Mammals of Washington

Range in Washington: Cascades and west.

Washington Maps:

• Nature Mapping

• GAP Analysis

habitat: Forests and thickets, moist areas.

diet: Herbivore.

habits: Mostly nocturnal, constructs burrows, occasionally diverts streams into its tunnels.

identification: Very short tail, white spot just below ear. Total length: 25-45 cm; tail: 20-55 mm; mass: 500-1500 g.

links:

• More about Aplodontia rufa

Range in Washington: Introduced, mainly in cities.

Washington Maps:

• Nature Mapping

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habitat: City parks and yards.

diet: Herbivore, omnivore.

identification: Gray with reddish tones, silvery-tipped hairs. Occasionally black or albino. Total length: 40-50 cm; tail: 21-24 cm; mass: 400-700 g.

links:

• More about Sciurus carolinensis

Range in Washington: South Puget Sound Prairie; southern Cascades in Klickitat County; lower eastern slope of North Cascades.

Washington Maps:

• Nature Mapping

• GAP Analysis

habitat: Oak woodland, mixed with conifers.

diet: Herbivore, acorns.

identification: Large and slate-gray with white belly, tail large and extremely bushy. Total length: 45-60 cm; tail: 25-30 cm; mass: 350-950 g.

links:

• More about Sciurus griseus

• Washington state Species of Concern

Range in Washington: Introduced, mainly in cities.

Washington Maps:

• Nature Mapping

• GAP Analysis

habitat: City parks.

diet: Herbivore

identification: Largest tree squirrel, large bushy tail with yellow-tipped hairs. Three color morphs: grey, black, or reddish. Total length: 45-70 cm; tail: 20-35 cm; mass: 500-1000 g.

links:

• More about Sciurus niger

Range in Washington: Cascades and west.

Washington Maps:

• Nature Mapping

• GAP Analysis

habitat: Coniferous forest.

diet: Seeds of conifers.

habits: Territorial, hoards piles of cones, does not hibernate.

identification: Dark gray with orange-yellow beneath. Total length: 270-355 mm; tail: 100-155 mm; mass: 150-300 g.

Range in Washington: Northward and eastward from Lake Chelan; Blue Mountains of southeastern Washington.

Washington Maps:

• Nature Mapping

• GAP Analysis

habitat: Coniferous forest.

diet: Seeds of conifers.

habits: Territorial, hoards piles of cones, highly arboreal.

identification: Gray with some red tinge, white beneath. Total length: 270-385 mm; tail: 90-155 mm; mass: 140-250 g.

links:

• More about Tamiasciurus hudsonicus

Range in Washington: Cascades.

Washington Maps:

• Nature Mapping

• GAP Analysis

habitat: Talus slopes.

diet: Herbivore.

habits: Hibernates.

identification: Black and whitish markings on head and shoulders, nose and patch between eyes whitish. Total length: 45-80 cm; tail: 15-25 cm; mass: 4-9 kg.

links:

• More about Marmota caligata

• Listen to hoary marmot vocalizations

Range in Washington: East of Cascades.

Washington Maps:

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habitat: Open rocky areas, treeless habitat.

diet: Herbivore.

habits: Hibernates.

identification: Yellow belly, whitish spot between eyes. Total length: 45-70 cm; tail: 13-22 cm; mass: 2-5 kg.

links:

• More about Marmota flaviventris

• Yellow-bellied marmot vocalizations

Range in Washington: Olympic Mountains. In 2009 this species was designated as Washington State's official endemic mammal, occurring only within the state of Washington.

Washington Maps:

• Nature Mapping

• GAP Analysis

habitat: Talus slopes.

diet: Herbivore.

habits: Hibernates October to May.

identification: Brownish mixed with white; very similar and closely related to hoary marmot. Total length: 45-80 cm; tail: 15-25 cm; mass: 4-9 kg.

links:

• More about Marmota olympus

• Olympic marmot vocalizations

Range in Washington: South-Central Washington.

