2014 PCO Winter Workshops
Rodent Identification
1. Identifying Rodent Species
2. Characteristics of Different
Rodents
Presented by
PROVINCIAL RAT
ERADICATION
PROGRAM
Grant Peeling
Provincial Coordinator
Norway Rat
•
Other Names: Brown Rat, Gray
Rat, Common Rat, House Rat,
Wharf Rat, Water Rat, Barn Rat,
Sewer Rat, Super Rat
•
These "super rats" can reach 16"
in length.
•
Each female rat can give birth to
20 pups in her lifetime.
•
Some factors affecting rat
populations in cities include
continuously mild winters,
weather-related disasters, and
encroachment of their habitats by
new urban development.
Norway Rat
Scientific Name: Rattus Norvegicus
Color: Usually grayish-brown, but color varies from a pure
gray to a reddish brown; hard to identify by color alone
Weight: 10-16 ounces; larger than Roof Rat
Length: 7-10 inches
Tail Length: 6-8 inches; shorter than the body
Body: Heavy & thick body, blunt nose
Ears: Relatively small; close to body
Eyes: Large & protruding black eyes
Lifespan: 5 to 12 months
Droppings: ¾ inch long with blunt ends; dark color; found in
groupings. An adut rat typically produces 40-50 droppings
per day
Norway Rat
Diet:
Reproduction:
Daily Amount: 0.5-1 ounce
Daily Water: 1-2 ounce
Daily Food: Cereal grains, meats,
seeds, cockroaches, fruits, shrimp
Litter Size: 8-12 pups per litter
No. of Litters: 4-7 per year
Sexual Maturity: 2-3 months
Gestation Period: 22 days
Breeding Season: Indoors: All year;
Outdoors: Spring & Fall
Norway Rat
Habitat:
Geography: Throughout the US & Canada
Nest Location: Burrows in soil, sewers,
basements, lower portion of buildings
Home Range: 25-100 ft. from nest. Rats
live below ground level, but they do tour
around above ground in search of food.
Active Periods: Nocturnal; most feeding
occurs 30 minutes after sunset and
before sunrise
Norway Rat
Identify Damage:
Droppings
• Droppings are the most commonly encountered evidence of rodent activity.
Even a small rat infestation can produce literally thousands of droppings in a
short period of time.
Gnaw Marks
• Evidence of recent gnawing is an excellent sign for determining the presence
of Norway rats.
• Rats tend to gnaw on wooden structures such as corners, floor joists, and wall
studs. When Norway Rats gnaw holes into cartons and boxes, the holes
typically measure about 2 inches in diameter and often contain rough, torn
edges.
Sounds & Odors
• Another indication that rats are present is a strong musty odor. Cats and dogs
may excitedly sniff and probe an area where rats or mice are present, and
often indicate this by scratching or making unusual sounds.
Norway Rat
Examples of Damage caused:
Deer Mouse
•
Other Names: N/A
•
Feasting on seeds, grains and
fruit, Deer Mice often aggravate
farmers when they infiltrate grain
silos and storage bins.
•
These rodents are well-known
carriers of the deadly Hantavirus
which has caused numerous
deaths in the United States. As
prolific breeders, they pose
serious health risks for humans
and pets
Deer Mouse
Scientific Name: Peromyscus Maniculatus
Color: Reddish-brown to golden brown, white feet
& chest, bi-colored tail
Weight: ½-1 ounce
Length: 4 inches
Tail Length: 2.5 inches
Body: Small head & body; larger than a House
Mouse
Ears: Large, sparsely furred ears
Eyes: Large, protruding black eyes
Lifespan: 2 years
Droppings: ¼ inch long; pointed ends; dark color
Deer Mouse
Diet:
Reproduction:
Daily Amount: 1/10 ounce
Daily Water: Utilize moisture in food
Daily Food: Insects, nuts, seeds,
berries
Litter Size: 4 pups per litter
No. of Litters: 2-4 per year
Sexual Maturity: 1 month
Gestation Period: 20 days
Breeding Season: Indoors: All year;
Outdoors: Spring & Fall
Deer Mouse
Habitat:
Geography: Eastern 2/3 of the US; rural & semi-rural; do not appear
in urban environments
Nest Location: Ledges beneath decks, garages, barns, inside of cars,
burrows around tree roots; Less than 30 ft. from food source
Home Range: up to 30 ft. from nest
Active Periods: Nocturnal; most feeding occurs 30 minutes after
sunset and before sunrise
Deer Mouse
Identify Damage:
Droppings
• Droppings are the most commonly encountered evidence of rodent activity.
