the black-tufted marmoset ( callithrix penicillata ) , also known as mico-estrela in portuguese , is a species of new world monkey that lives primarily in the neo-tropical gallery forests of the brazilian central plateau .

it ranges from bahia to paraná , and as far inland as goiás , between 14 and 25 degrees south of the equator , and can commonly be seen in the city of rio de janeiro .

this marmoset typically resides in rainforests , living an arboreal life high in the trees , but below the canopy .

they are only rarely spotted near the ground .

black - tufted marmoset

the black - tufted marmoset carries specific positive effects by being a highly valuable exotic pet .
behavioral characteristics of pair bonding in the black tufted - ear marmoset ( callithrix penicillata ) .
the black - tufted marmoset has an average full - grown weight of a mere 12 ounces .
colour discrimination in the black - tufted - ear marmoset ( callithrix penicillata ) : ecological implications .
( weid’s black - tufted - ear marmoset ) lives in southwest brazil , mainly in the coastal regions .
the black tufted - ear marmoset has nonopposable thumbs and nails of the digits which are claw - like .
information on wied’s black - tufted - ear marmoset is currently being researched and written and will appear here shortly .
colour discrimination in the black - tufted - ear marmoset ( callithrix penicillata ) : ecological implications . - pubmed - ncbi
may explain why the black tufted - ear marmoset has a small home range ( rylands and de faria , 1993 ) .
black tufted marmoset is a new monkey in the world . mico - estrela in portuguese name , sometime its called callithrix penicillata . most of the black tufted marmoset lives in the brazilian forest , some of them are living where people live close to forest .
this behaviour has not been observed in black - tufted marmosets living in more traditional rainforest habitats .
some examples of callitrichids include the moustached tamarin , the golden - handed tamarin , the emperor tamarin , the bare - faced tamarin , the cotton - top tamarin , the golden lion tamarin , the black tufted - eared marmoset , the common marmoset , the buffy - headed marmoset , and geoffroyi ' s tufted - eared marmoset .
gums make up > 70 % of the plant part of the diet of the black tufted - ear marmoset ( fonseca and lacher , 1984 ) . being highly
in their study , marina duarte and professor robert young revealed how the black - tufted marmosets make sleeping site choices .
the black - tufted marmoset ( callithrix penicillata ) is a new world monkey in the callitrichidae family of monkeys and lives primarily in the neo - tropical gallery forests of the brazilian central plateau . the black - tufted marmoset is characterized by black tufts of hair around their ears , and it typically has some sparse white hairs on its face with brown or black head and its limbs . their upper bodies are gray , as well as its abdomen , while its rump and underside are typically black .
embed this arkive thumbnail link (
portlet
) by copying and pasting the code below . < a href =
urltoken
title =
arkive species - wied’s black - tufted - ear marmoset ( callithrix kuhlii )
> < img src =
urltoken
alt =
arkive species - wied’s black - tufted - ear marmoset ( callithrix kuhlii )
title =
arkive species - wied’s black - tufted - ear marmoset ( callithrix kuhlii )
border =
0
/ > < / a >
black - tufted marmosets living in brazil ' s city parks are going to surprising lengths to avoid unusual predators - domestic cats .
the black - tufted marmoset usually resides in rainforests high up in the trees but below the canopy . it is typically found between 14 and 25 degrees south of the equator , and ranges from bahia to paraná and as far inland as goiás . it is very rare to see a black - tufted marmoset at ground level , though during periods of drought it may come down to scavenge for food and water .
the coloring of wied ' s marmoset is mostly black , with white markings on cheeks and forehead . it has rings on its tail and black tufts of fur coming out of its ears .
the life - span of a wild black - pencilled marmoset is unknown , however the average lifespan in captivity is 15 years .
black - pencilled marmosets typically have some sparse white hairs on their faces , with a dark brown or black head . their upper body and limbs are gray and their rump is usually black . the marmosets ' undersides are black with a gray abdomen . their tail is ringed with black and white and is not prehensile , but is used for balance . they are characterized by the black tufts around their ears . black - pencilled marmosets do not have an opposable thumb and their nails tend to have a claw - like appearance .
, 1993 ) . this behavior pattern is frequent in the black tufted - ear marmoset and can occur more frequently by an individual where the home ranges of two groups overlap , thus suggesting a use for demarcation of territory ( rylands , 1990 ) .
marcelo c . leal , luiz r . frança ; the seminiferous epithelium cycle length in the black tufted - ear marmoset ( callithrix penicillata ) is similar to humans , biology of reproduction , volume 74 , issue 4 , 1 april 2006 , pages 616–624 , urltoken
these are snippets out of the diary of louie , our marmoset , with the hopes that it one day saves the life of another marmoset or tamarin .
barros , m . , c . alencar , c . tomaz . 2004 . differences in aerial and terrestrial visual scanning in captive black tufted - ear marmosets ( callithrix penicillata ) exposed to a novel environment .
miranda , g . , d . faria . 2001 . ecological aspects of black - pincelled marmoset ( callithix penicillata ) in the cerradao and dense cerradao of the brazilian central plateau .
translocated populations of the common marmoset also flourish in the ranges of other brazilian marmoset and tamarin species , such as around rio de janiero , well beyond their native coastal forests .
wied ' s marmoset ( callithrix kuhlii ) , also known as wied ' s black - tufted - ear marmoset , is a new world monkey that lives in tropical and subtropical forests of eastern brazil . unlike other marmosets , wied ' s marmoset lives in groups consisting of 4 or 5 females and 2 or 3 males ( plus children ) . they are matriarchal , and only the dominant female is allowed to mate . like other marmosets , the offspring are always born in pairs .
weid’s black - tufted - ear marmosets live in a variety of forest types , particularly tropical and subtropical forests . these marmosets inhabit the lower part of the trees . it thrives in areas of dense vegetation and new growth .
group size and composition of the common marmoset varies from group to group in the wild .
the common marmoset is widespread and common in northeastern brazil because of its adaptability to different habitats .
food sharing is more important in the lion tamarins than in other marmosets and tamarins , and helps maintain social structure . this species may form mixed species groups with wied ' s black - tufted - ear marmoset . they do not compete with each other because they forage in separate areas and occupy different niches in the environment . golden - headed lion tamarins forage in the upper levels of the forest , while wied ' s black - tufted - ear marmosets forage in the middle and lower levels of the forest . golden - headed lion tamarins also prefer to forage in epiphytic bromeliads .
the marmoset has large black tufts behind its ears . the head is black or brown mixed with gray and white patch on the forehead and the body is gray / brown . the long tail is ringed with black and grey . the tail is used to help the monkey balance as it moves around in the tree tops . their preferred food is tree sap but they will eat some insects , fruit or eggs in a pinch .
black - pencilled marmosets are monogamous and typically live in family groups which include the reproducing couple and their offspring .
black - pencilled marmosets are vulnerable to a wide range of both terrestrial and aerial predators . aerial predators , large
unlike several of their close relatives , the common marmoset is currently not listed as a threatened species .
the common marmoset is entirely arboreal ( tree dwelling ) and prefers secondary or disturbed forests and edge habitat .
the black - tufted marmoset’s diet consists primarily of tree sap which it obtains by chewing through the bark with its long lower incisors . in periods of drought , it will also include fruit and insects in its diet . in periods of sustained and serious droughts , it will adapt to eat small arthropods , mollusks , bird eggs , baby birds , and other small vertebrates .
. black - pencilled marmosets use a series of predator - specific vocalizations as well as visual scanning in their antipredation strategies .
“marmoset” is derived from the french “marmouset” which means , loosely , shrimp or dwarf . an apt name , considering they are the smallest of the true monkeys ( the lightest of the true monkeys is the pygmy marmoset ) .
the home range of a marmoset group can vary from 5 , 000 to 65 , 000 square meters ( 1 . 2 - 16 acres ) . on any one day a marmoset group will travel about 500 to 1000 meters .
tiago falotico added an association between
callithrix sp . ( marmoset ) - captive
and
callithrix penicillata
.
scientists studying how marmoset and tamarins adapt to urban environments have also recorded their communication in groups and interaction with humans .
unfortunately , in some areas of its distribution , populations of the common marmoset are showing signs of decline due to habitat destruction .
approximately 115 domestic cats live in the park and researchers recorded an average of three attempts at marmoset predation by cats per day .
fonseca , g . a . b . , lacher , t . e . jr . , alves c . jr . , & magalhães - castro , b . ( 1980 ) . some ecological aspects of free - living black tufted - ear marmosets ( callithrix jacchus penicillata ) . antropologia contemporâneo , 3 , 197 .
the black tufted - ear marmoset ( callithrix penicillata geoffroy , 1812 ) is a small neotropical primate ( 350 to 500 g ) , whose original habitat is in the cerrado areas ( i . e . savannah ) of central brazil ( fonseca & lacher , 1984 ) . in addition to it living in these natural habitats , it is a species that can be widely found in the parks and streets of the cities of brazil ( leite et al . , 2011 ) .
black - tufted marmosets mark their territory with aromatic secretions produced by glands on their chests and near the anus . this is primarily to deter other species of monkey from feeding in the area . group members alert each other to danger , using specific cries to warn against different types of predator . common predators are snakes , birds of prey and wild cats .
black - pencilled marmosets live in rainforests , usually residing high in the trees , under the canopy . marmosets have rarely been observed at or near ground level .
black - pencilled marmosets are considered highly valuable and exotic pets . they are also used often in zoo exhibits as well as many different types of scientific studies .
black - tufted or black - pencilled marmosets are found in the central and coastal region of brazil but relatively far inland from the ocean . they live high up in rainforest trees , and are seldom seen far below the upper canopy or anywhere near the ground . this species is usually found in gallery forest : the trees that grow in narrow strips beside rivers , and which are frequently flooded . it grows to be between 7 and 9 inches ( 18 - 23cm ) long and weighs about 12 ounces ( 350g ) on average .
