eat carrion if it is available. Carrion is dead animals carcasses. If they do not catch their prey in seconds, they will usually give up to conserve their energy. If they catch a prey big enough that they cannot finish it in one sitting, they will drag it under a rock or by a bush to cover it. They will come back later to consume the rest.
The breeding cycle for the Canadian Lynx lasts only one month, which is from March to May depending on the climate. The female will only mate will one male each season. However, the male will breed with multiple females. The litters can range anywhere from 1-8 kittens. Their are more kittens when prey is abundant. The kittens which grow slowly are born blind and hopeless. They will stay will their mom for about a year.
The Canadian Lynx is sometimes hunted for its fur and meat. A lot of people think it is about to be on the ENDANGERED list. In Europe farmers have been killing the Lynx because they think it is a pest and kills their livestock. The Lynx may make a comeback because many laws are protecting it in the United States.
*SEE BOTTOM
It has a powerful body on top of short and furry legs. Their feet are very hefty. The Canadian Lynx has a short, bobbed tail that has a black tip at the end. They have a spotted yellowish brown to grey coat. In the summer it might turn a bit on the reddish brown side. Also, the coat may have black markings. They have a triangular shaped face and black tufted ears. It has 28 teeth. The Lynx can be anywhere from 11-45 pounds. When they are full grown, they can be 2-4 feet tall. Usually 2 feet high around the shoulders.
The Canadian Lynx is very quick and fast. It will strike an animal at any moment. Since they have many nerves, they can feel when they puncture or bite another animal. The male hunts alone and will travel up to 12 miles at night when he is in search of food. The male has a hunting of about 20 square miles. The female is about 10 square miles. The Lynx mainly hunts snowshoe hares. (That is why the populations for the most part go hand in hand). They will also eat rodents, birds, meadow voles, and some will try for deer. Like other cat related species it will eat carrion if it is available. Carrion is dead animals carcasses. If they do not catch their prey in seconds, they will usually give up to conserve their energy. If they catch a prey big enough that they cannot finish it in one sitting, they will drag it under a rock or by a bush to cover it. They will come back later to consume the rest.
The breeding cycle for the Canadian Lynx lasts only one month, which is from March to May depending on the climate. The female will only mate will one male each season. However, the male will breed with multiple females. The litters can range anywhere from 1-8 kittens. Their are more kittens when prey is abundant. The kittens which grow slowly are born blind and hopeless. They will stay will their mom for about a year.
The Canadian Lynx is sometimes hunted for its fur and meat. A lot of people think it is about to be on the ENDANGERED list. In Europe farmers have been killing the Lynx because they think it is a pest and kills their livestock. The Lynx may make a comeback because many laws are protecting it in the United States.
*SEE BOTTOM
Gray Wolf
The Gray Wolf's scientific name is the Canis lupus. They can survive in any biome really as long as the food is abundant and the climate is mostly cold. The gray wolf is the largest wild canine. They can way anywhere from 40 to 180 pounds. The wolf will usually be around 3 feet tall at the shoulder and 3 to 5 feet from their nose to the tip of their tails. Their tails are long and bushy. They have long legs and large paws. The color of their eyes is a yellowish brown. They have pointed ears. The Gray Wolf's coat can be shades of white, brown, grey, or black, yet in Europe they can be a grayish brown. In this case males are larger than females.
Wolves are carnivores. They will eat caribou, moose, and other deer-like animals. If food is scarce they might eat rodents. A wolf can eat up to 22 pounds of meat in one meal! They have very flexible hunting methods. The wolf keeps the ecosystem in check because its prey is weak animals so that stronger ones will have food. No human has ever been killed by a healthy wolf in North America. Wolves are at the top of the food chain and have no natural enemies.
Their lifespan's can be up to 17 years. A female reaches full maturity at 1 years old, for a male 2 years. The wolves typically mate once every year from January to March depending on the year. The average litter size is from 5-6. They are about 1 pound when they are born. Wolves can live in a pack (the biggest recorded was 36 wolves). There are many lone wolves as well.
In Canada and Alaska the wolf is stable but in North America however it is an ENDANGERED SPECIES. In Asia, Africa, and Europe the remaining Gray Wolf species is very tiny. The largest wolf population is found in Russia.
*SEE BOTTOM
Wolves are carnivores. They will eat caribou, moose, and other deer-like animals. If food is scarce they might eat rodents. A wolf can eat up to 22 pounds of meat in one meal! They have very flexible hunting methods. The wolf keeps the ecosystem in check because its prey is weak animals so that stronger ones will have food. No human has ever been killed by a healthy wolf in North America. Wolves are at the top of the food chain and have no natural enemies.
Their lifespan's can be up to 17 years. A female reaches full maturity at 1 years old, for a male 2 years. The wolves typically mate once every year from January to March depending on the year. The average litter size is from 5-6. They are about 1 pound when they are born. Wolves can live in a pack (the biggest recorded was 36 wolves). There are many lone wolves as well.