Washington Maps:

• Nature Mapping

• GAP Analysis

habitat: Open country.

diet: Herbivore.

habits: Hibernates.

identification: Brown with whitish flecking, light wash on sides of neck across shoulders to haunches, darker "V" on back. Total length: 35-50 cm; tail: 15-25 cm; mass: 280-740 g.

Range in Washington: Extreme northeastern and southeastern corners of the state.

Washington Maps:

• GAP Analysis

habitat: Wooded and open rocky areas.

diet: Herbivore, also fungus.

habits: Hibernates.

identification: Body stripes like chipmunks, but no head stripes. Head and shoulders coppery-red. Total length: 25-30 cm; tail: 6-12 cm; mass: 175-275 g.

links:

• More about Callospermophilus lateralis

General range: Cascades of Washington and extreme southern British Columbia.

Range in Washington: Cascades.

Washington Maps:

• Nature Mapping

• GAP Analysis

habitat: Wooded and open rocky areas.

diet: Herbivore, also fungus.

habits: Hibernates.

identification: Body stripes like chipmunks, but no head stripes. Upper pair of dark lines faint. Head and shoulders coppery-red. Total length: 25-30 cm; tail: 6-12 cm; mass: 175-275 g.

Range in Washington: Eastern Washington.

Washington Maps:

• Nature Mapping

• GAP Analysis

habitat: Meadows and fields, associated with forests.

diet: Herbivore.

habits: Hibernates.

identification: Gray with yellow-orange beneath, tail bushy. Total length: 30-40 cm; tail: 8-12 cm; mass: 350-800 g.

links:

• More information on Urocitellus columbianus

General range: Southeast Oregon, Snake River Valley of Idaho, Nevada (except extreme south) extreme eastern central California, and western Utah.

Range in Washington: North of Yakima and west of Columbia River; disjunct from the rest of the species.

habitat: Sagebrush and grasslands.

diet: Herbivore.

habits: Hibernates.

identification: Gray; no spots; short tail. Total length: 17-27 cm; tail: 3-7 cm; mass: 125-325 g.

General range: Recently recognized as a species occurring only in Washington.

Range in Washington: Southeast Washington south of Yakima River and west and north of Columbia River. Current recognition of this species does not include populations north of the Yakima River, which are considered to be Urocitellis mollis.

Washington Maps:

• Nature Mapping

• GAP Analysis

habitat: Grassland and sagebrush.

diet: Herbivore.

habits: Hibernates.

identification: Gray; no spots; short tail that is reddish below. Total length: 17-27 cm; tail: 3-7 cm; mass: 125-325 g.

General range: Southeastern Washington and small area of Oregon in Gilliam, Morrow, and Umatilla Counties.

Range in Washington: East of Columbia River from center of state southward.

Washington Maps:

• Nature Mapping

• GAP Analysis

habitat: Sagebrush and grassland.

diet: Herbivore.

habits: Hibernates.

identification: Gray; white spots; short tail with blackish tip. Total length: 18-25 cm; tail: 3-7 cm; mass: 150-280 g.

conservation: State Candidate; Federal Candidate.

links:

• Species of Concern in Washington state.

Range in Washington: Olympics, Cascades and east.

Washington Maps:

• Nature Mapping

• GAP Analysis

habitat: Forest and brush.

diet: Seeds, flowers, fruits.

habits: Hibernates.

identification: Stripes on body and head; brightly colored; underside of tail brownish-yellow. Total length: 180-245 mm; tail: 70-100 mm; mass: 30-73 g.

Range in Washington: Central eastern Washington.

Washington Maps:

• Nature Mapping

• GAP Analysis

habitat: Sagebrush.

diet: Seeds, flowers, fruits.

habits: Hibernates.

identification: Stripes on body and head that continue to base of tail. Smallest, lightest chipmunk in Washington. Total length: 160-225 mm; tail: 70-115 mm; mass: 30-70 g.

links:

• More information on Tamias minimus

Range in Washington: Mountains of the extreme northeast.

