Today there are 74 resident species within the state. Mammals on the refuge range in size form the small pygmy shrew to the large Northwestern moose. Mammals are important in the ecology of the refuge. Herbivores such as mice, squirrels, rabbits, hares, muskrats and deer change plant food energy into animal protein which then becomes available to predators such as mink, gray wolf, hawks and owls. Some of the mammals such as raccoon, red fox and coyote play the role of scavangers, as well as predators.
Many mammals are fairly common and are most active during early morning or late evening.
Others are rare, secretive, or appear only at night. Mammals select habitat which provides good cover making observation more difficult than birds. Some of the best ways to determine a mammals presence is to look for their tracks, droppings, dens, holes, beds, or mounds. Should you observe an unlisted or uncommon mammal species, please contact the refuge office. Scientific names and the order in which they appear follow Jones, et.