In Canada and Alaska the wolf is stable but in North America however it is an ENDANGERED SPECIES. In Asia, Africa, and Europe the remaining Gray Wolf species is very tiny. The largest wolf population is found in Russia.
*SEE BOTTOM
Grizzly Bear
The Grizzly Bear's scientific name is the Ursus arctos horribilis. It is a subspecies of the Brown Bear. Yet the Grizzly Bear has silver shine to its fir and a strange shoulder hump that no other bear has. These bears have omnivore teeth which lack carnassial or shearing teeth. Instead they have molars to grind up plants. Plants make up a big portion of their diet. In fact, they eat 200 plants that make up 75% of its diet. The other 25% is insects, carcasses, honey, small rodents, and mammals. The Grizzly Bear is a predator. It helps the environment by reducing the weak and elderly deer population when they are abundant.
Their bodies are very heavy and have muscular legs to help them reach up to 35 miles per hour for a short time. They have large and round heads with small, round ears. Grizzly Bear's coats have many phrases such as black, cinnamon, red, blonde, brown, or mixes of those colors. The coat is very shaggy. The bear ranges from 330 to 885 pounds. It's common length is 4.9 to 8.3 feet in length and 3 to 3.5 feet tall. They have curved claws from 3 to 4 inches long that help them climb trees.
This bear reaches full maturity from 2 to 3 years after it is born. They mate in the spring to early summer. The female gives birth to 1 to 4 cubs, who weigh about 1 pound when they are born. The female raises the cubs because the male leaves after mating. They mate every 2 to 3 years and live to be about 25 years old. The Grizzly Bear is ENDANGERED in all of the U.S. except for Alaska.
*SEE BOTTOM
Their bodies are very heavy and have muscular legs to help them reach up to 35 miles per hour for a short time. They have large and round heads with small, round ears. Grizzly Bear's coats have many phrases such as black, cinnamon, red, blonde, brown, or mixes of those colors. The coat is very shaggy. The bear ranges from 330 to 885 pounds. It's common length is 4.9 to 8.3 feet in length and 3 to 3.5 feet tall. They have curved claws from 3 to 4 inches long that help them climb trees.
This bear reaches full maturity from 2 to 3 years after it is born. They mate in the spring to early summer. The female gives birth to 1 to 4 cubs, who weigh about 1 pound when they are born. The female raises the cubs because the male leaves after mating. They mate every 2 to 3 years and live to be about 25 years old. The Grizzly Bear is ENDANGERED in all of the U.S. except for Alaska.
*SEE BOTTOM
Long-Eared Owl
The nocturnal Long-Eared Owl's scientific name is the Asio otus. It is a medium sized owl that is 12 to 16 inches in length and weighs 8 to 10 pounds. They have wingspans of about 34 to 39 inches. The female is larger than the male and darker in coloration. Their brownish feathers are vertically streaked. Its skeleton and toes are completely feathered. They have yellow eyes and black bills. The Long-Eared Owl does have ears. One is fifty percent larger and higher on the head. They have a round face that is flat. It can turn its head so far around, it can actually look behind itself. This helps them when they are looking for food.
It will feed mostly on voles and other small rodents.
The Long-Eared Owl will move into a nest that has been abandoned by other large birds. It will lay up to 7 large eggs. The owl will raise its young up to 60 days before the babies go on their own. They are on the State of Connecticut's ENDANGERED list because of loss of habitat.
*SEE BOTTOM
It will feed mostly on voles and other small rodents.
The Long-Eared Owl will move into a nest that has been abandoned by other large birds. It will lay up to 7 large eggs. The owl will raise its young up to 60 days before the babies go on their own. They are on the State of Connecticut's ENDANGERED list because of loss of habitat.
*SEE BOTTOM
North American River Otter
The North American River Otter's scientific name is Lontra canadensis. From the top of its head to the back of its body is 25-30 inches long. Just the tail by itself is 16-18 inches. The otter weighs about 10-33 pounds. Their coat is 2 1/2 inches thick. They have two different types of fur. The first coat (outer) protects the thin inner coat. The North American River Otter has a dark brown back and can either have a gray or light brown stomach. They have a small and round head that is flat. Their eyes are near the top of the skull so that they can see above water. They have small ears. When the otter dives in the water, its nostrils shut immediately. They have short powerful legs with webbed feet.
The North American River Otter reaches full maturity at 2. They mate between February and March. The female has 2 kits. When they are born, they weigh around 4-5 ounces. The kits are hopeless(toothless and blind) when they first are born. The female raises the young.
A river otter eats plants and animals. It typically eats fish, shellfish, crustaceans, snails, beetles, amphibians, and other small mammals. It is known to be hunted by foxes and wolves. The North American River Otter is ENDANGERED in the United States but is common in Canada. They cannot live in polluted waters and cannot live were fish are unhealthy.