Even a small mouse infestation can produce literally thousands of droppings
in a short period of time.
• An adult deer mouse typically produces 50 to 75 droppings per day. These
fecal pellets are usually dark-coloured, 1/4 inch in length, and pointed at
both ends.
Gnaw Marks
• Evidence of recent gnawing is an excellent sign for determining the
presence of mice. Besides chewing wires, mice gnaw on plastic items,
wood, bags, and corners of cereal boxes.
• Additionally, they will shred paper from books and paper towels for their
nests.
• Mouse holes are typically small, clean-cut holes about 1/2 inch in diameter.
Sounds & Odours
• Another indication that mice are present is a strong musty odour. Cats and
dogs may excitedly sniff and probe an area where rats or mice are present,
and often indicate this by scratching or making unusual sounds.
Roof Rat
• Other Names: Black Rat, Fruit Rat,
Ship Rat, Alexandrian Rat
• Lives above ground level.
• If there is plenty of food and
shelter, Roof Rats will gladly live in
close proximity to humans,
particularly in attics, ceilings, or
wall areas.
• Roof rats inhabiting upper areas of
buildings or homes often gnaw on
wires found there, possibly leading
to fires, outages, and production
down-time.
Roof Rat
Scientific Name: Rattus Rattus
Color: Black to brownish-gray; hard to identify by
color alone
Weight: 6-12 ounces; smaller than Norway Rat
Length: 6-8 inches
Tail Length: 7-10 inches; longer than the body
Body: Thin, slender body, pointed nose
Ears: Relatively small; close to body
Eyes: Large & prominent eyes; color blind
Lifespan: 5 to 18 months
Droppings: ½ inch long with pointed ends; dark
color; found scattered
Roof Rat
Diet:
Reproduction:
Daily Amount: 0.5-1 ounce
Daily Water: 1 ounce
Daily Food: Fruits, berries, meats,
seeds, vegetables, eggs
Litter Size: 4-8 pups per litter
No. of Litters: 3-4 per year
Sexual Maturity: 2-3 months
Gestation Period: 22 days
Breeding Season: Indoors: All year;
Outdoors: Spring & Fall
Roof Rat
Habitat:
Geography: Nearby coastal cities; as a general rule they do not occur more
than 100 miles inland
Nest Location: Nests in attics, false ceilings, dead fronds of palm trees, and
upper portions of buildings
Home Range: Up to 300 ft. from nest
Active Periods: Nocturnal; most feeding occurs 30 minutes after sunset and
before sunrise
Roof Rat
Identify Damage:
Droppings
• Droppings are the most commonly encountered evidence of rodent activity.
Even a small rat infestation can produce literally thousands of droppings in a
short period of time.
• An adult rat typically produces 40 to 50 droppings per day. These fecal pellets
are usually dark-coloured, 1/2 inch in length, and pointed at both ends.
Gnaw Marks
• Evidence of recent gnawing is an excellent sign for determining the presence of
Roof rats.
• Rats tend to gnaw on wooden structures such as corners, floor joists, and wall
studs. When Roof Rats gnaw holes into cartons and boxes, the holes typically
measure about 2 inches in diameter and contain rough, torn edges.
Sounds & Odours
• Another indication that rats are present is a strong musty odour. Cats and dogs
may sniff excitedly and probe an area where rats or mice are present and will
often indicate this by scratching or making unusual sounds.
House Mouse
• Other Names: Common House
Mouse, Domestic House Mouse
• Excellent hearing, vision, smell
and touch have enabled the
mouse to be highly adaptable to
homes and indoor buildings.
• All they need is a 1/4" opening
to be able to enter a building, so
they often have access to many
places along the building's
perimeter.
