Mammals Of Mount Mckinley National Park - free ebook by Adolph Murie

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Mammals Of Mount Mckinley National Park

Adolph Murie

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MAMMALS OF MOUNT McKINLEY NATIONAL PARK ALASKA

MAMMALS OF MOUNT McKINLEY NATIONAL PARK ALASKA

by Adolph Murie Sketches by Olaus Murie Photographs by Charles J. Ott Published by the Mount McKinley Natural History Association Published in cooperation with the National Park Service Copyright August, 1962 by Mount McKinley Natural History Association Printed in U.S.A. Pisani Printing Company, San Francisco Caribou migrating from summer range....

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Denali Wilderness

Denali Wilderness

The national park idea represents a far-reaching cultural achievement, for here we raise our thoughts above the average, and enter a sphere in which the intangible values of the human heart and spirit take precedence. Mingled with the landscape of McKinley Park is the spirit of the primeval. The region is dedicated to the preservation of wilderness. Here we try to refrain from the coarser uses of nature legitimate elsewhere. All the plants and animals enjoy a natural and normal life without huma

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Grizzly Bear Ursus horribilis

Grizzly Bear Ursus horribilis

The grizzly’s domain in the park extends from the glaciers at the heads of the rivers, northward to the north boundary. The grizzly may be discovered on an old river bar, on one of the low passes between the rivers, or traveling high on a mountain slope. One of the favorite haunts along the road is Sable Pass, where each summer one to four females with cubs, along with a few lone or mated bears, take residence. Any bear seen out in the park is almost certain to be a grizzly because the black bea

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Black Bear Euarctos americanus

Black Bear Euarctos americanus

The black bear is widely distributed in Alaska. In the park it is confined to the forested areas along the north and east boundaries. I have occasionally seen one near the Nenana River and in the Wonder Lake area I have seen them 3 or 4 miles north of the park feeding on blueberries. Black bears may be black or brown, but those I have seen at McKinley have all been of the black color phase. The black bear lacks the pronounced shoulder hump of the grizzly. The tan muzzle is also distinctive. Equi

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Caribou Rangifer arcticus stonei

Caribou Rangifer arcticus stonei

The caribou is a circumpolar deer adapted to life in the Arctic. Both sexes carry antlers and even the calves grow a spike 6 or 8 inches long. The cow’s antlers are small and branching; those of the old bull are towering and picturesque, with a well-developed brow tine extending over the nose from one or both antlers. As you see the caribou in his easy, swinging trot, you will perhaps notice his big feet. The hoofs, rounded and spreading, and the dew claws well developed, serve him as snowshoes

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Moose Alces alces gigas

Moose Alces alces gigas

The northern conifer forest, stretching across the continent, is the home of the moose. In Alaska he has reached his greatest size. A mature bull weighs 12 to 15 hundred pounds, and his huge, palmate antlers have reached a record spread of about 80 inches. At a distance the moose appears to be black except for his long, light-colored stockings. The large head is supported on a short neck, a shoulder hump is prominent, the nose is loose and bulbous. A special feature is the bell that hangs from t

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Dall Sheep Ovis dalli

Dall Sheep Ovis dalli

The Dall or white sheep is one of the outstanding wildlife features of the park. The north side of the greater part of the Alaska Range is excellent sheep habitat. Within the park the most extensive sheep country extends from the Nenana River to the Muldrow glacier, a distance of about 70 miles by road. Most of the sheep spend the winter north of the road. This is favorable winter range because the snowfall is relatively light and strong winds keep the exposed ridges free of snow. Many sheep rem

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Mountain Goat Oreamnos kennedyi

Mountain Goat Oreamnos kennedyi

On May 27, 1955, a goat was discovered on Igloo Mountain on the slope directly above the cabin I was occupying. It remained on the mountain for 3 weeks before wandering away. It has not been seen since. This is the only verified record for the park. But two road men reported seeing a goat cross the road at Mile 3, on August 8, 1950. I believe this to be a good record because both men are reliable observers. In the fall of 1950 a goat was shot at Cantwell, not far from the park boundary. The near

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Wolf Canis lupus pambasileus

