Wolverine (Gulo gulo)
Wolverines typically range from 18-30 pounds and are the largest member of the weasel family. They are found throughout the boreal forests, mountains and tundra of the northern latitudes in Europe, Asia and North America. They are excellent hunters and can easily kill smaller prey like rodents and rabbits, but will even attack larger animals like caribou if they come across weakened or injured animals. The wolverine is also an opportunistic eater and will happily feed on the corpses of dead animals, known as carrion. Although once a Vulnerable species, they are now considered a species of Least Concern by the IUCN. Although they still face threats from hunting, trapping and poisoning, they have a wide distribution and some large population areas remaining.
Fun Fact: Native Americans called the wolverine the “skunk-bear” because of the strong, unpleasant odor it can give off.
Japanese Macaque (Macaca fuscata)
Typically ranging in size from 18-26 pounds, Japanese macaques are considered a species of Old World Monkey. Old World Monkeys have tails unlike apes, but their tails are not prehensile like New World Monkeys. Japanese macaques live on the islands of Japan and can be found at higher elevations than any other non-human primate, up to 10,000 feet. They are omnivores, which means they eat both plants and meat. They eat a variety of invertebrates and birds, as well as seeds, fruit, leaves and fungi. The Japanese macaque is listed as a species of Least Concern by the IUCN, due to the fact that its population is widespread and that it is actually expanding and increasing in many areas.
Fun Fact: They are the only other animal, besides humans and raccoons, which wash their food before they eat it.
Indian Crested Porcupines (Hystrix indica)
These large rodents, which can weigh 24-39 pounds, are found in many environments throughout Southern Asia and the Middle East. Although they are primarily vegetarians and eat a variety of fruit, grains and roots, the Indian crested porcupine is a dangerous animal for a predator to attack. After a warning rattle of the quills, they will charge backward, driving their quills deep into their enemies. Even tigers and leopards have been seriously injured by this kind of assault. Since the Indian crested porcupine is widespread and has no major threats, it is listed as a species of Least Concern by the IUCN.
Fun Fact: When their bodies are in need of calcium, they will chew on bones.
Snow Leopard (Uncia uncia)
These shy, rare and beautiful cats live in the mountains of Central Asia at altitudes ranging from 9,800-17,000 feet. Snow leopards can weigh anywhere from 60-120 pounds and can kill animals three times their weight. They typically hunt wild sheep and goats, but will also eat smaller rodents, hares and birds. The snow leopard’s population has declined 20% in the past 16 years due to poaching and persecution, as well as loss of habitat and prey. It is estimated that their global population is only about 4,000-6,500. As such, the IUCN has listed the snow leopard as Endangered.
Fun Fact: Their long tales are used for balance but also double as blankets, covering more sensitive parts of their bodies against the cold mountain temperatures.
Canadian Lynx (Lynx Canadensis)
These felines vary in size from 10-40 pounds and can be found in forests, tundra and other areas throughout Alaska and Canada. Although their range once extended down into the northern portions of the United States, they can now only be confirmed in Maine, Montana, Idaho and Washington. Approximately 75% of the Canadian lynx’s diet is the snowshoe hare, although they will supplement this with grouse, rodents, fish and occasionally deer. Because it is widespread throughout its range in Alaska and Canada, the Canadian lynx is listed as a species of Least Concern by the IUCN.
Fun Fact: The Canadian lynx’s large, fur covered feet allow it to walk more easily on the surface of the snow by distributing the weight of the animal over a larger area, just as snowshoes do for humans.
Red Wolf (Canis rufus)
The red wolf is the smaller, more elusive and shy cousin of the gray wolf. Although they once ranged throughout the southeastern United States, from Pennsylvania to Florida and as far west as Texas, the red wolf is now only found in 5 counties in North Carolina. Red wolves eat a variety of mammals such as raccoon, rabbit, white-tailed deer, nutria and rodents. The red wolf was historically the top predator throughout the southeastern United States, and its decimation has led to the overpopulation of some of its prey species, such as the white-tailed deer, in many areas. The red wolf population was down to 17 wild specimens in 1980. Through an aggressive restoration program called the Red Wolf Recovery Program, the wild red wolf population is now between 100-150 individuals. The species is listed as Critically Endangered by the IUCN.
Fun Fact: Red wolves have numerous ways of communicating with one another, including howling, scent marking, facial expressions and body postures.
Dwarf Zebu (Bos primigenius)
The dwarf zebu is a domesticated breed of cattle found primarily in India, Sri Lanka and Nepal, although they have been introduced worldwide. Their smaller size makes them easier to maintain than larger cattle, and their agility and manageability make them very useful as draft animals. It is estimated that the 200 million dwarf zebus that live in India provide more power than all of the Indian electric plants combined. They are herbivores and eat a variety of grasses, grains and hay.
Fun Fact: If food is scarce, dwarf zebus can briefly live off the fat stored in their dewlap or fatty hump.
Cougar (Felis Concolor)
These solitary cats are the largest cat of the small species cats, which also includes the bobcat, lynx and ocelot. Unlike large species cats, small species cats are incapable of roaring and actually purr like housecats. The cougar has the largest geographic range of any land mammal in the Western Hemisphere and can be found in Canada, the United States and Central and South America. They are highly adaptable and can be found in every major type of habitat in the Americas. Their diet varies greatly, depending on where they live, but in North America 60-80% of it is made up of deer. Although its population is declining, the cougar’s adaptability and widespread distribution have caused the IUCN to list it as a species of Least Concern.
