Mammals 
during
Focus On Nature Tours
in North America

(Both Land and Marine) 

Noting those during 
our tours from 
1991 thru 2011
with an (*)

A List of Mammals in North America 
compiled by Armas Hill

Photo at right: SILVER-HAIRED BAT,
70 miles off the coast of New Jersey, 
during a FONT pelagic trip in September 2004.   


Codes:

Seen during FONT tours & pelagic trips in the following:

AK:  in Alaska
AZ:   in Arizona
BC: in British Colombia, Canada
CA: in California (inc. offshore)
CO: in Colorado
DE:   in Delaware (inc. offshore, some in MD waters) 
FL:   in Florida
KS:   in Kansas
MX:  in Mexico
NC:   in North Carolina
NE:   in Nebraska 
NJ:   in New Jersey (inc. offshore, some in NY waters)
NF;   in Newfoundland, Canada
NM:  in New Mexico
TX:   in Texas 
WA:  in Washington State (inc. offshore)
WI:   in the West Indies
WY: in Wyoming

(p): seen pelagically

(ph):  species with a photo in this FONT website

 

The widespread Red Fox
(photo by Doris Potter)

Links to Groups of Mammals in this List: 

American Opossums     Armadillos     Rabbits & Hares     Squirrels
American Beaver     Mice & Rats     North American Porcupine     Canines
Felines     Bears     Procyonids (Raccoons & Allies)     Mustelids
Shrews & Moles     Bats    Seals, Sea Lions, Walrus     
Even-toed Ungulates (Sheep, Goats, Bison, Musk Ox)    Pronghorn
New World Pigs     Deer    Manatee    Porpoises, Dolphins, Whales 
        

Other Links:

A List & Photo Gallery of Mammals of Eastern North America  

Lists & Photo Galleries of Mammals in:     Alaska    Arizona

California     Colorado     North Carolina     Texas     Washington State

North American Marine Wildlife, other than Whales & Dolphins

A Complete List & a Photo Gallery of North American Birds, in 6 parts:
List #1: Grouse to Anhinga 
List #2: Condor to Shorebirds 
List #3: Jaegers to Cuckoos 
List #4: Owls to Flycatchers  
List #5: Shrikes to Pipits
List #6: Olive Warbler to Buntings

Upcoming FONT Birding & Nature Tours in North America

          AMERICAN OPOSSUMS 
          (in the Order Didelphimorphia (formerly Marsupialia), Family Didelphidae)

1. Virginia Opossum  (ph) (*)  ______ CA,DE,TX
   Didelphis virginiana
   
   
   
   
   Virginia Opossum
   (photo by Karl Frafjord, during a FONT tour in Texas)
   
   
   ARMADILLOS (in the Order Xenarthra (formerly Edentata)
   
   "Edentates" means "those without teeth". However, this term is more appropriate for the xenarthrans that truly are toothless, the Old World pangolins.
   
   Family Dasypodidae
   
   
2. Nine-banded (Long-nosed) Armadillo  (ph) (*)  ______ FL,TX
   Dasypus novemcinctus
   (of the 20 New World armadillos, this is the only one in the United States) 
   
   
    
   
   Nine-banded Armadillo 
   
   
   
   PIKAS, RABBITS & HARES  (Order Lagomorpha)
   
   PIKA  (Family Ochotonidae) 
   
   
3. American Pika (or Cony) (*) ______ AK,CO
   Ochotona princeps
   
   
4. Collared Pika  ______  
   Ochotona collaris
   
   
   RABBITS & HARES  (Family Leporidae)
   
   
5. European Rabbit  (i) (*)  ______  WA  
   Oryctolagus cuniculus  (the single member of its genus)
   
   
6. Mountain Cottontail  (*)  ______  CO,WA,WY  (has also been called Nuttall's Cottontail)
   Sylvilagus nuttallii
   
   
7. Desert Cottontail  (ph) (*)  ______  AZ,CA,CO,NM,TX 
   Sylvilagus audubonii
   
   
   
   
   A Desert Cottontail, photographed during a FONT tour  
   
   
8. Eastern Cottontail  (*)  ______  AZ,CO,DE,FL,KS,NC,NE,OK,TX,WA 
   Sylvilagus floridanus 
   
   There is a western population of the Eastern Cottontail in central-east Washington State. 
   
   
9. New England Cottontail  ______
   Sylvilagus transitionalis
   
   
10. Appalachian Cottontail  ______
    Sylvilagus obscurus
    
    
11. Marsh Rabbit  (*)  ______  FL,NC
    Sylvilagus (formerly Tapeti) palistris
    
    
12. Swamp Rabbit  ______
    Sylvilagus (formerly Tapeti) aquaticus 
    
    
13. Brush Rabbit  (*)  ______  CA  
    Sylvilagus (formerly Microlagus) bachmani
    
    
14. Pygmy Rabbit  ______  
    Brachylagus idahoensis  (the single member of its genus)
    
    
15. Black-tailed Jackrabbit  (ph) (*)  ______  AZ,CA,CO,KS,NM,OK,TX 
    Lepus californicus
    
    
    
    
    Black-tailed Jackrabbits, photographed during a FONT tour 
    
    
16. White-tailed Jackrabbit  (*)  ______  CO,KS
    Lepus townsendii
    
    
17. Antelope Jackrabbit  (ph) (*)  ______ AZ
    Lepus alleni
    
    
18. White-sided Jackrabbit  ______
    Lepus callotis
    
    
19. Snowshoe Hare  (*) ______  AK,CO,NF,WY  (another name is Varying Hare)
    Lepus americanus
    
    
20. Alaskan Hare  (*) ______  AK
    Lepus othus
    
    
21. Arctic Hare  ______
    Lepus arcticus  
    
    
    
    RODENTS: gnawing mammals  (Order Rodentia - the largest order of mammals with nearly 2,000 species worldwide)
    Families include:
    Sewellel  (Aplodontiidae)
    Squirrels  (Sciuridae)
    Pocket Gophers  (Geomyidae)
    Kangaroo Rats & Pocket Mice  (Heteromyidae)
    Mice & Rats  (Muridae), New World Mice & Rats  (subfamily Sigmodontinae)
    New World Porcupines  (Erethizontidae)  
    
    
    Family APLODONTIIDAE
    
    
22. Sewellel  ______   (has been called Mountain Beaver)
    Aplodontia rufa  (the single ember of its genus)
    
    
    Family SCIURIDAE:  Squirrels
    
    
23. Hoary Marmot  (*) ______ AK,WA  (has also been called "Whistler")
    Marmota caligata
    
    
24. Alaska Marmot  ______  (in the Brooks Range of northern Alaska)
    Marmota broweri
    
    
25. Yellow-bellied Marmot  (ph) (*) ______ CO  (has also been called Rockchuck)
    Marmota flaviventris 
    
    
    
    
    Yellow-bellied Marmot
    
    
26. Olympic Marmot  ______  (on montane meadows & slopes of the Olympic Peninsula of western Washington State)
    Marmota olympus
    
