Coyote (Canis latrans)

Got some cool shots of a local Coyote on our trail camera!

Parkersburg, West Virginia December 17, 2015, 1:57 am

The Grizzly Bear (Ursus arctos horribilis)

http://www.bearsoftheworld.net/brown_bears.as

http://www.bearsoftheworld.net/brown_bears.asp

The Grizzly Bear (Ursus arctos horribilis)

Native to North America, the grizzly bear is found throughout Canada and much of the western United States.These bears typically prefer secluded forests and mountainous terrain, both which provide opportunity for escape if need be, as well as protection from humans.

As omnivores, Grizzly bears maintain diets rich with a variety of food sources.  They often eat nuts, berries, leaves, roots, and even Cutworm moths (Felita jaculifera). Rodents, and meso-predators are also on the menu for these apex predators. During spring, the bears tend to prey upon the calves of various ungulate species, as well as the adults.

Weighing in at an average of about 800-900 lbs (363-408 kg) U. a. horribilis is one of the largest species of bear on earth. These bears also reach a height of 5 to 8 ft (1.5 - 2.5 m). Grizzly bears have concave or dish-shaped faces, along with brownish wrinkled foot pads. Their claws are long and curved and they are used to dig dens or obtain roots and plant bulbs hidden deep in the ground. Grizzlies also have a distinctive shoulder hump consisting of muscle. This mass enables them to both dig and deliver a killing blow to their prey. U. a. horribilis also exhibits a variety of fur colors, including blondes, browns, and blacks.

At ~25 years, U. a. horribilis exhibits an impressive life span in the wild as a mainly solitary animal. With the exception of a mother grizzly and her young cubs, these bears congregate rather infrequently. Grizzly bears are usually most active during the morning and evening, but will increase activity throughout the day as the fall and winter months approach. This ensures that they receive the nourishment required in order to hibernate successfully. Hibernation refers to a state of inactivity and metabolic depression. This process is exclusive to endotherms, or organisms that heat themselves via internal processes rather than relying on outside sources of heat. These top predators often choose hillsides as ideal den locations during hibernation.

 This subspecies of brown bear is currently listed as threatened due to habitat loss and poaching.

Helpful resources:
http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/grizzly-bear/
http://www.bear.org/website/bear-pages/brown-or-grizzly-bear/68-brown-grizzly-bear-facts.html

Mountain Lion (Puma concolor)

Mountain Lion (Puma concolor)

Commonly known as the Mountain Lion, Puma, or Cougar, Puma concolor is a large and powerful cat native to the Americas (North, Central, and South). This highly adaptable predator can be found in a wide variety of habitats including tropical jungles, alpine forests, and desert plains. In these given habitats, mountain lions often make use of the terrain during hunting sessions. Outcroppings of rock, boulders, and steep passages often aid these cats in their stalk-ambush approach to hunting. 

Puma concolor  is considered to be a large, apex predator weighing in at about 136 lbs (62kg). Their total body length (from head to base of tail) ranges from about 3.25 - 5.25 ft. (1 to 1.6 m), with their tails reaching about 23.5 to 33.5 in (60 to 85 cm) in length. 

Mountain Lions rely heavily on deer and other ungulates as a food source, but they will also eat meso-predators such as coyotes or raccoon. As mentioned above, Puma concolor is a stalking predator. These solitary hunters prefer to hunt at night or during the early morning hours. Mountain Lions typically ambush their prey, inflicting a fatal bite to the back of the prey's neck. The Cougar's canines pierce into the flesh at the base of the skull, wedging between the vertebrae and forcing them apart.  This, in turn, severs the prey's spinal cord. After a successful kill, Puma concolor typically remain near the location where the prey was killed, returning to both feed upon the carcass and protect it from scavengers. 

Like many large predators,  Mountain Lions are now considered endangered in their native range. Due to over-hunting and habitat loss, about 30,000 remain in the wild today. 

