Smithsonian Institution
National Museum of Natural History: American Mammals: Ringtail
Ringtails are nocturnal, cat-sized carnivores. They are good climbers and are found in habitats that range from dry canyons to wet woodlands, in highland and lowland terrain. Learn more about the Bassariscus astutus, more commonly known...
Smithsonian Institution
National Museum of Natural History: American Mammals: Western Heather Vole
Western Heather Voles live in mountains, near or above the timberline. Where high-elevation forests have been clear-cut, they have been seen at lower elevations. Learn more about the Phenacomys intermedius, more commonly known as a...
Smithsonian Institution
National Museum of Natural History: American Mammals: Spotted Seal
Spotted Seals breed in isolated pairs rather than large groups. They congregate in breeding areas, but each pair keeps its distance. Learn more about the Phoca largha, more commonly known as a Spotted Seal, in this easy-to-read species...
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National Museum of Natural History: American Mammals: Ribbon Seal
Ribbon Seals are rarely seen on land. In late winter and spring they are on pack ice, 100-200 km offshore, where they molt, mate, and pup. Learn more about the Phoca fasciata, more commonly known as a Ribbon Seal, in this easy-to-read...
Smithsonian Institution
National Museum of Natural History: American Mammals: Merriam's Shrew
Merriam's Shrew is noted for its predilection for dry habitats. It is most often found in sagebrush steppe, but also in grassland, brushland, and woodland, at elevations from 200 m to 2,900 m. Learn more about the Sorex merriami, more...
Smithsonian Institution
National Museum of Natural History: American Mammals: Spiny Pocket Mouse
The Spiny Pocket Mouse is somewhat shaggy. Its spines, which are mostly on the rump, are not nearly as stiff as porcupine quills. Learn more about the Chaetodipus spinatus, more commonly known as a Spiny Pocket Mouse, in this...
Smithsonian Institution
National Museum of Natural History: American Mammals: Pribilof Island Shrew
The Pribilof Island Shrew lives in maritime tundra on St. Paul Island, and almost nothing is known about its biology. Learn more about the Sorex pribilofensis, more commonly known as a Pribilof Island Shrew, in this easy-to-read species...
Smithsonian Institution
National Museum of Natural History: American Mammals: Piute Ground Squirrel
Piute Ground Squirrels are adapted to desert life. Their kidneys efficiently conserve water, and they are able to withstand high temperatures. Learn more about the Spermophilus mollis, more commonly known as a Piute Ground Squirrel, in...
Smithsonian Institution
National Museum of Natural History: American Mammals: Rock Squirrel
Rock squirrels, with their long, bushy tails, look very much like tree squirrels, but seldom climb trees. They are most commonly found in rocky habitats: canyons, cliffs, and hillsides. Learn more about the Spermophilus variegatus, more...
Smithsonian Institution
National Museum of Natural History: American Mammals: Thirteen Lined Ground Squirrel
Thirteen-lined Ground Squirrels are often seen standing on their hind legs on roadsides or other places where grass is mowed, such as lawns, golf courses, or cemeteries. The squirrels probably once lived in short-grass prairie, and some...
Smithsonian Institution
National Museum of Natural History: American Mammals: Townsend's Ground Squirrel
Townsend's Ground Squirrel is indistinguishable in appearance from its two closest relatives, Spermophilus mollis and S. canus. Learn more about the Spermophilus townsendii, more commonly known as a Townsend's Ground Squirrel, in this...
Smithsonian Institution
National Museum of Natural History: American Mammals: Uinta Ground Squirrel
Uinta Ground Squirrels can live seven years or longer, but few live more than four years. Predation is an important factor. Learn more about the Spermophilus armatus, more commonly known as a Uinta Ground Squirrel, in this easy-to-read...
Smithsonian Institution
National Museum of Natural History: American Mammals: Merriam's Ground Squirrel
Merriam's Ground Squirrels live in high desert habitat dominated by big sagebrush, western juniper, and greasewood, and are also found in grasslands and agricultural lands. They eat grasses and forbs. Learn more about the Spermophilus...
Smithsonian Institution
National Museum of Natural History: American Mammals: Rock Pocket Mouse
As their name indicates, Rock Pocket Mice dwell in rocky habitats, and only rarely live in areas with sandy or silty soils. Their inconspicuous burrows are located near or under rocks, in rocky gulches or canyons, or near boulders. Learn...
Smithsonian Institution
National Museum of Natural History: American Mammals: New England Cottontail
New England Cottontails forage alone, and groom themselves but not each other. They feed on grasses and clover in the summer, and when those are not available, turn to twigs and forbs. Learn more about the Sylvilagus transitionalis, more...
Smithsonian Institution
National Museum of Natural History: American Mammals: Northern Bog Lemming
Northern Bog Lemmings have a large geographic range, but they are seldom encountered, and the reason for their apparent scarcity is not known. Their preferred foods - sedges and grasses - are abundant, and they do not have very limiting...
Smithsonian Institution
National Museum of Natural History: American Mammals: Yellow Cheeked Chipmunk
Yellow-tailed chipmunks are common in California's dark, moist giant redwood forests. These relatively large chipmunks are hard to see but they can be recognized by a unique call given when intruders are present. Learn more about the...
Smithsonian Institution
National Museum of Natural History: American Mammals: Palmer's Chipmunk
Palmer's chipmunks live in a "sky island" mountains in southwestern Nevada surrounded by deserts the chipmunks cannot cross. They are common there, foraging where rocks or fallen logs provide cover. Learn more about the Tamias palmeri,...
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National Museum of Natural History: American Mammals: Red Tailed Chipmunk
Red-tailed chipmunks sandbathe to clean their fur, rolling and rubbing, sometimes half-buried in sand. They are rarely seen outside their burrows on cold winter days, but in the spring they are out and about, eating seedlings, leaves,...
Smithsonian Institution
National Museum of Natural History: American Mammals: Panamint Chipmunk
Panamint chipmunks are named for the mountains in the Southwest where they were first collected by scientists, in 1890. As with many chipmunks, males and females look alike and are the same size. Learn more about the Tamias panamintinus,...
Smithsonian Institution
National Museum of Natural History: American Mammals: Sonoma Chipmunk
Young male Sonoma chipmunks disperse from the nest after weaning, but females remain near where they were born. From December through June, males travel extensively, seeking mates and competing with other males. Learn more about the...
Smithsonian Institution
National Museum of Natural History: American Mammals: San Diego Pocket Mouse
The San Diego Pocket Mouse occurs in desert and coastal habitats in southern California, Mexico, and northern Baja California, from sea level to at least 1,400 m. Yellowish or orange hair on its sides contrasts with a dark brown back,...
Smithsonian Institution
National Museum of Natural History: American Mammals: Townsend's Chipmunk
Clear-cut logging, which destroys habitat for some animals, offers good living conditions for Townsend's chipmunks. They find denning sites, cover, and food among the fallen, decaying logs and sprouting evergreens. Learn more about the...
Smithsonian Institution
National Museum of Natural History: American Mammals: Uinta Chipmunk
Uinta chipmunks are common in coniferous forests, especially at elevations higher than 1,800 m. They readily climb trees and shrubs to forage for seeds and often sleep in trees. Learn more about the Tamias umbrinus, more commonly known...