Fun Fact: The cougar goes by more names than almost any other mammal, including puma, deer tiger, mountain lion and panther.
Pallas Cat (Otocolobus manul)
These unusual, fluffy looking cats are only around the size of a housecat. Their long, dense fur protects them from frostbite and the cold temperatures they can encounter in their habitat. Pallas cats can be found in rocky deserts and the barren mountainous regions of Iran, southern Asia and parts of western China. They can be found at elevations as high as 15,000 feet. Pallas cats are effective ambush predators that typically hide behind rocks and vegetation waiting for the right moment to pounce on their favorite prey, usually rodents and other small mammals. The Pallas cat has a wide range, but is thinly distributed. That fact, along with habitat destruction, a decline in their prey species and hunting has all led the IUCN to categorize it as a Near Threatened species.
Fun Fact: Instead of closing to a slit like other small cats, Pallas cat pupils close to form a small circle.
Fishing Cat (Prionailurus viverrinus)
Fishing cats are long bodied, short –legged cats ranging in size from around 15-30 pounds. Cats have a reputation for hating water, but fishing cats love it and are actually excellent swimmers. They have webbed toes that help them swim and also allow them to walk on muddy surfaces without sinking in. Fishing cats eat mainly fish and other prey like crabs, crayfish and frogs. They can be found in marshes, swamps or near rivers and streams in areas of Cambodia, India, Sri Lanka, Thailand and other areas of Southeast Asia. There has been a 50% decline in the fishing cat population over the last 18 years, and it has disappeared from some of its known habitats in India and Pakistan. The wetlands where these cats make their homes are threatened by draining for agriculture, pollution, hunting and wood-cutting. Over fishing is significantly depleting their food supply as well. All of these factors have caused the IUCN to list the fishing cat as Endangered.
Fun Fact: The fishing cat can use its tail like a rudder to control it direction while swimming.
Asian Small-Clawed Otters (Aonyx cinerea)
Asian small-clawed otters are the smallest of the 13 species of otter. Besides being smaller than other otters, they also spend more time on land and are more social than other otter species. Their feet are only webbed to the last joint, which gives them an excellent sense of touch and manual dexterity. This helps them grab and catch some of their favorite aquatic food, such as crabs, mollusks, frogs and fish. Asian small-clawed otters live near freshwater streams, rivers and swamps in Indonesia, southern China, southern India, the Philippines and Southeast Asia. Their range has shrunken considerably in the last 60 years, and their population is expected to continue to decline. This is due primarily to habitat loss and poaching. As such, the IUCN has listed them as a Vulnerable species.
Fun Fact: Asian small-clawed otters have over a dozen different vocalizations, each with its own specific meaning.
Prairie Dogs (Cynomys ludovicianus)
These charming and social rodents are usually 12-15 inches long and range from 2-4 pounds. They live in extensive colonies, called towns that can be found on the prairies and grasslands of the Great Plains area of North America. Their underground burrow systems can cover more than 100 acres with various chambers with dedicated uses, such as nurseries, toilets and bedrooms. Their primary diet is a variety of grasses, roots and seeds. Although their population and range has decreased considerably from what it once was, they are still very widespread with a population estimated to be in the millions. Since they are considered a nuisance species in some areas, they still face threats from poisoning and shooting in an attempt to eradicate certain populations. They are also contending with habitat destruction and fragmentation. Despite this, their population is declining slowly, and the IUCN has listed it as a species of Least Concern.
Fun Fact: When prairie dogs “kiss”, they are actually touching their front teeth together. This is how they recognize one another.
Black Tufted-Ear Marmoset (Callithrix penicillata)
The Black tufted-ear marmoset is a small New World Monkey, ranging in size from 7-10 inches with a 7-12 inch tail. They are easily recognizable by their light grey faces, white foreheads and the tell-tale black ear tufts. Black tufted-ear marmosets live in the tropical and subtropical forests and savannahs of Brazil. They walk quadrupedally through the tree-tops or leap from perch to perch, rarely coming down to the forest floor. Up to 70% of their diet is made up of plant exudates, or gums, saps and latex, although they do supplement this with insects, fruit, flowers, birds and other small animals. Although they do face threats from hunting for the pet trade and destruction of habitat from slash and burn agriculture, they are listed as a species of Least Concern by the IUCN. They are actually enjoying an increase in population in some areas, and they have an ability to adapt to disturbed habitats.
Fun Fact: Black tufted-ear marmosets practice non-maternal infant care. Both males and siblings are quick to assist mother marmosets with any care required, and this behavior greatly increases the chances for infant survival.
Red Panda (Ailurus fulgens)
These much smaller relatives of the giant panda are only about the size of a housecat and more closely resemble raccoons. They live in the cool, high-altitude forests of Nepal, Myanmar and central China. Red pandas have soft, dense fur that covers their entire bodies and this helps them stay warm in the cold temperatures. Besides being great for helping with balance as they move through the trees, the red panda’s long, bushy tail also doubles as a blanket. Bamboo leaves make up a large portion of their diet, but they also eat fruit, acorns, roots and eggs. The IUCN has listed the red panda as a Vulnerable species. They face threats from habitat loss and fragmentation, as well as poaching. It is estimated that there are less than 10,000 mature individuals, and their population is expected to continue to decline.
Fun Fact: The red panda, along with giant panda, has an extended wrist bone that sticks out and helps it grip bamboo stalks much like a thumb would.