House Mouse
Scientific Name: Mus Musculus meaning “little thief”
Color: Dusty gray
Weight: ½-1 ounce
Length: 2.5-4 inches
Tail Length: As long as body – up to 4 inches
Body: Small head & slender body
Ears: Moderately large ears
Eyes: Small & somewhat protruding; color blind
Lifespan: 1-2 years
Droppings: ¼ inch long with pointed ends; dark color
House Mouse
Diet:
Reproduction:
Daily Amount: 1/10 ounce
Daily Water: Utilizes moisture in food
Daily Food: Cereal grains, meats,
seeds
Litter Size: 5-7 pups per litter
No. of Litters: 6- 10 per year
Sexual Maturity: 1 month
Gestation Period: 20 days
Breeding Season: Indoors: All year;
Outdoors: Spring & Fall
House Mouse
Habitat:
Geography: Throughout the US & south
of Boreal Forest in Canada
Nest Location: Corners in cluttered
areas, base voids of appliances; Less
than 30ft. from food source
Home Range: 6-15 ft. from nest
Active Periods: Nocturnal; most feeding
occurs 30 minutes after sunset and
before sunrise
House Mouse
Identify Damage:
Droppings
• Droppings are the most commonly encountered evidence of rodent
activity. Even a small mouse infestation can produce literally thousands
of droppings in a short period of time.
• An adult house mouse typically produces 50 to 75 droppings per
day. These fecal pellets are usually dark-coloured, 1/4 inch in length,
and pointed at both ends.
Gnaw Marks
• Evidence of recent gnawing is an excellent sign for determining the
presence of mice.
• Besides chewing wires, mice gnaw on plastic items, wood, corners of
cereal boxes and bags. Additionally, they will shred paper for nests from
books and paper towels.
• Mouse damage holes are typically small, clean-cut holes about 1/2 inch
in diameter.
Sounds & Odours
• Another indication that mice are present is a strong musty odour. Cats
and dogs may excitedly sniff and probe an area where rats or mice are
present, and often indicate this by scratching or making unusual sounds.
Voles
• Other Names: Meadow Vole,
Field Mice
• Voles are the most prolific
breeders in the rodent family,
producing 3-5 pups per litter
and up to 17 litters in a year. A
female vole can have 80
offspring in a year!
• However, nature has its system
of checks and balances. Since
the vole has a wide variety of
predators, including large birds,
most only survive a few months
in the wild.
Voles
Scientific Name: Microtus Pennsylvanicus
Color: Chestnut brown mixed with black on the
back
Weight: ½-1 ounce
Length: 4-7 inches
Tail Length: 1 inch
Body: Stocky, rounded body; blunted nose
Ears: Furry & do not stick out much above the
hair on the head
Eyes: Relatively small eyes
Lifespan: 2-18 months
Droppings: ¼ inch long with pointed ends; dark
color
Voles
Diet:
Reproduction:
Daily Amount: 1/10 ounce
Daily Water: Utilizes moisture in
food
Daily Food: Roots, barks, grasses,
stems, leaves, fruits
Litter Size: 4 pups per litter
No. of Litters: 5-10 litters per year;
most prolific of all rodent species
Sexual Maturity: 1 month
Gestation Period: 20 days
Breeding Season: Outdoors: Spring
& Fall
Voles
Habitat:
Geography: Different vole species are located all over North America
Nest Location: Outdoors in underground burrows around tree roots, low-lying
shrubbery and beneath fruit trees. Nests can be located by following trails
through the grass back to covered areas
Home Range: Up to 1.5 acres
Active Periods: Night and day; away from nest for short periods of time so it is
very rare to spot
Voles
Identify Damage:
Overview
• Voles are primarily outdoor pests of ornamental and turf
areas. Only occasionally do they enter homes and buildings -usually in basements and ground floor areas.
• They do not reproduce indoors, however. Thus, Vole control should
be directed toward the exterior of the home.
• A liquid produced by glands on the skin makes voles rather
unpleasant tasting to domestic cats.
Runways
• Most people realize they have a Vole infestation only from the
damage. Meadow voles, the most common variety, construct welldefined, visible surface runways through turf areas measuring
about 1.5 to 2 inches.
• The runways are formed by a combination of the Vole eating the
grass blades and the constant Vole traffic over the runway.
• Additionally, you may see that some parts of the runway are bare
dirt as a result of the Vole spreading excavated dirt from the
burrow system. Burrow entrances measure approximately 1 inch
in diameter.
• Vole activity is sometimes blamed on Moles, but Moles dig their
tunnels beneath the soil and do not construct surface runways.
Voles
Identify Damage Continued:
Plants & Shrubbery
• During the winter, when green
vegetation is scarce, Voles dig into
trunks and roots, killing or damaging
the trees or shrubs.
• Another symptom of a Vole
infestation is to see plants wilt or
simply appear yellowish. A light tug
on the plant may easily lift it from the
soil - its roots have been devoured.
