Grant-Kohrs Ranch

 National Historic Site

A Field Guide to the

Wildlife and Habitats of the

Grant-Kohrs Ranch

White-Tailed Deer Fawn

The Most Common Large Mammal on the Ranch
Introduction - Animals of Grant Kohrs NHS

Con Warren, former ranch owner/operator of the now Grant-Kohrs Ranch

NHS, was an avid birder and friend to wildlife. It is in keeping with the

heritage of the Ranch that this booklet was produced. It is the third in a series

of Nature Field Guides to the Grant-Kohrs Ranch NHS. The two others are A

Field Guide to the Common Birds by Habitat and Basic Color, and A

Field Guide to the Common Plants by Life Form and Habitat. This guide,

A Field Guide to the Wildlife and Habitats of the Grant-Kohrs Ranch

completes the series. These three guides will cover the more common flora

and fauna the Ranch visitor will see.

The Grant-Kohrs Ranch is a unique entity within the National Park System.

Not only has the history of early day ranching been preserved, but also the

various habitats that comprised the ranch in the late 1800s are intact. These

habitat types include short grass prairie, wet meadow, riparian/stream, ponds/

marsh, and associated mud flats. The success of both the flora and fauna

depends on a healthy system that includes biotic integrity, hydrologic function, and soil stability. These factors provide niches for hundreds of plant and

animal species in diverse habitats on a relatively small area of 1,600 acres.

The Grant-Kohrs Ranch NHS is in a unique position to allow those interested

in plants and animals to see a large number of species in a relatively small

area. One will quickly understand the significance of this park unit.

As with the earlier guides, this is not a complete field guide, but does cover

the more common wildlife forms that you can encounter. Within the booklet

wildlife is divided into six categories. These categories are Large Mammals,

Small Mammals, Bats, Amphibians, Reptiles, Fish, and Aquatic Invertebrates.
Page 1

Organization of the Guide:

The map on pages 10 and 11 shows the four major habitat types of the ranch.

Some wildlife species are restricted to a single habitat, others are found predominately in one, but can utilize several habitats. Still, others use all of the

habitats on the ranch. Listed below are the habitat types found on the Ranch.

Riparian/Stream: This habitat is characterized by flowing water and the

associated shrubs, and grasses along the banks. Many of the shrubs are species of willow mixed with water birch and larger cottonwood trees. This

habitat includes Cottonwood and Fred Burr Creek, which flow east to west

and are tributaries of the Clark Fork River. The Clark Fork River flows

south to north through the ranch and is the headwaters of the Columbia River

Basin. These lands have had decades of heavy metal contamination, but no

new contamination in recent history.

Marsh/Pond: This habitat is an extension of the riparian/stream habitat

and is made up of standing open water in ponds that drain into the Clark

Fork River. Other areas are backwater marshes, or depressions filled with

water from railroad construction and dredging operations, that took part on

the ranch in the past.

Wet Meadows: This unique habitat is created by man’s agricultural

activities and is made up of areas that are flooded or sprinkler irrigated for

production of hay. Many of the wet meadows are seasonally wet in the

spring and dry out in late summer and fall. These lands have few native

species, and have been planted to high production grass species.
Page 2

Short Grass Prairies: These lands are native grasslands that survive in

a semiarid condition without irrigation. Annual rainfall is 11.5 inches per

year, but 70% of the moisture falls in the growing season, so grass production

is surprisingly good for the amount of moisture. This habitat contains the

most native plant species, as it has had the least impact by ranching.

Wildlife Forms on the Grant-Kohrs Ranch NHS:

Fish: Fish are cold-blooded aquatic vertebrates which usually have scales

and breathe through gills. There are eight species in three orders on the Ranch.

Fish are found in the Stream/Riparian and Marsh/Pond habitats.