Washington Maps:

• Nature Mapping

• GAP Analysis

habitat: Coniferous forests, talus slopes.

diet: Seeds, flowers, fruits.

habits: Hibernates.

identification: Stripes on body and head; rump gray; tail rufous above, dark reddish below; closely related to T. amoenus . Total length: 22-25 cm; tail: 10-12 cm; mass: about 60 g.

links:

• More information on Tamias ruficaudus

Range in Washington: Cascades and west.

Washington Maps:

• Nature Mapping

• GAP Analysis

habitat: Coniferous forest and brush.

diet: Seeds, flowers, fruits.

habits: Hibernates.

identification: Stripes on body and head, brownish stripe below ears. Largest, darkest chipmunk in Washington. Total length: 220-315 mm; tail: 90-150 mm; mass: 50-110 g.

Range in Washington: All forested regions of the state.

Washington Maps:

• Nature Mapping

• GAP Analysis

habitat: Coniferous and mixed forests.

diet: Fungus, lichens.

habits: Nocturnal; glides from trees; highly arboreal; does not hibernate.

identification: Gliding skin between front and rear legs; large eyes. Total length: 25-35 cm; tail: 12-18 cm; mass: 45-70 g

Range in Washington: Wet areas throughout the state.

Washington Maps:

• GAP Analysis

habitat: Ponds, lakes, slow streams.

diet: Herbivore.

habits: Aquatic, builds dams and lodges.

identification: Largest rodent in North America, flat scaly tail. Total length: 90-115 cm; tail: 30-45 cm; mass: 20-27 kg.

links:

• More information on Castor canadensis

• More about Castor canadensis

• Beaver tracks

• Information for kids

Photo by US Fish & Wildlife@Wikimedia Commons.

Range in Washington: Southern Columbia Basin.

Washington Maps:

• GAP Analysis

habitat: Sagebrush, sandy areas.

diet: Granivore.

habits: Locomotion mainly bipedal.

identification: Long hind feet and tail, large head. Striped tail, with white tail stripes narrower than dark tail stripes. Total length: 200-280 mm; tail: 100-165 mm; mass: 50-95 g.

links:

• More about Dipodomys ordii

• More information on Dipodomys ordii

• Kangaroo rat information

Photo by Jim Kenagy.

Range in Washington: East of Cascades.

Washington Maps:

• GAP Analysis

habitat: Sagebrush.

diet: Granivore; accumulates seed cache for winter.

habits: Hibernates. Locomotion mainly quadrupedal.

identification: Brownish, white beneath. Long tail, slightly crested toward tip. Total length: 150-200 mm; tail: 75-105 mm; mass: 17-31 g.

links:

• More about Perognathus parvus

• More information on Perognathus parvus

Range in Washington: Olympics and Tacoma area southward.

Washington Maps:

• GAP Analysis

habitat: Most open habitats.

diet: Herbivore.

habits: Digs burrows with forelimbs and teeth, forages below ground, forms soil mounds.

identification: Pointed ear with black patch behind. Short tail, heavy jaw bone, big incisors. Total length: 180-240 mm; tail: 50-80 mm; mass: 50-95 g.

links:

• More about Thomomys mazama

• Species of Concern in Washington state

Photo by Kelli Wood.

Range in Washington: Cascades and east.

Washington Maps:

• GAP Analysis

habitat: Most open habitats.

diet: Herbivore.

habits: Digs burrows with forelimbs and teeth, forages below ground, forms soil mounds.

identification: Rounded ear with black patch behind. Short tail, heavy jaw bone, big incisors. Total length: 165-230 mm; tail: 40-75 mm; mass: 75-130 g.

links:

• More about Thomomys talpoides

Range in Washington: Mountains of northeast and southeast.

Washington Maps:

• GAP Analysis

habitat: Meadows and thickets near streams.

diet: Granivore, herbivore.

habits: Hibernates; may drum the ground with its tail when alarmed.

identification: Golden sides; dark back; long tail; enlarged hind feet. Total length: 21-26 cm; tail: 13-16 cm; mass: 15-38 g.

links:

• More about Zapus princeps

Range in Washington: Cascades and west.