Shrew
• Other Names: Water Shrew,
Pygmy Shrew, Common Shrew
• A shrew is about the same size
as a mouse or a vole and can
be recognized it by its long
pointy nose and very sharp
teeth.
• Ounce for ounce, a shrew is the
most voracious animal on the
planet.
• It hunts constantly, eating
animals five times larger than
itself. It will even go after birds
at feeders and attack family
pets.
Shrew
Scientific Name: Soricidae
Color: Dusty gray
Weight: ½-1 ounce
Length: 3-4 inches
Tail Length: As long as body – up to 4 inches
Body: Small head & slender body; elongated snout
Ears: Furry & do not stick out much above the hair on the head
Eyes: Relatively large eyes
Lifespan: 1-2 years
Droppings: ¼ inch long; corkscrew shaped; dark color
Shrew
Diet:
Reproduction:
Daily Amount: 1/2 ounce; can eat an
amount equal to its weight in 24
hours
Daily Water: Utilizes moisture in food
Daily Food: Insects, beetles, spiders,
meats, birds, mice, snakes
Litter Size: 4-6 pups per litter
No. of Litters: 3-4 litters per year
Sexual Maturity: 3 months
Gestation Period: 21 days
Breeding Season: Outdoors: Spring
& Fall; Shrews are solitary except
when breeding
Shrew
Habitat:
Geography: Different shrew species are located all over North America
Nest Location: Outdoor burrows near low-lying shrubbery; globular nests
made of shredded leaves
Home Range: Up to 1.5 acres
Active Periods: More active at night than during the day
Shrew
Identify Damage:
Overview
• Shrews are primarily outdoor pests of ornamental and turf
areas. Only occasionally do they enter homes and buildings -usually in basements and ground floor areas.
• Thus, Shrew control should be directed toward the exterior of
the home.
Burrows
• Shrews will run along tunnels or runways created by Moles
& Voles.
• This constant travel will create defined surface runways &
tunnels through turf areas measuring about 1.5 to 2 inches.
Plants
• During the winter, when animal material is scarce, Shrews dig
into trunks and roots, killing or damaging the trees or shrubs.
Mole
• Other Names: Eastern Mole,
Star-Nosed Mole, Coast Mole,
Townsend's Mole
• The most noted characteristic of
a mole is probably its webbed
feet that are used like paddles to
swim through the soil.
•
It is this "swimming" motion that
can sometimes inadvertently
damage the roots of crops, plants
and other shrubbery when they
get too close to the surface.
Mole
Most Common: Eastern Mole
Color: Gray to silvery gray
Weight: 3 to 6 ounces
Length: 5-8 inches
Tail Length: 1 inch
Body: Short, thick body with velvety
fur; pointed snout; front feet enlarged
& rounded with sharp claws
Ears: Very small & are concealed in fur
Eyes: Very small & are concealed in
fur
Lifespan: 3 years
Mole
Diet:
Reproduction:
Daily Amount: 70 -100% of its
bodyweight each day
Daily Water: Utilizes moisture in food
Food Preferences: Worms, grubs,
beetles, other insects
Litter Size: 2-5 per litter
No. of Litters:
Sexual Maturity: 6-12 months
Gestation Period: 5-6 weeks
Breeding Season: Outdoors: Spring
Mole
Habitat:
Geography: There are 7 different species of Mole located throughout the US
& Canada
Nest Location: Outdoors: Underground runways just below the surface & in
deep tunnels up to 12 inches below the surface; attracted to moist, shady
lawns, parks, orchards
Home Range: Up to 1 acre
Active Periods: Night and day
Mole
Indentify Damage:
Overview
• Moles are helpful in that they remove damaging insects and grubs from
lawns and gardens. Unfortunately, however, their burrowing habits can
destroy grass, gardens and flower beds and tear up tree roots.
• Moles, Gophers and Voles are often found in the same location and their
damage is often confused.
• It is important to correctly identify the problem animal that is causing the
damage so that the appropriate control methods can be selected.
Mole
Indentify Damage Continued:
Mounds & Runways
•
Moles excavate soil from their deep tunnels and
deposit dirt on the surface in volcano-shaped
mounds. Gopher mounds are generally
horseshoe-shaped and are larger than Mole
mounds.
