Virginia opossum
order: Didelphimorphia
family: Didelphidae
sci name: Didelphis virginiana
skull: brain case very small, large sagittal crest, 5/4 incisors, well developed canines
family: Didelphidae
sci name: Didelphis virginiana
skull: brain case very small, large sagittal crest, 5/4 incisors, well developed canines
Shrews (family characteristics)
order: Soricomorpha
family: Soricidae
skull: have zygomatic process but no zygomatic arch, have red pigment on teeth, also have an accessory cusp attached to top incisors.
family: Soricidae
skull: have zygomatic process but no zygomatic arch, have red pigment on teeth, also have an accessory cusp attached to top incisors.
Trowbridge's Shrew
Sorex trowbridgii
tial: very distinctly bicolored- bottom light and top dark
fur: near uniform dark fur, only shrew whose belly is not paler than back
tial: very distinctly bicolored- bottom light and top dark
fur: near uniform dark fur, only shrew whose belly is not paler than back
Pacific Shrew
Sorex pacificus
skull: upper incisors have no medial tine and remain in contact to the tip.
fur: large, reddish orange tint to brown coat, hind feet have 5 friction pads
skull: upper incisors have no medial tine and remain in contact to the tip.
fur: large, reddish orange tint to brown coat, hind feet have 5 friction pads
vagrant shrew
Sorex vagrans
skull: medial tine is pigmented, right above the pigment of upper incisors
fur: small, back brown, sides paler, bellies white
skull: medial tine is pigmented, right above the pigment of upper incisors
fur: small, back brown, sides paler, bellies white
Moles (family characteristics)
order: Soricomorpha
family: Talpidae
skull: Complete zygomatic arch, large incisors like shrew but it does not have the extra tooth attached to the incisors (no accessory cusp), have white teeth, NOT pigmented
family: Talpidae
skull: Complete zygomatic arch, large incisors like shrew but it does not have the extra tooth attached to the incisors (no accessory cusp), have white teeth, NOT pigmented
Townsend's mole
Scapanus townsendii
largest of the moles
fur: more evenly black colored
teeth: 5th and 6th unicusp are closer together relative to rest of cusps (other moles have all unicusps evenly spaced)
largest of the moles
fur: more evenly black colored
teeth: 5th and 6th unicusp are closer together relative to rest of cusps (other moles have all unicusps evenly spaced)
coast mole
Scapanus orarius
teeth: evenly spaced unicusps
slightly smaller than Townsend's mole, also seems to have more of a white color when you rub its fur a certain way
teeth: evenly spaced unicusps
slightly smaller than Townsend's mole, also seems to have more of a white color when you rub its fur a certain way
American shrew mole
Neurotrichus gibbsii
smallest of moles, short thick tail
fewer teeth than other moles (~36) not as velvety feeling as other moles.
spends most of its time digging tunnels in leaf litter instead of underground
smallest of moles, short thick tail
fewer teeth than other moles (~36) not as velvety feeling as other moles.
spends most of its time digging tunnels in leaf litter instead of underground
Mexican free-tailed bat
Order: Chiroptera
Family: Molossidae
Species: Tadarida brasiliensis
about same size as big brown bat but key characteristic is the tail that extends far beyond the uropatagium
Family: Molossidae
Species: Tadarida brasiliensis
about same size as big brown bat but key characteristic is the tail that extends far beyond the uropatagium
western red bat
Order: Chiroptera
Family: Vespertilionidae
Species: Lasiurus blossevillii
red bat
furry uropatagium
Family: Vespertilionidae
Species: Lasiurus blossevillii
red bat
furry uropatagium
hoary bat
Order: Chiroptera
Family: Vespertilionidae
Species: Lasiurus cinereus
large bat with grizzled fur (white tips) and yellow collar
fur across uropatagium
Family: Vespertilionidae
Species: Lasiurus cinereus
large bat with grizzled fur (white tips) and yellow collar
fur across uropatagium
silver-haired bat
Order: Chiroptera
Family: Vespertilionidae
Species: Lasionycteris noctivagans
dark brown/black bat with frosted fur (not as heavily frosted as hoary bat) onto uropatagium
Family: Vespertilionidae
Species: Lasionycteris noctivagans
dark brown/black bat with frosted fur (not as heavily frosted as hoary bat) onto uropatagium
spotted bat
Order: Chiroptera
Family: Vespertilionidae
Species: Euderma maculatum
3 white spots and large pink ears
very rare (do not have a specimen, only a slide)
Family: Vespertilionidae
Species: Euderma maculatum
3 white spots and large pink ears
very rare (do not have a specimen, only a slide)
Townsend's big-eared bat
Order: Chiroptera
Family: Vespertilionidae
Species: Corynorhinus townsendii
VERY big ears
large
zygomatic breadth equal to width of brain case
Family: Vespertilionidae
Species: Corynorhinus townsendii
VERY big ears
large
zygomatic breadth equal to width of brain case
pallid bat
Order: Chiroptera
Family: Vespertilionidae
Species: Antrozous pallidus