    
27. Vancouver Island Marmot  ______
    Marmota vancouverensis  
    
    
28. Woodchuck  (ph) (*) ______ AK,DE,NE  (has also been called "Groundhog")
    Marmota monax
    (The subspecies in Alaska, M. m. ochracea, is reddish cinnamon in color.)
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    Woodchucks (upper photo: an adult; lower photo: two young)
    (photographs by Doris Potter)
    
    
29. Black-tailed Prairie Dog  (*) ______ CO,KS,NE
    Cynomys ludovicianus
    
    
30. White-tailed Prairie Dog  (*) ______ CO
    Cynomys leucurus
    
    
31. Gunnison Prairie Dog  (ph) (*)  ______ CO
    Cynomys gunnisoni
    
    
    
    
    Gunnison's Prairie Dog
    (photo by Doris Potter)
    
    
32. Utah Prairie Dog  ______
    Cynomys parvidens
    
    
33. Harris's Antelope Squirrel  (ph) (*) ______ AZ (has also been called Yuma Antelope Squirrel)
    Ammospermophilus harrisii
    
    
    
    
    Harris's Antelope Squirrel, photographed during a FONT tour 
    
    
34. Texas Antelope Squirrel  (*) ______ TX
    Ammospermophilus interpres
    
    
35. White-tailed Antelope Squirrel  (ph)  ______
    Ammospermophilus leucurus
    
    
    
    
    White-tailed Antelope Squirrel
    (photo by Doris Potter)
    
    
36. Nelson's Antelope Squirrel  (t2)  ______  (in the San Joaquin valley of southern California) 
    Ammospermophilus nelsoni
    
    
37. California Ground Squirrel  (*) ______ CA
    Spermophilus (formerly Otospermophilus) beecheyi
    
    
    
    A California Ground Squirrel at Monterey, California
    (photo by Armas Hill)
    
    
38. Arctic Ground Squirrel  (*) ______ AK
    Spermophilus (formerly Urocitellus) parryii
    
    
    
    
    Arctic Ground Squirrel
    (photo by Howard Eskin)
    
    
39. Columbian Ground Squirrel  ______
    Spermophilus (formerly Urocitellus) columbianus
    
    
40. Spotted Ground Squirrel  ______
    Spermophilus (formerly Ictidomys) spilosoma 
    
    
41. Thirteen-lined Ground Squirrel  (*) ______ CO,NE,WY
    Spermophilus (formerly Ictidomys) tridecemlineatus
    
    
42. Mexican Ground Squirrel  (*) ______ NM,TX
    Spermophilus (formerly Ictidomys) mexicanus 
    
    
43. Richardson's Ground Squirrel  ______
    Spermophilus richardsonii
    
    
44. Wyoming Ground Squirrel  (*) ______ CO,WY (was conspecific with the Richardson's Ground Squirrel, Spermphilus richardsonii)
    Spermophilus elegans
    
    
45. Washington Ground Squirrel  (*) ______ WA
    Spermophilus washingtoni
    
    
46. Belding's Ground Squirrel  (*) ______ WA  (seen in eastern Washington State, slightly north of boundary in range maps)
    Spermophilus beldingi 
    
    
47. Uinta Ground Squirrel  ______
    Spermophilus armatus
    
    
48. Idaho Ground Squirrel  ______
    Spermophilus brunneus
    
    
49. Merriam's Ground Squirrel  ______
    Spermophilus canus
    
    
50. Piute Ground Squirrel  ______
    Spermophilus mollis 
    
    
51. Golden-mantled Ground Squirrel  (*) ______ CO
    Spermophilus (formerly Callospermophilus or Citellus) lateralis 
    
    
52. Cascade Golden-mantled Ground Squirrel  (*) ______ WA (a recent "split" from the Golden-mantled Ground Squirrel)
    Spermophilus (formerly Callospermophilus) saturatus
    
    
53. Townsend's Ground Squirrel  (*) ______ WA 
    Spermophilus townsendii 
    
    
54. Round-tailed Ground Squirrel  (ph) (*) ______ AZ
    Spermophilus (formerly Xerospermophilus) tereticaudus
    
    
    
    
    Round-tailed Ground Squirrel, photographed during a FONT tour
    
    
55. Mojave Ground Squirrel  ______
    Spermophilus (formerly Xerospermophilus) mohavensis 
    
    
56. Variegated Ground Squirrel (or Rock Squirrel)  (ph) (*)  ______ AZ,CO,NM,TX
    Spermophilus (formerly Otospermophilus) variegatus
    
    
57. Franklin's Ground Squirrel  ______
    Spermophilus (formerly Poliocitellus) franklinii
    
    
58. Townsend's Chipmunk  (*)  ______ WA 
    Tamias (formerly Neotamias) townsendii
    
    
59. Yellow-pine Chipmunk  (*)  ______ WA  
    Tamias (formerly Neotamias) amoenus
    
    
60. Merriam's Chipmunk  (*)  ______ CA  
    Tamias (formerly Neotamias) merriami
    
    
61. Least Chipmunk  (*)  ______ AZ,CO,WA,WY
    Tamias (formerly Neotamias) minimus
    
    
62. Panamint Chipmunk  (*)  ______ CA 
    Tamias (formerly Neotamias) panamintinus
    
    
63. Colorado Chipmunk  (*)  ______ CO
    Tamias (formerly Neotamias) quadrivittatus
    
    
64. Cliff Chipmunk  (ph) (*)  ______ AZ
    Tamias (formerly Neotamias) dorsalis
    
    
    
    
    Cliff Chipmunk, photographed during a FONT tour 
    
    
65. Alpine Chipmunk  ______  (in high altitude rocky alpine meadows in the Sierra Nevada range in California)
    Tamias (formerly Neotamias) alpinus
    
    
66. Gray-footed Chipmunk  ______  (on rocky, brushy slopes of south-central New Mexico & extreme west Texas)
    Tamias (formerly Neotamias) canipes
    
    
67. California Chipmunk  ______
    Tamias (formerly Neotamias) obscurus
    
    
68. Yellow-cheeked Chipmunk  ______
    Tamias (formerly Neotamias) ochrogenys
    
    
69. Palmer's Chipmunk  ______  (in the Spring Mountains of southern Nevada)
    Tamias (formerly Neotamias) palmeri
    
    
70. Long-eared Chipmunk  ______
    Tamias (formerly Neotamias) quadrimaculatus
    
    
71. Red-tailed Chipmunk  ______
    Tamias (formerly Neotamias) ruficaudus)
    
    
72. Hopi Chipmunk  (ph)  ______
    Tamias (formerly Neotamias) rufus
    
    
    
    
    Hopi Chipmunk
    (photo by Doris Potter)
    
