Orville Dyer. 1998. Mammals in Smith, I.M., and G.G.E. Scudder, eds. Assessment of species diversity in the Montane Cordillera Ecozone. Burlington: Ecological Monitoring and Assessment Network, 1998.

MAMMALS

Orville Dyer

SYSTEMATIC REVIEW (continued)

ORDER CARNIVORA : CARNIVORES

There are 5 families, 12 genera and 19 species in the Order Carnivora within the Montane Cordillera Ecozone. One carnivore is Red Listed, 3 are Blue Listed and 15 are Yellow Listed. Two of the Blue Listed species are also listed as Vulnerable by COSEWIC. Threats to this order include habitat loss due to urban, agricultural, hydroelectric and forestry related development, loss of wilderness, habitat fragmentation, disturbance due to increasing access and killing by humans.

FAMILY CANIDAE: Canids

Canis latrans Say - Coyote

The Coyote has an extremely broad range, stretching across North America and Middle America. Its range has expanded dramatically in the 20th century, in response to favourable habitat changes caused by humans and the extirpation, in many areas, of the wolf (Canis lupus), one of its main competitors. It inhabits the entire Montane Cordillera Ecozone, but is more common in the south. It utilizes a great variety of habitats from low elevation urban, agricultural and grassland areas, through open coniferous forests to alpine tundra.

Canis lupus Linnaeus - Gray Wolf

The Gray Wolf once ranged across North America, Middle America and most of Eurasia. It had one of the broadest distributions of any mammal in the world. The range of this high profile symbol of the wilderness has been dramatically reduced, due mainly to predator control programs, rather than direct habitat loss. It has been extirpated from most of the lower 48 States, where it is listed as Endangered, and is uncommon in most of southern Canada. The Gray Wolf occurs throughout the Montane Cordillera Ecozone and is numerous in the north, but fairly rare in the south, although populations appear to be increasing there. A great variety of habitats are used, from low elevation agricultural areas, grassland and riparian areas through coniferous forest to alpine tundra. However, Wolf populations are more dependent on prey availability than any particular habitat type. The Wolf is Yellow Listed but of concern in the southern part of the Ecozone where wilderness is disappearing rapidly. These southern populations are of critical importance to the recovery of extirpated populations in the United States, especially in the Rocky and Cascade Mountains.

Vulpes vulpes (Linnaeus) - Red Fox

The Red Fox is widely distributed across Eurasia and most of North America. This species is fairly adaptable and has extended its range in response to the creation of agricultural fields and forest openings. It occupies the entire Montane Cordillera Ecozone, but is less common in the south. It can be found in a great variety habitat types from low elevation grasslands to alpine areas, but prefers the edges between open habitats and forested areas. Important sites include agricultural fields, meadows, early seral parkland and riparian forest.

FAMILY URSIDAE - Bears

Ursus americanus Pallas - Black Bear

The Black Bear occupies most of North AmericaÕs forested areas and is found throughout the Montane Cordillera Ecozone. A great variety of habitats are used, from low elevation urban and grassland areas, through all forest types to alpine areas. Low to middle elevation forested sites are preferred. Black Bears frequently are attracted to agricultural and urban areas, especially garbage dumps, where food is readily available. When bears become habituated to people, they are often killed due to perceived threats to public safety. Although this species is common and Yellow Listed, poaching for gall bladders and claws is of concern.

Ursus arctos Linnaeus - Grizzly Bear

Historically, the Grizzly Bear had an extremely vast range over Eurasia and North America, however, it has been extirpated from about half of this area (Paquet et al. 1995). In North America, it now occurs in northern and western Canada and a few locations in the north-western United States, where it is listed as Threatened. It occurs throughout the Montane Cordillera Ecozone, but is uncommon in the south, especially near human habitation. Grizzlies use many different types of habitat from low elevation riparian areas, through most forested habitats to the alpine. Riparian areas, salmon spawning streams, ungulate winter ranges, avalanche chutes, burns and berry patches are important sites at various times of the year. Grizzlies also frequent garbage dumps and agricultural areas where, as with Black Bears, they may be killed as problem animals. COSEWIC lists western Grizzlies as Vulnerable and Banci (1991) recommended that Grizzlies in the Hot Dry Plateau Zone of the Montane CordilleraÕs southern interior, be considered Threatened, nationally. British Columbia places the Grizzly Bear on the Blue List. This is due to decreased population sizes and densities in some areas, habitat destruction and fragmentation by urban, agricultural, forestry and hydroelectric developments and concerns regarding human access in wilderness areas and killing, by humans. The British Columbia Grizzly Bear Conservation Strategy (Ministry of Environment , Lands and Parks,1995) attempts to address these concerns. One of its primary goals is to reduce habitat loss by establishing a network of protected Grizzly Bear ecosystems throughout the province. Continuity with grizzly bear populations in this Ecozone, particularly along the border in the Rocky and Cascade Mountains, is critical for recovery efforts in the United States. Numerous research requirements have been identified. Improved census techniques, population estimates and habitat mapping are required. In addition, the impacts of habitat loss and fragmentation, genetic isolation, wilderness access, human/bear interactions and human caused mortality, need to be assessed. Several studies and recovery plans are underway (Matt Austin pers. comm.).