light yellow/orange
wide zygomatic arches like other bats (except for Townsend's big eared bat)
pretty big ears too
Family: Vespertilionidae
Species: Antrozous pallidus
light yellow/orange
wide zygomatic arches like other bats (except for Townsend's big eared bat)
pretty big ears too
long-eared myotis
Order: Chiroptera
Family: Vespertilionidae
Species: Myotis evotis
long ears for a myotis
no hair on tip of uropatagium
Family: Vespertilionidae
Species: Myotis evotis
long ears for a myotis
no hair on tip of uropatagium
fringed myotis
Order: Chiroptera
Family: Vespertilionidae
Species: Myotis thysanodes
fur on the tip of the uropatagium
Family: Vespertilionidae
Species: Myotis thysanodes
fur on the tip of the uropatagium
hairy-winged myotis
Order: Chiroptera
Family: Vespertilionidae
Species: Myotis volans
there is a distinct keel on each side of the uropatagium. instide of the membrane come straight to the tail, there is a bump on either side of the membrane
Family: Vespertilionidae
Species: Myotis volans
there is a distinct keel on each side of the uropatagium. instide of the membrane come straight to the tail, there is a bump on either side of the membrane
western pipistrelle
Order: Chiroptera
Family: Vespertilionidae
Species: Parastrellus hesperus
smallest bat we are dealing with
black face mask in contrast to light brown body
Family: Vespertilionidae
Species: Parastrellus hesperus
smallest bat we are dealing with
black face mask in contrast to light brown body
big brown bat
Order: Chiroptera
Family: Vespertilionidae
Species: Eptesicus fuscus
large brown bat
no fur on uropatagium
Family: Vespertilionidae
Species: Eptesicus fuscus
large brown bat
no fur on uropatagium
American pika
Order: Lagomorpha
Family: Ochotonidae
Species: Ochotona princeps
no supraorbital process
parietals lack fenestrate
second pair of top incisors
Family: Ochotonidae
Species: Ochotona princeps
no supraorbital process
parietals lack fenestrate
second pair of top incisors
Leporidae (family characteristics)
parietals are fenestrated
have a supraorbital process
2nd pair of top incisors
have a supraorbital process
2nd pair of top incisors
snowshoe hare
Order: Lagomorpha
Family: Leporidae
Species: Lepus americanus
supraoccipital shield is fenestrated
interparietal is fused so it is hard to distinguish it
brown in summer, white in winter
missing half of supraorbital process (anterior part)
Family: Leporidae
Species: Lepus americanus
supraoccipital shield is fenestrated
interparietal is fused so it is hard to distinguish it
brown in summer, white in winter
missing half of supraorbital process (anterior part)
white-tailed jackrabbit
order: Lagomorpha
family: Leporidae
species: Lepus townsendii
supraoccipital shield fenestrated
interparietal fused to supraoccipital shield so its hard to distinguish
large black tips on ears
not as white as snowshoe hare
family: Leporidae
species: Lepus townsendii
supraoccipital shield fenestrated
interparietal fused to supraoccipital shield so its hard to distinguish
large black tips on ears
not as white as snowshoe hare
black-tailed jackrabbit
order: Lagomorpha
family: Leporidae
species: Lepus californicus
supraoccipital shield is fenestrated
interparietal is fused to supraoccipital so hard to distinguish
top of tail is black
large
family: Leporidae
species: Lepus californicus
supraoccipital shield is fenestrated
interparietal is fused to supraoccipital so hard to distinguish
top of tail is black
large
brush rabbit
order: Lagomorpha
family: Leporidae
species: Sylvilagus bachmani
shortish rounded ears
supraorbital process is free
supraoccipital shield has no point
family: Leporidae
species: Sylvilagus bachmani
shortish rounded ears
supraorbital process is free
supraoccipital shield has no point
mountain cottontail
order: Lagomorpha
family: Leporidae
species: Sylvilagus nuttallii
supraorbital process just BARELY touches skull
there is a tail on the supraoccipital shield
family: Leporidae
species: Sylvilagus nuttallii
supraorbital process just BARELY touches skull
there is a tail on the supraoccipital shield
eastern cottontail
order: Lagomorpha
family: Leporidae
species: Sylvilagus floridanus
red nape
large white tail
supraorbital process fused to skull
supraoccipital shield has a notch in it
family: Leporidae
species: Sylvilagus floridanus
red nape
large white tail
supraorbital process fused to skull
supraoccipital shield has a notch in it
pygmy rabbit
order: Lagomorpha
family: Leporidae
species: Brachylagus idahoensis
smallest rabbit
ears very short and rounded
reentrant angle-only has one (other rabbits have 2-3)
family: Leporidae
species: Brachylagus idahoensis
smallest rabbit
ears very short and rounded
reentrant angle-only has one (other rabbits have 2-3)
nine-banded armadillo
order: Cingulata
family: Dasypodidae
species: Dasypus novemcinctus
rough skinned,only armadillo learning, pretty obvious
family: Dasypodidae
species: Dasypus novemcinctus
rough skinned,only armadillo learning, pretty obvious
mountain beaver
order: Rodentia