 Order Cypriniformes:

Family Catostomidae: Largescale Sucker, Longnose Sucker

Family Cyprinidae: Redside Shiner

 Order Salmoniformes:

Family Salmonidae: Brook Trout, Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout,

 Mountain Whitefish

 Order Scorpaeniformes:

Family Cottddae: Mottled Sculpin

A description of these species can be found beginning on Page 5 and 6.

Amphibians: Amphibians are cold-blooded, smooth-skinned animals from

the Chordate Phylum. A few amphibians live on land, but most live in water.

Nearly all species return to the water to mate and lay eggs. There are three

species in two orders found on the Ranch. Amphibians are found mostly in

the Marsh/Pond habitat, but can be found in slow moving water in the Streams/

Riparian habitat.

 Order Caudata:

Family Ambystomatidae: Long-toed Salamander
Page 3

 Order Anura:

Family Bufonidae: Western Toad

Family Ranidae: Columbia Spotted Frog

A description of each species can be found on Page 7.

Reptiles: The reptiles are a group of vertebrate animals, which are tetrapods,

(four legs bearing toes), snakes are the exception, and also are amniotes (animals whose embryos are surrounded by an amniotic membrane). There are two

species in two orders on the Ranch. Reptiles are mostly found in the Marsh/

Pond habitat, but can be found in slow moving water in the Streams/Riparian

habitat.

 Order Squamata:

Family Colubridae: Common Garter Snake

Family Emydidae: Painted Turtle

A description of these species can be found on Pages 7 and 8.

Aquatic Macro-Invertebrates: Aquatic invertebrates are those invertebrates that spend some or all of their lives in or on water and do not have a

vertebral column or backbone. They mostly eat plankton, which are water-borne

microorganisms that live in streams, ponds, and lakes. Others eat plants or larger

animals, including other invertebrates and vertebrates. They make up the first

tier of the food chain, which is eaten by fish. There are eleven orders of invertebrates with many species in each order. An example species of each order is

shown. Aquatic Insects can be found in the Marsh/Pond habitat, as well as fast

moving water in the Streams/Riparian habitat. They typically live in the water

in larval form for two to four years then emerge as adults. Adults mate, lay eggs

and complete their life cycle typically in one to two months. Larval forms are

illustrated.

Order Coleoptera: Water Beetles Order Diptera: Fly Larva

 Order Trichoptera: Caddisflies Order Hemiptera: Waterbugs
Page 4

Aquatic Macro-Invertebrates: continued

Order Odonta: Dragonflies Order Ephemeroptera: Mayflies

Order Plecoptera: Stoneflies Order Mullusca: Clams, Snails

Order Hydrozoa: Sponges Order Amphipods: Water Shrimp

Order Anelida: Leeches and Earthworms

A description of these Orders can be found on Pages 8, 9, and 12

Mammals: A mammal is any warm-blooded vertebrate animal characterized by a covering of hair on the skin and, in the female, milk-producing mammary glands for nourishing the young. For ease of identification

mammals have been divided into large mammals, small mammals, and bats.

All of these mammals can be found in the Riparian/Stream, Short Grass

Prairie, and Wet Meadow Habitats. A few will also use the Marsh/Pond

Habitat.

Large Mammals:

Order Artiodactyla:

Family Cervidae: Moose, Elk, White-tailed Deer, Mule Deer

Family Antilocapridae: Pronghorn Antelope

Order Carnivra:

Family Ursidae: Black Bear

Family Canidae: Coyote, Red Fox

Family Mustelidae: Badger

Order Lagomorpha:

Family: Leporidae: Mountain Cottontail

Order Rodentia:

Family Castoridae: Beaver

Family Erethizontidae: Porcupine

A description of each species can be found on Pages 13 - 16.
Page 5

Small Mammals:

Order Insectivora:

Family Soricidas: Northern Water Shrew, Montane Shrew,

 Vagrant shrew, Masked Shrew

Order Rodentia:

Family Dipodidae: Western Jumping Mouse

Family Geomydae: Northern Pocket Gopher

Family Muridae: Montane Vole, Meadow Vole, House Mouse,

 Muskrat, Deer Mouse

Family Sciuridae: Chipmunk, Columbian Ground Squirrel

A description of these species can be found on Pages 15 - 19.