    
73. Shadow Chipmunk  ______
    Tamias (formerly Neotamias) senax
    
    
74. Siskiyou Chipmunk  ______
    Tamias (formerly Neotamias) siskiyou
    
    
75. Sonoma Chipmunk  ______
    Tamias (formerly Neotamias) sonomae
    
    
76. Lodgepole Chipmunk  ______
    Tamias (formerly Neotamias) speciosus
    
    
77. Uinta Chipmunk  (*)  ______  AZ
    Tamias (formerly Neotamias) umbrinus 
    
    
78. Eastern Chipmunk  (ph) (*)  ______ DE
    Tamias striatus
    
    
    
    
    Eastern Chipmunk
    (photo by Doris Potter)
    
    
79. Eastern Gray Squirrel (i/wNA) (ph) (*)  ______  BC,DE,NC,NE,WA  
    Sciurus carolinensis
    
    
    
    
    Eastern Gray Squirrel
    (photo by Doris Potter)
    
    
80. Western Gray Squirrel  (*)  ______ CA,WA  
    Sciurus (formerly Hesperosciurus) griseus
    
    
81. Arizona Gray Squirrel  (*)  ______ AZ
    Sciurus arizonensis
    
    
82. Eastern Fox Squirrel  (ph) (*)  ______ CO,NC,NE,TX
    Sciurus niger
    (northern form in Colorado & Nebraska; in Nebraska the black morph)
    (in North Carolina, a dark southeastern form, but with white nose and ears) 
    
    
    
    
    An Eastern Fox Squirrel photographed during the FONT birding & nature tour
    in North Carolina in May 2009
    
    
83. Mexican Fox Squirrel  (*)  ______ AZ  (has been called Apache Fox Squirrel, Sciurus apache) 
    Sciurus nayaritensis 
    
    
84. Tassel-eared Squirrel (*) ______ AZ,CO  (another name is Abert's Squirrel)
    Sciurus (formerly Otosciurus)  aberti
    
    
85. American Red Squirrel  (*)  ______ AK,CO,NF,WA  (another name has been "Spruce Squirrel") 
    Tamiasciurus hudsonicus
    
    
86. Douglas' Squirrel  (*) ______ WA  (also called "Chickaree") (Note, however, that the Red Squirrel is also referred to as "Chickaree" in the Rocky Mountains)
    Tamiasciurus douglasii 
    
    
87. Southern Flying Squirrel  ______
    Glaucomys volans
    
    
88. Northern Flying Squirrel  ______
    Glaucomys sabrinus
    
    
    AQUATIC RODENTS
    
    
89. American Beaver  (ph) (*)  ______  AK,CO,NE,NF,WY
    Castor canadensis
    
    
    
    
    American Beaver
    (photo by Doris Potter)
    
    
90. Muskrat  (ph) (*)  ______ AK,CO,DE,NE,WA,WY  
    Ondatra zibethicus  (the single member of its genus)
    
    
    
    
    Muskrat
    (photo by Doris Potter)
    
    
91. Nutria (or Coypu) (i) (*)  ______ NC,TX,WA
    Myocastor coypus  (the single member of its genus)
    
    The Nutria is native to South America.
    
    
    
    
    A Nutria, or Coypu, photographed during a FONT tour
    (photo by Marie Gardner)
    
    
92. Round-tailed Muskrat  ______
    Neofiber alleni  (the single member of its genus) 
    
    
    POCKET GOPHERS (Family Geomyidae)
    
    
93. Yellow-faced Pocket Gopher  (*)  ______ TX
    Pappogeomys (formerly Cratogeomys) castanops
    
    
    MICE & RATS
    
    
94. North American Deermouse  (*) ______ AZ,WA  
    Peromyscus maniculatus
    
    
95. Northwestern Deermouse  (*) ______ WA
    Peromyscus keeni 
    
    
96. Chihuahan Pocket Mouse  (*)  ______ TX
    Chaetodipus eremicus
    
    
97. Olive-backed Pocket Mouse  (*) ______ CO
    Perognathus fasciatus
    
    
98. Plains Pocket Mouse  (*) ______ KS
    Perognathus flavescens
    
    
99. Plains Harvest Mouse  (*) ______ CO
    Reithrodontomys montanus
    
    
100. White-throated Woodrat  (*)  ______ AZ
     Neotoma albigula
     
     
101. Hispid Cotton Rat  (*)  ______ NC,TX
     Sigmodon hispidus
     
     
102. Meadow Vole  (ph) (*)  ______ 
     Microtus pennsylvanicus
     
     
     
     
     Meadow Vole
     (photo by Doris Potter)
     
     
103. Singing (formerly called Alaska) Vole  (*)  ______ AK
     Microtus (formerly Stenocranius) miurus
     
     
104. Tiaga (formerly called Yellow-cheeked) Vole  (*)  ______ AK
     Microtus (formerly Aulacomys) xanthognathus
     
     
     NEW WORLD PORCUPINES (Family Erethizontidae)
     
     
105. North American Porcupine  (ph) (*)  ______ AK,CO,WA  
     Erethizon dorsatum
     
     
     
     
     North American Porcupine
     (photo by Doris Potter) 
     
     
     CARNIVORES  (Order Carnivora)
     Families include:
     Canines: Dogs & Foxes (Canidae)
     Felines: Cats (Felidae) 
     Bears: (Ursidae)
     Procyonids: Raccoons & allies (Procyonidae)
     Mustelids: Weasels, Skunks & allies (Mustelidae)
     
     
     CANINES:
     
     
106. Coyote  (ph) (*) ______ AZ,CA,CO,KS,NE,TX,WA   (See notes below under the Eastern Wolf)
     Canis latrans
     
     
     
     
     Above: A Coyote 
     Below: An applicable comment regarding the widespread & adaptable Coyote.
     (upper photo by Marie Gardner; lower photo by Doris Potter)  
     
     
     
     
107. Gray Wolf  ______  
     Canis lupus
     
     
108. Red Wolf  (t1)  (*) ______ NC(i)  
     Canis rufus  
     
     Some contend the Red Wolf to be a "historical hybrid" between the Gray Wolf, Canis lupus, and the Coyote, Canis latrans. 
     The "Red Wolf" was introduced into eastern North Carolina from the Southwest US. 
     
     
109. Eastern  Wolf  ______
     Canis lycaon
     
     The Eastern Wolf is said to be a distinct species, although it has also been said to be a subspecies of the Gray Wolf or the Red Wolf. Science has shown that it is closely related to them, but that is not the same species as either of them.
     
     The Eastern Wolf is a small to medium sized wolf with a light brown or reddish coat. They also have some longer hairs in their coat that are usually black. As Eastern Wolves gets older, they develop more of those long black hairs. 
     
     Eastern Wolves are often mistaken for Coyotes due to their coloring and build.
     
     Well known are the Eastern Wolves in the area of the Algonquin Provincial Park in Ontario, Canada. They have a large home range. It is believed that packs of Eastern Wolves follow the movements of White-tailed Deer, as a way to have plenty to eat, especially in the winter months.
     
     Eastern Wolves are said to be very dependent upon the social aspects of their pack. They are quite loyal to each other and will do all they can to keep other packs of wolves out of their territory. That is why they are often heard howling, so as to publicize and protect their territories.  
     
     Eastern Wolves are most active at night but they can also be seen out during the day.
     
