Mammals
Mammals are our most advanced animal. Their self-regulating temperature (warm blooded), production of milk, and the hair on their skin are all distinctive characters. There are over 5,400 species of mammals in the world. Almost one-quarter of these face the threat of extinction. California's native mammals are among our most familiar inhabitants, and usually when we think of animals in the wilderness we are thinking of mammals. Ranging from shrews and bats to dolphins and whales, California provides habitat for 197 mammals. Seventeen of these are found nowhere else in the world, and 120 are threatened.
Mammalia
Carnivora
Canidae
| Species |
Common name |
| Canis familiaris |
Domestic Dog |
| Canis latrans |
Coyote |
| Urocyon cinereoargenteus |
Gray Fox |
Medphitidae
| Species |
Common name |
| Mephitis mephitis |
Striped Skunk |
Procyonidae
| Species |
Common name |
| Procyon lotor |
Northern Raccon |
Chiroptera
Molossidae
| Species |
Common name |
| Tadarida brosiliensis |
Brazilian Free-tailed Bat |
Vesperilionidae
| Species |
Common name |
| Estesiais fusuis |
Big-brown Bat |
| Myotis californicus |
California Myotis |
| Pipistrellus hesperus |
Western Pipistrelle |
Didelphimorpha
Didelphidea
| Species |
Common name |
| Didelphis virginiana |
Virginia Opossum |
Insectivora
Talpidae
| Species |
Common name |
| Scapanus latimanus |
Broad-footed Mole |
Primates
Hominidae
| Species |
Common name |
| Homo sapiens |
Humans |
Rodentia
Geomyidae
| Species |
Common name |
| Thomomys battae |
Borta's Pocket Gopher |
Muridae
| Species |
Common name |
| Neotoma movrotis |
Big-eared Wood Rat |
| Perintsyes californicus |
California Mouse |
| Ratrus rartus |
Black Rat |
Sciuridae
| Species |
Common name |
| Neotamias merriami |
Merriam's Chipmunk |
| Scuirus griseus |
Western Grey Squirrel |
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