FAMILY PROCYONIDAE - Procyonids

Procyon lotor (Linnaeus) - Raccoon

The Raccoon is broadly distributed across North America and Middle America. It is limited to the south and central interior of the Montane Cordillera Ecozone with a disjunct , introduced population north of Smithers. This species fares well near people and has expanded its range in recent decades in response to population introductions and expanding human settlement. Urban, agricultural, wetland, riparian sites and coniferous forests are used, but areas near water are favoured.

FAMILY MUSTELIDAE - Mustelids

Gulo gulo (Linnaeus) - Wolverine

The Wolverine is a holarctic species, ranging across North America and Eurasia. It has been eliminated from the north eastern United States and south eastern Canada, reducing its historic North American range by about 1/2. It is found throughout the Montane Cordillera Ecozone, but is much less common in the south. In summer, it commonly occurs above the treeline and, in winter, uses high elevation coniferous forests and some lower elevation ungulate winter ranges. Specific habitats are not as important to this species as prey availability and wilderness. The Wolverine (G. g. luscus) is Blue Listed in British Columbia and listed as Vulnerable by COSEWIC (Western Populations) due to its reduced distribution, low population densities, habitat fragmentation related to forestry practices and vulnerability to trapping and human disturbance. Research on specific habitat use, population trends and the impacts of trapping, human disturbance and forest harvesting practices relating to habitat fragmentation, connectivity corridors and roads, is required (Banci 1982, Hatler, 1989). Two ongoing research projects are beginning to address these issues (Matt Austin pers. comm.).

Lontra canadensis (Schreber) - River Otter

The River Otter is distributed throughout North America. It is found throughout the Montane Cordillera Ecozone at low population densities. It is found along larger rivers and lakes where dense riparian shrub patches are available for cover and fish are available for food.

Martes americana (Turton) - Marten

The Marten ranges across the boreal regions of Alaska, Canada, and the western United States. It occurs throughout the Montane Cordillera Ecozone in coniferous forests, but occasionally is found in deciduous forest and talus. Mature forest is preferred because of higher prey densities, woody debris and dense canopy cover for winter snow interception. They are adversely affected by clear cut logging and burning, but are currently widespread and numerous.

Martes pennanti (Erxleben) - Fisher

The Fisher is found in forested areas across the north-eastern and western United States and most of northern Canada. It occurs throughout most of the Montane Cordillera Ecozone, but is rare or absent in the south. It uses coniferous and deciduous forests, from river bottoms to the treeline, but favours middle elevations. The Fisher often avoids open areas such as alpine habitats, fields, wetlands, large clearcuts and burns. Edge habitats, small openings, riparian and multi-aged forest are preferred sites. Critical forest attributes include tree cavities for denning, mature and old growth forest for snow interception, and coarse woody debris for winter resting sites. The Fisher is Blue Listed in British Columbia due to recent population declines, habitat loss and fragmentation caused by settlement, logging and road development, secondary poisoning during predator control programs and by trapping. Research is required into population density and trends, specific habitat use and impacts including trapping, timber harvesting practices, habitat fragmentation and competition with other carnivores (Banci 1989).

Mephitis mephitis (Schreber) - Striped Skunk

The Striped Skunk ranges from northern Mexico to southern and central Canada. It thrives in human altered habitats throughout most of the Ecozone, but may be absent from some eastern and north-eastern locations. It depends on lower elevation open forest, marsh, riparian, urban and agricultural habitats.