family: Aplodontidae
sci name: Aplodontia rufa
teeth are shaped like apples
cranium is very flat
long flask shaped auditory bullae
zygomatic arches widely spread
interorbital space very narrow
short stubby tail
brown
very faint black line through body
family: Aplodontidae
sci name: Aplodontia rufa
teeth are shaped like apples
cranium is very flat
long flask shaped auditory bullae
zygomatic arches widely spread
interorbital space very narrow
short stubby tail
brown
very faint black line through body
American beaver
order: Rodentia
family: Castoridae
sci name: Castor canadensis
long bony tubes at back of head (surround external auditory meatus)
teeth lophodont
large zygomatic plate
broad jugal
flat broad scaly tail (no fur)
family: Castoridae
sci name: Castor canadensis
long bony tubes at back of head (surround external auditory meatus)
teeth lophodont
large zygomatic plate
broad jugal
flat broad scaly tail (no fur)
nutria
order: Rodentia
family: Myocastoridae
sci name: Myocastor coypus
long paroccipital processes
rounded lophodont pattern
huge infraorbital foramen (large holes under zygomatic arch)
dark brown with blonde frost on sides
webbed feet
rat-like tail
family: Myocastoridae
sci name: Myocastor coypus
long paroccipital processes
rounded lophodont pattern
huge infraorbital foramen (large holes under zygomatic arch)
dark brown with blonde frost on sides
webbed feet
rat-like tail
Family Sciuridae Characteristics
postorbital process present
broad interorbital region
tiny premolar
rostrum (nose part) arched in side profile
broad interorbital region
tiny premolar
rostrum (nose part) arched in side profile
yellow-bellied marmot
order: Rodentia
family: Sciuridae
Sci name: Marmota flaviventris
brown fur with white tips
furry tail
feet are NOT webbed (unlike nutria)
white around nose
yellow/white by ear on neck and belly
ground squirrels: twisted zygomatic arch
tree squirrels: untwisted zygomatic arch
family: Sciuridae
Sci name: Marmota flaviventris
brown fur with white tips
furry tail
feet are NOT webbed (unlike nutria)
white around nose
yellow/white by ear on neck and belly
ground squirrels: twisted zygomatic arch
tree squirrels: untwisted zygomatic arch
white-tailed antelope squirrel
order: Rodentia
family: Sciuridae
sci name: Ammospermophilus leucurus
white stripes down the sides, but no black around them
family: Sciuridae
sci name: Ammospermophilus leucurus
white stripes down the sides, but no black around them
California ground squirrel
order: Rodentia
family: Sciuridae
sci name: Spermophilus beecheyi
if look at is distantly, large white spots on it
black triangle in between shoulder blades on back, white surrounding
family: Sciuridae
sci name: Spermophilus beecheyi
if look at is distantly, large white spots on it
black triangle in between shoulder blades on back, white surrounding
golden-mantled ground squirrel
order: Rodentia
family: Sciuridae
sci name: Spermophilus lateralis
white stripes on sides surrounded by black, but black only extends to base of neck
reddish head
golden overall fur color
family: Sciuridae
sci name: Spermophilus lateralis
white stripes on sides surrounded by black, but black only extends to base of neck
reddish head
golden overall fur color
Columbian ground squirrel
order: Rodentia
family: Sciuridae
sci name: Spermophilus columbianus
dark grey with small white freckles all over
reddish color on back but very red on feet, bottom of neck, legs, nose and tail
family: Sciuridae
sci name: Spermophilus columbianus
dark grey with small white freckles all over
reddish color on back but very red on feet, bottom of neck, legs, nose and tail
Washington ground squirrel
order: Rodentia
family: Sciuridae
sci name: Spermophilus washingtoni
tan/light in color
distinct round white spots
short tail
family: Sciuridae
sci name: Spermophilus washingtoni
tan/light in color
distinct round white spots
short tail
Belding's ground squirrel
order: Rodentia
family: Sciuridae
sci name: Spermophilus beldingi
red and black on tail and back
no distinct spotting
family: Sciuridae
sci name: Spermophilus beldingi
red and black on tail and back
no distinct spotting
Wyoming ground squirrel
order: Rodentia
family: Sciuridae
sci name: Spermophilus elegans
tan/yellow color on cheeks
black and white back
very lite black line down back, like tie
family: Sciuridae
sci name: Spermophilus elegans
tan/yellow color on cheeks
black and white back
very lite black line down back, like tie
eastern fox squirrel
order: Rodentia
family: Sciuridae
sci name: Sciurus niger
very red underside
black in between eyes, not red
grey reddish overall
tall cranium
family: Sciuridae
sci name: Sciurus niger
very red underside
black in between eyes, not red
grey reddish overall
tall cranium
eastern gray squirrel
order: Rodentia
family: Sciuridae
Sci name: Sciurus carolinensis
introduced
belly white and tinge of red in tail, back and head.
white/gray fur
family: Sciuridae
Sci name: Sciurus carolinensis
introduced
belly white and tinge of red in tail, back and head.