Washington Maps:

• GAP Analysis

habitat: Meadows in coniferous forests.

diet: Granivore, herbivore.

habits: Hibernates; may drum the ground with its tail when alarmed.

identification: Golden sides; dark back; long tail; enlarged hind feet. Total length: 21-26 cm; tail: 13-16 cm; mass: 15-38 g.

links:

• More about Zapus trinotatus

• More information on Zapus trinotatus

Range in Washington: East of Cascades.

Washington Maps:

• GAP Analysis

habitat: Sagebrush.

diet: Herbivore.

identification: Pale gray above, whitish below and on feet; short tail. Total length: 10-15 cm; tail: 1.5-3 cm; mass: 17-38 g.

links:

• More about Lemmiscus curtatus

General range: Clark County, Washington and Willamette Valley of Oregon.

Washington Maps:

• GAP Analysis

habitat: Grassy and agricultural lands.

diet: Herbivore

identification: Tail bicolored and short. Total length: 14-20 cm; tail: 3-7 cm; mass: 35-85 g.

Range in Washington: Throughout the state except in sagebrush scrub.

Washington Maps:

• GAP Analysis

habitat: Wet meadows.

diet: Herbivore.

identification: Tail bicolored; grayish-brown above, light gray below. Total length: 15-25 cm; tail: 5-12 cm; mass: 20-85 g.

links:

• More about Microtus longicaudus

Range in Washington: Eastern base of the Cascades and eastward.

Washington Maps:

• GAP Analysis

habitat: Wet meadows in forested areas.

diet: Herbivore.

identification: Tail bicolored; feet dusky or silvery-gray. Total length: 14-20 cm; tail: 3-7 cm; mass: 35-85 g.

Range in Washington: Cascades and west.

Washington Maps:

• GAP Analysis

habitat: Grassland or forest.

diet: Herbivore.

identification: Brown above, silvery below. Total length: 12-16 cm; tail: 3-5 cm; mass: 15-30 g.

links:

• More about Microtus oregoni

Range in Washington: Northeastern Washington.

Washington Maps:

• GAP Analysis

habitat: Moist meadows.

diet: Herbivore.

identification: Gray with silver-tipped hair below. Total length: 14-20 cm; tail: 3-6 cm; mass: 20-70 g.

links:

• More about Microtus pennsylvanicus

• More information on Microtus pennsylvanicus

• Information for kids

Range in Washington: Cascades and Blue Mountains.

habitat: Marshes, streams, and wet meadows.

diet: Herbivore.

identification: Grayish to reddish above, white to silver below; long bicolored tail. Total length: 20-26 cm; tail: 7-9 cm.

links:

• More about Microtus richardsoni

Range in Washington: Western Washington lowlands.

Washington Maps:

• GAP Analysis

habitat: Marshes, streams, and wet meadows.

diet: Herbivore.

identification: Dark brown above, gray below; feet dusky; large ears. Total length: 15-25 cm; tail: 5-8 cm; mass: 40-100 g.

links:

• More about Microtus townsendii

Range in Washington: Statewide in mountains.

habitat: Forest or meadows in mountains.

diet: Herbivore.

identification: Short tail; red back. Total length: 12-16 cm; tail: 3-5 cm; mass: 16-42 g.

links:

• More about Clethrionomys gapperi

Range in Washington: Statewide.

Washington Maps:

• GAP Analysis

habitat: Marshes and ponds.

diet: Herbivore.

habits: Aquatic.

identification: Tail slightly flattened for swimming; large compared to other members of its family. Total length: 41-62 cm; tail: 18-30 cm; mass: 540-1800 g.

links:

• More information on Ondatra zibethicus

• More about Ondatra zibethicus

Range in Washington: High mountains.

habitat: Forests or meadows in high mountains.

diet: Herbivore.

identification: Grizzled brown above, silver below; white feet. Total length: 13-15 cm; tail: 2-4 cm; mass: 15-40 g.

links:

• More about Phenacomys intermedius

Range in Washington: Northern border of state.

Washington Maps:

• GAP Analysis

habitat: Alpine meadows.

diet: Herbivore.

identification: Brown above, gray below; short, bicolored tail. Total length: 12-14 cm; tail: 2-3 cm; mass: 25-35 g.