at the smithsonian ' s national zoo , their diet includes canned marmoset diet , bananas , grapes , apples , string beans , fruit and mealworms .
rosenberg , s . 2004 .
penicillata marmoset : ( callithrix penicillata )
( on - line ) . accessed march 31 , 2004 at urltoken .
the common marmoset , like other marmosets and tamarins , relies on a diet of tree exudates ( gums and saps ) , small animal prey , and fruits .
marmoset researchers observed the behaviour whilst investigating the affect of city noise levels on urban populations in belo horizonte city park in minas gerais , south - eastern brazil .
weid’s marmosets are relatively small , weighing between 350 and 400 grams , or about 13 ounces . they are generally black with gray head pelage and have a distinctly ringed tail . there is an area of white around their cheeks and forehead , and they have black tufts of hair around their ears . they have nails that are claw - like and lack opposable thumbs .
wied ' s marmoset is highly social , spending much of its time grooming . it has individually distinctive calls , and it communicates through gestures and olfactory markings as well .
voland , e . ( 1977 ) . social play behaviour of the common marmoset ( callithrix jacchus erxl . , 1977 ) in captivity . primates , 18 , 883 - 902 .
black - pencilled marmosets commonly feed on tree sap . during food shortages or droughts their diet also includes fruit and insects , and they have even been known to eat various arthropods , molluscs , and small vertebrates .
marmosets gain access to exudates from a variety of tree species by gnawing holes in the tree bark . the specialized dentition of the common marmoset acts as a tool facilitating access to gums and saps
black - pencilled marmosets have no special status with the iucn red list or the unites states endangered species act list . they are listed in appendix ii of cites and are not currently considered an endangered or threatened species .
marmosets and tamarins are found primarily in the tropical rainforests of south america with a few remnant populations located in central america . the common marmoset is distributed throughout the atlantic coastal forest of northeastern brazil .
the communication of black - pencilled marmosets has not been fully studied , however , it is believed that they communicate mostly through vocalizations . they appear to have predator - specific cries when they are threatened and have many vocalizations in addition to predator warnings . black - pencilled marmosets also use scent marking , though it is unclear whether this is a form of communication , as many different family groups simply ignore the markings that another family group has left .
camarotti flm , silva vl , oliveira ab ( 2015 ) the effects of introducing the amazonian squirrel monkey on the behavior of the northeast marmoset . acta amaz 45 ( 1 ) : 29–34 . doi :
rylands , a . b . ( 1986 ) . ranging behaviour and habitat preference of a wild marmoset group , callithrix humeralifer ( callitrichidae - primates ) . journal of zoology , 210 , 1 - 26 .
captive studies have taught scientists a great deal about the behavior and biology of the common marmoset . this information has been applied towards the protection as well as the captive and wild breeding of other closely related primates .
black - pencilled marmosets are found in the neo - tropical gallery forests of the brazilian central plateau . they live along the brazillian coast ranging from bahia to sao paulo , and as far inland as goias , between 14 and 17 degrees s .
wied ' s marmoset is eaten by birds of prey ( the harpy eagle , the gray hawk , the roadside hawk and the white - tailed hawk ) , felines ( the jaguar , jaguarundi and ocelot ) and snakes .
leite , g . c . , duarte , m . h . l . , & young r . j . ( 2011 ) . humanmarmoset interactions in a city park . applied animal behaviour science , 132 , 187192 .
stevenson , m . f . , & poole , t . b . ( 1976 ) . an ethogram of the common marmoset , callithrix jacchus jacchus : general behaviour repertoire . animal behaviour , 24 , 428 - 451 .
the common marmoset c . jacchus is a well - established experimental model for performing toxicological studies and investigating reproductive biology in primates . in the present work we performed a careful and accurate histological and morphometrical investigation of the testis in the marmoset c . penicillata , including the determination of spermatogenic cycle length and sertoli cell and spermatogenic efficiencies , and suggest that this species might also be useful for comparative studies involving primates , particularly for studies related to the spermatogenic process .
miranda , g . h . b . , & faria . d . s . ( 2001 ) . ecological aspects of black - pincelled marmosets ( callithrix penicillata ) in the cerradão and dense cerrado of the brazilian central plateau . brazilian journal of biology , 61 , 397 - 404 .
black - pencilled marmosets breed twice a year and produce between 1 and 4 offspring , however they generally have twins . the gestation period is 150 days and offspring wean at about 8 weeks . the marmosets reach sexual maturity at approximately 18 months old . however , they typically mate very late .
brazilian bare - faced tamarins are named for their black , hairless face and ears contrasted with variable fur colors such as brown , black , or silver , depending on the subspecies . body length ranges from 208 to 283 mm and tail length is 335 to 420 mm . weight in both males and females averages 430 g . these primates have non - opposable thumbs with claw - like digits , except for the first digit on each toe . the dental formula is 2 / 2 - 1 / 1 - 3 / 3 - 2 / 2 = 32 teeth . canines are larger than incisors .
the spider monkeys got their name because of their striking resemblance to a large spider while hanging by their tails , their , slender body and disproportionately long , gangly limbs and narrow hands swaying in the treetops . spider monkeys are highly agile , and they are said to be second only to the gibbons in this respect . their hair tends to be coarse , long and stringy , lacking undercoat and ranging in color from ruddy gold to brown and black ; the hands and feet are usually black . heads are small with hairless faces , and a prominent muzzle . some have flesh colored rings around their eyes and white chin whiskers .
an example of how the common marmoset has served as a model to help with the conservation of other primates is its use in the development of the embryo flush at the wisconsin primate research center in 1996 . this is a noninvasive technique designed to assist in breeding of wild and captive primates .
scanlon , c . e . , chalmers , n . r . & monteiro da cruz , m . a . o . ( 1989 ) . changes in the size , composition and reproductive condition of wild marmoset groups ( callithrix jacchus jacchu s ) in northeast brazil . primates , 29 , 295 - 305 .
black - pencilled marmosets are diurnal and live in groups of 2 to 14 , which typically consist of a reproductive couple and their offspring . offspring are cared for by both the mother and father , as well as older siblings in the family . as twins are very common among marmosets , additional support for the mother is often required . though they live in small family groups , they often share sap trees with many other families in their species . they do engage in scent marking , but it is believed this is to deter other species from entering the area , and not other groups of their own species . black - pencilled marmosets also appear to be nomadic , moving throughout the forests as seasons become dry or wet .
this monkey supplements its diet of sap with fruit , nectar , flowers and seeds , as well as spiders and insects . since these are harvested from the middle and lower part of the forest , wied ' s marmoset often travels and forages in the company of the golden - headed lion tamarin , which forages in the canopy .
haig , d . ( 1999 ) .
what is a marmoset ?
. am j primatol 49 ( 4 ) : 285–296 . doi : 10 . 1002 / ( sici ) 1098 - 2345 ( 199912 ) 49 : 4 < 285 : : aid - ajp1 > 3 . 0 . co ; 2 - x .
since chimerism changes the degrees of relatedness between individuals , it also changes the adaptive value of certain behaviors , like cooperatively raising young . it has been proposed that chimerism creates a system that makes it evolutionarily advantageous for an individual to cooperate to raise its siblings ; this closely matches to the way marmoset social systems have been observed to function in the wild .
unlike c . jacchus , which has been fairly well investigated , little is known about reproductive biology in the male marmoset c . penicillata . with this in mind , the objectives of the present study were to perform a careful and accurate histological and morphometrical investigation of the testis and to determine the duration of spermatogenesis and sertoli cell and spermatogenic efficiencies in this species .
howler monkeys are stoutly built and have beards and long , thick hair , which may be black , brown , or red depending on the species . the females are brown to better serve as camouflage from predators . the red howler species ( alouatta seniculus ) is the most common but is heavily targeted by hunters eager for bush meat . they are also captured for the pet trade further depleting their numbers .
black - pencilled marmosets are mutualists with many tree species , dispersing seeds of the fruit that they consume . they also act as parasites of other species of trees because they create sores in the trees in order to extract sap , while not positively affecting the tree in any way . they also serve as a source of prey for many larger animal species that reside in the forests , including large birds of prey , snakes , and wild cats .
apoptosis occurs normally during specific steps of germ cell development [ 58 , 59 ] and can be estimated comparing the ratio of germ cell numbers before and after a given developmental step [ 18 , 60 ] . in mammals , only 2 or 3 out of 10 spermatozoa are produced from the initial differentiated type a spermatogonia , and the highest level of cell degeneration occurs during the spermatogonial proliferative phase and during meiosis [ 18 ] . the germ cell loss observed for marmoset in the present work ( 15 % ) was similar to that found for the marmoset c . jacchus [ 5 ] and much lower than the value observed for men ( 70 % ) [ 61 ] and most other mammalian species ( 25 % ) [ 18 , 62 – 64 ] . similarly to what has been observed for c . jacchus [ 4 , 5 ] , our quantitative results suggest the existence of approximately four generations of differentiated spermatogonia in c . penicillata .
this allows for the possibility of horizontal inheritance . in other words , individuals could pass on the genotype that is different from their majority ( or self ) genotype . consider a father marmoset was chimeric in his germ line . this father could potentially pass on his secondary cell line ( the majority or self cell line of his brother ) to his offspring . in this way , this father ' s offspring would be more genetically similar to their uncle than to their father .
after waiting for 6 hours , we were finally able to bid on a male common marmoset monkey . while the bidding process was a bit stressful , we eventually bought louie below market value which was of course the reason we decided to buy at an auction instead of a breeder . there are risks associated with buying at an exotic animal auctions but it was one i was willing to take . on our way home louie had a blast running around in circles exploring his new environment .
the gsi found for the marmosets investigated in the present study is high when compared with that of primate species such as men and gorillas ( gorilla gorilla beringei ) [ 36 , 37 ] . at least in part , the higher gsi observed for c . penicillata is related to the very high seminiferous tubule volume density observed for this species , which is 50 % higher than the values observed for men [ 37 ] . the value observed for tubular diameter in the present investigation is similar to that found for the common marmoset [ 38 ] .