white/gray fur
western gray squirrel
order: Rodentia
family: Sciuridae
sci name: Sciurus griseus
very white belly, distinct from gray back
silver pretty coat
long bushy tail
family: Sciuridae
sci name: Sciurus griseus
very white belly, distinct from gray back
silver pretty coat
long bushy tail
Chipmunks
order: Rodentia
family: Geomyidae
sci name: Tamias sp
large infraorbital foramen
white stripe with black surrounded extends to cheeks
family: Geomyidae
sci name: Tamias sp
large infraorbital foramen
white stripe with black surrounded extends to cheeks
northern flying squirrel
order: Rodentia
family: Sciuridae
sci name: Glaucomys sabrinus
extra skin to help them glide
look at skull from above and can see tops of teeth sticking out
really soft
family: Sciuridae
sci name: Glaucomys sabrinus
extra skin to help them glide
look at skull from above and can see tops of teeth sticking out
really soft
Douglas squirrel
order: Rodentia
family: Sciuridae
sci name: Tamiasciurus douglasii
small
orange coloring on bottom
dark fine fur on top, no spots
grizzled reddish/gray tail
family: Sciuridae
sci name: Tamiasciurus douglasii
small
orange coloring on bottom
dark fine fur on top, no spots
grizzled reddish/gray tail
Family Geomyidae Characteristics
flattened skull
no postorbital process
square projection under zygomatic arch
broad zygo arch
well developed temporal ridges
tear drop teeth, elongated oval teeth
no postorbital process
square projection under zygomatic arch
broad zygo arch
well developed temporal ridges
tear drop teeth, elongated oval teeth
western pocket gopher
order: Rodentia
family: Geomyidae
sci name: Thomomys mazama
white splotching on chest
tip of tail lighter color
large/long teeth
family: Geomyidae
sci name: Thomomys mazama
white splotching on chest
tip of tail lighter color
large/long teeth
camas pocket gopher
order: Rodentia
family: Geomyidae
sci name: Thomomys bulbivorous
belly more uniform dark brown
long teeth in proportion to head
white beard
family: Geomyidae
sci name: Thomomys bulbivorous
belly more uniform dark brown
long teeth in proportion to head
white beard
Botta's pocket gopher
order: Rodentia
family: Geomyidae
sci name: Thomomys bottae
sagittal crest present
red tin to white belly
sphenoidal fisher (slit or crack when looking above teeth next to zygomatic arch
family: Geomyidae
sci name: Thomomys bottae
sagittal crest present
red tin to white belly
sphenoidal fisher (slit or crack when looking above teeth next to zygomatic arch
little pocket mouse
order: Rodentia
family: Heteromyidae
sci name: Perognathus longimembris
light brown in color
tail is a little darker towards end and not as light color on bottom of tail
no fur on the tail, skinny hairless tail
family: Heteromyidae
sci name: Perognathus longimembris
light brown in color
tail is a little darker towards end and not as light color on bottom of tail
no fur on the tail, skinny hairless tail
Great Basin pocket mouse
order: Rodentia
family: Heteromyidae
sci name: Perognathus parvus
tail more bicolored
a little fluffier and furry tail
family: Heteromyidae
sci name: Perognathus parvus
tail more bicolored
a little fluffier and furry tail
California kangaroo rat
order: Rodentia
family: Heteromyidae
sci name: Dipodomys californicus
large with long tail
has a distinct white tip on the furry tail
broad/wide area in front of eyes off of frontal
family: Heteromyidae
sci name: Dipodomys californicus
large with long tail
has a distinct white tip on the furry tail
broad/wide area in front of eyes off of frontal
chisel-toothed kangaroo rat
order: Rodentia
family: Heteromyidae
sci name: Dipodomys microps
dark line on underside of tail that gets thicker towards tip
very small amount of white on the tip of the tail, less than the ord's kangaroo rat
family: Heteromyidae
sci name: Dipodomys microps
dark line on underside of tail that gets thicker towards tip
very small amount of white on the tip of the tail, less than the ord's kangaroo rat
Ord's kangaroo rat
order: Rodentia
family: Heteromyidae
sci name: Dipodomys ordii
line on underside of tail gets thinner at tip so that there is more white on the underside of the tip of the tail, more than microps
family: Heteromyidae
sci name: Dipodomys ordii
line on underside of tail gets thinner at tip so that there is more white on the underside of the tip of the tail, more than microps
western jumping mouse
order: Rodentia
family: Dipodidae
sci name: Zapus princeps
dark brown on top, light brown on sides, and white belly
coronoid process more fin-like and longer
very white belly
family: Dipodidae
sci name: Zapus princeps
dark brown on top, light brown on sides, and white belly
coronoid process more fin-like and longer
very white belly
Pacific jumping mouse
order: Rodentia
family: Dipodidae
sci name: Zapus trinotatus
dark brown on top, light brown on sides, white on belly
very white belly
more on the pacific coast
has more connected coronoid process
family: Dipodidae
sci name: Zapus trinotatus
dark brown on top, light brown on sides, white on belly
very white belly
more on the pacific coast
has more connected coronoid process
Family Muridae
subfamily Murinae
tricuspid
key shaped infraorbital foramen
omnivorous
no post orbital process
long scaly hairless tail
tricuspid
key shaped infraorbital foramen
omnivorous
no post orbital process
long scaly hairless tail
black rat
order: Rodentia
family: Muridae
sci name: Rattus rattus
tail as long or longer than body
temporal ridges flare out at parietal
bulbous cranium
overall more rounded skull
family: Muridae
sci name: Rattus rattus
