Whitetails are rich reddish brown in summer and gray-brown in winter. When I started my training to become a …
Mammals
Mammals are a clade of endothermic amniotes distinguished from the reptiles and the birds by the possession of hair, three middle ear bones, mammary glands in females, and a neocortex (a region of the brain). The mammalian brain regulates body temperature and the circulatory system, including the four-chambered heart. The mammals include the largest animals on the planet. The basic body type is a four-legged land-borne animal, but some mammals are adapted for life at sea, in the air, in the trees, or on two legs. The largest group of mammals have a placenta which feeds the offspring during pregnancy. Mammals range in size from the 1.2" – 1.6" bumblebee bat to the 108' blue whale.
The word “mammal” is modern, from the scientific name Mammalia coined by Carl Linnaeus in 1758, derived from the Latin mamma (“teat, pap”). All female mammals nurse their young with milk, which is secreted from special glands, the mammary glands. Except for the five species of monotremes (egg-laying mammals), all modern mammals give birth to live young.
White Throated Wood Rat (Pack Rat)
Pack rat nests may be occupied for centuries. These middens provide information about climate and vegetation …
Mountain Lion aka Puma, Cougar
Inside this plain brown wrapping is packaged what may be pound-for-pound the most lethal predator of the feline …
Lesser Long-Nosed Bat
These bats are really fun to watch. They move very fast and are highly maneuverable Did you ever wonder why your …
Javelina
While Javelinas look and behave much like pigs, they are not closely related. The Javelina is a hairy, pig-like …
Harris’ Antelope Squirrel
The Harris' Antelope Squirrel usually excavates its underground burrow among rocks. It is an omnivore but especially …
Gray Fox
The Gray Fox is the only member of the dog family that climbs trees Gray foxes are smaller in size than coyotes, …
Coati
Curious, active, and gregarious coatis are very social animals, living in bands of up to 30 or more. Also known as …
Botta’s Pocket Gopher
Pocket gophers prefer to pull plants down into their tunnel from below Botta’s Pocket Gophers are about 9.5 inches long …
Black-Tailed Jackrabbit
A good place to look for these jackrabbits in Sabino is along the Esperero trail between the Bear Canyon trail and the …