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Exploring the beautiful nature of California


California Nature:  Mammals


California is a large state, the 3rd largest in the U.S.A., and depending on where you go, can range broadly in habitat type and, also, climate. For this reason, California plays host to a huge variety of fauna. From river otters and minks to bobcats, pikas, and flying squirrels, California boasts a diverse and intriguing fauna. But many of these animals can be secretive, shy, and nocturnal and observing them in the wild can be difficult. Most zoos are not only great places to get up close to wildlife, but many are also doing their part to bolster dwindling populations of animals still living free in the wild.

Of the 48 conterminous states, California embraces the greatest diversity of climate and terrain. The state's six life zones are the lower Sonoran (desert); upper Sonoran (foothill regions and some coastal lands); transition (coastal areas and moist northeastern counties); and the Canadian, Hudsonian, and Arctic zones, comprising California's highest elevations.
California mammals are a part of California nature Mammals found in the deserts of the lower Sonoran zone include the jackrabbit, kangaroo rat, squirrel, and opossum. The Texas night owl, roadrunner, cactus wren, and various species of hawk are common birds, and the sidewinder, desert tortoise, and horned toad represent the area's reptilian life.

The upper Sonoran zone is home to such mammals as the antelope, brown-footed woodrat, and ring-tailed cat. Birds distinctive to this zone are the California thrasher, bush tit, and California condor.

Animal life is abundant amid the forests of the transition zone. Colombian black-tailed deer, black bear, gray fox, cougar, bobcat, and Roosevelt elk are found. Garter snakes and rattlesnakes are common, as are such amphibians as the water-puppy and redwood salamander. The kingfisher, chickadee, towhee, and hummingbird represent the bird life of this region.
Mammals of the Canadian zone include the mountain weasel, snowshoe hare, Sierra chickaree, and several species of chipmunk. Conspicuous birds include the blue-fronted jay, Sierra hermit thrush, water ouzel, and Townsend solitaire. Birds become scarcer as one ascends to the Hudsonian zone, and the wolverine is now regarded as rare.

Only one bird is native to the high Arctic region—the Sierra rosy finch—but others often visit, including the hummingbird and Clark nutcracker. Principal mammals of this region are also visitors from other zones; the Sierra coney and white-tailed jackrabbit make their homes here. The bighorn sheep also lives in this mountainous terrain; as of April 2003, the bighorn sheep was listed as endangered by the US Fish and Wildlife Service.

Among fauna found throughout several zones are the mule deer, coyote, mountain lion, red-shafted flicker, and several species of hawk and sparrow.
discover California mammals like the coyote The Resources Agency of California's Department of Fish and Game is especially active in listing and providing protection for rare, threatened, and endangered fauna. Joint efforts by state and federal wildlife agencies have established an ambitious, if somewhat controversial, recovery program to revitalize the dwindling population of the majestic condor, the largest bird native to the US.

Preying mainly on mule deer is the magnificent Mountain Lion or Cougar.  This beautiful cat is not to be confused with its slightly lighter cousin, the Bobcat. The Mountain Lion has a tan-colored coat with a long and heavy tail, whereas the Bobcat has a gray to brown coat, a whiskered face and distinctive black-tufted ears.

California Mule Deer are found throughout California, especially in the High Sierra. More attacks on humans by deer occur than by bears each year. Although it appears to be tame and may even approach you, the California mule deer is a wild animal and may charge if it feels cornered or threatened.
Black Bears are the only bear species left in California. Prior to the 1800's, Black Bears were accompanied by Grizzlies throughout California and the California High Sierra Nevada mountains. Their color varies from pure black to brown, cinnamon, or blond. Adults weigh from 125 to more than 500 pounds.

Attracted by human food, California Black Bears cause thousands of dollars in property damage each year. When they continually succeed, they may become aggressive and must be destroyed. You can help prevent this from happening. Store your food properly. Keep all food and anything with a strong odor away from your campsite and stored out of reach of bears using a bear hang or bear containers. By limiting their success we can help Black Bears give up their dependence on human food and return to depending on natural food sources. Natural food sources of the Black Bear can include fawns or carrion but they subsist mostly on vegetation.
Bats    Bears    Bison    Bobcat    Chipmunks & Squirrels    Deer & Elk    Feral Horses    Foxes    Gophers    Gray Wolf    Jaguar Mice & Rats    Mountain Lion    Porcupine    Rabbits & Hares    Raccoons    River Otter    Sheep     Shrews, Moles, & Opossum Skunks      Weasels & Minks     Wolverine and Badger
 
 
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