tail as long or longer than body
temporal ridges flare out at parietal
bulbous cranium
overall more rounded skull
Norway rat:
order: Rodentia
family: Muridae
sci name: Rattus norvegicus
brown to black fur
more square cranium, temporal ridges
front part of skull is larger (wider from side profile few) than back of cranium
more square head overall
family: Muridae
sci name: Rattus norvegicus
brown to black fur
more square cranium, temporal ridges
front part of skull is larger (wider from side profile few) than back of cranium
more square head overall
house mouse
order: Rodentia
family: Muridae
sci name: Mus musculus
belly is lighter but not as strongly bicolored as zapus
little notch on incisors
first upper molariform is really large, 1/2 length of entire row
family: Muridae
sci name: Mus musculus
belly is lighter but not as strongly bicolored as zapus
little notch on incisors
first upper molariform is really large, 1/2 length of entire row
Family Cricetidae characteristics
large incisive foramen
myomorphis-key shaped holes
molariforms: 2 longitudal rows of cusps OR flat with pools of dentine
myomorphis-key shaped holes
molariforms: 2 longitudal rows of cusps OR flat with pools of dentine
dusky footed woodrat
Rodentia
Cricetidae
Neotominae
Neotoma fuscipes
Skull:
prismatic molars (flat with pools of dentine)
gaps around presphenoid
large rounded ears
long tail
stripe on foot extending to toes
tail is not bicolored
Cricetidae
Neotominae
Neotoma fuscipes
Skull:
prismatic molars (flat with pools of dentine)
gaps around presphenoid
large rounded ears
long tail
stripe on foot extending to toes
tail is not bicolored
Desert woodrat
Rodentia
Cricetidae
Neotominae
Neotoma lepida
Skull:
prismatic molars
gaps around presphenoid
strongly bicolored tail
no dark stripe on foot (white feet)
hair on tail but not bushy, smaller tail
Cricetidae
Neotominae
Neotoma lepida
Skull:
prismatic molars
gaps around presphenoid
strongly bicolored tail
no dark stripe on foot (white feet)
hair on tail but not bushy, smaller tail
bushy tailed woodrat
Rodentia
Cricetidae
Neotominae
Neotoma cinerea
Skull:
Prismatic teeth
NO gap around presphenoid
No dark stripe on foot
strongly bicolored tail
bushy tail
Cricetidae
Neotominae
Neotoma cinerea
Skull:
Prismatic teeth
NO gap around presphenoid
No dark stripe on foot
strongly bicolored tail
bushy tail
northern grasshopper mouse
Rodentia
Cricetidae
Neotominae
Onychomys leucogaster
Skull:
Tuberculate teeth (2 rows of cusps)
no deep groove in incisors
coronoid process higher than condyloid process in lower jaw
Cricetidae
Neotominae
Onychomys leucogaster
Skull:
Tuberculate teeth (2 rows of cusps)
no deep groove in incisors
coronoid process higher than condyloid process in lower jaw
western harvest mouse
Rodentia
Cricetidae
Neotominae
Reithrodontomys megalotis
Skull:
Tuberculate teeth
DEEP groove in incisors
tail equal to body length
small
white belly
Cricetidae
Neotominae
Reithrodontomys megalotis
Skull:
Tuberculate teeth
DEEP groove in incisors
tail equal to body length
small
white belly
deer mouse
Rodentia
Cricetidae
Neotominae
Peromyscus maniculatus
Skull:
tuberculate teeth
no groove in incisors
coronoid process lower than condyloid process
bicolored tail and body
smaller ears than truei
Cricetidae
Neotominae
Peromyscus maniculatus
Skull:
tuberculate teeth
no groove in incisors
coronoid process lower than condyloid process
bicolored tail and body
smaller ears than truei
pinyon mouse
Rodentia
Cricetidae
Neotominae
Peromyscus truei
tuberculate teeth
coronoid process lower or equal to condyloid process
large ears
bicolored tail and body
Cricetidae
Neotominae
Peromyscus truei
tuberculate teeth
coronoid process lower or equal to condyloid process
large ears
bicolored tail and body
common muskrat
Rodentia
Cricetidae
Arvicolinae
Ondatra zibethicus
prismatic teeth
postorbital process formed on squamosal (Square)
hind foot partially webbed
no hair on tail and it is vertically flattened
Cricetidae
Arvicolinae
Ondatra zibethicus
prismatic teeth
postorbital process formed on squamosal (Square)
hind foot partially webbed
no hair on tail and it is vertically flattened
red tree vole
Rodentia
Cricetidae
Arvicolinae
Arborimus longicaudes
Prismati teeth
process on squamosal (square)
nasal bones extend past incisors
reentrent angles on lingual side are much deepter than on cheek side
red-orange in color
tail is long, thick, well haired and not strongly bicolored
Cricetidae
Arvicolinae
Arborimus longicaudes
Prismati teeth
process on squamosal (square)
nasal bones extend past incisors
reentrent angles on lingual side are much deepter than on cheek side
red-orange in color
tail is long, thick, well haired and not strongly bicolored
white-footed vole
Rodentia
Cricetidae
Arvicolinae
Arborimus albipes
Prismatic teeth
Square squamosal process
Reentrent angles deeper on tongue side than on cheek side
Bicolored tail
sides are tannish and not as strongly differentiated from back
reddish/brown coloring
Cricetidae
Arvicolinae
Arborimus albipes
Prismatic teeth
Square squamosal process
Reentrent angles deeper on tongue side than on cheek side
Bicolored tail
sides are tannish and not as strongly differentiated from back
reddish/brown coloring
heather vole
Rodentia
Cricetidae
Arvicolinae
Phenacomys intermedius
Prismatic teeth
Square squamosal process
reentrent angles deeper on tongue side then on cheek side
short tail
wider
more gray than red
Cricetidae
Arvicolinae
Phenacomys intermedius
Prismatic teeth
Square squamosal process
reentrent angles deeper on tongue side then on cheek side
short tail
