wild animals of the ROCKIES
with a list of mammals found
in Rocky Mountain National Park
By James Gilligan
Additional copies of this booklet may be obtained by writing to the author at Boise Junior College, Boise, Idaho
CONTENTS
Page [Wildlife of the Last Hundred Years] 7 [Wildlife Management] 13 [Life Zones and Animal Distribution] 18 [The Mammals of Rocky Mountain National Park] 20 The Hoofed Animals [Elk] 20 [Mule Deer] 21 [Mountain Sheep] 22 The Flesh-eaters (Carnivores) [Black Bear] 25 [Mountain Lion] 26 [Bobcat] 26 [Coyote] 31 [Red Fox] 31 [Cross Fox] 32 [Badger] 32 [Striped Skunk] 32 [Spotted Skunk] 32 [Marten] 32 [Mink] 35 [Long-tailed Weasel] 35 [Short-tailed Weasel] 35 The Plant-eaters (Rodents) [Beaver] 36 [Muskrat] 36 [Porcupine] 39 [Marmot] 39 [Abert Squirrel] 40 [Chickaree] 40 [Richardson Ground Squirrel] 40 [Golden-mantled Ground Squirrel] 43 [Least Chipmunk] 43 [Western Chipmunk] 44 [Northern Pocket Gopher] 44 [Bushy-tailed Pack Rat] 44 [Deer Mouse] 47 [Cliff Mouse] 47 [Jumping Mouse] 47 [The Voles] 47 The Hares, Rabbits, and Pikas [Pika] 48 [Cottontail Rabbit] 51 [White-tailed Jack Rabbit] 51 [Snowshoe Hare] 51 [The Shrews (Insectivores)] 52 [The Flying Mammals (Bats)] 55
ILLUSTRATIONS
Identification Marks of Similar Animals: [Marten, Mink, Weasel, Pika, Cottontail, Jack Rabbit, and Snowshoe Hare] 28 [Abert Squirrel, Chickaree, Chipmunk, Golden-mantled Ground Squirrel, Pack Rat, Richardson Ground Squirrel, and Pocket Gopher] 29 Photographs [The Tundra from Trail Ridge Road, and Elk on Their Winter Feeding Grounds] 11 [Deer Fawn and Mountain Sheep Rams] 23 [Bobcat and Black Bear] 27 [Red Fox and Coyote] 33 [Marten] 34 [Weasel and Badger] 37 [Porcupine and Muskrat] 38 [Marmot] 41 [Chickaree and Golden-mantled Ground Squirrel] 42 [Least Chipmunk] 45 [Pika and Cottontail Rabbit] 49 [Deer Mouse and Big Brown Bat] 53 [Tracks] cover
PREFACE
Among the frequent questions by visitors to the Rocky Mountain region are those pertaining to the wild animals. What animals are found here? How can they be identified? What are the wildlife problems of the high country? These are common queries which this booklet attempts to answer.