*SEE BOTTOM
The North American River Otter reaches full maturity at 2. They mate between February and March. The female has 2 kits. When they are born, they weigh around 4-5 ounces. The kits are hopeless(toothless and blind) when they first are born. The female raises the young.
A river otter eats plants and animals. It typically eats fish, shellfish, crustaceans, snails, beetles, amphibians, and other small mammals. It is known to be hunted by foxes and wolves. The North American River Otter is ENDANGERED in the United States but is common in Canada. They cannot live in polluted waters and cannot live were fish are unhealthy.
*SEE BOTTOM
Red Fox
The Red Fox's scientific name is Vulpes vulpes. It will grow up to be 2 1/2 feet tall, 15 to 16 inches tall at the shoulders. This fox will weigh 10 to 12 pounds. It has black legs, ears, and nose. Their noses are pointed and they have wide ears in the shape of a triangle. They has a bushy tail with a white tip. The color of their coat is a rusty-red and has tints of black, yellow, and orange.
It has special skills for hunting small mammals like the hare or rabbit. The Red Fox hunts alone and is a carnivore. It is a very intelligent animal. This fox is nocturnal.
The female has 4 to 10 puppies in the early spring. While the female nurses the pups, the male feeds her. The male will teach the puppies to hunt until they are independent and can do it themselves. If the female dies when her babies are young, the male will raise them. Many people do not like the Red Fox because it eats farm animals like chickens and ducks. Farmers often kill and shoot them on purpose. However, they are not endangered.
It has special skills for hunting small mammals like the hare or rabbit. The Red Fox hunts alone and is a carnivore. It is a very intelligent animal. This fox is nocturnal.
The female has 4 to 10 puppies in the early spring. While the female nurses the pups, the male feeds her. The male will teach the puppies to hunt until they are independent and can do it themselves. If the female dies when her babies are young, the male will raise them. Many people do not like the Red Fox because it eats farm animals like chickens and ducks. Farmers often kill and shoot them on purpose. However, they are not endangered.
Snowshoe Rabbit
The Snowshoe Rabbit's scientific name is Lepus americanus. It weighs 3-4 pounds. They have large back feet that act like snowshoes. The feet have spread out toes and have fur on the bottom. In the summer its fur is a grayish-brown but in the winter it turns pure white except for its eyelids and tips of its ears. This helps them hide from predators.
The Snowshoe Rabbit is amazing at escaping predators because they can run up to 27 mph and jump 10 feet in one hop. If a predator is chasing them, they will change direction or go in the water because they are good swimmers. They have 1-4 litters a year with 1 to 8 babies in a litter.
The Snowshoe Rabbit is a herbivore. It eats grasses, clovers, and other greens. Since they are herbivores, they are mainly prey. The Snowshoe Rabbit has been studied since the 1800's but is not considered endangered.
The Snowshoe Rabbit is amazing at escaping predators because they can run up to 27 mph and jump 10 feet in one hop. If a predator is chasing them, they will change direction or go in the water because they are good swimmers. They have 1-4 litters a year with 1 to 8 babies in a litter.
The Snowshoe Rabbit is a herbivore. It eats grasses, clovers, and other greens. Since they are herbivores, they are mainly prey. The Snowshoe Rabbit has been studied since the 1800's but is not considered endangered.
Wolverine
The Wolverine's scientific name is Gulo gulo. It weighs about 45 pounds. People think it looks like a bear with short legs, but actually it is the largest member of the weasel family. The Wolverine has adapted to cold weather and has a very powerful build. It's jaws can bite through frozen meat and bone. They have rounded eyes and ears. It's paws have long claws. The Wolverine has a glossy brown coat and thick fur.
This animal has accurate hunting skills. They have an amazing sense of smell which helps them locate food. The Wolverine eats rodents, reptiles, birds, and carrion.
During mating season the male stays close with the female even though he likes to travel alone. The female gives birth to 2 to 3 kits in March. They are born with their eyes closed. The kits will reach their adult size in the winter but may stay with their mom until they are ready to reproduce.
The Wolverine is shy and tries to stay out of contact with humans. Human settlements have decreased the Wolverine population. It is considered a rare and ENDANGERED species.
*SEE BOTTOM
This animal has accurate hunting skills. They have an amazing sense of smell which helps them locate food. The Wolverine eats rodents, reptiles, birds, and carrion.
During mating season the male stays close with the female even though he likes to travel alone. The female gives birth to 2 to 3 kits in March. They are born with their eyes closed. The kits will reach their adult size in the winter but may stay with their mom until they are ready to reproduce.
The Wolverine is shy and tries to stay out of contact with humans. Human settlements have decreased the Wolverine population. It is considered a rare and ENDANGERED species.
*SEE BOTTOM
* If it said, "SEE BOTTOM", that means that the animal you read about is endangered in some part(s) of the world if not all. There are laws protecting some of these animals.