wider
more gray than red
western red-backed vole
Rodentia
Cricetidae
Arvicolinae
Myodes californicus
prismatic teeth
reentrent angle deeper on tongue side than on cheek side
square squamosal process
red stripe down back, gray brown down sides
most loops on upper molars rounded
Cricetidae
Arvicolinae
Myodes californicus
prismatic teeth
reentrent angle deeper on tongue side than on cheek side
square squamosal process
red stripe down back, gray brown down sides
most loops on upper molars rounded
southern red-backed vole
Rodentia
Cricetidae
Arvicolinae
Myodes gapperi
prismatic teeth
reentrent angles deeper on tongue side
square squamosal process
looks same as gapperi
range is lower canada and upper U.S. from east to west
Cricetidae
Arvicolinae
Myodes gapperi
prismatic teeth
reentrent angles deeper on tongue side
square squamosal process
looks same as gapperi
range is lower canada and upper U.S. from east to west
long-tailed vole
Rodentia
Cricetidae
Arvicolinae
Microtus longicaudus
reentrent angles are same on both sides
prismatic teeth
strongly bicolored
tail is more than 50% length of entire body
uniformly brown
Cricetidae
Arvicolinae
Microtus longicaudus
reentrent angles are same on both sides
prismatic teeth
strongly bicolored
tail is more than 50% length of entire body
uniformly brown
montane vole
Rodentia
Cricetidae
Arvicolinae
Microtus montanus
prismatic teeth
reentrent angles same on both sides
incisors barely protrude past nasals
strongly bicolored
shorter tail
Cricetidae
Arvicolinae
Microtus montanus
prismatic teeth
reentrent angles same on both sides
incisors barely protrude past nasals
strongly bicolored
shorter tail
water vole
Rodentia
Cricetidae
Arvicolinae
Microtus richardsoni
prismatic teeth
reentrent angles same on both sides
incisors protrude greatly past nasals
largest vole in NA
tail 50% of body length
Cricetidae
Arvicolinae
Microtus richardsoni
prismatic teeth
reentrent angles same on both sides
incisors protrude greatly past nasals
largest vole in NA
tail 50% of body length
North American porcupine
Rodentia
Erethizontidae
Erethizon dorsatum
cheek teeth have wide reentrent folds
enlarged auditory bullae
spines
Erethizontidae
Erethizon dorsatum
cheek teeth have wide reentrent folds
enlarged auditory bullae
spines
Family Canidae characteristics
rostrum long and narrow
large last upper molar transversely elongated
allisphenoid canal
large last upper molar transversely elongated
allisphenoid canal
gray wolf
Carnivora
Canidae
Canis lupus
palate ends at the back of the last molar
large skull
right behind the post orbital process looks a little inflated
canines farther below the holes that are below the incisors
Canidae
Canis lupus
palate ends at the back of the last molar
large skull
right behind the post orbital process looks a little inflated
canines farther below the holes that are below the incisors
coyote
Carnivora
Canidae
Canis latrans
more slender rostrum
palate ends farther back than gray wolf
smaller skull
no noticeable temporal ridges
Canidae
Canis latrans
more slender rostrum
palate ends farther back than gray wolf
smaller skull
no noticeable temporal ridges
domestic dog
Carnivora
Canidae
Canis familiaris
canines are above the holes that are below the lower incisors
have more of a sloped forehead than the gray wolf or coyote
Canidae
Canis familiaris
canines are above the holes that are below the lower incisors
have more of a sloped forehead than the gray wolf or coyote
gray fox
Carnivora
Canidae
Urocyon cinereoargenteus
black stripe and black tip on tail
well developed temporal ridges that are U shaped
red feet, more black on back
Canidae
Urocyon cinereoargenteus
black stripe and black tip on tail
well developed temporal ridges that are U shaped
red feet, more black on back
red fox
Carnivora
Canidae
Vulpes vulpes
white tipped tail
legs/feet black
more red
V shaped temporal ridges
Canidae
Vulpes vulpes
white tipped tail
legs/feet black
more red
V shaped temporal ridges
swift fox
Carnivora
Canidae
Vulpes velox
smallest of wild dogs
tail black tipped, but no black stripe down tail
white throat and chest
weakly developed temporal ride, V shaped
Canidae
Vulpes velox
smallest of wild dogs
tail black tipped, but no black stripe down tail
white throat and chest
weakly developed temporal ride, V shaped
Family Ursidae characteristics
bunodont cheek teeth, molars have flat broad crowns
carnassials flattened for crushing, poorly developed
short tails, robust claws, small rounded ears
forehead to tip of nose is compressed
carnassials flattened for crushing, poorly developed
short tails, robust claws, small rounded ears
forehead to tip of nose is compressed
black bear
Carnivora
Ursidae
Ursus americanus
black, brown, or cinnamon red
do not have a large shoulder hump
smaller skull
last upper molar smaller than brown bear in proportion
Ursidae
Ursus americanus
black, brown, or cinnamon red
do not have a large shoulder hump
smaller skull
last upper molar smaller than brown bear in proportion
brown bear
Carnivora
Ursidae
Ursus arctos
large hump on shoulders
last molar is much large than first molar
skull is larger
large sagittal and lambdoidal crest
Ursidae
Ursus arctos
large hump on shoulders
last molar is much large than first molar
skull is larger
large sagittal and lambdoidal crest
polar bear
Carnivora
Ursidae
Ursus maritimus
our skull has been cut in half
very large nasal hole
Ursidae
Ursus maritimus
our skull has been cut in half
very large nasal hole
Family Otariidae characteristics
hind limbs can be turned forward
eared seals, have out ear flap
2 lower incisors