Bats:

Order Chiroptera:

Family Vespertilionidae: Big Brown Bat, Hoary Bat, Little Brown

 Bat, Fringed Myotis, Long-legged Bat

A description of each species can be found on Page 20.

Largescale Sucker - Catostomus macrocheilus has dark

olive gray back and sides, changing abruptly to white or yellowish on underside. Dorsal fin usually has 13 to 15 rays,

base of fin is long. Scales are medium sized, 62 to 80 in lateral line. Sexually mature in 4 to 5 years. Spawns April -

May. No parental care. Eggs stick to bottom and hatch in 2

weeks. Is tolerant to pollution

Longnose Sucker - Castostomus catostomus

back, upper sides, and head to below the eye, dark

olive to slate; underparts are white or yellow. Breeding males are nearly jet black on upper half of head

and body. Nine to 12 rays in dorsal fin and more

than 15 scales above lateral line. Spawns April -

early July. Is moderately tolerant to pollution.

Fish Species on the Grant-Kohrs Ranch NHS
Page 6

Redside Shiner - Richardsonius balteatus adults are small,

laterally compressed, deep-bodied with decurved lateral line.

The dorsal fin origin far behind pelvic fin origin; large, falcate anal fin. The eye is large. Occurs in schools.

Brook Trout - Salvelinus fontinalis is dark green to

brown with a distinctive marbled pattern (called vermiculations) of lighter shades across the flanks and back. The

belly and lower fins are reddish in color, the latter with

white leading edges. Intolerant to pollution.

Brown Trout - Salmo trutta has two dorsal fins

including one adipose fin, broad square tongue with 11-

12 large teeth, light pectoral fins, square tail, 9-10 rays in

the anal fin and no marbled pattern on the back.

Mountain Whitefish - Prosopium williamsoni has

a slender body and is nearly cylindrical in cross section.

They are silver with a dusky olive green shade dorsally.

The short head has a small mouth underneath the snout

making them efficient at vacuuming invertebrates from

the substrate. The tail fin is deeply forked. Tolerant to

pollution.

Rainbow Trout - Oncorhynchus mykiss have a characteristic salmon-like shape. Dark spots are clearly visible on

the tail fin, which is slightly forked. The back is usually a

dark olive color, shading to silvery white below. The body

is heavily speckled, and there is a pink to red stripe running

lengthwise along the sides. Intolerant to pollution.

Mottled Sculpin - Cottus bairdii averages three inches in

length with eyes located on top of its head. It has a broad, flat

head with an upper lip that protrudes past the lower lip with

fine teeth on both jaws. The tail fin is slightly rounded. It has

small pelvic fins and a long anal fin. The pectoral fins are large

and fan-like. Intolerant to pollution.
Page 7

Amphibian Species on the Grant-Kohrs Ranch NHS

Western Toad - Bufo boreas have stocky bodies with short

legs, and tend to walk rather than hop. Their thick skin appears

dry and bumpy and can range in color from pale green to grey,

dark brown, and red. They typically have pale-colored bellies

mottled with black, and a pale colored stripe down the back. Their

eyes have distinctive horizontal oval pupils. Behind each eye is a

oblong or kidney-shaped swelling called a parotid gland.

Columbia Spotted Frog - Rana luteoiventris are light to

dark brown, gray, or olive green with dark spots (frequently with

lighter centers) on the back, sides, and legs. The back and sides

are often covered with small bumps. The undersides of the legs

are bright red, salmon or orange. This bright color may extend

up to the chin or be replaced by a light, mottled gray on the chin,

chest, and belly.

