Animals and Prey

## Prey Animals

***Easy to stalk and hunt, good choice for apprentices. Widely available and requires no specialized techniques.***

* **Common Shrew** - Located almost everywhere. Feeds on insects, worms, snails and seeds.
* **Deer Mouse** - Located almost everywhere.
* **Golden Mantled Ground Squirrel** - Located almost everywhere. Digs shallow burrows. Hibernates.
* **Meadow Vole (Field Mouse)** - Located in meadowlands. Weaves nests out of grass.
* **Ruffed Grouse** - Located almost everywhere. Forages on the ground.
* **Yellow-Pine Chipmunk** - Located almost everywhere. Prefers sunny areas, feeds on seeds and nuts.

***Quicker, more elusive and sensitive prey. Requires patience and skill.***

* **American Red Squirrel** - Located almost everywhere.
* **Common Shiner (Minnow)** - Located in streams. Found in gravel-bed streams and ponds.
* **Cottontail Rabbit** - Located in meadowlands. Forms nests in shallow depressions.
* **Mole** - Located almost everywhere.
* **Songbirds (Sparrows, Wrens, etc.)** - Located almost everywhere. Often migratory.
* **Tiger Salamander** - Located in wetlands and streams. Migrates to water to breed in the spring. Hibernates. Nocturnal.
* **Yellow-Bellied Marmot** - Located almost everywhere. Spends much of its time in burrows. Hibernates from September to May.

***Requires specialized skills (eg, tree-climbing, jumping, fishing) to catch. Can usually be caught only by warriors or very experienced apprentices.***

* **Black-Billed Magpie** - Located almost everywhere. Forages on the ground and sometimes follows large predators.
* **Blue Jay** - Located almost everywhere. Builds open-cup nests on tree branches.
* **Columbia Spotted Frog** - Located in wetlands and streams. Stays near shallow water among reeds and cattails. Slippery, quick, and almost impossible to catch once submerged.
* **Cutthroat Trout** - Located in streams. Spawns in gravel-bed streams.
* **Northern Gopher** - Located almost everywhere. Uses large networks of underground tunnels to escape predators.
* **Pika** - Located in rocky slopes. Warns other pikas of enemies with a shrill cry.
* **Water Vole** - Located in wetlands and streams. Digs burrows that are connected to water sources. Fastest swimming rodent.
* **White-tailed Jackrabbit** - Located in meadowlands. Largest and fastest of the jackrabbits. Crepuscular.

***Difficult prey, requires a combination of teamwork and specialized skills. Can sometimes be dangerous and cause injury.***

* **American Crows & Common Ravens** - Located almost everywhere. Their large size and sharp beak make these birds dangerous prey.
* **Little Brown Bat** - Located in caves. Only found between September and April, when they migrate to their hibernaculum. Rarely seen outside of their caves.
* **Mallard Duck** - Located in wetlands and streams. Adults are swift and almost impossible to catch; chicks and juveniles are easier.
* **Muskrat** - Located in wetlands and streams. Its large size, agility in water and sharp teeth make it a daunting prey.
* **North American Porcupine** - Located almost everywhere. Can be found resting in trees during the day. Aggressive and dangerous. Nocturnal.
* **Northern Flying Squirrel** - Located in canopies. Nests in hollow trees. Uncommon and difficult to track. Nocturnal.
* **Western Rattlesnake** - Located in rocky areas. Venomous and extremely dangerous when provoked.
* **Wild Turkey** - Located almost everywhere. Adults possess sharp beaks, talons and have surprisingly strong wings that can injure adults.

## Large Animals and Predators

***Very low or no danger to cats.***

* **Bighorn Sheep** - Located in rocky slopes. Common. Found in flocks, primarily occurring in and around EmberClan territory.
* **Elk** - Located widespread. Common. Found during the spring and summer, when they migrate to the territories with their calves.
* **Marten** - Located in forests. Common. Nests in trees, stumps, hollow logs and rock piles.
* **Mule Deer** - Located widespread. Common. Rarely seen in groups except for during the rut, from late October to early December.
* **Osprey** - Located widespread. Common. Nests in trees near water.
* **Pronghorn Deer** - Located in meadowlands. Uncommon. Migrates to lower elevations in the winter.
* **River Otter** - Located in wetlands and streams. Common. Digs burrows near rivers and streams.
* **Skunk** - Located in forests. Uncommon. Nests in burrows. Crepuscular, less active in winter.
* **Weasel** - Located in forests. Common. Nests in pre-existing holes, such as rabbit burrows and badger sets.

***Dangerous, but can be chased away.***

* **Badger** - Located widespread. Common. Less active in winter. Generally nocturnal.
* **Bald Eagle** - Located widespread. Uncommon. Nests in tall, old-growth trees close to water.
* **Bobcat** - Located widespread. Common. Will occasionally attack adult cats when food is scarce. Crepuscular.
* **Fox** - Located in meadowlands. Uncommon. Will occasionally attack adult cats. Dens are often dug between tree roots. Crepuscular.
* **Raccoon** - Located in forests and wetlands. Uncommon. Less active in winter. Generally nocturnal.

***Extremely dangerous. Cats should avoid.***

* **Black Bear** - Located widespread. Uncommon. Not likely to prey on cats, but deadly if provoked.
* **Cougar** - Located in rocky slopes. Rare. Not likely to prey on cats, but deadly if provoked.
* **Coyote** - Located widespread. Common. Hunts in small packs.
* **Gray Wolf** - Located widespread. Uncommon. Hunts in packs.
* **Grizzly Bear** - Located widespread. Rare. Not likely to prey on cats, but deadly if provoked.
* **Wolverine** - Located in forests and rocky areas. Rare. Ferocious predator.