well developed post orbital process
simple cheek teeth
flattened auditory bullae
3rd incisor are canine like
eared seals, have out ear flap
2 lower incisors
well developed post orbital process
simple cheek teeth
flattened auditory bullae
3rd incisor are canine like
steller sea lion
Carnivora
Otariidae
Eumetopias jubatus
large
males have a sagittal crest, but females lack one
large gap b/w 4th and 5th cheek teeth
Otariidae
Eumetopias jubatus
large
males have a sagittal crest, but females lack one
large gap b/w 4th and 5th cheek teeth
California sea lion
Carnivora
Otariidae
Zalophus californianus
do not have large space b/w 4th and 5th cheek teeth
pronounced sagittal crest
lighter color
palate has no notch
Otariidae
Zalophus californianus
do not have large space b/w 4th and 5th cheek teeth
pronounced sagittal crest
lighter color
palate has no notch
northern fur seal
Carnivora
Otariidae
Callorhinus ursinus
sexual dimorphism
6 upper cheek teeth 6/5
notch on palate
Otariidae
Callorhinus ursinus
sexual dimorphism
6 upper cheek teeth 6/5
notch on palate
northern elephant seal
Carnivora
Phocidae
Mirounga angustirostris
skull has no postorbital process
inflated auditory bullae
largest of all pinnipeds huge skull
2/1 incisors
Phocidae
Mirounga angustirostris
skull has no postorbital process
inflated auditory bullae
largest of all pinnipeds huge skull
2/1 incisors
harbor seal
Carnivora
Phocidae
Phoca vitulina
skull has no postorbital process
inflated auditory bullae
3 or more cusps on cheekteeth
3/2 incisors
fur short with spots or rings
Phocidae
Phoca vitulina
skull has no postorbital process
inflated auditory bullae
3 or more cusps on cheekteeth
3/2 incisors
fur short with spots or rings
Family Felidae characteristics
30 or fewer teeth
skull short, rounded dorsally
rostrum very short and blunt
large orbitals
divided bullae
skull short, rounded dorsally
rostrum very short and blunt
large orbitals
divided bullae
mountain lion
Carnivora
Felidae
Puma concolor
temporal ridges converge into V
large sagittal crest
interorbital breadth slightly larger than post orbital breadth
Felidae
Puma concolor
temporal ridges converge into V
large sagittal crest
interorbital breadth slightly larger than post orbital breadth
Canada lynx
Carnivora
Felidae
Lynx canadensis
post orbital breadth larger than interorbital breadth
crest in not as large
looks like 2 distinct holes, right behind the bullae
Felidae
Lynx canadensis
post orbital breadth larger than interorbital breadth
crest in not as large
looks like 2 distinct holes, right behind the bullae
domestic cat
Carnivora
Felidae
Felis catus
thick bone extensions from parietals toward temporal ridges
Felidae
Felis catus
thick bone extensions from parietals toward temporal ridges
Family Procyonidae characteristics
40 teeth
bunodont cheekteeth
well developed paroccipital process
bunodont cheekteeth
well developed paroccipital process
Raccoon
Carnivora
Procyonidae
Procyon lotor
palate extends far beyond that last molar
larger skull than ringtail
Procyonidae
Procyon lotor
palate extends far beyond that last molar
larger skull than ringtail
ringtail
Carnivora
Procyonidae
Bassariscus astutus
palate does not extend farther than upper molar
smaller and smaller skull
teeth more triangular
Procyonidae
Bassariscus astutus
palate does not extend farther than upper molar
smaller and smaller skull
teeth more triangular
striped skunk
Carnivora
Mephitidae
Mephitis mephitis
space right behind bullae is flat and almost deflated
34 teeth
last upper molar wide, flattened square
palate ends directly behind last molar
Mephitidae
Mephitis mephitis
space right behind bullae is flat and almost deflated
34 teeth
last upper molar wide, flattened square
palate ends directly behind last molar
western spotted skunk
Carnivora
Mephitidae
Spilogale gracilis
skull flat with wide zygo arches
space behind auditory bullae is inflamed
34 teeth
last upper molar wise, flattened, square
palate ends directly behind last molar
Mephitidae
Spilogale gracilis
skull flat with wide zygo arches
space behind auditory bullae is inflamed
34 teeth
last upper molar wise, flattened, square
palate ends directly behind last molar
Family Mustelidae characteristics
last molar dumbelled shaped
palate extends beyond molars
postglenoid process before auditory bullae
palate extends beyond molars
postglenoid process before auditory bullae
wolverine
Carnivora
Mustelidae
Gulo gulo
spagittal crest extends beyond back of head, looks like hook
mastoid process large and well developed
Mustelidae
Gulo gulo
spagittal crest extends beyond back of head, looks like hook
mastoid process large and well developed
American marten
Carnivora
Mustelidae
Martes americana
golden brown with splotched yellow/orange on chest
mastoid process small and barely visible from dorsal prospective
Mustelidae
Martes americana
golden brown with splotched yellow/orange on chest
mastoid process small and barely visible from dorsal prospective
Fisher
Carnivora
Mustelidae
Martes pennanti
can see spine of root extending up through the bone up upper jaw (upper carnassial)
mastoid larger than marten
Mustelidae
Martes pennanti
can see spine of root extending up through the bone up upper jaw (upper carnassial)
mastoid larger than marten
American badger
Carnivora
Mustelidae
Taxidea taxus
back of skull is very flat and the cranium is triangular shaped dorsally
white stripe down head
Mustelidae
Taxidea taxus
back of skull is very flat and the cranium is triangular shaped dorsally
white stripe down head
northern river otter
Carnivora
Mustelidae
Lontra canadensis