1 . it is never a good idea to mix breeds of monkeys . they will not get along with other new world monkeys as adults . don ' t be fooled by pictures of capuchins cuddling a marmoset or tamarin . photo ops like that are not done with adult monkeys and have no basis in reality . as adults they will fight and likely inflict severe or even fatal wounds on one another . in nature these species do not inhabit the same space . if breeders tell you they get along fine , ask why they have them all in separate cages .
the daily sperm production per gram of testis ( dsp / g / t or spermatogenic efficiency ) observed for c . penicillata is four times higher than the values cited for humans and 25 % lower when compared with rhesus monkey ( m . mulatta ) [ 64 , 70 ] . although the spermatogenic cycle length in c . penicillata and humans is similar , the much higher spermatogenic efficiency ( dsp / g / t ) found for c . penicillata is probably because of the higher volume density of seminiferous tubules and the higher efficiency of sertoli cells observed for this marmoset species .
although we attempted to do so , because of the lack of rigid synchronization and less - organized spermatogenesis , we did not succeed in precisely characterizing the stages of the cycle using acrosomic system methodology . indeed , this is a common difficulty found in other studies with primates , including humans [ 27 ] and the marmoset c . jacchus [ 5 , 55 ] . in fact , the methodologies used in these studies are similar to the tubular methodology system employed in the present work , and adjustment of the stages frequencies would provide results similar to the ones found for c . penicillata .
to perform autoradiographic analysis , unstained testis sections ( 4 μm ) were dipped in autoradiography emulsion ( kodak ntb - 2 ; eastman kodak company ) at 45°c . after drying for approximately 1 hour at 25°c , sections were placed in sealed black boxes and stored in a refrigerator at 4°c for approximately 4 weeks . subsequently , testis sections were developed in kodak d - 19 solution at 15°c [ 25 ] and stained with toluidine blue . analyses of these sections were performed by light microscopy to detect the most advanced germ cell type labeled at different time periods post - thymidine injections . cells were considered labeled when 4–5 or more grains were present over the nucleus in the presence of low - to - moderate background .
two different topographical arrangements of the stages of the seminiferous epithelium cycle are observed in mammals . in the first , named segmental and present in the vast majority of mammalian species investigated up to the present moment , only one stage is usually found per seminiferous tubule cross section , whereas in the helical arrangement , found in humans and some primates such as chimpanzees ( pan troglodytes ) , two or more stages are present per tubule cross section [ 5 , 27 , 48 – 50 ] . there are yet other primate species ( papio anubis and macaca fascicularis ) , including the marmoset c . penicillata , in which an intermediate situation between segmental and helical is observed [ 51 , 52 ] . differently from what is cited for the common marmoset c . jacchus [ 5 ] and similarly to what was observed in the cynomolgus monkey ( m . fascicularis ) [ 52 ] and in the olive baboon ( p . anubis ) [ 51 ] , only ∼30 % of the tubular cross sections analyzed in c . penicillata showed more than one germ cell association . recent investigation [ 53 ] indicates that the variation observed for stage arrangement in primates is not related to phylogeny , spermatogenic efficiency , or mating system . surely , more studies are necessary to elucidate this interesting aspect of spermatogenesis observed in some primate species .
owl monkeys have gray - tan to brown bodies and either gray or red fur on the sides of their necks . their coats range in thickness and length depending on the altitudes at which they are found , with species living at higher elevations having thicker , shaggier coats than those living at sea level . they have pale yellow to orange fur on their stomachs , underarms , and inner legs , light gray to white markings above and below their eyes , and three conspicuous , black stripes from the top of their head to either side of each eye and straight down the forehead between the eyes to the bridge of the nose . these patches may create an illusion of alertness even when eyes are closed . the throat and sides of the neck vary in color from gray in the northern species to red in the southern species . their non - prehensile tail is nearly as long as their body , with varying amounts of black at the tip . ears are small , and difficult to see ( aotus actually means
earless
) . their long , thin digits have straight nails and wide fingertip pads . two toes posses curved nails , which may be grooming nails similar to those found in prosimians . they are quadrupedal ( walking and leaping ) and arboreal ( tree dwelling ) , and their tail acts as a counter balance as they move through the trees . the average weight for a male at about two and a half to three pounds with the females weighing only slightly less .
spider monkeys are among the largest new world monkeys ; black - headed spider monkeys , the largest spider monkey , have an average weight of 10 . 8 kg ( 24 lb ) for males and 9 . 66 kg ( 21 . 3 lb ) for females . when the monkey walks , its arms practically drag on the ground . unlike many monkeys , they do not use their arms for balance when walking , instead relying on their tail . also less common in primates , females rather than males disperse at puberty to join new groups . males tend to stick together for their whole life . hence males in a group are more likely to be related and have closer bonds than females . the strongest social bonds are formed between females and young offspring .
the number of sertoli cells per gram of testis found for c . penicillata is situated at an intermediate level compared to the values found for most mammalian species already investigated [ 18 , 66 , 69 ] , being , however , 25 % lower than the value observed for men [ 64 ] , and similar to the value found for the marmoset c . jacchus [ 5 ] . also , compared with other mammals already investigated [ 18 , 49 , 67 ] , sertoli cell efficiency in c . penicillata is situated at an intermediate level . however , the value found for sertoli cell efficiency in this species is 2 . 5 times higher than that found for humans [ 61 , 64 ] .
to characterize the land - use and vegetation cover of each group ' s home range aerial photographs were interpreted ( using the programs autocadmap , arcgis , google earth and gps track maker ) so as to calculate the percentage of green area ( i . e . natural vegetation ) , clearings and built area ( i . e . asphalt , concrete , constructions ) ( figure 1 ) . the quantity of food plants in the green areas , for our study species within their home ranges , was estimated by the zoo ' s botanist at the start and the end of our study who ranked ( 1 to 4 with 1 being the highest ) the areas in terms of estimated natural food availability in relation to a wild marmoset ' s diet .
finally , although the values observed for several parameters investigated in the present work differ significantly from those observed for humans , the arrangement of germ cells associations and particularly the duration of spermatogenesis are similar in these two primate species . these aspects and the phylogenetic proximity between humans and the marmoset c . penicillata [ 5 , 71 ] suggest that this species might represent an alternative and useful experimental model for performing comparative studies regarding the spermatogenic process , particularly investigations related to the expansion of spermatogonial stem cells and the establishment of spermatogenic waves . also , the results found in the present study might be useful for biomedical research in which the spermatogonial transplantation and testis graft techniques could be used as a tool to better understand testis function and to preserve the genetic stock from endangered primate species .
the spermatogenic cycle length is under the control of the germ cell genotype [ 20 ] , and this parameter has been determined for only ∼1 . 5 % of the ∼4000 of mammalian species still alive [ 56 ] . for the mammalian species already investigated , the predominant value observed for each spermatogenic cycle is from 10 to 11 days . thus , although very similar to that observed for men [ 57 ] , in general the cycle length found for marmosets in the present study is higher than the values found for several mammalian species investigated , including most primates and the marmoset c . jacchus ( 10 days ) . this is a good illustration of the assumption that the duration of spermatogenesis is a species - specific event and is not phylogenetically determined [ 29 ] . however , in all species investigated up to date , the three phases of spermatogenesis ( spermatogonial , meiotic , and spermiogenic ) lasts approximately one third of the entire process .
html public
- / / w3c / / dtd xhtml 1 . 0 strict / / en
urltoken
thank you for taking the time to provide feedback on the iucn red list of threatened species website , we are grateful for your input .
in the past , the eastern brazilian marmosets ( penicillata é . geoffroy , 1812 , geoffroyi é . geoffroy in humboldt , 1812 , aurita é . geoffroy in humboldt , 1812 , and flaviceps thomas , 1903 ) of the “ jacchus group” were considered to be subspecies of callithrix jacchus , following hershkovitz ( 1977 ) . all are now considered to be full species ( see coimbra - filho 1984 ; mittermeier et al . 1988 ; marroig et al . 2004 ; coimbra - filho et al . 2006 ; rylands et al . 1993 , 2008 ) . the taxonomic history and a discussion of the type locality can be found in vivo ( 1991 ) and coimbra - filho et al . 2006 ) .
justification : this species is listed as least concern due to its large increasing populations , adaptability to disturbed habitat , and large distribution range . these species were common in the pet trade and have been released from captivity in many areas outside of their previous range - often hybridizing with native callithrix .
this is an adaptable , widespread species , which has been introduced in a number of regions in brazil ( for example , espírito santo , paraná , são paulo and santa catarina ) , and is considered a competitor , displacing native species . however , as with c . jacchus , although widespread and hardy , and able to survive in extremely degraded habitats , populations of this species have disappeared or are declining in many parts of its range . hunted for pets .