Long-toed Salamander - Ambystoma macrodactylum is

slender bodied with long toes. It is 4 to 6.5 inches in length.

They are dark to black above and have a green to yellow dorsal

stripe running from the head back to the tip of the tail. There is

usually a white or silver flecking on the sides as well.

Reptile Species on the Grant-Kohrs Ranch NHS

Common Garter Snake - Thamnophis sirtalis range from

16 to 42 inches in length. There are three yellow longitudinal

stripes (one dorsal and two lateral) and a black stripe broken by

red spots between the yellow stripes. The lateral stripes are located on the second and third scale rows above the belly scales.

Some lack the red dots. The background color between stripes

is black to dark olive. The belly color ranges from yellow to

bluish.
Page 8

Painted Turtle - Chrysemys picta has an olive to black

shell with the edges of the plates of the shell bordered with

yellow. The head, neck, and legs are marked with yellow

lines, and a red spot appears behind the eye. The lower shell

is colored with red and yellow. Females are typically two

inches larger than males. Males have much longer front

claws than females, and the vent is situated farther from the

edge of the shell.

Aquatic Macro-Invertebrates Orders on the

Grant-Kohrs Ranch NHS

Water Beetle - Coleptera Aquatic beetles have four wings.

The front are thick and modified to form covers that meet

along the midline. The hind wings are folded under the front

covers at rest. They have six legs. There are over 2,000

species.

Flies - Diptera Larval form of flies are wormlike and many are

aquatic. They have anal gills, heads are small or lacking. Larvae are without external wingpads and without segmented thoracic legs, but prolegs are common. The typical insect body

segmentation distinguishes fly larvae from both unsegmented

worms and segmented worms. More than 18,000 species in North

America

Caddisflies - Trichoptera Caddisflies are elongated

aquatic invertebrates with three pair of legs. They use their

own glue to make cases out of sand grains or pieces of plants.

This case goes along with them as they hunt for food. They

duck inside for protection. More than 12,000 known species.
Page 9

Water Bug- Hemiptera have as the defining feature the possession of mouthparts where the mandibles and maxillae are a proboscis, sheathed within a modified labium to form a beak which is

capable of piercing tissues and sucking out the liquids. The forewings of many hemiptera are hardened near the base, but membranous at the ends form a “X” on the back. There are over 80,000

species.

Dragonfly & Damselflies - Odonta are predators that feed

on other aquatic insects. They are stout, the tail is short and spine

like. Some have immense grasping lower lip. They are known to

pray on mosquito larva. There are over 5,600 species world wide

and 450 in North America.

Mayflies - Ephemeroptera have two or three tails, a single

claw on each leg, short antennae and sometimes, wing pads.

Along their abdomen are five to seven pairs of leaf-like gills.

Many species have one claw on each of the six legs. They eat

mostly vegetation. More than 2,500 species world wide.

Stonefly - Plecoptera nymphs have two long tails whereas

Mayfly nymphs have three. The tails are sense organs but also

help the insect to move. Gills are thread-like tubes on their underside, wing pads and antennae. Each leg has two claws and their

bodies are flattened so they don’t get swept away by the water

current. More than 1,700 species known.

Mullusca - Freshwater Clam or Mussel are bivalved. This means

they have two thick shells hinged together that are typically closed

when you find them. Some species are oblong-shaped, and others

round. They have a muscular foot that they use to burrow into the

bottom of rivers. When feeding, a pair of siphons sticks out of the

hind edge of the shell, filtering food from flowing water. More than

112,00 species.

Macro-Invertebrates continued on Page 12.
Riparian/Stream Habitat

Marsh/Pond Habitat

Riparian/Stream Habitat

Main

Building

Area

Short Grass Prairie

Sewage

 Lagoon

Wet Meadow

Page 10-11
Page 12

Freshwater Snail - Snails are another Mullusca and similar to slugs but have a spiral shell encasing their soft body.

