Mammals

Let’s face it.  Everyone loves the charismatic megafauna: grizzly bears, moose, elk, bison and many more.  However, I want to focus not only on them, but other mammals that do not receive as much attention.  For example, many people frequently see smaller mammals such as squirrels and chipmunks.  But, how much do you really know about them?

First, we’ll begin with the orders and families of mammals.  This helps to understand how mammals are related and roughly where they branched apart in the tree of evolution.  Second, we’ll examine the defining characteristics that help us to identify the mammal.  For example, this includes, but is not limited to the coloration, information about how the ears are set, and its diet.  Third, we’ll take a gander at its habitat.  The habitat often coevolves with mammals and their behaviors.  Ultimately, this helps us understand the ecosystem as a whole.  Lastly, we’ll look at the range of a given mammal to see where you can find it.

Personally, I like to journal about a mammal only after I have seen it in person and manage to snap a decent photo.  If you are wondering about a lack of a certain type of mammal, know that I may just not have watched it enough to journal about it.  Sometimes, if I only catch a fleeting glimpse of a mammal, I really do not feel that I have an adequate grasp on its behavior.

I would also like to note, that when searching to mammals to journal about, it is important to create your own code of ethics.  Are you too close?  Are you compromising its opportunity to have a drink of water or eat something that it has found?  If so, remember, take a step back and allow it to be natural in your presence.  And, it is never ok to feed wildlife.