Red Wolf (Canis rufus)

(Photo by: Earth First!)

The Red Wolf (Canis rufus)

By 1970, this canid was driven to the brink of extinction, and it was at this time, that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service gathered the last 14 red wolves remaining in the southeastern United States. These 14 individuals made it possible for Canis rufus to become the first species to be reintroduced after being declared virtually extinct in the wild. Though the reintroduction was considered a great success, the red wolf is considered critically endangered today, with only 75-100 individuals remaining in North Carolina. 

The red wolf is smaller than a gray wolf (Canis lupus) but a bit larger than the coyote (Canis latrans), weighing in on average at about 45-80 lbs. Red wolves are technically carnivores, but they are able to survive on a variety of prey/food items. Berries, insects, smaller mammals such as raccoon, rodents, and even mid sized ungulates like white tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) are all on the menu for these canids. 

The historical range of Canis rufus extended from Texas to as far north as Pennsylvania. As mentioned above, only a small population of red wolves can now be found in North Carolina. Typically, red wolves prefer forested areas, prairies, or even swamps. 

Red wolves are primarily nocturnal are able to communicate with the rest of the pack using facial expressions, body postures, and vocalizations (howling, yipping, etc.). They are able thrive as solitary predators, but like other canids, they will also hunt in packs. Typically, the size of the pack and/or litter size is dependent on prey availability. 

Links: 

Red Wolf

Red Wolf - basic facts

Red Wolf Recovery Program

Coyote (Canis latrans)

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

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

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. 

African Wild Dog (Lycaon pictus)

African Wild Dog (Lycaon pictus)

The African Wild Dog, also referred to as the African Hunting Dog or African Painted Dog, is a wild canid confined to portions of east and south Africa as well as Tanzania and Mozambique where they roam the deserts, savanna, and plains. They are medium sized dogs with weights ranging from 18-34 kg (~40-75 lbs) and a total body length of about 0.85-1,41 m (~3-5 ft). African Wild Dogs have short uniquely colored coats characterized by yellow, black, grey, and white blotches. Their ears are also exceptionally large and rounded. It is suspected that these large ears help with cooling in warm climates, and aid in recognizing far off vocal signals by pack mates.

As highly social animals, African Wild Dogs typically form packs with around 10-30 individuals. Like wolves (Canis lupus) and other pack animals, African Wild Dogs maintain a strict, ranked social system within the pack (Omega -> Alpha). These canids are considered to be both carnivorous and opportunistic predators. They prefer larger animals such as warthogs (Phacochoerus africanus) and antelope (Antilopinae sp.). Though, like many opportunistic predators, African Wild Dogs will also supplement their diets with rodents, insects, and birds. Though African Wild Dogs do not have many natural predators, animals such as Lions (Panthera leo) and Hyenas (Hyaenidae) have been known to prey upon Lycaon pictus.

Only the alpha pair breed in an African Wild Dog pack. Females can often go into heat at any during the year, and pups are born year round. Litter sizes are usually consist of about 12 pups. After about 12- 14 months, pups typically become independent, and are able to separate from the care of their parents at this time.

The true threats African Wild Dogs face today are habitat loss, over-hunting by humans and diseases such as rabies and distemper. They are currently listed as an endangered species, with only ~3,000-5,500 remaining in the wild.

Helpful Resources: 

http://www.arkive.org/african-wild-dog/lycaon-pictus/

http://a-z-animals.com/animals/african-wild-dog/

http://www.wildafrica.cz/en/animal/african-wild-dog/

Coyote (Canis latrans)

http://www.stpete.org/emergency/living_with_wildlife/coyote.php

Coyote (Canis latrans)

Native to North America, coyotes are often found roaming through mountains, forests, plains, and deserts. Though, the coyote’s stunning adaptability combined with its loss of wild habitat, has caused this canid to take residence in urban communities across the United States. Coyotes are considered to be mesopredators, though many researchers believe them to be omnivores or generalists. They feed primarily on rodents, small animals such as rabbits, feral cats, and the fawns of various ungulate species. Coyotes also enjoy consuming vegetation, fruit, and insects. Though, as they have continued to move into more urban habitats, coyotes have developed a taste for discarded food and, at times, domestic pets. 

Often and unfortunately mistaken for wolves (Canis lupus), Canis latrans typically have light colored coats that can be a mix of tans, greys, and blacks. Coyotes have erect and pointed ears. Their heads are rather long and their snouts are also distinctly pointed. Adult coyotes have a similar build to medium sized domestic dogs with weights ranging from about 25 to 45 lbs (11 to 20kg). 

Known as America’s “Song Dogs”, coyotes produce a wide range of vocalizations. From short yips and barks to high pitched howls and calls, the coyote’s method of communication is something of magnificence. These canids are often solitary hunters, but have been known to hunt as small units. Similar to wolves and other canid species, coyotes form powerful family bonds, with both parents fiercely protecting their young and territories. 

Coyotes are typically considered to be dangerous and intolerable pests throughout many communities. Unfortunately, they have been long relentlessly misunderstood and feared by humans. In most regions within the United States, it is legal to harvest coyotes year around, and they are often the main trophy in wildlife killing contests. 

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Sources: http://dnr.wi.gov/topic/wildlifehabitat/wolf/identify.html

http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/coyote/