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Mammals - North American Mammals

From prairies to forests, North American mammals include bison, bears, beavers and coyotes. Learn key habitats, survival tricks, and how to recognise these animals in the wild.

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Fascinating Fact

Pronghorn are often called antelope, but they are a separate group, and they are known for fast running across open plains.

North American mammals range from tiny rodents to huge grazers and powerful predators. They live in habitats such as grasslands, deserts, mountains, wetlands, and forests, and many can be recognised by tracks, teeth marks, fur, or the places they shelter.

Key Terms

Prairie: A large area of mainly grassland, often with few trees.
Hibernation: A long, low-energy sleep-like state that helps some mammals survive winter when food is scarce.
Herbivore: An animal that eats plants, such as grasses, leaves, and shoots.

Frequently Asked Questions (Click to see answers)

What are common North American mammals?

Common North American mammals include deer, bears, beavers, bison, coyotes, raccoons, squirrels, and rabbits. Which ones you see depends on the habitat and the local region.

What is the difference between a bison and a buffalo?

Bison have a large shoulder hump and thick fur, especially around the head and neck, and they live in North America and parts of Europe. Buffalo usually refers to African buffalo or Asian water buffalo.

Why do some North American mammals hibernate?

Some mammals hibernate to save energy during cold months when food is harder to find. Their heart rate and breathing slow down, and they rely on stored body fat until conditions improve.

Try These Related Quizzes

To see a larger image, click on the picture.

1 .

Coyotes sometimes mate with domestic dogs. What are the hybrids called?

Photograph courtesy of www.flickr.com/photos/rainriver/

Coydogs

Dogcoys

Yodogs

Dogyos

Order: Carnivora
Family: Canidae
Genus: Canis
Species: C. latrans
Also known as the American jackal or prairie wolf.
If wolves have been exterminated in certain areas, coyotes tend to flourish.
Have been spotted in New York City's Central Park.

2 .

Can you identify this North American mammal?

Photograph courtesy of Inklein

Capybara

Northern Pocket Gopher

Mountain Beaver

Yellow-bellied marmot

Order: Rodentia
Family: Sciuridae
Genus: Marmota
Species: M. flaviventris
Also known as the rock chuck.
A herbivore that eats grasses, flowers and forbs.
The communicate mainly by whistles, screams and tooth chatters.

3 .

Can you identify this North American mammal?

Photograph courtesy of Calibas

Canadian Lynx

Bobcat

Ocelot

Jaguarundi

Order: Carnivora
Family: Felidae
Genus: Lynx
Species: L. rufus
Widespread and populations are healthy.
Prefers rabbits and hares, but will hunt insects and small rodents too.
Can appear in suburban backyards and if chased by a dog, it usually climbs a tree.

4 .

In Canada, the bison is the official animal of which province?

Photograph courtesy of Jack Dykinga

Alberta

Manitoba

Ontario

Quebec

Order: Artiodactyla
Family: Bovidae
Genus: Bison
Species: B. bison
Also known as the American buffalo.
Very nearly went extinct in the 19th Century due to commercial hunting.
There is a rare white buffalo which is considered sacred by many Native Americans.

The bison also appears on the Manitoba flag

5 .

What are young raccoons called?

Photograph courtesy of Saaws

Kids

Cobs

Kits

Cubs

Order: Carnivora
Family: Procyonidae
Genus: Procyon
Species: P. lotor
Most of its fur coat is dense underfur which insulates against the cold weather.
Easily identified by its 'face mask'.
Of the five senses, the most important for this animal is the sense of touch.

6 .

What is the arctic hare alternatively known as?

Photograph courtesy of Steve Sayles

Polar hare

White hare

White rabbit

Polar rabbit

Order: Lagomorpha
Family: Leporidae
Genus: Lepus
Species: L. arcticus
Usually solitary but they will travel together.
Can run up to 64 km (40 miles) an hour.
In the far north, it becomes white during the winter to blend with the snow.

7 .

Which fictional bear was named after a female black bear cub?

Photograph courtesy of Alan Vernon

Paddington bear

Winnie the Pooh

Yogi bear

Rupert bear

Order: Carnivora
Family: Ursidae
Genus: Ursus
Species: U. americanus
Native to North America, this bear is the continent's smallest and most common bear species.
When hibernating, their heart rate drops from 40-50 beats per minute to 8 beats per minute.

'Winnipeg' lived at London Zoo from 1915 until her death in 1934

8 .

'Chipmunk' comes from the Odawa word 'jidmoonh'. What does jidmoonh mean?

Photograph courtesy of Cephas

Moon cheeks

Harvest chuck

Red squirrel

Nutkin

Order: Rodentia
Family: Sciuridae
Genus: Tamias
Species: T. striatus
Conspicuous due to the striped fur on their backs.
Transport food in pouches in their cheeks.
Habitat is deciduous woods and urban parks.

9 .

Can you identify this North American mammal?

Photograph courtesy of Linda Tanner

Muskrat

Web-footed Marsh Rat

Beaver

Brown Rat

Order: Rodentia
Family: Cricetidae
Genus: Ondatra
Species: O. zibethicus
Spend a lot of time in water and are able to swim underwater for up to 17 minutes.
Occasionally been a food resource for humans.
Said to taste like rabbit or duck.

10 .

Polar bears are especially susceptible to Trichinella, a parasitic roundworm they contract through what?

Photograph courtesy of Luna sin estrellas

Oil spills

Salmon

Grooming

Cannibalism

Order: Carnivora
Family: Ursidae
Genus: Ursus
Species: U. maritimus
The world's largest land carnivore.
Native predominantly within the Arctic Circle.
Generally born on land, but they spend most of their lives at sea.
Classified as a vulnerable species.

Author: Sarah Garratty

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