it has been introduced into part of the rio dôce state park ( 35 , 973 ha ) , the ibitipoca state reserve ( 1 , 448 ha ) , both in the state of minas gerais ( mittermeier and rylands pers . obs . ) , and the ilha grande state park ( 56 , 000 ha ) , rio de janeiro ( h . k . m . corrêa pers . comm . ) . the following conservation units are within its geographical distribution ( * indicates possibly introduced and / or mixed populations of c . jacchus and c . penicillata ) : brasília national park ( 28 , 000 ha ) df emas national park ( 131 , 868 ha ) go chapada dos veadeiros national park ( 60 , 000 ha ) go serra da canastra national park ( 71 , 525 ha ) mg serra do cipó national park ( 33 , 800 ha ) mg araguaia national park ( ? ) ( 562 , 312 ha ) to grande sertão veredas national park ( 84 , 000 ha ) mg chapada da diamantina national park ( 152 , 000 ha ) ba pirapitinga ecological station ( 1 , 090 ha ) mg raso da catarina ecological reserve ( 99 , 772 ha ) * ba ibitipoca state park ( 1 , 489 ha ) mg acauã state reserve ( 5 , 000 ha ) mg it is listed on appendix ii of cites .
to make use of this information , please check the < terms of use > .
html public
- / / w3c / / dtd xhtml 1 . 0 transitional / / en
urltoken
mammal species of the world : a taxonomic and geographic reference ( book , 2005 ) [ worldcat . org ]
your web browser is not enabled for javascript . some features of worldcat will not be available .
your list has reached the maximum number of items . please create a new list with a new name ; move some items to a new or existing list ; or delete some items .
note : citations are based on reference standards . however , formatting rules can vary widely between applications and fields of interest or study . the specific requirements or preferences of your reviewing publisher , classroom teacher , institution or organization should be applied .
the e - mail address ( es ) field is required . please enter recipient e - mail address ( es ) .
the e - mail address ( es ) you entered is ( are ) not in a valid format . please re - enter recipient e - mail address ( es ) .
i thought you might be interested in this item at urltoken title : mammal species of the world : a taxonomic and geographic reference author : don e wilson ; deeann m reeder publisher : baltimore : johns hopkins university press , ©2005 . isbn / issn : 0801882214 9780801882210 0801882389 9780801882388 0801882397 9780801882395 oclc : 57557352
wilson and reeder ' s mammal species of the world is the classic reference book on the taxonomic classification and distribution of the more than 5400 species of mammals that exist today . the third edition includes detailed information on nomenclature and , for the first time , common names . each concise entry covers type locality , distribution , synonyms , and major reference sources . the systematic arrangement of
information indicates evolutionary relationships at both the ordinal and the family level . this indispensable reference work belongs in public and academic libraries throughout the world and on the shelf of every biologist who works with mammals .
- - publisher ' s website .
please choose whether or not you want other users to be able to see on your profile that this library is a favorite of yours .
this indispensable reference work belongs in public and academic libraries throughout the world and on the shelf of every biologist who works with mammals .
a uniquely valuable compendium of taxonomic and distributional data on the world ' s living and historically extinct mammalian species . contributors and editors alike deserve the thanks of all
mammalogists for helping to forge the nomenclatural mesh that holds our science together . * journal of mammalogy * to refer to this work as a checklist undervalues it and does not give sufficient credit to the authors and editors for their meticulous efforts in its production . a valuable reference work and a vital tool , particularly for researchers . * journal of natural history * by far the most convenient source for finding the correct scientific name of any mammal and should be on the reference shelf of libraries striving to have useful science sections . * science books and films * the editors and authors are to be congratulated for undertaking such an outstanding and authoritative work , and it should serve as a standard reference for mammalian species taxonomy for many years to come . * journal of mammalian evolution * the third edition adds to its reputation as an outstanding and authorative work . * national museum of natural history weekly update & forecast * impressive and elegant work . - - g . r . seamons * reference reviews * a must - have text for any professional mammalogist , and a useful and authoritative reference for scientists and students in other disciplines . * southeastern naturalist * a magnificent work important to anyone seriously interested in mammals . this work is essential for academic or special libraries supporting zoology or conservation and for large public libraries . * american reference books annual * as were many of our colleagues , we were waiting for this revised edition since 2003 . . . we can say that the wait was worth it . - - sergio solari and robert j . baker * journal of mammalogy *
add tags for
mammal species of the world : a taxonomic and geographic reference
.
you may have already requested this item . please select ok if you would like to proceed with this request anyway .
wilson and reeder ' s mammal species of the world is the classic reference book on the taxonomic classification and distribution of the more than 5400 species of mammals that exist today . the third edition includes detailed information on nomenclature and , for the first time , common names . each concise entry covers type locality , distribution , synonyms , and major reference sources . the systematic arrangement of information indicates evolutionary relationships at both the ordinal and the family level . this indispensable reference work belongs in public and academic libraries throughout the world and on the shelf of every biologist who works with mammals .
- - publisher ' s website .
worldcat is the world ' s largest library catalog , helping you find library materials online . learn more ››
don ' t have an account ? you can easily create a free account .
tente não chorar com este vídeo ! mães salvando seus filhos . gatos , cachorros , macacos , elefantes
this site is protected by copyscape please , do not copy content . students and teachers are allowed to use this information for school projects and homework .
the males and females form monogamous pairs . they often live in family groups with their offspring . they breed twice a year , and the older offspring assist their parents in raising their younger brothers and sisters . the young are sexually mature after just 18 months ( and live around 15 years ) but they can take their time choosing a suitable mate and moving off to their own range . it is also thought that the marmosets migrate to find optimal zones to inhabit depending on the environment and wet and dry seasons . in some cities of brazil the marmosets have adapted to urban environments either as pets or other looser relations with humans .
kari pihlaviita added the finnish common name
mustatupsusilkkiapina
to
callithrix penicillata ( é . geoffroy saint - hilaire , 1812 )
.
kari pihlaviita added the finnish common name
mustatupsumarmosetti
to
callithrix penicillata ( é . geoffroy saint - hilaire , 1812 )
.
tiago falotico marked
file : schwarzpinselaffe . jpg
as trusted on the
callithrix penicillata ( é . geoffroy , 1812 )
page .
tiago falotico marked
curioso ( curious )
as hidden on the
callithrix penicillata
page .
eol content is automatically assembled from many different content providers . as a result , from time to time you may find pages on eol that are confusing .
to request an improvement , please leave a comment on the page . thank you !
the differences between monkeys and apes are easy to see once you know what to look for . apes do not have a tail and are generally larger than most other primates . they have a more upright body posture as well . apes rely more on vision than on smell and have a short broad nose rather than a snout , as old world monkeys do .
classified as near threatened ( nt ) on the iucn red list ( 1 ) and listed on appendix ii of cites ( 2 ) .
this information is awaiting authentication by a species expert , and will be updated as soon as possible . if you are able to help please contact : arkive @ urltoken
flpa - images of nature pages green house wetheringsett stowmarket suffolk ip14 5qa united kingdom tel : + 44 ( 0 ) 1728 861 113 fax : + 44 ( 0 ) 1728 860 222 pictures @ urltoken http : / / www . urltoken
terms of use - the displayed portlet may be used as a link from your website to arkive ' s online content for private , scientific , conservation or educational purposes only . it may not be used within apps .
myarkive offers the scrapbook feature to signed - up members , allowing you to organize your favourite arkive images and videos and share them with friends .
team wild , an elite squadron of science superheroes , needs your help ! your mission : protect and conserve the planet’s species and habitats from destruction .
wildscreen is a registered charity in england and wales no . 299450 wildscreen usa is a registered 501 ( c ) ( 3 ) non - profit organisation in the usa
double - check spelling , grammar , punctuation . translators work best when there are no errors or typos .
if words are different , search our dictionary to understand why and pick the right word .
if phrases are different , try searching our examples to help pick the right phrase .
we ' ve combined the most accurate english to spanish translations , dictionary , verb conjugations , and spanish to english translators into one very powerful search box .
spanishdict is devoted to improving our site based on user feedback and introducing new and innovative features that will continue to help people learn and love the spanish language . have a suggestion , idea , or comment ? send us your feedback .
( barros , et al . , 2004 ; miranda and faria , 2001 ; barros , et al . , 2004 ; miranda and faria , 2001 )
there is considerable parental investment by both parents ; infants are extremely dependent on their parents . the offspring are raised with the aid of other juvenile siblings . offspring are weaned at 8 weeks and then taught to search for food .
( guerra , et al . , 1998 ; miranda and faria , 2001 ; rosenberg , 2004 )
( barros , et al . , 2004 ; lacher , et al . , 1981 )
( barros , et al . , 2004 ; de figueiredo and longatti , 1997 ; lacher , et al . , 1981 )
valerie ackley ( author ) , university of michigan - ann arbor , phil myers ( editor , instructor ) , museum of zoology , university of michigan - ann arbor .
living in the southern part of the new world . in other words , central and south america .
having body symmetry such that the animal can be divided in one plane into two mirror - image halves . animals with bilateral symmetry have dorsal and ventral sides , as well as anterior and posterior ends . synapomorphy of the bilateria .
animals that use metabolically generated heat to regulate body temperature independently of ambient temperature . endothermy is a synapomorphy of the mammalia , although it may have arisen in a ( now extinct ) synapsid ancestor ; the fossil record does not distinguish these possibilities . convergent in birds .
having a body temperature that fluctuates with that of the immediate environment ; having no mechanism or a poorly developed mechanism for regulating internal body temperature .
the area in which the animal is naturally found , the region in which it is endemic .
generally wanders from place to place , usually within a well - defined range .
the business of buying and selling animals for people to keep in their homes as pets .
rainforests , both temperate and tropical , are dominated by trees often forming a closed canopy with little light reaching the ground . epiphytes and climbing plants are also abundant . precipitation is typically not limiting , but may be somewhat seasonal .
the region of the earth that surrounds the equator , from 23 . 5 degrees north to 23 . 5 degrees south .
reproduction in which fertilization and development take place within the female body and the developing embryo derives nourishment from the female .
boudet , c . 2004 .
mammal ' s planet
( on - line ) . accessed march 30 , 2004 at urltoken .
guerra , r . , e . takase , c . santos . 1998 . cross - fostering between two species of marmosets ( callithrix jacchus and callithrix penicillata ) .
lacher , t . , g . bouchardet da fonseca , c . alves , b . magalhaes - castro . 1981 . exudate - eating , scent - marking , and territoriality in wild populations of marmosets .
mittermeier , r . 1986 . primate conservation priorities in the neotropical region . pp . 221 - 240 in k benirschke , ed .
de figueiredo , r . , c . longatti . 1997 . ecological aspects of the dispersal of a melastomatacae by marmosets and howler monkeys in a semideciduous forest in southeastern brazil .


