muskrat, fisher, eastern coyote Flashcards
scientific name of muskrat
ondatra zibethicus
describe 2 facts about muskrat hair
- only mammal in NY with course hair under tail
- soft dense undercoat and thick guard hairs
what land do muskrats occupy
they prefer marshlands but can occupy wetlands, and waterways that are heavily vegetated
what do muskrats eat
roots and stems of aquatic vegetation and sometimes invertebrates when veg is short or there is abundance in mollusks, fish, etc (even turtles)
signs of a muskrat
well matted resting and feeding platforms- usually littered with scraps of veg and crayfish as well as droppings
are muskrats nocturnal
yes muskrats are nocturnal
how do muskrats defend their territory
muskrats are extremely territorial especially prior and during breeding season.
territory holders usually older- younger more likely to be prey
how do muskrats burrow in marshes vs waterways
in marshes they build up from vegetation where as in waters ways they dig into the bank and create underground tunnels. both are damaging to surrounding banks and vegetation
push ups (breathers)
muskrat burrow created for winter- masses of veg collected from underwater and pushed up thru cracks or holes in the ice- they freeze and serve as resting place and are maintained as breathing holes
how do muskrat impact other species
- canada geese and mallards nest on top of huts
- species such as turtles will use houses for hibernation
- eating bur-reeds clear areas for the endangered black tern to mate!!
when does breeding occur in muskrats
april- may
how long is gestation periods in muskrats
25/30 days
how many young and litters can muskrats have
4-8 kits and up to 3 litters a year
when can females begin mating
the fall of their first year, but the northern range of the species don’t reach sexual maturity until one year
what kills muskrats
- traps,
- cars,
- minks, raccoons,
- other predators also hunt them like fox, coyotes, red-tailed hawks, and great-horned owl
- disease
scientific name of fisher
martes pennant
what family is the fisher a part of
weasel
what physical differences do male and female fishers have
- females usually have a uniform color where as males will have blonde or brown hairs around the upper neck, upper back/ shoulders
- females are much smaller (dimorphism)
fisher feet do what to help them descend trees
rotate nearly 180 degrees
what do fishers use to attack mates and mark territory
large anal scent glands
fishers have what type of claws
semi-retractable
what continent do fishers live
north america
what areas do fishers live in
forested and semi- forested land- prefer extensive closed canopy forests
when and why did fisher populations decrease
late 1800s/ early 1900s
unregulated logging and clearing land for farmers led to loss of forested habitat
what has brought back fisher populations
- reintroduction programs
- regulating trapping opportunities
- reforestation programs
what do fishers eat
wide variety- small mammals and birds as well as mast (acorns, apples, berries, beechnuts)
what animal have fishers been the only mammal to kill
porcupine
how far will fishers go for food
hundreds of miles
how far have fishers been reported to travel for food
hundred miles
when can female fishers begin reproduction
within their first year, eggs often delay implantation
fisher breeding takes place when and how big are litters
march- may
2-3 kits
interfamilial aggression
begins at the onset of autum- young usually leave then (about 5 months old)
where do fishers den? where do they den for birth?
- cavities in old trees, hollow logs, cavities in rocks, brush piles, and underground.
- high above the ground in hollow trees
when do fishers interact with other fishers
breeding
describe fisher territories
males have large home ranges that generally don’t overlap with each other
how do fishers die
- cars
- harvest trappers
- disease
New york state fisher management plan
completed in 2015 and lays out the goals, objectives, and strategies that will guide management
New york fisher management plan
describes the goals and strategies related to management
1. maintain or enhance fisher populations
2. provide sustainable use and enjoyment of fishers by the public
scientific name of eastern coyote
canis latrans
how much bigger are eastern coyotes then western
about 40 pounds
diet depends on what’s easy to find, scavenge, or catch and kill
opportunistic omnivores
why do coyotes eat deer
roadkill
describe 3 coyote patterns
nocturnal, territorial, stick to one region their whole life
how do coyotes mate
mate for life
describe eastern coyote familial habits
females raise pups in dens and stay in the area where males will wander greater distances to hunt for females and pups
how many pups in a coyote litter
4-6
when are coyotes full grown
9 months
why do coyotes thrive in human populated areas
abundant food supply
why do coyotes thrive in human populated areas
abundant food supply
instead of forming pack, coyotes live in
family units
what limits the number of coyotes in any one area
territorial behavior
how large are eastern coyotes territories
2-15 square miles
how many new yorkers participate in coyote hunting and trapping
30,000 and 3,000 in trapping
where is eastern coyote hunting open
all of upstate new york (license required)
when can u most likely spot a coyote
end of summer when pups are almost grown
in fields hunting for small mammals
tracks and scat
yelps at night