webbed toes
square moalriform
smaller than sea otter
dark brown with whitish chin and chest
condyloid process locked into glenoid process
short skull, flat to ground
Mustelidae
Lontra canadensis
webbed toes
square moalriform
smaller than sea otter
dark brown with whitish chin and chest
condyloid process locked into glenoid process
short skull, flat to ground
sea otter
Carnivora
Mustelidae
Enhydra lutris
large nasal opening
large
square molariform
large rounded heart shaped cranium
Mustelidae
Enhydra lutris
large nasal opening
large
square molariform
large rounded heart shaped cranium
American mink
Carnivora
Mustelidae
Mustela vison
auditory bullae triangular
dark brown/black uniformly
small
toes partially webbed
small skull
Mustelidae
Mustela vison
auditory bullae triangular
dark brown/black uniformly
small
toes partially webbed
small skull
long-tailed weasel
Carnivora
Mustelidae
Mustela frenata
last part of skull behind zygo arch is smaller than front half
orangish color on belly
larger
black tip of tail
tail longer
Mustelidae
Mustela frenata
last part of skull behind zygo arch is smaller than front half
orangish color on belly
larger
black tip of tail
tail longer
short-tailed weasel
Carnivora
Mustelidae
Mustela erminae
last part behind zygo arch of head is more than half length of skull
proportionally smaller tail
white belly
smaller
Mustelidae
Mustela erminae
last part behind zygo arch of head is more than half length of skull
proportionally smaller tail
white belly
smaller
feral horse/feral burro
Perissodactyla
Equidae
Equus caballus/ Equus asinus
upper incisors present
odd toed
hypsodont and lophodont molars
alisphenoid canal
post orbital bar
long rostrus
Equidae
Equus caballus/ Equus asinus
upper incisors present
odd toed
hypsodont and lophodont molars
alisphenoid canal
post orbital bar
long rostrus
wild pigs
Cetartiodactyla
Suidae
Sus scrofa
high sloping crest
upper incisors present
large paroccipital process
canines (tusks) grow out to the sides
no alisphenoid canals
Suidae
Sus scrofa
high sloping crest
upper incisors present
large paroccipital process
canines (tusks) grow out to the sides
no alisphenoid canals
collared peccary
Cetartiodactyla
Tayasssuidae
Pecari tajacu
smaller paroccipital process
canines grow up and down vertically
not as much of a sloping head as Sus scrofa
no alisphenoid canal
Tayasssuidae
Pecari tajacu
smaller paroccipital process
canines grow up and down vertically
not as much of a sloping head as Sus scrofa
no alisphenoid canal
North American elk
Cetartiodactyla
Cervidae
Cervus elaphus
long paroccipital process
no upper incisors
canines present
supraorbital foramen
large lacrimal pit
have prelacrymal vacuity
very small triangular tail
Cervidae
Cervus elaphus
long paroccipital process
no upper incisors
canines present
supraorbital foramen
large lacrimal pit
have prelacrymal vacuity
very small triangular tail
Rocky mountain mule deer
Cetartiodactyla
Cervidae
Odocoileus hemionus hemionus
thin all white tail with a black tip
long brown metatarsal gland
deep lacrimal pit
has prelacrymal vacuity
no upper incisors
supraorbital foramen
Cervidae
Odocoileus hemionus hemionus
thin all white tail with a black tip
long brown metatarsal gland
deep lacrimal pit
has prelacrymal vacuity
no upper incisors
supraorbital foramen
Columbian black-tailed deer
Cetartiodactyla
Cervidae
Odocoileus hemionus columbianus
no upper incisors
supraorbital foramen
tail is white on bottom, with a very black tip on top
smaller metatarsal gland than Rocky mountain mule deer
deep lacrimal pit
prelacrymal vacuity present
Cervidae
Odocoileus hemionus columbianus
no upper incisors
supraorbital foramen
tail is white on bottom, with a very black tip on top
smaller metatarsal gland than Rocky mountain mule deer
deep lacrimal pit
prelacrymal vacuity present
white-tailed deer
Cetartiodactyla
Cervidae
Odocoileus virginianus
no upper incisors
shallow lacrimal pit
prelacrimal vacuity present
small white metatarsal gland
tail is long and flat with white on bottom and brown on top
supraorbital foramen
Cervidae
Odocoileus virginianus
no upper incisors
shallow lacrimal pit
prelacrimal vacuity present
small white metatarsal gland
tail is long and flat with white on bottom and brown on top
supraorbital foramen
moose
Cetartiodactyla
Cervidae
Alces alces
no upper incisors
supraorbial foramen
lacrimal pit
prelacrimal vacuity
deep dent in the head
LARGE head
Cervidae
Alces alces
no upper incisors
supraorbial foramen
lacrimal pit
prelacrimal vacuity
deep dent in the head
LARGE head
pronghorn
Cetartiodactyla
Antilocapridae
Antilocapra americana
horns (they have small branches off it)
preorbital vacuity
bug eye orbitals
Antilocapridae
Antilocapra americana
horns (they have small branches off it)
preorbital vacuity
bug eye orbitals
mountain goat
Cetartiodactyla
Bovidae
Oreamnos americanus
horns are smooth towards top
males horns are a bit more curved than females
no upper incisors
canines present
Bovidae
Oreamnos americanus
horns are smooth towards top
males horns are a bit more curved than females
no upper incisors
canines present
bighorn sheep
Cetartiodactyla
Bovidae
Ovis canadensis
no upper incisors
canines present
males have large thick curving horns
females have shorter and thinner horns (ridged horns)
Bovidae
Ovis canadensis
no upper incisors
canines present
males have large thick curving horns
females have shorter and thinner horns (ridged horns)
Kartensatzinfo:
Autor: wheelesh
Oberthema: Biology
Thema: Systematics
Veröffentlicht: 01.03.2010
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