     The Eastern Wolf has a diverse diet. Sometimes animals hunt on their own, but most of the time they hunt with their pack. Some of their prey when they hunt alone include rodents, beaver, and muskrat. Prey when they hunt in their pack includes deer and moose. In some instances, they have even been able to successfully kill a Black Bear.
     
     The alpha and beta animals mate in February, with the young born about two months later.
     
     The Eastern Wolf has been known to mate with different types of Coyotes in their areas. That can definitely affect the overall genetics of the species (see below the results of a recent study). 
     It is interesting behavior because otherwise wolves have often been known to aggressively run off Coyotes, and in the case of the Gray Wolf in the west, even kill them.            
     
     In a recent genetic study, published in May 2011, and adding fuel to a longstanding debate, it was determined that wolves in the eastern United States are hybrids of Gray Wolves and Coyotes, while Coyotes in that region are actually wolf-coyote-dog hybrids. 
     There were 16 researchers involved in the study from around the globe. It was said to be the most detailed genetic study of any wild vertebrate species to date.
     
     The study is not likely to have any impact on the management of the endangered Red Wolf in North Carolina and the Eastern Wolf in Ontario, but it offers some fresh insight into their genetic make-up and concludes that those wolves are hybrids that developed over the last few hundred years.
     
     On the other hand, some scientists have argued that the Red Wolf, Canis rufus, and the Eastern Wolf, Canis lycaon, evolved from an ancient wolf species distinct from the larger Gray Wolf, Canis lupus, of western North America.
     
     The recent study, referred to above, showed a gradient of hybridization in wolves, as follows:
     
     In western North America, wolves were pure wolf.
     In the western Great Lakes region, they averaged 85 percent wolf and 15 percent Coyote.
     Wolves in Algonquin Park in eastern Ontario averaged 58 percent wolf.
     The Red Wolf in North Carolina, which as been the subject of extensive preservation and restoration efforts, was found to be 24 percent wolf and 75 percent coyote.
     
     Coyotes, in the northeastern US, which only colonized in the region in the past 60 years, were found to be 82 percent coyote, 9 percent dog, and 9 percent wolf.
     
     In a study, last year, museum specimens and genetic samples were used to show that Coyotes migrating eastward bred with wolves to evolve into a larger form that has become the top predator in the Northeast US, filling a niche left when native eastern wolves were hunted out of existence. This hybridization allowed Coyotes to evolve from the smaller mouse-eater of western grasslands to a larger deer-hunter in eastern forest.
     
     Still a question is how it is that Gray Wolves don't typically breed with Coyotes, but kill them. In the West, wolves don't hybridize with Coyotes, even in the circumstance when single wolves looking for mates have dispersed into the middle of "Coyote country".
     
     
110. Gray Fox  (*) ______ AZ,CA,CO,TX,WA  
     Urocyon cinereoargenteus  (would be monotypic were it not for the Island Gray Fox of the Channel Is. of California, Urocyon littoralis) 
     
     
111. Island Gray Fox  ______  (restricted to 6 Channel Islands off the California coast; half to two-thirds the size of the Gray Fox)
     Urocyon littoralis
     
     
112. Red Fox  (ph) (*) _____ AK,CA,CO,NE,WA  
     Vulpes vulpes fulva  (the North American animal considered now to be conspecific with the Old World Red Fox, Vulpes v. vulpes)
     
     
     
     
     Red Fox
     (photo by Doris Potter)
     
     
113. Swift Fox  (*) ______ CO
     Vulpes velox
     
     
114. Kit Fox  (*) ______ TX
     Vulpes macrotis
     
     
115. Arctic Fox  (*) ______ AK
     Vulpes (formerly Alopex) lagopus
     
     
     FELINES:
     
     
116. Bobcat  (ph) (*) ______  AZ,CA,NC,TX  
     Felis (formerly Lynx) rufa
     
     
     
     
     A Bobcat photographed during a FONT tour in Arizona in August 2010 
     (photo by Marie Gardner)
     
     
117. Canadian Lynx  ______
     Felis (formerly Lynx) canadensis
     
     
118. Puma  (ph)  ______  (also called Mountain Lion or Cougar)
     Felis (formerly Puma) concolor
     
     
119. Ocelot  (ph)  ______
     Felis (formerly Leopardus) pardalis
     
     
120. Jaguarundi  ______
     Felis (formerly Herpailurus) yagouaroundi
     
     
121. Jaguar  (ph)  ______
     Panthera (formerly Jaguarius) onca 
     
     
     BEARS:
     
     
122. American Black Bear  (*) ______  AK,AZ,NC
     Urus (formerly Euarctos) americanus
     (Up to 18 subspecies are recognized.)
     
     Not all "Black Bears" are black. Some coastal populations of British Columbia and Alaska are creamy white, the "Kermode Bear". Others are bluish gray, the "Glacier Bear". Another population in the Northwest US is light reddish-brown, the "Cinnamon Bear". Most in the eastern US are black.   
     
     
123. Brown Bear  (*) ______  AK  (also called Grizzly Bear)
     Ursus arctos  (has also been Ursus horribilis)
     
     The larger "Big Brown (or Kodiak) Bear" of Alaska & northwest Canada has been considered a distinct species, U. middendorffi, but generally now considered conspecific with U. arctos)
     
     The Brown Bear of North America, Europe, and Asia is now by most considered as a single species. 
     
     
      
     
     A Grizzly Bear in Alaska
     (photo by Howard Eskin)
     
     
124. Polar Bear  ______
     Thalarctos maritimus  (the single member of its genus)   
     
     
     PROCYONIDS:
     
     
125. Northern Raccoon  (ph) (*) ______ CO,DE,FL,NC,NE,TX,WA  
     Procyon lotor|
     
     
     
     
     Northern Raccoon
     (photo by Doris Potter)
     
     
126. Ringtail  (*) ______ TX
     Bassariscus astutus
     
     
127. White-nosed Coati  (ph) (*) ______ AZ
     Nasua narica
     
     
     
     
     White-nosed Coati
     (photo by Marie Gardner)
     
     
     AQUATIC MUSTELIDS 
     
     
128. American Mink  (ph) (*) ______ DE,NC
     Mustela vison
     
     There formerly was a "Sea Mink", larger and redder, Mustela v. macrodon, along the North Atlantic coast. It was trapped to extinction by the 1860's. Some say it was a full species.
     
     Other species in the Mustela genus follow in "Other Mustelids". 
     
     
     
     
     American Mink
     (photo by Howard Eskin)  
     
     
129. Northern River Otter  (*) ______ CA,NC,WA  
     Lutra (formerly Lontra) canadensis
     
     The Northern River Otter is up to 5 feet in length; up to 22 pounds in weight. 
     