Depending on the species the shell can open to the right or

left, be hard or soft, or flat spirals. There are more than 100

species.

Freshwater Shrimp - Amphipods are transparent, with a

very thin and smooth outer shell that is periodically shed as they

grow. They have a large spine sticking out at the front of the head

and a fan tail, which can be speckled with blue or green markings.

They have 10 jointed legs, well-developed fan-like structures under

their tail, and a body that is flattened sideways.

Freshwater Sponge - Hydrozoa have small, cylindrical, soft bodies with tentacles around the mouth at one end.

When tentacles are touch by a small animal, they are stunned

by tentacle stinging cells and then pulled into the mouth.

Opposite the mouth is a disk, with which they can affix themselves to a solid surface such as a rock. 150 fresh water species.

Annelida - Leeches are segmented, cylindrical worms with a sucker

on each end, one being a mouth. The mouth has three small jaws

with sharp teeth. Leeches can swim as well as a walk, which they do

in a looping manner. Their body shape depends on whether their

muscles are relaxed or taut. Another common name is bloodsuckers,

as some species feed on the blood.
Page 13

Large Mammals Species

on the Grant-Kohrs Ranch NHS

Moose - Alces alces is the largest member of the deer family

with long, dark brown hair, high, humped shoulders and long

legs. They have a large overhanging snout; pendant of haircovered skin sometimes reaching 2 feet hangs under the throat.

The antlers are massive and flat and its tail is short. Bulls

weigh 800 to 1,200 pounds and cows 600 to 800 pounds.

Usually solitary but may congregate during rut or on winter

range. Often found in or near water and can swim for miles.

Cows are protective of calves.

Elk - Cervus elaphus has a brown coat with the head,

neck, and legs darker than the rest of body. The rump patch

is yellowish. The mane is longer in bulls than in cows. Antlers of mature bulls generally have five tines projecting from

the main branch for a total of six points. Bulls average 900

pounds and cows weigh 500 - 600 pounds. Elk are often

found in herds and migrate to higher elevations in summer

and then back to grass/shrub winter ranges in winters.

White-tailed Deer - Odocoileus virginianus has a coat that

is grayish-brown in winter, and more reddish-brown in summer. The tail is a foot long and white on the underside. The

antlers usually have three to five tines projecting upward in a

basket. Bucks weigh 250 to 275 pounds and does 160 to 180.

They occupy a small home ranges and do not migrate. They

are nocturnal and secretive. When alarmed the tail is wagged

and held erect. The underside, which is white, can be seen for

some distance.
Page 14

Mule Deer - Odocoileus hemionus coat is gray in winter

and brownish in summer. The forehead is dark and the chin,

throat, and rump patch are white. The tail is short and round

with black tip. The distinctive trait and name comes from the

large ears. Antlers are upright, rather than basket-like and

typically has four tines on each side in mature bucks. Bucks

average 250 - 275 pounds and does 160 - 180 pounds. They

feed early and late in the day. When startled, a Mule Deer will

move in a series of stiff-legged jumps with all four feet hitting

the ground together.

Pronghorn - Antilocapra americana is found only in North

America, and is often called an antelope. Pronghorns have a

rich russet-tan coat with white undersides. The rump patch is

large and white and there are two white bands across the throat.

There are black markings on the head and the eyes are large.

Adult bucks have 13 to 18 inches long prongs with curved

tips. The horn is made up of two parts: a bony core covered

by a black outer sheath. This sheath is made up of a stiff,

hair-like substance. Pronghorns are the only animals in the

world who shed their “horns” annually. Many adult does

have rudimentary horns. Adult bucks weigh 125 pounds and

does 110 pounds.