Range in Washington: Statewide.

Washington Maps:

• GAP Analysis

habitat: Many habitats, often associated with rocks.

diet: Herbivore

habits: The original "Packrat"; collects objects, preferably shiny.

identification: Very large body size; bushy tail. Total length: 30-45 cm; tail: 12-25 cm; mass: 155-445 g.

links:

• More about Neotoma cinerea

• More information on Neotoma cinerea

Range in Washington: East of Cascades.

Washington Maps:

• GAP Analysis

habitat: Sandy sagebrush.

diet: Insects; strong predatory behavior.

identification: Grayish or buff above, white below; bicolored tail with white tip. Total length: 13-20 cm; tail: 3-6 cm; mass: 27-52 g.

links:

• More about Onychomys leucogaster

Photo by US National Park Service@Wikimedia Commons.

Range in Washington: Most of state.

Washington Maps:

• GAP Analysis

habitat: All habitats.

diet: Granivore, omnivore.

identification: Grayish-brown above, white below. Similar to P. keeni but tail shorter. Total length: 12-21 cm; tail: 5-11 cm; mass: 10-33 g.

links:

• More about Peromyscus maniculatus

Range in Washington: Western Washington.

habitat: All habitats.

diet: Granivore, omnivore.

identification: Grayish-brown above, white below. Similar to P. maniculatus, but tail longer. Total length: 12-22 cm; tail: 5-12 cm; mass: 10-33 g.

Range in Washington: East of Cascades.

Washington Maps:

• GAP Analysis

habitat: Grassland, marshes.

diet: Seeds, plants, insects.

identification: Ears partly furred; smaller than Peromyscus. Total length: 11-17 cm; tail: 5-10 cm; mass: 9-22 g.

General range: Throughout most of the world in close association with humans.

Range in Washington: Human habitations and all nearby habitats. Introduced.

Washington Maps:

• Nature Mapping

• GAP Analysis

habitat: Buildings, areas with good cover, cultivated fields.

diet: Opportunistic; seeds, human food, insects.

identification: Grayish-brown above, nearly the same color below. Total length: 13-20 cm; tail: 6-10 cm; mass: 18-23 g.

links:

• More about Mus musculus

• More information on Mus musculus

General range: Worldwide; in warmer climates, restricted to habitats modified by humans.

Range in Washington: Urban areas; sometimes nearby habitats. Introduced.

Washington Maps:

• Nature Mapping

• GAP Analysis

habitat: Human dwellings, cities, cultivated fields.

diet: Omnivore.

identification: Brownish-gray above, grayish below; scaly tail. Total length: 30-45 cm; tail: 12-20 cm; mass: 195-485 g.

links:

• More about Rattus norvegicus

• More information on Rattus norvegicus

General range: Worldwide in tropic and temperate zones.

Range in Washington: Human habitations and nearby habitats. Introduced.

Washington Maps:

• Nature Mapping

• GAP Analysis

habitat: Seaports and buildings.

diet: Omnivore.

identification: Brownish or grayish above, lighter below; sparsely-haired tail. Total length: 30-45 cm; tail: 16-25 cm; mass: 115-350 g.

links:

• More about Rattus rattus

Range in Washington: Statewide.

Washington Maps:

• Nature Mapping

• GAP Analysis

habitat: Forested areas.

diet: Herbivore; twigs, leaves of trees.

identification: Quills cover body. Total length: 65-93 cm; tail: 15-30 cm; mass: 4-18 kg.

links:

• More about Erethizon dorsatum

• Porcupine tracks

• Information for kids

Photo by Clod79@flickr.com.

Range in Washington: Introduced along rivers and Puget Sound.

Washington Maps:

• Nature Mapping

• GAP Analysis

habitat: Wet areas.

diet: Herbivore.

habits: Aquatic.

identification: Large aquatic rodent; tail round and scaly. Total length: 65-140 cm; tail: 30-45 cm; mass: 2-12 kg.

links:

• More about Myocastor coypus

• More information on Myocastor coypus

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