     
130. Sea Otter  (ph) (*) ______ AK,CA  
     Enhydra lutris  (the single member of its genus)
     
     
     
     
     Sea Otters
     
     
     OTHER MUSTELIDS:
     
     
131. American Badger  (ph) (*) ______ CO
     Taxidea taxus  (the single member of its genus)
     
     
     
     
     An American Badger photographed during a FONT Colorado tour
     
     
132. Eastern Spotted Skunk  ______
     Spilogale putorius
     
     
133. Western Spotted Skunk  (*) ______ CO
     Spilogale gracilis
     
     
134. Hooded Skunk  (*) ______ AZ
     Mephitis macroura
     
     
135. Striped Skunk  (*) ______ AZ,CO,NE,TX
     Mephitis mephitis
     
     
136. Eastern Hog-nosed Skunk  ______
     Conepatus leuconotus
     
     
137. Western Hog-nosed Skunk  ______
     Conepatus mesoleucus
     
     
138. American Marten  ______
     Martes americana
     
     
139. Fisher  ______
     Martes pennanti
     
     
140. Ermine  ______  (also called Stoat)
     Mustela erminea
     
     
141. Long-tailed Weasel  ______
     Mustela frenata
     
     
142. Least Weasel  ______
     Mustela nivalis 
     
     
143. Black-footed Ferret  (t1) ______
     Mustela nigripes
     
     
144. Wolverine  ______
     Gulo gulo  (the single member of its genus)  
     
     
     SHREWS & MOLES (in the Order Insectivores "insect eaters" - this group, throughout much of the world, includes shrews, moles, hedgehogs, moonrats, and tenrecs.  (Family Soricidae) 
     
     
145. Cinereous Shrew ______
     Sorex cinereus
     
     
146. Southeastern Shrew  ______
     Sorex longirostris
     
     
147. American Pygmy Shrew  ______  
     Nicrosorex (formerly Sorex) hoyi
     
     The American Pygmy Shrew is the smallest mammal in North America.
     
     
148. Alaska Tiny Shrew  ______
     Sorex  yukonicus 
     
     
149. American Long-tailed Shrew  ______
     Sorex dispar
     
     
150. Smoky Shrew  ______
     Sorex fumeus
     
     
151. Gaspe Shrew  ______  (rocky areas of Gaspe Peninsula in Quebec & Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia)
     Sorex gaspensis
     
     
152. American Water Shrew ______
     Sorex palustris
     
     
153. Marsh Shrew  ______
     Sorex bendirii
     
     
154. Arctic Shrew ______
     Sorex arcticus
     
     
155. Maritime Shrew  ______  
     Sorex maritimensis 
     
     The Maritime Shrew was split from the Arctic Shrew in 2002.
     
     
156. Tundra Shrew  ______
     Sorex tundrensis
     
     
157. Prairie Shrew  ______
     Sorex haydeni
     
     
158. American Dwarf Shrew  ______
     Sorex nauus
     
     
159. Merriam's Shrew  ______
     Sorex merriami
     
     
160. Arizona Shrew  ______
     Sorex arizonae
     
     
161. Preble's Shrew  ______
     Sorex preblei
     
     
162. Mount Lyell Shrew  ______
     Sorex lyelli
     
     
163. Inyo Shrew  ______
     Sorex tenellus
     
     
164. Ornate Shrew  ______
     Sorex ornatus
     
     
165. Baird's Shrew  ______
     Sorex bairdii
     
     
166. Fog Shrew  ______
     Sorex sonomae
     
     
167. Vagrant Shrew  ______
     Sorex vagrans
     
     
168. Pacific Shrew  ______
     Sorex pacificus
     
     
169. Trowbridge's Shrew  ______
     Sorex trowbridgii
     
     
170. Montane (formerly Dusky) Shrew  (*)  ______ WA  
     Sorex monticolus 
     
     
171. Barren Ground Shrew  ______
     Sorex ugyunak
     
     
172. Pribilof Island Shrew  (*)  ______ AK  (endangered)
     Sorex pribilofensis
     
     
173. Least Shrew  ______
     Cryptotis parva
     
     
174. Northern Short-tailed Shrew  ______
     Blarina brevicauda
     
     
175. Southern Short-tailed Shrew  ______
     Blarina carolinensis
     
     
176. Eliot's Short-tailed Shrew  ______
     Blarina hylophaga
     
     
177. Desert Shrew  ______
     Notiosorex crawfordi
     
     
178. Cockrum's Desert Shrew  ______
     Notiosorex cockrumi
     
     
179. American Shrew Mole  ______
     Neurotrichus gibbsii  (the single member of its genus)
     
     
180. Townsend's Mole  ______
     Scapanus townsendii
     
     
181. Broad-footed Mole  ______
     Scapanus latimanus
     
     
182. Coast Mole  ______
     Scapanus orarius
     
     
183. Eastern Mole  ______
     Scalopus aquaticus  (the single member of its genus)
     
     
184. Hairy-tailed Mole  ______
     Parascalops breweri  (the single member of its genus)
     
     
185. Star-nosed Mole  ______
     Condylura cristata  (the single member of its genus)
     
     
     BATS  (Order Chiroptera - with about 950 species worldwide, the diversity of bats is second only to that of rodents)
     
     LEAF-CHINNED BAT  (Family MORMOOPIDAE)  (8 species in the New World)
     
     
186. (Peter's) Ghost-faced Bat ______
     Mormoops megalophylla
     
     
     AMERICAN LEAF-NOSED BATS  (Family PHYLLOSTOMIDAE)  (155 species in the New World)
     
     
187. California Leaf-nosed Bat  ______
     Macrotus californicus 
     
     
188. North American Long-nosed Bat  (ph) (*)  ______ AZ 
     Leptonycteris yerbabuenae  (formerly conspecific with what's now the Mexican Long-nosed Bat, L. nivalis)
     
     The population of the North American Long-nosed Bat in Arizona was formerly considered by some a distinct species, the Sanborn's Long-nosed Bat, L. sanborni. 
     
     
     
     
     A North American Long-nosed Bat at a hummingbird feeder after dark
     
     
189. Mexican Long-nosed Bat  ______  (endangered) (summer migrant from Mexico into Texas) 
     Leptonycteris nivalis
     
     
190. Mexican Long-tongued Bat  (ph) (*)  ______ AZ  
     Choeronycteris mexicana  (the single member of its genus)
     
     
     
     
     A Mexican Long-tongued Bat at a hummingbird feeder after dark
     
     
191. Hairy-legged Vampire Bat  ______
     Diphylla ecaudata
     
     
     FREE-TAILED BATS  (Family MOLOSSIDAE)  (94 species worldwide)
     
     
192. Mexican (or Brazilian) Free-tailed Bat  (ph) (*)  ______ NM,TX
     Tadarida brasiliensis
     
     There are many Mexican Free-tailed Bats at Carlsbad Caverns in New Mexico. 
     