•
The number of Mole mounds seen in your yard
is not a good measure of how many moles are in a
particular area. Moles are very
territorial. Typically, 1 acre can support 2-3 Moles.
•
Another common indication of Moles is the
surface tunnels that appear as long ridges in the
soil. Moles are capable of creating 100 ft. per day
of these subsurface tunnels.
•
They do not generally create mounds off these
surface tunnels but simply use them for feeding
and then abandon them.
•
Moles' burrowing habits can destroy grass,
gardens and flower beds and tear up tree roots.
Gopher
• Other Names: Salamander
derived from nickname, “sandy
mounder”
•
The gopher lives most of its life
beneath the surface where it
digs a burrow system.
• A gopher can create large,
horseshoe-shaped mounds that
may cause damage to passing
farm equipment.
• Additionally, its tunnels often
interfere with irrigation systems,
dams, fields, and homeowners'
gardens.
Gopher
Species: Gopher is the common term
for any of several distinct species of
small burrowing rodents endemic to
North America, including: the pocket
gophers (family Geomyidae) also
called true gophers
Color: Black to pale brown
Weight: 6 to 14 ounces
Length: 5-14 inches
Tail : 4 inches, mainly hairless
Body: Powerfully built in the
forequarters; fine, soft furl; short
neck; small, flattened head; front
feet with long, sharp claws
Ears: Small
Eyes: Small external
Lifespan: 1-3 years on average
Gopher
Diet:
Reproduction:
Daily Amount: 60% of its bodyweight
each day
Daily Water: Utilizes moisture in food
Daily Food: Trees, roots, bulbs,
grass, alfalfa, dandelions
Litter Size: 3-4 per litter
No. of Litters: 1-2 litters per year
Sexual Maturity: 6-12 months
Gestation Period: 18-19 days
Breeding Season: Outdoors: Spring
Gopher
Habitat:
Geography: Western Hemisphere –
Canada & US
Nest Location: Outdoors: Main
runways are located in underground
tunnels up to 18 inches below the
surface; nest chambers are up to 5
or 6 feet below surface; attracted to
light-textured soils with vegetation
production
Home Range: Up to 700 yards
Active Periods: Night and day
Northern Pocket Gopher
Gopher
Identify Damage:
Overview
• Moles, Gophers and Voles are often
found in the same location and their
damage is often confused. It is
important to correctly identify the
problem animal that is causing the
damage so that the appropriate control
methods can be selected.
• Gophers present a more serious
problem than Moles, including
destruction of underground utility
cables, water lines, sprinkler systems
and irrigation pipes.
• Damage is most severe in the spring
and fall when gophers are active near
the soil’s surface.
Gopher damage in open field
Gopher
Identify Damage Continued:
Mounds & Runways
• Gophers excavate soil from their tunnels,
creating large, horseshoe-shaped
mounds. Gopher mounds are typically larger
than Mole hills with the entrance hole at an
angle to the ground surface.
• Gophers can create up to 70 mounds per
month in ideal soil. Gopher tunnels are larger
in diameter and deeper than those of moles
but are much less extensive. And, unlike Mole
tunnels, Gopher tunnels are usually not visible
on the ground surface due to their deeper
location.
• Another symptom of a Gopher infestation is to
observe damage to roots, tree bark, seeds,
bulbs and other plant parts in yards or farms.
Pasture with severe gopher problem
Good example of common root
damage caused by gophers
Richardson’s Ground Squirrel
•
•
•
Other Names: Flickertail or
mistaken for a gopher
This Squirrel was named after the
Scottish naturalist Sir John
Richardson.
These little animals are very
adaptable, they are not restricted to
prairie but have been found in light
forested lands some have even
adapted to suburban environments.
It is not unusual to find them digging
tunnels under patio’s and sidewalks
of urban homes.
Richardson’s Ground Squirrel
Scientific Name: Urocitellus richardsonii
Color: Dark brown on the upper side & tan
underneath
Weight: Varies depending on time of year.
Before hibernation up to 750 grams.
When emerging from hibernation
between 200 & 400 grams.
Length: 10-12 inches
Tail Length: shorter and less bushy then
other squirrles
Body: Medium sized rodents, larger then
mice, smaller then muskrats.