the kenai peninsula wolf ( canis lupus alces ) , also known as the kenai peninsula grey wolf , was a subspecies of the gray wolf , canis lupus , that lived on a peninsula in southern alaska known as kenai peninsula .

kenai peninsula wolf

image - kenai peninsula wolf . jpg | animal jam clans wiki | fandom powered by wikia
wolves still roam the kenai peninsula today , but classification in 1944 ( edward goldman ) separated the kenai peninsula wolf from these species , and their extinction as announced .
while there is a current wolf population on the peninsula , the lack of genetic similarity to the original species has resulted in a classification of extinction for the original kenai peninsula wolf sub - species .
canis lupus occidentalis a large wolf from western canada , also called the mackenzie valley wolf .
admin - i ' ll add a poll later - 1 i think the kenai peninsula wolf weight is exaggerated , and 2 , the dire wolf weight is underestimated .
x - canis lupus alces the kenai peninsula wolf ; one of the largest of north american wolves ; extinct by 1925 .
the gold rush in the late 1800s brought settlers , and the kenai peninsula wolf was often observed by people in the area . their population started to decrease as settlers hunted the wolf , and pesticides were used to safeguard communities . random sighting occurred up to the 1940s , but it is unknown if these wolves were direct descendants of the kenai peninsula wolf , or crossbred species .
if you have hunted wolves , or plan on hunting wolves , you will be hunting a gray wolf or a subspecies of gray wolf . the most common subspecies of gray wolf to hunt are as follows :
almanac : ready to rumble — kenai was grounds for evel vs . awful , peninsula clarion vs . cheechako news
two species of porpoise are regularly seen in the waters off the kenai peninsula : dall’s porpoises , and harbor porpoises .
that colonized the area , or the descendants of a few of the kenai peninsula wolves that had survived . it has been shown through dna studies that , at minimum , kenai peninsula wolves mated with other alaskan subspecies , as the structure of the current wolf population ' s dna is similar to other mainland alaskan subspecies .
five species of pacific salmon spawn on the kenai peninsula . all are routinely referred to by at least two common names .
anchorage , alaska ( ap ) — kenai peninsula wolves will get at least a year reprieve from state - sanctioned culling .
genetically , wolves of the peninsula were found to be indistinct from those of the mainland , so if there ever was a separate kenai strain of wolf , it’s likely now extinct . yet the kenai peninsula wolves were distinct in one aspect , albeit an ignoble one . they experienced a prevalence of diseases before their mainland counterparts .
kenai peninsula wolf was 45
at the shoulder ? so only a few inches shorter than a male lion ? and 200 lbs ? seems more like a fantasy to me . is there a paper describing a skeleton , or is this anecdotal ? i vote for the dire wolf .
canis lupus crassodon a medium - size , greyish wolf found on vancouver island .
if you hunt in alaska , you will be after one of these two subspecies found all over alaska and into the aleutian islands . these are the largest wolf species that you will hunt . one mackenzie valley wolf weighed 175 pounds . generally these wolves weigh in around 90 - 120 pounds . before it went extinct in 1924 , alaska was home to the largest recorded modern gray wolf subspecies , the kenai peninsula wolf that averaged around 200 pounds .
genetically , wolves of the peninsula were found to be indistinct from those of the mainland , so if there ever was a separate kenai strain of wolf , it ' s likely now extinct . yet the kenai peninsula wolves were distinct in one aspect , albeit an ignoble one . they experienced a prevalence of diseases before their mainland counterparts .
canis lupus griseoalbus a large wolf found in north alberta , saskatchewan , and manitoba .
canis lupus mackenzii the northwest territories wolf ; not recognized as a subspecies until 1943 .
the wolf population of the peninsula at that time was estimated at 186 wolves , with about 71 percent on the western kenai peninsula in what today would be alaska game management unit 15 , and about 29 percent on the eastern peninsula , today’s gmu 7 . about 44 percent were thought to be on refuge land . bailey expects that’s still the case today .
humpback whales are the most commonly sighted and abundant large whales in the waters around the kenai peninsula . watch for them in resurrection bay , in kenai fjords national park , and outside of kachemak bay .
between poisoning , hunting and trapping pressure and disease , the kenai peninsula has not proven a very hospitable home to wolves over the years .
“ ( the kenai peninsula wolves ) were the first alaskan wolves to acquire several dog - related diseases and parasites , ” bailey said .
( the kenai peninsula wolves ) were the first alaskan wolves to acquire several dog - related diseases and parasites ,
bailey said .
the kenai wolf was described and classified by zoologist edward goldman , it was apparently adapted for hunting moose so it ' s large size was beneficial , but when gold miners and settlers came to kenai they wiped out the wolves there . a wolf resurgence didn ' t occur until 1960 , however the new wolves were simply mainland wolves who had reached the peninsula . i think the size was probably exaggerated but they certainly could have been larger than their mainland counterparts , but i still favor the dire wolf due to it being an equally if not more powerfully built wolf .
the wolf population of the peninsula at that time was estimated at 186 wolves , with about 71 percent on the western kenai peninsula in what today would be alaska game management unit 15 , and about 29 percent on the eastern peninsula , today ' s gmu 7 . about 44 percent were thought to be on refuge land . bailey expects that ' s still the case today .
x - canis lupus beothucus the newfoundland wolf , now extinct ; reported almost pure white .
canis lupus columbianus a large wolf found in the yukon , british columbia , and alberta .
canis lupus hudsonicus a light - coloured wolf found in northern manitoba and the northwest territories .
canis lupus irremotus a medium - sized , light - coloured wolf from the rocky mountains .
if you hunt in idaho or montana , you will probably be hunting a subspecies called the rocky mountain wolf , generally a medium to large sized wolf ranging from 70 to 135 pounds .
although commercial fisheries and salmon processing dominated the kenai peninsula economy for much of the 20th century , the beginning of the “fish wars” was just on the horizon . in the early 1900s a newly built railroad set the stage for the first sport fishery on the kenai peninsula . it began with fishermen from seward traveling to kenai lake and cooper landing to fish for large rainbow trout . as word spread about the exceptional size of these fish , sportsmen from the lower 48 and around the world began traveling to seward and lodges on kenai lake and so began trophy fishing and guide services on the kenai peninsula .
x - canis lupus monstrabilis a wolf found in texas and new mexico ; extinct by 1942 .
kenai wildlife may be more special than you think
. peninsula clarion ( 2010 - 07 - 15 ) . retrieved on 2012 - 12 - 31 .
as a companion to marybeth holleman ' s presentation on her new book ,
among wolves : gordon haber ' s insights into alaska ' s most misunderstood animal ,
at kenai peninsula college on april 2 , retired kenai national wildlife refuge biologist ted bailey gave an overview of the history of wolves on the peninsula .
canis lupus arctos the white wolf of the high arctic , found from melville island to ellesmere island .
x - canis lupus fuscus a brownish - colored wolf from the cascade mountains ; extinct by 1940 .
canis lupus ligoni a small , dark - colored wolf from the alexander archipelago in the arctic islands .
x - canis lupus youngi the southern rocky mountain wolf ; extinct by 1935 ; light buff color .
though there are scattered reports of wolf sightings in the area during the 1940s , confirmed re - emergence of wolves on the peninsula didn ' t occur until the 1960s . the largest recorded individual wolf of this breed was nearly 4 . 5 feet ( 1 . 4 m ) tall at the shoulder , the largest wolf ever recorded or sighted . it is unknown whether the new packs of wolves represented other
the species in its hunt for the large moose that roamed the peninsula . they inhabited the kenai peninsula and adjacent areas in alaskait fed largely on moose which is how its scientific name canis lupus alces was derived . it would also feed on other large ungulates
both black and brown ( grizzly ) bears are found on the kenai peninsula . overall , black bears are more abundant , although in some areas and times brown bears predominate .
x - canis lupus mogollonensis a medium - sized wolf found in arizona and new mexico ; extinct by 1935 .
liz jozwiak and ted spraker ( december 3 , 1999 )
wolves on the kenai national wildlife refuge
–u . s . fish and wildlife service , kenai national wildlife refuge
i can ' t find any data about kenai wolf size other than the sizes already given , not even the kenai peninsula website acknowledges this subspecies , they just mention how wolves went extinct in 1915 then returned from the mainland in the 1960 ' s , they never say they used to have the worlds biggest wolves , you ' d think they would be proud of that heritage .
another interesting factoid is the appearance of kenai wolves . about 33 percent of wolves on the kenai were black in peterson’s initial study . over time that decreased 13 percent in 2000 .
instantly recognizable by their natty dark caps and black bibs , chickadees are common on the kenai peninsula . because of their bold dispositions and acrobatic natures , they’re a great species to observe . watch and listen for chickadees year - round , in forested habitats of all types . all kenai peninsula chickadee species give some variation of the familiar
tsikadee , dee , dee
call .
another interesting factoid is the appearance of kenai wolves . about 33 percent of wolves on the kenai were black in peterson ' s initial study . over time that decreased 13 percent in 2000 .