     
     
     
     ABOVE & BELOW: Mexican Free-tailed Bats
     
     
     
     
193. Big Free-tailed Bat  (*)  ______ NM
     Nyctinomops macrotis
     
     
194. Pocketed Free-tailed Bat  ______
     Nyctinomops femorosaccus
     
     
195. Greater Bonneted Bat  ______
     Eumops perotis
     
     
196. Underwood's Bonneted Bat  ______
     Eumops underwoodi
     
     
197. Wagner's Bonneted Bat  ______
     Eumops glaucinus
     
     
198. Pallas's Mastiff Bat  ______
     Molossus molossus
     
     
     VESPER BATS  (Family VESPERTILIONIDAE)  (364 species worldwide)
     
     
199. Silver-haired Bat  (ph) (*)  ______ NJ (p)  
     Lasionycteris noctivagans  (the single member of its genus)
     
     A Silver-haired Bat came onboard a FONT pelagic trip, 70 miles offshore from New Jersey, September 12, 2004.It is in the photo below. 
     
     
     
     
     Silver-haired Bat
     
     
200. Eastern Red Bat  (*) ______ NJ (p)
     Lasiurus borealis  (Eastern Red Bat & Western Red Bat have recently been "split")  
     
     
201. Western Red Bat  ______
     Lasiurus blossevillii
     
     
202. Seminole Bat  (*) ______ NC
     Lasiurus seminolus
     
     
203. Northern Yellow Bat  ______
     Lasiurus intermedius
     
     
204. Southern Yellow Bat  ______
     Lasiurus egaq
     
     
205. Western Yellow Bat  ______  (was part of the Southern Yellow Bat)
     Lasiurus xanthinus
     
     
206. Hoary Bat  ______
     Lasiurus cinereus
     
     
207. Spotted Bat  ______
     Euderma maculatum
     
     
208. Rafinesque's Big-eared Bat  ______
     Corynorhinus rafinesquii
     
     
209. Townsend's Big-eared Bat  ______
     Corynorhinus townsendii
     
     
210. Allen's Big-eared Bat  ______
     Idionycteris phyllotis
     
     
211. Pallid Bat  ______
     Antrozous pallidus
     
     
212. Southwestern Myotis  ______
     Myotis auriculus
     
     
213. Fringed Myotis  ______
     Myotis thysanodes
     
     
214. Long-eared Myotis  ______
     Myotis evotis
     
     
215. Keen's Myotis  ______
     Myotis keenii
     
     
216. Northern Myotis  ______
     Myotis septentrionalis     
     
     
217. California Myotis  (*) ______ CA  
     Myotis californicus
     
     
218. Western Small-footed Myotis  ______
     Myotis ciliolabrum
     
     
219. Eastern Small-footed Myotis  ______
     Myotis leibii
     
     
220. Long-legged Myotis  ______
     Myotis volans
     
     
221. Cave Myotis  ______
     Myotis velifer
     
     
222. Yuma Myotis  (*) ______ TX
     Myotis (formerly Leuconoe) yumanensis
     
     
223. Little Brown Myotis  (*) ______ CO,NC
     Myotis (formerly Leuconoe) lucifugus
     
     
224. Gray Myotis  ______
     Myotis grisescens
     
     
225. Southeastern Myotis  ______
     Myotis austroriparius
     
     
226. Indiana Myotis  ______
     Myotis sodalis
     
     
227. Big Brown Bat  (*) ______ CA,WA
     Eptesicus fuscus
     
     
228. Evening Bat  ______
     Nycticeius humeralis
     
     
229. Eastern Pipistrelle  (*) ______ NC
     Pipistrellus  (formerly Perimyotis) subflavus
     
     
230. Western Pipistrelle  (*) ______ AZ,TX
     Pipistrellus  (formerly Hypsugo) hesperus 
     
     
     
     MARINE MAMMALS I - SEALS & SEA LIONS  (Order Pinnidedia, "fin-footed")
     
     EARED SEALS, including SEA LIONS & FUR SEALS  (Family Otariidae)
     
     
231. California Sea Lion  (*) ______ CA (the Galapagos Sea Lion is a race of this species, there is another rare subspecies in Japan)
     Zalophus californiannus  (the single member of its genus)
     
     Male California Sea Lions are about 6.5 feet in length, and weigh up to almost 600 pounds; females about 5.9 feet in length, and weighing up to 198 pounds.  
     
     
232. Northern Sea Lion  (*) ______ AK,WA  (has also been called Steller's Sea Lion)
     Eumetopias jubatus  (the single member of its genus)
     
     Male Northern, or Steller's. Sea Lions are nearly 10 feet long, and can weigh up to 2,200 pounds; females up 6.6 feet in length, and weighing up to 660 pounds.
     The smallest adult Steller's Sea Lion is larger than the largest California Sea Lion.
     
     
233. Northern Fur Seal  (ph) (*) ______ AK,CA,WA 
     Callorbinnus ursinus  (the single member of its genus)
     
     
     
     
     A Northern Fur Seal, photographed during a FONT Tour in Alaska
     
     
     HAIR, including PHOCID, SEALS  (Family Phocidae) 
     
     
234. Harbor Seal  (ph) (*) ______ AK,CA,WA  
     Phoca vitulina
     
     The Harbor Seal ranges from 3.9 to 5.9 feet in length, weighs from 99 to 230 pounds. 
     
     
     
     
     Harbor Seals
     (above photo by James Scheib, during a FONT tour;
      photo below by Howard Eskin)
     
     
     
     
     
235. Ringed Seal  (*) ______ AK
     Phoca hispida 
     
     
236. Ribbon Seal  ______
     Phoca fasciata
     
     
237. Spotted Seal  ______
     Phoca largha
     
     
238. Harp Seal  ______
     Phoca groenlandica
     
     
239. Hooded Seal  ______
     Cystophora cristata
     
     
240. Gray Seal  ______
     Halichoerus grypus
     
     
241. Bearded Seal  (*) ______ AK
     Erignathus barbatus  (the single member of its genus)
     
     
242. Northern Elephant Seal  (*) ______ CA  
     Mirounga angustirostris
     
     Male Northern Elephant Seals can be over 16 feet in length, and weigh up to 4,400 pounds; females weigh up to 1,760 pounds. 
     
     
     WALRUS  (Family Odobenidae)
     
     
243. Walrus  (*) ______ AK
     Odobenus rosmarus  (the single member of its genus) 
     
     
     EVEN-TOED UNGULATES (Order Artiodactyla)
     (This order worldwide is diverse, including: pigs, hippopotamuses, camels, deer, antelope, and cattle.)
     
     SHEEP, GOATS, BISON, & MUSKOX  (Family Bovidae)
     
     
244. Bighorn Sheep  (ph) (*)  ______ CO,WA
     Ovis canadensis
     ("Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep" in Colorado, O. c. canadensis)
     ("Desert Bighorn Sheep" in Washington)
     
     
     
     
     A Bighorn Sheep, Ovis canadensis, in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado.
     (photo by Rick Greenspun, during a FONT tour in Colorado)
     
     
245. Dall's Sheep  (*)  ______ AK
     Orvis dalli
     
     
246. Mountain Goat  (*)  ______ AK
     Ocramnos americanus  (the single member of its genus) 
     
     
247. (Plains) American Bison (or Buffalo) (*) ______ CO  (today domesticated)
     Bison b. bison
     
     
248. Muskox  (*)  ______ AK 
     Ovibus moschatus  (the single member of its genus)
     
     The Muskox was nearly extinct at the end of the 19th Century. It is now re-established in parts of Alaska. 
     