Ears: Very short, as to look more like holes
in the animal’s head
Eyes: Bright, black eyes placed high on the
head
Lifespan: 3-5 years
Richardson’s Ground Squirrel
Diet:
Reproduction:
•
Litter Size: 5-8 young per litter
No. of Litters: 1 per year
Sexual Maturity: 11 months old
Gestation Period: 23 days
Breeding Season: Outdoors: early
Spring
They are predominantly
herbivores, eating a diet composed
of 80-100% vegetation,
supplemented by insects such as
grasshoppers.
• The precise vegetation eaten
depends on the area in which they
live, but primarily includes leaves
of grasses and forbs, flowers, and
seeds.
Daily Water: obtain through plants
20-21 days old, eyes not open
Richardson’s
Ground Squirrel
Habitat:
•
•
•
•
•
Richardson's ground squirrels inhabit the short and mixed-grass prairies of
North America, including portions of Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba in
Canada and parts of Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota and Minnesota in
the United States.
Richardson's ground squirrels prefer open terrain with high visibility, allowing
them to detect approaching predators.
Although about 80% of natural prairie habitat has been converted to
agricultural and urban areas, Richardson's ground squirrels fare well in
human-modified habitats such as city parks, over-grazed pastures, edges of
cultivated fields, and perennial crop fields.
As adults, each Richardson's ground squirrel occupies a home range
including one or several burrow systems, and allows only its closest kin to
intrude.
The core area of the home range includes the main burrow system as well as
favourite feeding sites, and covers 20-40 m2 during the active summer
season. The size of each squirrel's territory varies, depending on season,
sex, and age of the squirrel.
Richardson’s Ground Squirrel
Identify Damage:
Overview
•
•
The two main complaints about Richardson's ground squirrels (also known
as gophers) are their tunnelling behaviour and their foraging behaviour.
They are viewed as an agricultural pest in most jurisdictions and control
programs are undertaken by most jurisdictions as well.
Richardson’s Ground Squirrel
Possible suburban solutions to controlling damage caused by RGS
• In this farmyard, Richardson's ground squirrels had invaded the lawn and created
numerous tunnel systems over a 7-year period. In 2005 the owners humanely killed
the resident squirrels, removed the old sod, tilled the soil, plugged remaining old
tunnels with expanding foam, laid down chicken wire, then installed new sod. Eight
years later no reinvasion had occurred
Raccoon
•
•
•
•
Other Names: common raccoon,
North American Raccoon and
Northern raccoon
Is a medium-sized mammal native
to North America and is the largest
of the procyonid family.
Originally raccoons were found in
the forests of North America, but
they have proven to be very
adaptable and now range from
mountainous areas, coastal
marshes and urban areas as well.
In the 20th century racoons were
introduced across Europe and
Japan and they are thriving.
Raccoon
– Scientific Name: Procyon lotor
– Color: the body is covered with long and
stiff guard hairs, which shed moisture, are
usually colored in shades of gray and, to a
lesser extent, brown. Tail has distinctive
ringed markings.
– Weight: Average 10-20 lbs
– Length: 16-28 inches not including tail
– Tail Length: 8-16 inches, 10 inches
average
– Ears: The slightly rounded ears are also
bordered by white fur
– Eyes: The most characteristic physical
feature of the raccoon is the area of black
fur around the eyes, which contrasts
sharply with the surrounding white face
coloring. This is reminiscent of a "bandit's
mask" and has thus enhanced the animal's
reputation for mischief
– Lifespan: 1.8-3.5 years
Raccoon
Diet:
Reproduction:
•
Litter Size: 2-5 “Kits” per litter
No. of Litters: 1 per year
Sexual Maturity: 12 months old
Gestation Period: 63-65 days
Breeding Season: January – mid
March.
•
•
Its diet consists of about
- 40% invertebrates, such as
insects, worms, clams, crabs,
snails, etc.
- 33% plant material and
- 27% vertebrates, such as birds,
fish, small animals, rodents etc.
Racoons “douse” their food in a
water source. Reason is not clear.
Daily Water: obtained through food
Raccoon
Habitat:
Geography: Common throughout North America from Panama to Canada
Nest Location: Although they have thrived in sparsely wooded areas in the
last decades, raccoons depend on vertical structures to climb when they
feel threatened. Therefore, they avoid open terrain and areas with high
concentrations of beech trees, as beech bark is too smooth to climb. Tree
hollows in old oaks or other trees and rock crevices are preferred by
raccoons as sleeping, winter and litter dens. If such dens are unavailable
raccoons use burrows dug by other mammals, dense undergrowth or tree
crotches
Home Range: Range size varies from ave. 7 acres for females in cities to 20sq
miles for males on the prairies
Active Periods: Raccoons see well in low light and dark conditions, so they
tend to be most active at these times.