refuge notebook 04 - 30 - 2010 - kenai - u . s . fish and wildlife service
rolf o . peterson , james d . woolington and theodore n . bailey ( 1984 ) .
wolves of the kenai peninsula , alaska
. wildlife monographs 88 : 3–52 . jstor 3830728 .
symbols of the wild north , caribou are a sought - after species for wildlife viewers on the kenai peninsula . these
wandering deer
are native to north america , europe , and asia .
john toppenberg , a board member of the alaska wildlife alliance , said from soldotna that he welcomed the decision and that he continues to disagree with the game board vote to kill kenai peninsula wolves .
bald eagles big , powerful , sharp - eyed and dominating , bald eagles are perhaps the most famous members of the kenai peninsula’s bird world . you may find them year - round , anywhere on the peninsula , from the high alpine to the river valleys , but they are most concentrated along the coast .
in the 1800s and early 1900s , the kenai peninsula’s wolves were exterminated by miners , prospectors , and homesteaders . between 1915 and 1965 , wolves were only occasionally documented in the region . between the late 1960s and mid - 1970s , however , wolf populations increased as the animals moved into suitable habitats , reproduced , and established territories .
at the end of the day , we just aren’t certain about the degree of endemism in kenai populations of marten , red fox , and brown bears , nor in extirpated populations of native caribou and wolf . this area of science is ripe for more exploration including genetic analysis of the many specimens collected before 1920 and archived at museums around the country . ecological understanding always brings a renewed appreciation of wildlife that share the kenai peninsula with us .
the smallest of the kenai peninsula’s common owls , the boreal owl is about the size of a robin . like great gray owls , these white - spotted woodland owls hunt primarily by listening for the subtle sounds of their prey . smaller yet , the northern saw - whet owl is increasing in numbers on the peninsula .
the wolves inhabiting the kenai now are not original stock either . our current population descended from mainland packs that naturally re - colonized the kenai in the 1960s after an absence of perhaps 40 years . long - time trapper andrew berg saw one of the last kenai peninsula wolves ( canis lupus alces ) at the head of bear creek in 1909 , after a decade of persecution including the use of strychnine by miners . scattered reports of wolves indicate that they may have been present though extremely scarce on the kenai through the 1940s .
the kenai peninsula includes thousands of acres of national wildlife refuge and federal managers elsewhere have rejected predator control . the state could have begun killing wolves immediately on state and private land . vincent - lang said the department supports intensive management proposal on the peninsula but wants to increase its body of knowledge needed to inform its decisions .
in the early 1980s , kenai peninsula wolves began to show signs of being infested with dog lice . despite efforts at treatment , the animals continue to struggle with lice , which damage their fur and cause severe itching .
the kenai peninsula’s boreal forests and coastal rainforests , tundra areas and marshes are home to several species of owls . secretive , harder to spot , and less common than eagles , owls offer particularly special wildlife viewing opportunities .
if you hunt in the great lakes states , you will be after a subspecies called a timber wolf . this smallish wolf , generally 50 - 100 pounds , is found in this area and the northeast part of the us . it is often mistaken for a coyote , and landed some hunters in trouble in states that don’t permit wolf hunting . be careful when you predator hunt that you are really killing a coyote !
although native to the kenai peninsula , caribou were absent for about 50 years between the 1910s and 1960s . releases of breeding stock in the 1960s established two herds : one in the mountains near hope and one in the kenai river flats area . in the 1980s , additional caribou were released in the tustumena lake / caribou hills region , eventually establishing three additional herds . they are generally most accessible for viewing in the kenai / soldotna area .
170 - 180lbs was average for dire wolves not 110 . based on what reddhole posted . 2 . the kp wolf genotype has been so diluted that the original wolf is considered extinct . so people might want to think before they say
todays kp wolves weigh x pounds
.
both steller’s jays and gray jays are found on the kenai peninsula . steller’s jays are rich cobalt blue shading to black on their jaunty , crested heads . gray jays have downy - soft gray and white plumage and no crests .
canis rufus : a reclusive animal that weighs between 16 - 40 kg ( 40 - 80 lbs ) , the red wolf is generally a night hunter and travels in groups of two or three . scientists are in disagreement over the origins of the red wolf . some insist it is a genetically distinct species ; some assert that it is a subspecies of grey wolf ; others theorize that it is a hybrid of grey wolves and coyotes .
the department also will conduct baseline population work , he said , to determine the number of peninsula moose and wolves .
huge and imposing , gangly yet oddly graceful , moose are among the quintessential animals of the north country around the globe . moose are abundant on the kenai peninsula , where they’re not restricted to backcountry habitats—they often venture into suburban areas and are even known to stroll city streets . since they’re common , human - tolerant , and active year - round , it would be unusual to spend more than a couple of days wildlife watching on the kenai peninsula without seeing moose .
the board voted to kill wolves in game unit 15a , the area west of cooper landing and north of the sterling highway , and 15c , which covers much of the peninsula south of kasilof and west of kenai fjords national park .
on the peninsula today , the alaska board of game has initiated predator control programs , expanding hunting and trapping opportunities and allowing aerial shooting of wolves in some areas , in an effort to reduce pressure on the moose population . the u . s . fish and wildlife service , meanwhile , does not allow these liberalized wolf - harvest measures on the federally managed kenai national wildlife refuge .
canis lupus manningi the smallest arctic wolf , found on baffin island ; either white or light - coloured ; not recognized as a subspecies until 1943 .
low tide at kenai cannery , 1895 - 1903 . ( alaska state library , kate r . gompertz photograph collection .
they’ve had their ups and downs since the late 1800s , with pressure from humans being one through line in their history . when the gold rush hit the kenai peninsula in 1885 - 86 , the thousands of prospectors hoping to strike it rich brought a hefty distrust of wolves . apparently they feared a rabies outbreak like they had seen in the klondike , bailey said , so they used poison to reduce the wolf population . poison also was a method of choice for those wanting to harvest fur - bearers to sell the pelts for money during the winter . by 1915 , bailey said , the wolves of the kenai peninsula were gone .
last january , during the dead of winter on the kenai peninsula , i was lucky enough to be goofing off with my family on the yucatan peninsula . every morning we awoke to the calls of great - tailed grackles , ruddy ground doves , chachalacas , and yellow - lored parrots . coatimundis and agoutis shamelessly begged food from hotel guests enroute to their own breakfasts .
they ' ve had their ups and downs since the late 1800s , with pressure from humans being one through line in their history . when the gold rush hit the kenai peninsula in 1885 - 86 , the thousands of prospectors hoping to strike it rich brought a hefty distrust of wolves . apparently they feared a rabies outbreak like they had seen in the klondike , bailey said , so they used poison to reduce the wolf population . poison also was a method of choice for those wanting to harvest fur - bearers to sell the pelts for money during the winter . by 1915 , bailey said , the wolves of the kenai peninsula were gone .
wolves are often seen and heard in most parts of alaska by those willing to spend time in remote areas . the long term future of the wolf in alaska is secure , and alaska will probably continue to deal with the challenges related to the effects of wolf predation on big game populations for a long time .
swans—alaska’s largest flying birds—are often seen here . tundra swans and trumpeter swans are the two species that migrate through ; watch for them at potter’s marsh , tern lake , and the kenai river estuary . some trumpeter swans remain on the peninsula to nest on larger lakes . a few swans winter in the region , and can be seen on the kenai river where water remains unfrozen .
various studies of wolf ecology have shown that the balance between wolf and prey populations can be disrupted . for example , severe winters in combination with wolf and bear predation can drastically reduce a big game population . because many of alaska ' s big game populations and their habitats are less productive than those in lower latitudes and because predators such as wolves and bears are common here , human hunters have to limit their harvest in many areas . in some areas wolf numbers may need to be controlled in order to avoid relatively long periods of prey scarcity which could result in little or no harvest for people and also low numbers of wolves and other furbearers .
as a companion to marybeth holleman’s presentation on her new book , “among wolves : gordon haber’s insights into alaska’s most misunderstood animal , ” at kpc on april 2 , retired kenai national wildlife refuge biologist ted bailey gave an overview of the history of wolves on the peninsula .
yes . wolves were plentiful on the kenai peninsula in the late 1890 ' s . however , the gold rush brought prospectors to the area , and by 1915 wolves were almost completely exterminated by means of predator control programs using poison , along with heavy hunting and trapping .
typically one female wolf in a pack has a litter of about seven pups each year . this varies , in some packs more than one female may bring off a litter .
one of the most important fisheries that helped shape the history of alaska is the cook inlet commercial salmon fishery . the kenai peninsula has seen a tremendous history of canneries and buying stations since well before statehood . since the late 1880s , commercial fishing has been a critical part of alaskan economy and culture . settlers rushed to build fish camps throughout the kenai peninsula because of abundant salmon resources and other finfish found there . salmon packers built canneries at kenai , kasilof , chisik island , homer , and near tyonek . giant fish traps were constructed and dropped into the ocean to harvest salmon by the thousands . for decades , commercial fishing thrived in cook inlet . but that was not to last .
coyotes are also fairly abundant on the kenai peninsula , but their presence here may be a fairly recent event . after the extermination of wolves on the peninsula around the turn of the 20th century , the region’s coyote population began to rise . this expansion was part of a continent wide increase in coyote numbers . today , these human - tolerant canids are particularly abundant at the edges of the human world—a place that wolves avoid .
john morton is the supervisory fish & wildlife biologist at the kenai national wildlife refuge . he is also adjunct faculty at the university of alaska fairbanks . you can check on local birds or report your bird sighting on the kenai national wildlife refuge birding hotline ( 907 ) 262 - 2300 .
of all that is known and still to be learned about wolves on the peninsula and beyond in alaska , one fact remains consistent , bailey said .