     
     PRONGHORN ANTELOPE (Family Antilocapridae)
     
     There is only one living species in this exclusively American family. 
     
     
249. Pronghorn  (ph) (*)  ______  AZ,CO,KS,NE,OK,TX,WY
     Antilocapra americana  (the single member of its genus)
     
     The Pronghorn is the fastest North American mammal. It has been clocked at 60 mph.
     
     
     
     
     Pronghorn
     
     
     NEW WORLD PIGS OR PECCARIES - 2 species, 1 of which north of Mexico  (Family Tayassuidae)
     
     The Old World Swine (Boars, introduced various places in North America) are in the Family Suidae. 
     
     
250. Collared Peccary  (ph) (*)  ______ AZ,TX  (also called Javelina)
     Dicotyles (formerly Pecari) tajacu (formerly Pecari) tajacu  (was at one time Pecari angulatus)
     
     
     
     
     Collared Peccaries
     
     
     DEER (Family Cervidae)  Hoofed animals with antlers shed each year
     
     
251. "American" Elk (or Wapiti) (ph) (*) ______ CO,WA,WY  
     Cervus elaphus canadensis  (another, slightly smaller, subspecies in Europe is called there the  Red Deer) 
     
     
     
     
     Elk (or Wapiti)
     (photo by Doris Potter)
     
     
252. "Tule" Elk  (*)  ______ CA
     Cervus elaphus nannodes  (a subspecies of the Elk in California)  
     
     
253. Moose  (ph) (*)  ______ AK,CO  (in Europe called Elk)
     Alces alces  (the single member of its genus)
     
     
     
     
     Moose, photographed during a FONT tour
     
     
254. Mule Deer  (ph) (*)  ______ AZ,CA,CO,KS,NE,NM,OK,TX,WA,WY  (a subspecies west of the Cascades called Blacktail Deer, O. h. columbianus) 
     Odocoileus hemionus
     
     
     
     
     Mule Deer
     
     
255. White-tailed Deer  (ph) (*)  ______ AZ,CO,DE,FL,KS,NC,NE,TX,WA
     Odocoileus virginianus
     (including "Columbian White-tailed Deer" in the Pacific Northwest)
     (including "Coue's White-tailed Deer" in Arizona)
     (including "Sierra del Carmen White-tailed Deer" in the Chisos Mtns of west Texas)
     (including "Key White-tailed Deer" in the Florida Keys)
     (This mammal occurs in all 48 states of the lower mainland US.)
     
     
     
     
     White-tailed Deer
     (photo by Howard Eskin)
     
     
256. (Common) Fallow Deer (i) (ph) (*)  ______ CA  (feral at Point Reyes, CA; originally in the Mediterranean region of the Old World)  
     Dama dama   
     
     
     
     
     Fallow Deer
     (photo by James Scheib)
      
     
257. (Barren Ground) Caribou  (*)  ______ AK
     Rangifer tarandus  (the single member of its genus)
     
     
258. "Reindeer" (i) (*)  ______ AK
     (either from domesticated stock or from European Caribou) 
     Rangifer tarandus
     
     
     SIRENIANS  (Order Sirenia)
     
     MANATEES  (Family Trichechidae)  
     
     There are 3 species of manatees in the world. 
     
     
259. West Indian Manatee  (*)  ______ FL  (has also been called "Sea Cow")
     Trichechus manatus 
      
     
     MARINE MAMMALS II - PORPOISES, DOLPHINS, & WHALES  (Order Cetacea)
     
     TOOTHED WHALES (Suborder Odontoceti) include: Dolphins & Porpoises, the Beaked Whales, Sperm Whales, the Beluga and Narwhal. 
     
     OCEAN DOLPHINS  (Family Delphinidae)
     
      
260. Short-beaked Common Dolphin  (ph) (*)  ______ CA,DE,NJ (p)  (also called "Saddleback Dolphin")  
     Delphinus delphis
     
     
     
     
     Short-beaked Common Dolphin, during a FONT tour
     (photo by Andy Smith)
      
     
261. Common Bottle-nosed Dolphin  (ph) 
     inshore population  (*)  ______  DE,NC
     offshore population  (*)  ______ DE,NJ (p)
     Tursiops truncatus
     (in the Atlantic, called "Atlantic Bottlenose Dolphin")
     
     
     
     
     An offshore Common Bottle-nosed Dolphin during a FONT pelagic trip
     off the East Coast of North America  
     
     
262. Atlantic Spotted Dolphin  (*)  ______ NC (p)
     Stenella frontalis
     
     
263. Clymene (or Short-snouted Spinner) Dolphin  (ph) (*)  ______ NC (p)
     Stenella clymene
     
     
     
     
     Clymene Dolphins (or Short-snouted Spinner Dolphins) jumping out of the water,
     during a FONT pelagic trip in the Gulf Stream off the coast of North Carolina    
     
     
264. Striped Dolphin ______
     Stenella coeruleoalba
     
     
265. Northern Right Whale Dolphin  (*)  ______ CA,WA (p)
     Lissodelphis borealis
     
     
266. Atlantic White-sided Dolphin  (*)  ______  NJ (p)
     Lagenorhynchus acutus
     
     
267. Pacific White-sided Dolphin  (*)  ______ CA (p)  
     Lagenorhynchus obliquidens
     
     The Pacific White-sided Dolphin is up to just over 7 feet in length; up to about 200 pounds in weight.  
     
     
268. White-beaked Dolphin  ______
     Lagenorhynchus albirostris 
     
     
269. Risso's Dolphin  (ph) (*)  ______ CA,DE,NC,NJ (p)  (also called Gray Grampus) 
     Grampus griseus  (the single member of its genus)
     
     The Risso's Dolphin is up to nearly 12 feet in length; up to 900 pounds in weight.
     
     
     
     
     Risso's Dolphins photographed during a FONT pelagic trip
     
     
270. Orca  (ph) (*)  ______ AK,CA,WA (p)  (has also been called Killer Whale or "Sea Wolf")
     Orcinus orca  (the single member of its genus)
     
     Male Orcas are up to 30 feet in length, females up to 27 feet; males weigh up to 5 tons, females up to 3 tons. The male's dorsal fin can be 6 feet high; that of the female about 2 feet in height. 
     The Orca is one of the fastest swimming whales, with a maximum recorded speed of 30 knots maintained for 20 minutes. 
     
     
     
     
     An Orca, or Killer Whale
     This marine mammal has been seen nicely during FONT Pacific Coast Tours
     in Washington State. 
     
