Content tagged with "Mammals"

American Bison

Bos bison

The largest mammal to occur in Missouri during historic times, the bison lives in wild and semi-wild herds on private ranges and on public lands, where people can see them and imagine the immense herds that used to be.

Badger

Taxidea taxus

Excellent diggers, badgers are powerful predators of rodents in grasslands and other open areas. Identify them by their brawny build, impressive digging claws and the black and white pattern on their faces.

Beaver

Castor canadensis

These semiaquatic rodents are distinguished by their large size, webbed hind feet and large, horizontally flattened tail that is covered with leathery scales.

Black Bear

Ursus americanus

One of the largest wild mammals in the state, the black bear is unmistakable with its black fur and powerful bearing.

Bobcat

Lynx rufus

This short-tailed wild cat has a distinctive streaked and spotted pattern, a wide face and pointy ears often with black tufts.

Chupacabra

bony, distressed-looking dog or coyote with no hair

Canis cryptis

Sometimes people mistake a mangy Missouri coyote for the legendary chupacabra.

Coyote

Canis latrans

This much-maligned member of the dog family does a great service to the ecosystem by helping to hold populations of rabbits and mice in check. They look something like small, light gray or dull yellow German shepherds, and their yips and barks add auditory excitement to rural nights.