Missouri's Mammals

In numbers of species, mammals (in the phylum Chordata) are the second smallest group of vertebrate animals in Missouri. One mammal, however, takes up more space in Missouri than any other: humans. All mammals are endothermic ("warm-blooded") and most species have hair. Mammals have mammary glands, which, in females, produce milk to feed young. Nearly 70 species of wild mammals live in Missouri. Another six species no longer occur naturally in Missouri, including gray and red wolves, bison, white-tailed jackrabbit, Ozark big-eared bat and elk. The smallest are the masked shrew and least shrew at 2 3/4 inches long; they each weigh the same as a penny. The largest mammal in Missouri is the black bear at 6.5 feet long and a weight of up to 600 pounds.

Mountain Lions in Missouri - Fact or Fiction?

One hot wildlife question being debated in coffee shops, sporting goods stores and Internet chat sites across Missouri goes something like this: "Do we have mountain lions here or not?" The short answer is yes, sometimes. But we have far fewer than rumors would lead you to believe.