in the case of peninsula moose , critics said , the board ignored the main problem — loss of habitat due to 60 years of wildfire suppression .
the rivers and streams of the kenai peninsula collectively produce millions of salmon . salmon are not confined to large waterways ; streams small enough to step across are visited by spawning adults , and some even lay their eggs in the intertidal zones of tiny creeks . these prodigal children of the rivers bring more than eggs to the rivers of the kenai . after spawning , they die , and their decaying bodies enrich the streams and forests with important marine - derived nutrients .
for a wolf to be that large , i think i need a skeleton to believe . the weight is more understandable than the height . that is just silly . is epicyon even that tall ?
wolves are not commonly seen on the kenai peninsula , although they are fairly abundant ( their population is estimated at around 200 ) . they travel the backcountry in packs of seven to twelve , preying on moose , caribou , dall sheep and mountain goats . they also hunt marmots , beavers and other small mammals .
at 18 - 25
long and weighing up to 4 pounds , great horned owls are the kenai peninsula’s most powerful owls . they are the only large alaskan owls with prominent ear tufts . great horned owls hunt primarily by sight . their populations fluctuate with the populations of their primary prey animals ( snowshoe hares ) .
few places offer as much to nesting and migrating waterfowl as the kenai peninsula does . the western flatlands are pockmarked with thousands of lakes , ponds and wetlands , wild and inaccessible , that offer solitude and outstanding nesting habitat . mountain lakes in the central and eastern part of the peninsula provide additional breeding territory . huge estuaries provide crucial calories for migration . during summer , a visit to any lake or pond is a chance to watch nesting waterfowl , and in spring and fall you can watch the migration spectacle at marshes and estuaries . in winter , many waterfowl species can be seen along the saltwater shores and open waters of the kenai river .
fish don’t draw just bears . when salmon are running , some of the kenai peninsula wildlife viewing trail sites are occupied by hundreds of anglers . wildlife viewers may find those sites busier than preferred during the short fishing season ( dates vary by run and location ) , but tranquil and great for viewing most of the year .
commercial fishermen and personal use dipnetters enjoy fishing the peak of the kenai river sockeye salmon run , 2007 . photo courtesy of pat shields , adf & g soldotna .
for kenai peninsula wildlife watchers , gulls seem to be everywhere . often gathered in large , raucous congregations , they are frequently dismissed as
just seagulls .
gulls are among the most challenging of birds to identify , but because of their abundance they offer lots of opportunities to practice—and their visibility makes them great subjects for extended viewing .
, or red salmon are named for their blood - red spawning coloration and red flesh . averaging six to eight pounds , they are associated with lake systems . the russian river supports perhaps the most famous of the kenai peninsula’s sockeye runs—where bright red fish leap waterfalls and dodge milling anglers , who can sometimes seem as abundant as the salmon
that roamed the peninsula . it is widely accepted as the largest known species of canid . the species was classified in 1944 as one of the four subspecies in alaska by
canis lupus lycaon the eastern timber wolf of canada and the united states ; it originally had the largest range of all of north american subspecies ; the first subspecies to be recognized in north america ( 1775 ) .
if you do want to hunt a wolf , the best place to start is alaska . the license and tag will cost you $ 115 . 00 . although you will have to have transport to alaska , and transport to where you can hunt , this is still a fairly cheap hunt and won’t require any draw worries . if you are seeking the ultimate north american predator to add to your collection , don’t forget about the wolf .
fairly common along the shores and rivers of the kenai peninsula , the river otter is the same playful aquatic weasel found throughout north america . river otters live in freshwater systems and in coastal waters , denning just inside forest edges and foraging on beaches and close to shore . they average three to five feet in length and weigh 15 to 35 pounds .
at the turn of the last century , the andrew j . stone expedition was organized to collect mammals and birds in arctic and subarctic alaska for the american museum of natural history . professor stone and his colleagues amassed 873 specimens of 28 mammal species during their forays to alaska that included staging out of homer to explore the kenai peninsula in 1901 and 1902 .
the refuge continued peterson’s study from 1982 to 1993 , capturing , radio collaring and monitoring 107 wolves on the peninsula . in that time human harvest averaged 61 percent in the early 1980s and declined to 14 percent in the late 1980s and early 1990s . however , wolf density did not increase with that decline in harvest , so it is thought that disease and the decreasing moose population were factors in the wolves’ decline .
in contrast to kenai wolves and foxes that were considered bigger than those found elsewhere in alaska , american marten from the kenai were smaller and darker than individuals from populations elsewhere in north america and are classified as a subspecies : martes americana kenaiensis . here again , the science is based on only six specimens collected in the early 1900s , and contemporary taxonomists have suggested that subspecific designation is unwarranted . ironically , daniel elliot , who proposed that kenai marten be recognized as a subspecies also questioned the subspecific designation of stone’s caribou as long ago as 1905 .
type for canis lupus alces goldman , 1941 catalog number : usnm 147471 collection : smithsonian institution , national museum of natural history , department of vertebrate zoology , division of mammals sex / stage : female ; adult preparation : skull collector ( s ) : c . lambert year collected : 1904 locality : kachemak bay , kenai peninsula borough , alaska , united states , north america
warblers and thrushes spend time birdwatching on the kenai peninsula in summer and you’ll notice warblers . only a little bigger than hummingbirds , these tiny birds dart like insects among the leaves , or perch to shout their surprisingly loud songs to the world . many seem designed specifically to blend with the willow , birch and alder leaves , sporting olive - green or bright yellow feathers .
the refuge continued peterson ' s study from 1982 to 1993 , capturing , radio collaring and monitoring 107 wolves on the peninsula . in that time human harvest averaged 61 percent in the early 1980s and declined to 14 percent in the late 1980s and early 1990s . however , wolf density did not increase with that decline in harvest , so it is thought that disease and the decreasing moose population were factors in the wolves ' decline .
the social order in the pack is characterized by a separate dominance hierarchy among females and males . in most areas wolf packs tend to remain within a territory used almost exclusively by pack members , with only occasional overlap in the ranges of neighboring packs .
similarly , wilfred osgood , during his biological survey of the cook inlet in 1900 , reported that kenai foxes ( vulpes vulpes kenaiensis ) were the largest fox known in north america . confirmation of this possible endemic subspecies was muddied by the establishment of commercial fox farms on the kenai between wwi and the early 1930s . these propagation efforts involved capturing denning foxes and sometimes cross breeding them with captive stock .
the expedition collected specimens of a presumably endemic woodland caribou , rangifer tarandus stonei , with a narrow and long head , and slender antlers with “unusual development of the brow antler and the anterior branch” ( see photo ) . the last stone’s caribou was killed on the kenai sometime around 1912 - 23 . the caribou that currently inhabit the kenai are descendants of individuals introduced by state and federal agencies in the 1960s and 1980s from the nelchina herd .
ptarmigan are close relatives of grouse , but where spruce grouse are forest specialists , ptarmigan prefer the open country of alpine tundra . there are three species of ptarmigan on the kenai peninsula : willow ptarmigan ( alaska’s state bird ) , rock ptarmigan , and white - tailed ptarmigan . in areas where all three species overlap , the birds segregate themselves by elevation , with the willows the lowest , followed by the rocks , and finally the white - tails .
when wolves re - established themselves on the peninsula they did so with protection from the state , with no hunting or trapping seasons . a hunting season for wolves was instituted in 1974 , with a trapping season added the following year .
alaska averages about 500 moose - vehicle accidents per year , with many of those on the kenai peninsula . analysis of collision data shows that most vehicle - moose accidents occur at dawn and dusk when moose are on the move . drivers should slow down and pay close attention to the road and roadside , being alert for moose . if you spot a moose on the side of the road , watch out for more . calves will often run after cows across roads .
arabian peninsula : subspecies : pallipes , arabs . status : in decline , < 300 individuals . range occupied : 90 % . main prey : garbage , carrion , livestock . legal status : no protection . cause of decline : persecution .
the wolf is the primeval wild dog , the largest wild canid , long a hunter alongside people , and ancestor of our most faithful domestic companion . wolves vary widely in appearance . their fur is thick and usually grey , but can vary from nearly pure white , red , or brown to black .
the first study of wolves on the peninsula was conducted from 1976 to 1983 for the u . s . fish and wildlife service on the kenai national moose range ( later renamed the kenai national wildlife refuge ) by rolf peterson , particularly noted for his study of the wolves of isle royale national park in michigan . three to seven packs were monitored in that time , and the study found an average pack size of 11 . 2 ( from two to 20 ) , an average pack territory of 246 square miles ( from 68 to 601 square miles ) , a density of 18 . 2 wolves per 1 , 000 square kilometers , and an average human - caused mortality ( hunting and trapping ) of about 33 percent .
alaska is home to an estimated 7 , 000 to 11 , 000 wolves . wolves have never been threatened or endangered in alaska . the food habits of the wolf often bring it into conflict with humans who in many parts of the world are also hunters of big game animals . although the wolf has coexisted with big game animals for thousands of years , under some conditions the impact of predation contributes to local scarcities of game which arouse some people ' s concern . in most non - coastal systems with moose and caribou , wolves and bears together maintain game populations below levels at which their food supply would be damaged .
red squirrels wherever you find spruce trees on the kenai peninsula , you’ll find red squirrels . the small , oil - rich seeds of the spruce provide a critical food for these hardy arboreal rodents , especially in winter , when other foods such as berries and fungus are scarce . in fact , red squirrels spend most of the late summer and early fall cutting green spruce cones for winter , and stashing them in semi - subterranean caches that are sometimes made up of piles of previous - years’ discarded cone scales .