Tiger Shark (Galeocerdo cuvier)

Wikipedia

Tiger Shark (Galeocerdo cuvier)

Tiger Sharks are found in the warm waters of tropical and temperate regions, spending most of their time within murky coastal waters in search of available food sources. It has been noted that young Tiger Sharks tend to feed on various species of fish as well as sea snakes, but as they grow are more likely to feed on sea birds, Dugongs (Dugong dugon), and even sea turtles  (Chelonioidea). Though lethal shark attacks are rare, Tiger Sharks are regarded as the most dangerous shark species to humans, because they hold the highest percentage of lethal attacks to humans compared to any other shark. This is mainly do to the fact that they often congregate in shallow waters and harbors, and typically attack once bumped or threatened. 

Galeocerda cuvier is the largest known shark species, growing up to 20-25 feet (6 to 7.5 meters) in length with an average weight of about 1,900 lbs (900 kg). These sharks have blunt noses, and during their youth, are covered in dark vertical stripes. As they mature, these stripes typically fade. 

Tiger Sharks are harvested for their fins, skin, and livers (which contain high amounts of Vitamin A used for the manufacturing of vitamin oil). These sharks also have low population rates. Both of these factors have unfortunately contributed to a decline in Tiger Shark numbers. They are now listed as near-threatened throughout the world. 

The Spotted Bat (Euderma maculatum)

http://www.animalspot.net/spotted-bat.html

The spotted bat is common throughout the western United States, central Mexico, and southern British Columbia. This bat is rather elusive, and can be downright impossible to locate in the wild. They roost in the narrow crevices of cliff faces or canyon walls, within remote arid regions. Often very shy, spotted bats do no typically come into contact with humans.

Euderma maculatum is also an insectivorous bat. While they prefer to primarily feed on moths, these bats eat a variety of insects

Black Widow Spider (Latrodectus mactans)

Photo by: Nick Brandley

Black Widow Spider (Latrodectus mactans)

Black Widow Spiders are found throughout the Western Hemisphere, preferring dimly lit areas such as garages, barns, hollow stumps, and dense vegetation. During the winter, these spiders typically reside in dry, sheltered areas such as warehouses and buildings. 

Black Widow Spiders feed on insects such as flies or moths, but they will also prey upon other spiders. 

Latrodectus mactans tend to be around .5 inches (12.7mm) long and 1.5 (38.1mm) when their legs are fully extended. Compared to females, males are fairly small and dully colored. Both sexes typically have brownish/black abdomens though most females have a reddish hour-glass shape on the underside of their abdomens. 

Though they get a bad rep, Black Widow Spiders are somewhat
“shy” and typically docile. It is rather difficult for these spiders to physically bite, and while their bites require medical attention, young children and elderly individuals are at the highest risk of death. 

Black Rat Snake (Elaphe obsoleta obsoleta) West Virginia, USA

Photo by Maggie Bordas (Me!)

Black Rat Snakes are common throughout the Eastern US. These snakes are often rather broad, and can reach up to 6 ft (72 inches) or so in length. Their habitats range from woodlands and thickets to farmlands or field edges. Previous research has shown that they may be slightly venomous, but do not pose a threat to humans.

This picture was taken over the summer. I gave this guy/girl ample space so as not to cause harm or disturbance.

Big Brown Bat (Eptesicus fuscus)

Photo by Roger Barbour (http://www.fcps.edu/islandcreekes/ecology/big_brown_bat.htm)

Big Brown Bats are common throughout the Southern Canada, temperate North America, and even South and Central America. These bats prefer forested regions, and are exceptionally tolerant of lower temperatures. This allows them to hibernate in less substantial structures such as barns or churches, while some bats require shelter in highly insulated environments during hibernation. 

Eptesicus fuscus is an insectivorous bat, primarily feeding on beetles, moths, flies, and wasps (just to name a few). While scientists cannot pinpoint a specific number, it is estimated that Big Brown bats are capable of consuming about 1.4 grams to 2.7 grams per hour. 

Big Brown Bats are currently at risk of contracting the deadly fungus,Pseudogymnoascus destructans (Pd), also known as White-Nose Syndrome. This fungus thrives in cold environments where bats tend to hibernate, and is responsible for over 5.7 million bat deaths since 2012. 

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Sources: 

Mulheisen M, Berry K, Myers P. 2000.  “Eptesicus fuscus" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web.