Black Bear - Ursus americanus has a black, brown, or

blond coat. Often a white area is found on the chest. There is

a slight shoulder hump, but the highest point of the body is

above the hips. The muzzle is straight and long. Claws of

front feet are dark and strongly curved, and short. Males can

weigh from 200 to 400 pounds, females are typically under

200 pounds. Black bears are most nocturnal and usually feed

alone.
Page 15

Coyote- Canis latrans stands less than 2 feet tall and looks

superficially like a medium sized dog. Color varies from whitegray to tan often with a reddish tint to its coat. The legs, feet,

and ears are rusty and the throat and belly whitish. A coyote’s

ears and nose appear long and pointed, especially in relation

to the size of its head. It weighs between 30 and 50 pounds.

The coyote can be identified by its thick, bushy tail, which it

often holds between its legs when running.

Red Fox - Vulpes vulpes coat is rusty red, with white underbelly, black ear tips and legs, and a bushy tail with a distinctive white tip. The “red” tone can vary from crimson to

golden. The tail is long, and bushy with a distinctive white

tip. Ears are pointed and the muzzle is slender. The eyes are

yellow and have distinctive vertically slit pupils giving a slanted

eye look. Red Foxes weights between 10 and 15 pounds with

a length of 40 inches.

Badger - Taxidea taxus is a compact, heavy-bodied animal

built low to the ground, with partially webbed toes and long

claws to aid in digging. They have a yellowish-gray coat with a

white stripe over the top of the head. Cheeks are white, feet

are dark brown to black, and a black spot is found in front of

each ear. The belly and short tail are yellowish. Total length: 22

to 28 inches. Weight: 13 to 25 pounds .
Page 16

Mountain Cottontail - Sylvilagus nuttalllii is grayish

brown with a slight yellowish appearance above and whitish

below. A diagnostic characteristic is a narrow, black line along

the margin of the ear. They have a fairly large tail that is dark

above and white underneath. Their total length is 13.5 to 16.5

inches, and they weigh 1.4 to 1.9 pounds.

Beaver - Castor canadensis is North America’s largest rodent. Adults can be up to four feet long and weigh more than 60

pounds. Their rear legs are longer than the front and webbed.

The front legs are heavily clawed. The tail is large, flat, and

nearly hairless. When the beaver is under water, the nose and

ears close and a special membrane covers its eyes. It has dark

brown fur on its back and sides and lighter brown fur on its chest

and belly.

Porcupine - Erethizon dorsatum average 30 inches long and

20 pounds in weight. Round, short-legged, and slow in movement, they are protected by a coat of quills that covers all but

their underside and the insides of their legs. They average 30,000

modified hairs quills, which are yellowish white and black- or

brown-tipped and up to five inches in length. Quills are intermixed with coarse guard hairs that lay over thick, brownish underfur. Quills are concentrated on the rump and short tail. They

also have long, heavy claws for climbing.

Small Mammal Species on the Grant-Kohrs

Ranch NHS
Page 17

Columbian Ground Squirrel - Spermophilus

columbianus has the general appearance of a squirrel, but doesn’t

climb tress. They live in dens they have dug in the ground.

They have white-speckled brown, black and gray fur on their

head and back, with reddish-tan fur on the face and nose, chest,

undersides and legs. It has a reddish-black tail and white around

its eyes.

Northern Water Shrew - Sorex palustrtis is very dark or

black above with a silvery white belly. They have long tails,

up to 3 inches. Hindfeet have unique fringe of stiff hairs.

Overall length is 5.5 - 6.5 inches. They weigh around 0.5

ounces. This species is the largest of the long-tailed shrews in

North America.

Muskrat - Ondatra zibethicus has relatively small front feet,

with four major toes and small thumbs. Hind feet are much larger,

and partially webbed. The tail is deeper than it is wide, hairless,

and tapers to a blunt point at the end. They weigh 3 to 4 pounds

and are 22 to 25 inches in length, including the tail. Fur color is

mostly brown with lighter shades of greys. Chest and stomach

areas are lighter.