     
271. False Killer Whale  (*)  ______ NC (p)
     Pseudorca crassidens  (the single member of its genus)
     
     
272. Long-finned Pilot Whale  (ph) (*)  ______ NJ (p)  (has also been called "Blackfish")
     Globicephala melas
     
     
     
     
     A Long-finned Pilot Whale photographed during a FONT pelagic trip 
     off the East Coast of North America  
     
     
273. Short-finned Pilot Whale  (*)  ______ CA,NC (p) (has also been called "Blackfish")
     Globicephala macrorhynchus
     
     Male Short-finned Pilot Whales are up to over 22 feet in length; females up to over 16 feet long. Males weigh to to 2,640 pounds; females up to 1,760 pounds.
     
     
     PORPOISES  (Family PHOCOENIDAE)  (6 species worldwide)
     
     
274. Harbor Porpoise  ______
     Phocoena phocoena
     
     
275. Dall's Porpoise  (*)  ______ AK,CA,WA (p)
     Phocoenoides dalli  (the single member of its genus) 
     
     The Dall's Porpoise is up to 6.6 feet in length; up to 330 pounds in weight.
     
     
     
     BEAKED WHALES  (Family Ziphiidae)
     
     Pelagic in habitat, most are poorly known
     
     
276. Cuvier's Beaked Whale  (ph) (*)  ______ NC (p)  (has also been called Goosebeak Whale)
     Ziphius cavirostris  (the single member of its genus)
     
     
     
     
     A Cuvier's Beaked Whale photographed during a FONT pelagic trip,
     showing the beak
     
     
277. Blainville's Beaked Whale  (*)  ______ NC (p)
     Mesoplodon densirostris
     
     
278. True's Beaked Whale  (*)  ______ NC (p)
     Mesoplodon mirus
     
     
279. Baird's Beaked Whale  (ph) (*)  ______ CA (p)
     Berardius bairdii
     
     
     
     
     Baird's Beaked Whale, during a FONT tour off California
      
     
     SPERM WHALES  (Family Physeteridae)
     
     2 smaller species, the Pygmy Sperm Whale and the Dwarf Sperm Whale, are sometimes placed in a different family, Kogiidae; they appear to be distantly related to the Great Sperm Whale.
     
     Both the Great Sperm Whale and the Dwarf Sperm Whale has been seen during FONT pelagic trips in the Caribbean.
     
     
280. Great Sperm Whale  (ph) (*)  ______ NC (p)  (has also been called Cachalot)
     Physeter catodon
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     Two photos of Great Sperm Whales during FONT North Carolina pelagic trips.
     In the upper photo, note the characteristic angled spout.
     In the lower photo, showing 2 whales, not one with the distinctive log-like appearance.
     This species has also been seen during FONT tours in the Caribbean (off Dominica)
     and off the coast of southern Spain.      
     
     
     SINGLE-TOOTHED WHALES  (Family MONODONTIDAE)  
     
     There are 3 species worldwide.
     
     
281. Beluga  ______
     Delphinapterus leucas  (the single member of its genus)
     
     
282. Narwhal  ______
     Monodon monoceros  (the single member of its genus)
      
     
     BALEEN WHALES - whales without teeth (Suborder Mysticeti)
     
     GRAY WHALE  (Family Eschrichtiidae)
     
     
283. (California) Gray Whale  (*)  ______  AK,CA,WA (p)  (Other names: "Mussel-digger", "Scrag Whale") 
     Eschrichtius robustus  (the single member of its genus)
     
     Females Gray Whales are larger than males: females up to over 46 feet long, males up to over 42 feet long; the animal's weight can be up to 33 tons. 
     
     During a FONT tour near Nome, Alaska, the Gray Whale has been seen from shore.
     
     The Gray Whale has a 12,000 mile round-trip migration between its southern breeding grounds in Baja California and its northern feeding grounds in the Bering, Chukchi, and western Beaufort Seas.
     
     Gray Whales formerly occurred in the North Atlantic, where they were hunted to extinction by the 17th or 18th Century. In the western Pacific, a population off Korea, may now be extinct. The eastern Pacific population was reduced to only a few hundred or thousand in the early 1900's.Protection came in 1946, and that population has now recovered.  
     
     
     RIGHT & BOWHEAD WHALES  (Family BALAENIDAE)
     
     
284. North Atlantic Right Whale  (ph) (*) ______  NJ (p)
     Balaena (formerly Eubalaena) glacialis
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     Two photographs of the rare & endangered North Atlantic Right Whale
     off the East Coast of North America.
     The counterpart in the Southern Atlantic, the Southern Right Whale,
     has been seen during FONT tours in Argentina. 
     
     
285. Bowhead Whale  ______  (in the Arctic Ocean)
     Balaena mysticetus
     
     
     RORQUAL (or FINBACK) WHALES (Family Balaenopteridae)
     
     
286. Humpback Whale  (ph) (*)  ______ AK,CA,NF,NJ,WA (p)
     Megaptera novaeanliae  (the single member of its genus)
     
     Humpback Whales are up to over 52 feet in length, weighing up to 44 tons.
     
     
     
     
     Humpback Whale
     
     
287. Northern Minke Whale  (ph) (*)  ______ NC,NJ,WA (p) (has also been called Piked Whale or Lesser Rorqual) 
     Balacnoptera acutorostrata
     
     Formerly, until 1998, the Northern Minke Whale was considered conspecific with southern population, now the Antarctic Minke Whale, B. bonaerensis.
     
     The Northern Minke Whale is up to about 30 feet in length, weighing up to nearly 10 tons.
     
     
     
     
     Northern Minke Whale
     
     
288. Bryde's Whale  ______
     Balaenoptera edeni
     
     
289. Sei Whale  ______
     Balaenoptera borealis
     
     
290. Fin Whale  (ph) (*)  ______ DE,NJ (p)  (has also been called Common Rorqual) (endangered)
     Balaenoptera physalus
     
     
     
     
     A Fin Whale during a FONT pelagic trip, off the East Coast of North America 
     
     
291. Blue Whale  (ph) (*)  ______ CA (p)  (has also been called "Sulphurbottom") (endangered)
     Balaenoptera musculus
     
     The Blue Whale is the largest of all mammals.
     
     
     
     
     Blue Whale
     (photo by Armas Hill)
     
     
     

References for the above mammal-list include:

"Mammals of North America" by Roland W. Kays & Don E. Wilson, published by Princeton Univ Press, 2002. 

"Mammals of the World - A Checklist", by Andrew Duff & Ann Lawson, 2004

"A Field Guide to the Mammals (of North America north of Mexico), by William H. Burt & Richard P. Grossenheider

"Mammals of the Pacific Northwest", by James R. Christensen & Earl J. Larrison, 1982 

"Marine Birds and Mammals of Puget Sound", by Tony Angell & Kenneth C. Balcomb, 1982

"Eyewitness Handbook: Whales, Dolphins & Porpoises - a Visual Guide to the World's Cetaceans", by Mark Carwardine, illustrated by Martin Camm, 1995  

"World Guide to Mammals" by Nicole Duplaix & Noel Simon, 1976

"The Encyclopedia of Mammals", edited by Dr. David Macdonald, 1984

"A Field Guide to the Mammals of Central America & Southeast Mexico", by Fiona A. Reid, 1997