alaskan moose are the largest moose in north america , and kenai peninsula moose are known as some of the largest in alaska . prime - condition bulls can weigh over 1 , 500 pounds and stand over seven feet tall at the shoulders . cows are smaller , weighing 800 - 1300 pounds . only the males have antlers , but both sexes have dangling
dewlaps
of skin under their chins . the long , brown and gray hairs that make up their coats are hollow , giving them insulation and buoyancy .
steller sea lions are among coastal alaska’s most watchable marine mammals . they are vocal , social , and fairly common around the kenai peninsula . sea lions are fast swimmers and are graceful and powerful in the water . because they can rotate their rear flippers forward to use as
hind legs ,
they are fairly agile on land . they
haul out
in large , noisy groups at traditionally used rock outcrops and beaches . they also haul out on buoys , where they may be seen bellowing and jockeying for the best spots .
the same challenges to the survival of a pack from hunting , trapping and other human predator - control methods exist on the peninsula as dr . gordon haber , the subject of holleman’s book , found in denali wolves , in that taking an alpha wolf has a disproportionately large impact than the death of a less - vital pack member . worldwide study has shown that when an alpha breeder is lost , pups survive 90 percent of the time in packs of more than six wolves , 56 percent of the time if only one alpha is lost and only 9 percent of the time if both alphas are lost , bailey said .
now that wolves are making a comeback and hunting them is not just a dream , how many species of wolves can you hunt ? north america has two species of wolves , the gray and the red . gray wolves are the most numerous and occupy the most of north america . the red wolf is rarer and occupies the southeastern united states .
the same challenges to the survival of a pack from hunting , trapping and other human predator - control methods exist on the peninsula as dr . gordon haber , the subject of holleman ' s book , found in denali wolves , in that taking an alpha wolf has a disproportionately large impact than the death of a less - vital pack member . worldwide study has shown that when an alpha breeder is lost , pups survive 90 percent of the time in packs of more than six wolves , 56 percent of the time if only one alpha is lost and only 9 percent of the time if both alphas are lost , bailey said .
• three common gulls are large ( raven - sized ) birds , about 24 inches long , with pink legs and yellow bills with red dots . glaucous - winged gulls have gray wing tips . herring gulls and thayer’s gulls both have jet - black wingtips and are difficult to tell apart . look into their eyes , if you can . usually , herring gulls have pale irises and thayer’s have dark irises . some gulls are hybrids of two species . on the kenai peninsula this is common ; virtually all of the gulls nesting at skilak lake are hybrids .
“the roles were kind of switched compared to today , ” bailey said . “back then it was the federal government that was poisoning wolves , and the state of alaska , at statehood , they changed the outlook on wolves . they made the wolf a big game species and they protected it and developed seasons . today it is kind of the opposite . ”
for the birds , the region’s estuaries and wetlands mean plenty of food : energy to carry them across hundreds or thousands of miles of inhospitable territory . for humans , this means outstanding birdwatching , including the chance to see not just lots of birds but unusual birds—stray migrants from asia , for example . if you’re planning a visit to the kenai peninsula during shorebird migration , check ahead for birding tours and other events designed to help people learn about and appreciate this phenomenon . for example , homer hosts an annual kachemak bay shorebird festival , featuring tours , presentations , and artwork .
the roles were kind of switched compared to today ,
bailey said .
back then it was the federal government that was poisoning wolves , and the state of alaska , at statehood , they changed the outlook on wolves . they made the wolf a big game species and they protected it and developed seasons . today it is kind of the opposite .
my family stayed in three rooms at kenai peninsula . each was clean , well furnished and had a great view from a sea cliff site , but very different thanks to the inspiration of the owner / architect / builder . one was mostly underground on the side of an embankment facing the sea . the second above the office with a deck and third , a more economical unit , was more conventional . check out their web site for pictures of all units . this property deserves all of the 5 ratings it has accumulated . it is very well managed with owner living next door .
or king salmon are the largest salmon . kings average between 20 and 40 pounds , but larger fish are not at all uncommon . the state record sport - caught chinook was caught in the kenai river . it weighed 97 pounds . a chinook caught commercially in southeast alaska weighed 126 pounds .
iconic birds of the boreal forest , spruce grouse are common on the kenai peninsula . they feed on a variety of berries , leaves , flowers and insects in summer , but their winter diet consists almost entirely of spruce needles . to collect the small gravel pieces that help them grind and digest this tough forage , they begin frequenting roadsides , streambanks , and lakeshores in august—so watch for them at dawn and dusk . they’re well - camouflaged , so you’ll have to look and listen carefully to spot them . scan for broods of chicks following the female . sometimes the male tags along as well .
birdwatchers on the kenai will also find thrushes : the familiar , ubiquitous american robin ; the similarly - sized ( but more gaudily - colored ) varied thrush of the coastal rainforests ; swainson’s thrush ; gray - cheeked thrush ; and the small , shy hermit thrush with its lovely eerie song around seward .
three species of loons nest on the peninsula’s many lakes : common loons , pacific loons , and red - throated loons . these large birds build mounded nests of shoreline debris just adjacent to the water ( loons are master divers , but can not walk on land ) . loon chicks can sometimes be seen riding on their parents’ backs .
aquatic invertebrates the rivers , streams , lakes and ponds of the kenai peninsula are full of bugs…and that’s a good thing . aquatic insects form the basis for countless wildlife food chains . they’re the primary food of juvenile salmon and other small fish , which are in turn eaten by larger fish , birds , and mammals . no bugs… no bears ! many insects that you’ll find in streams and ponds are juvenile forms of bugs that spend their adult time zooming through the air . others spend their whole lives underwater . some are extremely tolerant of pollution and other poor conditions , while others are so sensitive that their presence is used as an indicator of good water quality .
there are three species of chickadee known to breed on the peninsula . blackcapped chickadees , the familiar chickadees of the
lower 48
can be seen in deciduous forests throughout the region . boreal chickadees , with their brown caps and rusty flanks , are more common in dry forests of white spruce . chestnut - backed chickadees are common in the coastal rainforest .
no matter what you choose to hunt , the wolf has a long and infamous history , making it a prime trophy for the predator hunter . since it has long come into conflict with ranchers and competed for game with humans , it hasn’t always been popular . nearly being wiped out in the lower 48 states , it has recovered enough to be hunted in six of these states . alaska has always had a large enough population for hunting and trapping .
inseason management of the kenai river dipnet fishery is also the responsibility of the division of sport fish . the fishery opens and closes by regulation , and inseason management is required if it is projected that the inriver escapement goal ( as assessed by the sonar at river mile 19 ) for sockeye salmon will not be met or if the escapement goals are exceeded .
the board of game , a seven - member panel appointed by the governor that sets game seasons and bag limits , voted to extend predator control to two game units on the peninsula , continuing an aggressive approach to killing wolves , black bears and grizzly bears to boost moose and caribou numbers through liberal predator hunting and trapping seasons or professional culling , which usually means shooting them from the air .
in general , coyotes are small - game specialists , feeding on hares , marmots , small rodents , muskrats , and even insects , berries and fish , although they do occasionally kill a large mammal such as a moose calf or a dall sheep . they also scavenge carrion from wolf kills or winter - killed animals . coyotes are not social to the extent that wolves are , although they do sometimes hunt cooperatively , and family groups stay together through the summer . youngof previous years will occasionally help care for pups .
despite a generally high birth rate , wolves rarely become abundant because mortality is also high . in much of alaska , the major sources of mortality are : predation by other wolves ; hunting ; and trapping . diseases , malnutrition , and accidents also help regulate wolf numbers . predation by other wolves is a major cause of death because wolves defend their territories from other wolves . dispersing wolves ( e . g . , young adults ) are common but they typically find little suitable habitat that is not already occupied by other wolves .
harbor seals feed on fish , clams , mussels , and crustaceans such as shrimp . they are hunted and preyed upon by sharks and by transient killer whales . in may and june they tend to move to sheltered waterways such as the deep bays of kenai fjords national park , where each female gives birth to a single pup , often on an iceberg . harbor seals favor nearshore water and will also swim up rivers .
the wolf occurs throughout mainland alaska , on unimak island in the aleutians , and on all of the major islands in southeast except admiralty , baranof , and chichagof . this range includes about 85 percent of alaska ' s 586 , 000 square - mile area . wolves are adaptable and exist in a wide variety of habitats extending from the rain forests of the southeast panhandle to the arctic tundra along the beaufort sea . alaska is home to an estimated 7 , 000 to 11 , 000 wolves . wolves have never been threatened or endangered in alaska . they are found in nearly all of their historic range , excepting the center of urban areas , although they are found on the outskirts of anchorage , fairbanks and juneau . wolves are common over much of the state . the highest densities occur in southeast alaska , where sitka black - tailed deer serve as the major food source for wolves . wolf densities are lowest in the coastal portions of western and northern alaska . although the distribution of wolves has remained relatively constant in recent times , their abundance is influenced by harvest levels , diseases , and prey availability
southcentral alaska is a critical point in the migration routes of many species of shorebirds , whose annual journeys from southern wintering grounds to northern nesting areas can span thousands of miles . sandpipers , dunlin , godwits , whimbrels , curlews , plovers… the list of species can’t convey the enormity of the spectacle at the height of spring migration , when the mudflats and beaches of the kenai river estuary , turnagain arm , kachemak bay , and other coastal hotspots are blanketed with thousands upon thousands of fluttering wings , darting legs , and bobbing heads .
the salmon - rich waters of cook inlet in southcentral alaska have given rise to several unique fisheries over the past century . the kenai river boasts some of the most active fisheries in the state . thousands of recreational fishers flock to the crowded banks every year with their rods , reels , and dip nets , ready to take home their limit of salmon . alaska ' s recreational fisheries are a relatively new concept ( the majority of the state’s historical fisheries being largely commercial ) but have grown to become an integral part of the state’s income and fisheries management .