Mustela erminea Linnaeus - Ermine

The Ermine is a holarctic species distributed across boreal regions of Canada, north-western United States and Eurasia. It is found over the entire Ecozone, from valley bottoms to 3000 meters in elevation, but is more numerous at lower elevations. It uses fields, grasslands, shrub - steppe, riparian, marsh, talus, deciduous forest and open coniferous forest.

Mustela frenata Lichenstein - Long-tailed Weasel

The Long-tailed Weasel has a wide range across North America, from central Canada to South America, and resides in the southern half of the Montane Cordillera Ecozone. A wide variety of habitats are utilized from valley bottoms to alpine, including fields, shrub - steppe, riparian, talus, deciduous and coniferous forest, especially near forest edges.

Mustela nivalis Linnaeus - Least Weasel

The Least Weasel is a holarctic species with a wide range across Eurasia, Canada, and the northern United States. It is found throughout the northern and central parts of the Montane Cordillera Ecozone as far south as Vanderhoof. It has been found in open forest but likely uses similar habitats to the other weasel species in this zone, and does not appear to have high population densities anywhere in the Ecozone.

Mustela vison Schreber - Mink

The Mink inhabits most of North America and is found in all parts of the Ecozone where permanent water is available. Wetlands and riparian areas along rivers, lakes and ponds are used for foraging and denning. It has been impacted by wetland draining and riparian removal, particularly in the south, but is still numerous and widespread.

Taxidea taxus (Schreber) - Badger

The Badger has a broad distribution across central and western Canada, the United States and northern Mexico. It is restricted to the south-eastern portion of the Montane Cordillera Ecozone as far north as Prince George. The Badger depends on habitats with deep soils where prey, mainly ground squirrels and pocket gophers, are available. Low elevation grasslands and open ponderosa pine or Douglas fir forests are their most important habitats. Sightings also occur in other interior forest types and sub-alpine or alpine areas up to 2400 meters elevation. COSEWIC lists Badgers as Not At Risk, but is planning an updated status report (Dave Nagorsen pers. comm.). The Badger was Blue Listed in British Columbia due to its relatively low population size, estimated at between 300 and 1000, limited distribution, habitat loss to urban and agricultural growth, habitat fragmentation, forestry practices, poisoning, shooting and high road kill mortality. It has recently been elevated to the Red List based on recent research that indicates populations are lower and home ranges are larger than was previously thought (Sydney Cannings pers. comm.). Little is known about Badgers in this area. Current population distribution, dispersal patterns, prey requirements, and impacts of specific forestry practices, urbanization, range use by livestock and mortality sources all require further research (Rahme et al. 1995). Research, similar to current work in the Kootenay region, is required for other parts of the species range.

FAMILY FELIDAE: Cats

Puma concolor (Linnaeus) - Cougar

The Cougar once was widely distributed across most of North and South America, but it currently occupies only half of its former range. It now occurs mainly in western Canada and the western United States. In the east, it is listed as Endangered by COSEWIC and may be extirpated. Only occasional sightings have been recorded there in recent times. The Cougar occupies the southern 2/3rds of the Ecozone from river bottoms and urban areas to high elevation forested habitats. Distribution is controlled more by the availability of prey, primarily deer, than by specific habitat types. Rock outcrops and other rugged terrain are preferred ambush sites.

Lynx canadensis Kerr - Lynx

The Lynx occupies the boreal regions of North America, including Alaska, most of Canada and a few locations in the northern United States. It is present throughout the Montane Cordillera Ecozone, but is more abundant in the north. Its habitat is strongly related to that of its major prey, the Snowshoe Hare, and populations fluctuate with Hare cycles. Coniferous habitats, particularly spruce, young lodgepole pine, and deciduous groves, where Hares occur are prime feeding sites. Denning and cover habitats are generally in mature coniferous forests with high levels of downed timber (Hatler, 1988). Populations in the southern portion of this Ecozone are critical for recovery of small populations in the United States and require special consideration.

Lynx rufus (Schreber) - Bobcat

The Bobcat ranges widely from southern Canada to Mexico. It occurs in the southern 2/3rds of the Ecozone from river bottoms to the timberline. It prefers forested habitats at lower elevations because of movement restrictions due to cold, snow depth and possible competition with Lynx. Agricultural, wetland, rock outcrop, deciduous and coniferous habitats are used. The Bobcat eats Snowshoe Hares but is not as dependent on them as Lynx are.