Northern Pocket Gopher - Thomomys talpoides seldom

appears above ground; when it does, it rarely ventures more

than a few feet. Color varies greatly and is often a rich brown

or yellowish brown, but can be grayish. They have white markings under the chin. Ears are rounded with large dark patch

behind the ears. Length is 6 to 9 inches. Weight is 4 to 8 ounces.

Yellow Pine Chipmunk - Tamias amoenus shows a tawny

to pinkish cinnamon color with five black longitudinal dark

stripes that are evenly spaced and about equal in width. The

back stripes extend to rump and the two on the sides only go

to the mid-body. The paler stripes are white/gray. There is

also a distinct black lower eye stripe. Sides of body are grayyellow.
Page 18

Vagrant Shrew - Sorex vagrans appears reddish in

summer, darker in the winter, and the tail is bicolored. Total length is 4 to 5 inches with a 1 .25 to 2 inch tail. It

weighs 0.12 to 0.36ounces.This tiny creature

spends its time feeding in the runways of voles, where it

finds such foods as insect larvae, slugs, snails, spiders,

earthworms and other invertebrates.

Masked Shrew - Sorex cinereus is one of the most widely

distributed mammals in North America. It is primarily nocturnal, secretive and rarely seen. It is a mouselike insectivore

with sharply pointed muzzle. This species has minute eyes and

a long tail. It has velvety fur which is gray-brown in color, and

pale gray beneath. Length of head and body is 2 to 2.5 inches

and weight is 0.08 to 0.25 Ounces.

Western Jumping Mouse- Zapus princeps name is derived as it often makes a series of 3 to 5 foot jumps when

startled from its hiding place. It can also run on all four feet.

The sides are yellow with a dark band running down the middle

of its back. The belly is white, and can be yellow tinged. The

tail is darker above and whitish below. It has very large hindfeet.

Total length is 8.5 to 10.25 inches, with a 5 to 6 inch tail. Weight

is 0.5 to 1.5 ounces.

Montane Shrew - Sorex manticolus is stout-bodied and

brown with a relatively long tail. It is the largest of the brown

shrews of mountainous areas. The tail is bicolored but only

slightly. Total length is nearly five inches. The length of the

tail is 1.5 to 2 inches. The weigh 0.2 to 0.25 ounces. Another name for this shrew is the Dusky Shrew.
Page 19

Deer Mouse - Peromyscus maniculatus occurs over a

large geographic area and range of habitats, and is highly variable in appearance. More than 100 subspecies have been described. Color varies greatly with habitat and geographic area.

Often grayish to reddish brown above; white below. Tail distinctly

bicolored and short-haired. Woodland forms tend to be larger.

Total length is 4 .6 to 8 .75 inches with a 1.75 to 4 .8 inch tail.

Weight is 0.4 - 0.8 ounce.

Meadow Vole - Microtus pennsylvanicus is active at night,

and rarely during the day. The diet consists entirely of green

vegetation and tubers, including many grasses, and clover.

Fur color variable from yellowish brown, reddish brown peppered with black, to blackish brown. The belly is gray with

silver-tipped hairs. Tail is dark above, paler below. Feet are

also dark. The length is 5.5 to 7.6 inches. The tail is 1.25 to

2.5 inches and appears long. Weight is 2 to 2.5 ounces.

Montane Vole - Microtus montanus is a medium-sized vole

with a tail about forty percent of the length of the head and body.

The fur is grayish brown to brownish yellow. The belly is silver

gray with white-tipped, black hairs. The tail is barely bicolored.

Total length 5.5 to 8 inches in length. The tail is 1.4 to 2.8 inches

in length. Weight is 2 ounces.

