Wildlife Lab Exam Flashcards
Distinguishing characteristics of Canidae skulls
- Very well-developed carnassial teeth
- Nearly complete complement of teeth
- Molars behind carnassial teeth with crushing surfaces
Wolf vs. Coyote
Wolf:
- Wolves carry tail straight
- Tail is long and bushy
- Wolves have a broad snout
- Coat of wolves can vary
- Ear small
Coyote:
- Tail usually carried down
- Narrow snout
- Colour usually light
- Large ears relative to head
- Long legs compared to body
Distinguishing characteristics of Ursidae skull
- Lack pronounced carnassial pair
- Long rostrum but small orbits
Black Bear vs. Grizzly Bear
Black Bear:
- Lack shoulder hump
- Straight face profile
- Long ears
- Shorter claws
Grizzly Bear:
- Shoulder hump
- Concave face profile
- Short ears
- Longer claws
Distinguishing characteristics of Procyonidae (Racoon) skull
- No pronounced carnassial pair
- Only 2 lower molars are present
Distinguishing characteristics of Mustelidae skulls
- Only one upper molar
- Have pronounced carnassial teeth
Distinguishing characteristics of Felidae skulls
- Short face / rostrum
- Have carnassial shear
- Only one molar on top and bottom
Bobcat vs. Lynx
Bobcat:
- Smaller
- Short tail with black tip on dorsal side only
- Short/absent ear tufts
- Spotted coat
- Smaller feet
Lynx
- Larger
- Short tail with black tip on dorsal and ventral side
- Long ear tufts
- Silver to grey fur
- Very large feet
Distinguishing characteristics of Otariidae (eared seals)
- Small external ear pinna
- Homodont, polydont teeth
Distinguishing characteristics of Phocidae (true seals) skulls
- Homodont, polydont teeth
- No pinna
Squirrel wildlife damage characteristics
- > 6 cm dbh
- Rectangular
Snowshoe hare damage
- <6 cm dbh
- shaggy shavings
Mountain beaver damage
- Laterals have been chewed off
- Large teeth (compared to vole)
Vole damage
- Little teeth
Beaver damage
- Large incisors
Ungulate damage
- Antler rubbing = debarking, lots of strips
Artiodactyla vs. Perissodactyla
- Artiodactyla have only 2 lower incisors
- Perissodactyla have 2 upper and 2 lower incisors
Moose vs. elk skulls
- Both have low vomer (bone doesn’t go to palate)
- Elk has maxillary canine
- Moose does not have maxillary canine
Caribou skull
- High vomer
- Has maxillary canines
White tail vs mule deer skull
- Both have high vomer
- Both have no maxillary
- Mule deer has a deep indentation under eye, white-tail has shallow depression
Phocidae (true seals) vs. otaridae skulls (eared seals)
Phocidae
- Don’t have supraorbital processes
- Have inflated bulla
- non-conical teeth
Otariidae
- Have supra orbital processes
- less inflated bulla
- Conical teeth
Mephitidae vs mustelidae skulls
Mephitidae
- palate doesn’t extend past last molar
Mustelidae
- Palate extends past last molar
- right angled molars
Procyonidae skull characteristics
- Palate extends past last mlar
- Lack carnassial teeth
Mustelid prints
- 5 digits
- inverted chevron
- 1:3:1
Bear skull
- Lack carnassial teeth
Dog skull
- Carnassial teeth
- Lots of teeth
- Long rostrum
Cat skull
- Short rostrum
- Carnassial teeth
- Barely any teeth
Dog print
- More rectangular
- Claws show
- 1 lobe on front of pad
Cat print
- Round
- Claws don’t usually show
- 2 lobes on top
Difference between male/female mountain goats
Male:
- Horns taper with gradual curve
- Larger horn base
Female:
- Horns taper with sharper curve
- Wider space between horns
Mule deer antlers vs. white-tailed deer antlers
Mule:
- Main beam branches to produce fork
White-tailed
- Tines come off of the main beam (no forking)