Skunk
•
•
•
•
Other Names: also called polecats
in southern US
Skunks are mammals known for
their ability to spray a liquid with a
strong odour.
Skunks are solitary animals when
not breeding and they are not true
hibernators, although they do take a
few long naps during the cold
months and feed rarely
A member of the weasel family, is
represented by 4 species in North
America. The skunk has short
stocky legs and proportionately large
feet and strong claws for digging.
Skunk
– Scientific Name:
mephitis mephitis (striped skunk)
Spilogale purtorius (spotted skunk)
– Color: Primarily Black with White
markings
– Weight: Average 8-10 lbs
– Length: up to 29 inches long
– Ears: small fur covered on top of
head
– Eyes: black eyes
– Lifespan: average 3 years in the
wild
Skunk
Diet:
•
•
•
•
Skunks eat plant and animal foods in
about equal amounts during fall and
winter.
They eat considerably more animal
matter during spring and summer
when insects, their preferred food,
are more available. Grasshoppers,
beetles, and crickets are the adult
insects most often taken.
Field and house mice are regular and
important items in the skunk diet,
particularly in winter. Rats, cottontail
rabbits, and other small mammals
are taken when other food is scarce.
Daily Water: obtained through food
Reproduction:
Litter Size: 4-6 young per litter
No. of Litters: 1 per year
Sexual Maturity: 12 months
Gestation Period: 7-10 weeks
Breeding Season: Late February
Skunk
Habitat:
Geography: Common throughout North America from
Panama to Canada
Nest Location: Skunks inhabit clearings, pastures, and
open lands bordering forests. On prairies, skunks
seek cover in the thickets and timber fringes along
streams. They establish dens in hollow logs or may
climb trees and use hollow limbs
Home Range: normal home range of a skunk is ½ to 2
miles in diameter. During the breeding season, a
male may travel 4 to 5 miles each night.
Active Periods: Skunks are dormant for about a month
during the coldest part of winter. They may den
together in winter for warmth, but generally are not
sociable. They are nocturnal in habit, rather slowmoving and deliberate, and have great confidence in
defending themselves against other animals.
Range of the most common
striped skunk in North America
Skunk
Damage and Damage Identification:
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Skunks become a nuisance when their burrowing and feeding
habits conflict with humans. They may burrow under porches or
buildings by entering foundation openings.
Garbage or refuse left outdoors may be disturbed by skunks.
Skunks may damage beehives by attempting to feed on bees.
Occasionally, they feed on corn, eating only the lower ears. If the
cornstalk is knocked over, however, raccoons are more likely the
cause of damage. Damage to the upper ears of corn is indicative
of birds, deer, or squirrels.
Skunks dig holes in lawns, golf courses, and gardens to search
for insect grubs found in the soil. Digging normally appears as
small, 3- to 4-inch (7- to 10-cm) cone-shaped holes or patches of
upturned earth. Several other animals, including domestic dogs,
Track of the striped skunk
also dig in lawns.
Skunks occasionally kill poultry and eat eggs. They normally do
not climb fences to get to poultry. By contrast, rats, weasels, mink,
and raccoons regularly climb fences. If skunks gain access, they
will normally feed on the eggs and occasionally kill one or two
fowl. Eggs usually are opened on one end with the edges crushed
inward. Weasels, mink, dogs and raccoons usually kill several
chickens or ducks at a time.
Skunk
Economics of Damage & Control (a controversial view)
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Skunks should not be needlessly destroyed. They are highly beneficial to
farmers, gardeners, and landowners because they feed on large numbers of
agricultural and garden pests. They prey on field mice and rats, both of
which may girdle trees or cause health problems. Occasionally they eat
moles, which cause damage to lawns, or insects such as white grubs,
cutworms, potato beetle grubs, and other species that damage lawns,
crops, or hay.
The occasional problems caused by the presence of skunks are generally
outweighed by their beneficial habits. Unless skunks become really
bothersome, they should be left alone.
Environmentally friendly baiting
2014 PCO Winter Workshops
Rodent Identification
QUESTIONS?
PROVINCIAL RAT
ERADICATION
PROGRAM
Grant Peeling, Provincial Coordinator
[email protected]
PH: 306-631-7141