House Mouse - Mus musculus originated in Asia and spread

throughout Europe many centuries ago. In the early 16th century, it arrived in Florida on ships of the Spanish explorers. The

House Mouse makes its own nest but lives in groups, sharing

escape holes and common areas for eating, urinating, and defecating. It is grayish brown above and nearly as dark below. The

tail is dusky above and below; but nearly hairless. Total length is

5 .2 to 7.75 inches. The tail is 2.5 to 4 inches. Weight is 0.6 to

0.75 ounces.
Page 20

Bat Species on the Grant-Kohrs Ranch NHS

Fringed Myotis - Myotis thysanodes is a colonial bat that

feeds on moths and other insects. It is the largest bat on the

Ranch. It has reddish brown or brown fur above and paler

below. Medium length dark brown or black ears. Fringe of hair

covering the membrane between the legs and tail. Body length

of 3.2 -3.75 inches with a wingspan of 12 inches.

Big Brown Bat - Eptesicus fuccus is the bat most often seen and

resides in buildings. A relatively large brown bat, but can vary from light

to dark, with a pale belly. Wings and membranes black. There is no fur

on the wings or membranes. Length 4 - 5 inches, weight 0.4–0.6 ounces.

Hoary Bat - Lasiurus cinereus is the most widely distributed

bat in the United States. It emerges late in the evening to feed on

insects, mostly moths. It is pale brown and the fur tips are frosted

white. The throat is buffy yellow. Ears are short and rounded,

with black edges. Wing membrane are furred on the upper side.

Length is 4 – 6 inches and they weight 0.6 – 1.25 ounces.

Little Brown Bat - Myotis lucifugus is one of the most common

bats in the U.S. and lives in large colonies, which can number in the

thousands. Glossy brown above, with tips of hairs burnished brown;

buff light below. It has hair on its toes and pointed ears that are dark.

It is between 3 and 5 inches long and weighs between 0.25 - 0.5 ounces.

Long-legged Bat - Myotis volans is common throughout western

North America. However, it is superficially similar to the Little Brown

Bat and often misidentified. Long-legged Bats can be distinguished

by thick hair extending on the underside of the wing to a line from the

elbow to the knee.
Acknowledgments:

I would like to thank Ben Bobowski of the Grant-Kohrs Ranch NHS for encouraging me to develop this guide, and providing funds to make it possible. I also

want to thank my wife, Laura Lee, for her editing and suggestions.

Gary Swant - Deer Lodge, MT

http://www.nhptv.org/NatureWorks, New Hampshire Public Television:

White-tailed Deer Fawn, Columbian Ground Squirrel, Little Brown Bat

http://fwp.mt.gov/fieldguide, Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks; Laregescale

Sucker, Longnose Sucker, Brook Trout, Mountain Whitefish, Rainbow Trout, Mottled Sculpin,

Western Toad, Columbia Spotted Frog, Long-toed Salamander, Painted Turtle, Moose, Coyote,

Beaver, Deer Mouse

http://www.fishbase.org/Summary/SpeciesSummary- Fishbase; Redside Shinner

http://www.umass.edu/nrec/snake_pit/pages/cgarter.html - University of Massachusetts

Amherst; Common Garter snake

http://www.bugsurvey.nsw.gov.au/index.html - NSW Bug Survey: Stonefly, Caddisfly, Mayfly, Water Boatman, Diving Beetle, Snail, Clam, Sponge, Leech, and Freshwater Shrimp.

http://en.wikipedia.org - Wikipedia Free Encyclopedia; White-tailed Deer, Elk, Mule Deer,

Red Fox, House Mouse

http://www.nps.gov/archive/wica - National Park Service; Pronghorn

http://www.enature.com/home - enature Field Guides; Mountain Cottontail, Yellow Pine Chipmunk, Northern Pocket Gopher, Vagrant Shrew, Masked Shrew, Western Jumping Mouse,

Meadow Vole, Big Brown Bat, Hoary Bat, Fringed Myotis,

http://www.washington.edu/burkemuseum - Burke Museum; Montane Vole

http://aknhp.uaa.alaska.edu/akbats - US Forest Service; Long-legged Bat

Websites that allowed us to use their photographs for non-commercial use are

listed below and the pictures noted.
NOTES: