Rodents and Small MAmmals
"Spring is here, and sprouting seeds are not the only living things stirring the warm, moist soil of California gardens. The gophers are stirring down there too."
- Maria Gaura
- Maria Gaura
introduction
Opossums
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Opossums are marsupials, a group of mammals that commonly has a pouch used to hold young and includes other animals like kangaroos and koalas. In California, there is only one species of marsupial: the Virginia Opossum. This animal can be found throughout the state, and was introduced in 1910 in San Jose. Virginia opossums are native to the Southeastern United States and have large bodies and long tails. They weigh anywhere between 1.5 to 14 pounds at adulthood, and their fur is normally silver to grey. They are nocturnal animals and are also omnivores, feeding on grains, berries, insects, fungi, and green vegetation.
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Opossums build nests from logs, rock piles, brush piles, or will take over other animals' nests. They are tolerant of humans, and are commonly seen in neighborhoods and cities at night, though they can be aggressive if provoked or trapped. Their most important predators are dogs and owls. These amazing animals have high resistance to snake venom, and are not known to be carriers of rabies. Although Opossums are found in gardens, they usually feed on insect pests, bird eggs, and deceased small animals; they leave most garden plants alone. They will disturb compost piles, as they prefer to eat things that are already dead or dying. For tips on keeping these visitors out of your pile, see the compost page, linked below:
Quick Question: What's the difference between a Possum and an Opossum?
Although in common use these names are used interchangeably to describe Virginia Opossums, a Possum and an Opossum are actually different animals. The term Possum is used scientifically to describe animals found in Australia and the surrounding islands and China, and Opossum is used to describe those animals found in the Americas. Although they do look similar, these two animals are from different genera, and possums have furry tails, while opossums have bare tails. Possums also tend to be smaller on average than Oposusms.
Although in common use these names are used interchangeably to describe Virginia Opossums, a Possum and an Opossum are actually different animals. The term Possum is used scientifically to describe animals found in Australia and the surrounding islands and China, and Opossum is used to describe those animals found in the Americas. Although they do look similar, these two animals are from different genera, and possums have furry tails, while opossums have bare tails. Possums also tend to be smaller on average than Oposusms.
Possum
(Trichosurus vulpecula) |
Opossum
(Didelphus virginiana) |
Shrews and Moles
These related animals are insectivores and have dark fur, rounded bodies, and pointed snouts.
Shrews
At the last count, there were thirteen species of shrews in California.
At the last count, there were thirteen species of shrews in California.
Crawford's Grey Shrew (Desert Shrew) (Notiosorex crawfordi)
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Marsh Shrew
(Sorex bendirii) |
Mount Lyell Shrew
(Sorex lyelli) |
Merriam's Shrew
(Sorex merriami) |
Montane Shrew
(Sorex monticolus) |
Pacific Shrew
(Sorex pacificus) |
American Water Shrew
(Sorex palustris) |
Preble's Shrew
(Sorex preblei) |
Ornate Shrew
(Sorex ornatus) |
Fog Shrew
(Sorex sonomae) |
Inyo Shrew
(Sorex tenellus) |
Trowbridge's Shrew
(Sorex trowbridgii) |
Vagrant Shrew
(Sorex vagrans) |
Moles
There are five species of moles (and one sub-species) that make California their home:
There are five species of moles (and one sub-species) that make California their home:
Shrew-Mole
(Neurotrichus gibbsii) |
Northern Broad-Footed Mole
(Scapanus latimanus) |
Alameda Island Mole
(Scapanus latimanus parvus) |
Southern Broad-Footed Mole
(Scapanus occultus) |
Coast Mole
(Scapanus orarius) |
Townsend's Mole
(Scapanus townsendii) |
Bats
The following list of bats is divided into three categories: Leaf-Nosed Bats, Vesper Bats, and Free-Tailed Bats.
Leaf-Nosed Bats
Mexican Long-Tongued Bat (Choeronycteris mexicana)
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Southern Long-Nosed Bat
(Leptonycteris curasoae) |
Lesser Long-Nosed Bat
(Leptonycteris yerbabuenae) |
California Leaf-Nosed Bat
(Macrotus californicus) |
Vesper Bats
Hoary Bat
(Aeorestes cinereus) |
Pallid Bat
(Antrozous pallidus) |
Townsend's Big-Eared Bat
(Corynorhinus townsendii) |
Pale Big-Eared Bat
(Corynorhinus townsendii pallescens) |
Big Brown Bat
(Eptesicus fuscus) |
Spotted Bat
(Euderma maculatum) |
Allen's Big-Eared Bat
(Idionycteris phyllotis) |
Silver-Haired Bat
(Lasionycteris noctivagans) |
Western Red Bat
(Lasiurus blossevillii) |
Western Yellow Bat
(Lasiurus xanthinus) |
California Myotis
(Myotis californicus) |
Western Small-Footed Myotis
(Myotis ciliolabrum) |
Long-Eared Myotis
(Myotis evotis) |
Little Brown Myotis
(Myotis lucifugus) |
Arizona Myotis
(Myotis occultus) |
Fringed Myotis
(Myotis thysanodes) |
Cave Myotis
(Myotis velifer) |
Long-Legged Myotis
(Myotis volans) |
Yuma Myotis
(Myotis yumanensis) |
Western Pipistrelle
(Parastrellus hesperus) |
Free-Tailed Bats
Western Mastiff Bat
(Eumops perotis) |
California Mastiff Bat
(Eumops perotis californicus) |
Pocketed Free-Tailed Bat
(Nyctinomops femerosaccus) |
Big Free-Tailed Bat
(Nyctinomops macrotis) |
Brazilian (or Mexican) Free-Tailed Bat (Tadarida brasiliensis)
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Pikas, Rabbits, and Hares
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Pikas
There is one species of Pika that lives in California, and it is the American Pika, or Ochotona princeps. Pikas are small, mountain-dwelling mammals that have short limbs, round bodies, and short, rounded ears. They have no tails and are relatives of rabbits. Pikas feed on grasses, flowers, and young stems, and store food for the cold winter months when food is scarce. Pikas are known for their high-pitched call they make if startled. |
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Rabbits and Hares
The following species of hares and rabbits are found in California.
The following species of hares and rabbits are found in California.
Pygmy Rabbit
(Brachylagus idahoensis) |
Snowshoe Hare
(Lepus americanus) |
Oregon Snowshoe Hare
(Lepus americanus klamathensis) |
Sierra Nevada Snowshoe Hare
(Lepus americanus tahoensis) |
Black-Tailed Jackrabbit
(Lepus californicus) |
San Diego Black-Tailed Jackrabbit
(Lepus californicus bennettii) |
White-Tailed Jackrabbit
(Lepus townsendii) |
European Rabbit
(Oryctolagus cuniculus) |
Desert Cottontail
(Sylvilagus audubonii) |
Brush Rabbit
(Sylvilagus bachmani) |
Riparian Brush Rabbit
(Sylvilagus bachmani riparius) |
Mountain Cottontail
(Sylvilagus nuttalii) |
rodents
Beavers
Sierra Nevada Mountain Beaver
(Aplodontia rufa californica) |
Point Arena Mountain Beaver
(Aplodontia rufa nigra) |
Point Reyes Mountain Beaver
(Aplodontia rufa phaea) |
American Beaver
(Castor canadensis) |
Squirrels
California is home to a wide variety of squirrel populations, including flying squirrels, tree squirrels, and ground squirrels.
California is home to a wide variety of squirrel populations, including flying squirrels, tree squirrels, and ground squirrels.
Humboldt's Flying Squirrel
(Glaucomys oregonensis) |
San Bernardino Flying Squirrel
(Glaucomys oregonensis californicus) |
Northern Flying Squirrel
(Glaucomys sabrinus) |
Eastern Gray Squirrel
(Sciurus carolinensis) |
Western Gray Squirrel
(Sciurus griseus) |
Eastern Fox Squirrel
(Sciurus niger) |
Douglas' Squirrel
(Tamiasciurus douglasii) |
White-Tailed Antelope Ground Squirrel
(Ammospermophilus leucurus) |
Nelson's Antelope Ground Squirrel
(Ammospermophilus nelsoni) |
California Ground Squirrel
(Spermophilus beecheyi) |
Belding's Ground Squirrel
(Spermophilus beldingi) |
Golden-Mounted Ground Squirrel
(Spermophilus lateralis) |
Mohave Ground Squirrel
(Spermophilus mohavensis) |
Round-Tailed Ground Squirrel
(Spermophilus tereticaudus) |
Palm Springs Round-Tailed Ground Squirrel
(Spermophilus tereticaudus chlorus) |
Townsend's Ground Squirrel
(Spermophilus townsendii) |
Rock Squirrel
(Spermophius variegatus) |
Marmots and Chipmunks
Yellow-Bellied Marmot
(Marmota flaviventris) |
Alpine Chipmunk
(Tamias alpinus) |
Yellow-Pine Chipmunk
(Tamias amoenus) |
Merriam's Chipmunk
(Tamias merriami) |
Least Chipmunk
(Tamias minimus) |
California Chipmunk
(Tamias obscurus) |
Yellow-Cheeked Chipmunk
(Tamias ochrogenys) |
Panamint Chipmunk
(Tamias panamintinus) |
Long-Eared Chipmunk
(Tamias quadrimaculatus) |
Allen's Chipmunk
(Tamias senex) |
Siskiyou Chipmunk
(Tamias siskiyou) |
Sonoma Chipmunk
(Tamias sonomae) |
Lodgepole Chipmunk
(Tamias speciosus) |
Uinta Chipmunk
(Tamias umbrinus) |
Gophers
Botta's Pocket Gopher
(Thomomys bottae) |
Western Pocket Gopher
(Thomomys mazama) |
Mountain Pocket Gopher
(Tomomys monticola) |
Northern Pocket Gopher
(Thomomys talpoides) |
Townsend's Pocket Gopher
(Thomomys townsendii) |
Kangaroo Rats and Pocket Mice
Pacific Kangaroo Rat
(Dipodomys agilis) |
California Kangaroo Rat
(Dipodomys californicus) |
Marysville California Kangaroo Rat
(Dipodomys californicus eximus) |
Desert Kangaroo Rat
(Dipodomys deserti) |
Big-Eared Kangaroo Rat
(Dipodomys elephantinus) |
Heermann's Kangaroo Rat
(Dipodomys heermanni) |
Giant Kangaroo Rat
(Dipodomys ingens) |
Merriam's Kangaroo Rat
(Dipodomys merriami) |
San Bernardino Merriam's Kangaroo Rat
(Dipodomys merriami parvus) |
Chisel-Toothed Kangaroo Rat
(Dipodomys microps) |
Fresno Kangaroo Rat
(Dipodomys nitratoides) |
Short-Nosed Kangaroo Rat
(Dipodomys nitratoides brevinasus) |
Tipton Kangaroo Rat
(Dipodomys nitratoides nitratoides) |
Ord's Kangaroo Rat
(Dipodomys ordii) |
Panamint Kangaroo Rat
(Dipodomys panamintinus) |
San Diego Kangaroo Rat
(Dipodomys simulans) |
Stephens' Kangaroo Rat
(Dipodomys stephensi) |
Narrow-Faced Kangaroo Rat
(Dipodomys venustus) |
Dark Kangaroo Mouse
(Microdipodops megacephalus) |
Pale Kangaroo Mouse
(Microdipodops pallidus) |
Bailey's Pocket Mouse
(Chaetodipus baileyi) |
California Pocket Mouse
(Chaetodipus californicus) |
Dulzura Pocket Mouse
(Chaetodipus californicus femoralis) |
San Diego Pocket Mouse
(Chaetodipus fallax) |
Northwestern San Diego Pocket Mouse
(Chaetodipus fallax fallax) |
Pallid San Diego Pocket Mouse
(Chaetodipus fallax pallidus) |
Long-Tailed Pocket Mouse
(Chaetodipus formosus) |
Desert Pocket Mouse
(Chaetodipus penicillatus) |
Spiny Pocket Mouse
(Chaetodipus spinatus) |
White-Eared Pocket Mouse
(Perognathus alticola) |
Tehachapi Pocket Mouse
(Perognathus alticola inexpectatus) |
San Joaquin Pocket Mouse
(Perognathus inornatus) |
Salinas Pocket Mouse
(Perognathus inornatus psammophilus) |
Little Pocket Mouse
(Perognathus longimembris) |
Palm Springs Pocket Mouse
(Perognathus longimembris bangsi) |
Los Angeles Pocket Mouse
(Perognathus longimembris brevinasus) |
Jacumba Pocket Mouse
(Perognathus longimembris internationalis) |
Pacific Pocket Mouse
(Perognathus longimembris pacificus) |
Great Basin Pocket Mouse
(Perognathus parvus) |
Voles and Rats
White-Footed Vole
(Arborimus albipes) |
Red Tree Vole
(Arborimus longicaudus) |
Sonoma Tree Vole
(Arborimus pomo) |
Western Red-Backed Vole
(Clethrionomys californicus) |
Sagebrush Vole
(Lemmiscus curtatus) |
California Vole
(Microtus californicus) |
Long-Tailed Vole
(Microtus longicaudus) |
Montane Vole
(Microtus montanus) |
Creeping Vole
(Microtus oregoni) |
Townsend's Vole
(Microtus townsendii) |
Muskrat
(Ondatra zibethicus) |
Heather Vole
(Phenacomys intermedius) |
White-Throated Woodrat
(Neotoma albigula) |
Bushy-Tailed Woodrat
(Neotoma cinerea) |
Dusky-Footed Woodrat
(Neotoma fuscipes) |
Desert Woodrat
(Neotoma lepida) |
Large-Eared Woodrat
(Neotoma macrotis) |
Arizona Cotton Rat
(Sigmodon arizonae) |
Hispid Cotton Rat
(Sigmodon hispidus) |
Norway Rat
(Rattus norvegicus) |
Black Rat
(Rattus rattus) |
Mice
Mice are essential to the ecosystem and play a key role in almost every ecosystem. They help control populations, provide food for predators, and aerate and fertilize soil. Mice also scatter seeds, which helps new vegetation grow.
Here are some other ways mice benefit the environment:
Here are some other ways mice benefit the environment:
- Prey base: Mice are a food source for many predators, including foxes, coyotes, hawks, owls, skunks, shrews, bobcats, and bears.
- Seed dispersal: Mice spread seeds and spores.
- Soil aeration: Mice dig burrows and tunnels to store food and hibernate in the winter. This mixing of soil layers pushes carbon deeper into the soil, which helps plants grow.
Northern Grasshopper Mouse
(Onychomys leucogaster) |
Southern Grasshopper Mouse
(Onychomys torridus) |
Brush Mouse
(Peromyscus boylii) |
California Mouse
(Peromyscus californicus) |
Canyon Mouse
(Peromyscus crinitus) |
Cactus Mouse
(Permyscus eremicus) |
Northern Baja Deer Mouse
(Peromyscus fraterculus) |
Gambel's Deer Mouse
(Peromyscus gambelii) |
Western Deer Mouse
(Peromyscus sonoriensis) |
Pinyon Mouse
(Peromyscus truei) |
Salt Marsh Harvest Mouse
(Reithrodontomys raviventris) |
Western Harvest Mouse
(Reithrodontomys megalotis) |
House Mouse
(Mus musculus) |
Western Jumping Mouse
(Zapus princeps) |
Pacific Jumping Mouse
(Zapus trinotatus) |
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Porcupine
There is one species of porcupine that occurs in California, the North American Porcupine, or Erethizon dorsatum. |
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carnivorans
Canids and Bears
Coyote
(Canis latrans) |
Gray Wolf
(Canis lupus) |
Nothwestern Wolf
(Canis lupis occidentalis) |
Gray Fox
(Utocyon cinereoargenteus) |
Island Fox
(Urocyon littoralis) |
Kit Fox
(Vulpes macrotis) |
Red Fox
(Vulpes vulpes) |
Black Bear
(Ursus americanus) |
Racoons and Cats
Ring-Tailed Cat
(Bassariscus astutus) |
Raccoon
(Procyon lotor) |
Bobcat
(Lynx rufus) |
Cougar
(Puma concolor) |
Mustelids
Sea Otter
(Enhydra lutris) |
Wolverine
(Gulo gulo) |
North American River Otter
(Lontra canadensis) |
Pacific Marten
(Martes caurina) |
Humboldt Marten
(Martes caurina humboldtensis) |
American Ermine
(Mustela richardsonii) |
Long-Tailed Weasel
(Neogale frenata) |
American Mink
(Neogale vison) |
Fisher
(Pekania pennanti) |
American Badger
(Taxidea taxus) |
ungulates
Pronghorn
(Antilocapra americana) |
Barbary Sheep
(Ammotragus lervia) |
American Bison
(Bison bison) |
Bighorn Sheep
(Ovis canadensis) |
Sierra Nevada Bighorn Sheep
(Ovis canadensis sierrae) |
Elk
(Cervus canadensis) |
Tule Elk
(Cervus canadensis nannodes) |
European Fallow Deer
(Dama dama) |
Mule Deer
(Odocoileus hemionus) |
California Mule Deer
(Odocoileus hemionus californicus) |
Columbian Black-Tailed Deer
(Odocoileus hemionus columbianus) |
Southern Mule Deer
(Odocoileus hemionus fuliginatus) |
Inyo Mule Deer
(Odocoileus hemionus inyoensis) |
White-Tailed Deer
(Odocoileus virginianius) |
Wild Boar
(Sus scrofa) |