Wolf Canis lupus pambasileus

Wolves vary considerably in size and color. The average male weighs about 100 pounds and the female somewhat less, about 85 pounds. Their color may be almost white, black, gray, or brown. Most wolves in interior Alaska are either black or brownish like a coyote. The facial markings show some variation and there may occasionally be noticeable patterns over the rest of the body. A few wolves have a blackish saddle; one that I knew had a black robber-mask across the eyes. Individual disposition and

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Coyote Canis latrans incolatus

Coyote Canis latrans incolatus

So far as known, the coyote has always been rare out in the park. Along the Nenana River, however, I frequently have heard his song. Here he seems to find conditions more favorable for his way of life. Perhaps it is the presence of the snowshoe rabbit in this low brushy country that attracts him. Coyote. Red fox. The coyote weights about 25 pounds on the average. His color is brownish with black-tipped hairs intermingled. Color variation in coyotes is so slight it is not noticeable in the field;

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Red Fox Vulpes fulva alascensis

Red Fox Vulpes fulva alascensis

The fabled red fox is abundant, widely distributed over the park and frequently seen. Silver, cross, and red color phases, along with some intermediate variants, are well represented, and two or three of these types frequently show up in a single litter. The prominent white tip on the tail distinguishes the fox from the coyote and wolf. Hundreds of dens are scattered over the countryside, many more than are used in any one season. They are located indiscriminately in spruce woods and out on the

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Lynx Lynx canadensis

Lynx Lynx canadensis

The lynx manner is one of independence, confidence and complacency. He walks through the woods with dignity, looking neither right nor left. Of course, he is not as oblivious as he appears to be. He may even stop to watch you, but only briefly, and then he continues sedately on his way. His long legs are thicker than seem necessary to support the lean body, but they are no doubt valuable for long jumps and pouncing. The large, widespreading feet serve him well as snowshoes, and strong, curved cl

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Wolverine Gulo hylaeus

Wolverine Gulo hylaeus

The fabulous wolverine is a powerful and picturesque member of the weasel tribe weighing up to 35 pounds or more. Because of his stocky build and long hair, he resembles a small bear. Frequently the large hoary marmot is mistaken for him—there is considerable similarity. But the broad yellowish-tan stripe on the sides of the body is distinctive. A whitish collar, not always visible, extends across the throat. The tail is short and bushy; the sharp, well-developed claws are whitish. His range is

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Marten Martes americana actuosa

Marten Martes americana actuosa

The marten is long and lithe, and its graceful activity is conspicuous. The usual color is a rich brown, shading to blackish on the feet and tail. The face is grayish with a short, dark line extending upward from the inner corner of each eye. A large orange throat and breast patch is very striking in most individuals. The fur is soft and long, the tail is long and well-furred, and serves to register various emotions. The marten is alert to sounds and this is indicated by its well-developed, broa

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Mink Mustela vison ingens

Mink Mustela vison ingens

The mink is the amphibious member of the weasel family. He lives along rivers and lakes and probably forages more in the water than on land. Fish, frogs, insects, snails, crayfish, rabbits, muskrats, and mice all appear on his bill of fare. In the country between the mouth of the Yukon and the Kuskokwim River, the mink is said to subsist largely on Alaska blackfish ( Dallia pectoralis ). So abundant were the mink in the area that the Eskimo were called “mink people.” The muddy waters in this wat

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River Otter Lutra canadensis yukonensis

River Otter Lutra canadensis yukonensis

The otter is rare in the park. It was reported present in Wonder Lake some years ago and tracks in the snow were reported at Savage River. It probably occurs in the Nenana River, along the eastern park boundary. The otter, a member of the weasel family, has become adapted to life in the water. His body is about 3 feet long, and his long muscular tail is over a foot long. His cousin, the sea otter, plentiful in the Aleutian Islands, is much larger and more specialized for an aquatic life. I have

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Short-Tailed Weasel Mustela erminea arctica

Short-Tailed Weasel Mustela erminea arctica

Two species of weasel occur in the park. The larger one with a black-tipped tail is called the short-tailed weasel, and the smaller one with an extremely short and all-white tail is the least weasel. Both weasels are brown in summer and white in winter, a protective coloration no doubt useful in escaping detection. In some southern parts of their ranges these weasels remain brown all year, and in intermediate areas part of the population turns white in winter and part of it remains brown. It is

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Least Weasel Mustela rixosa eskimo

Least Weasel Mustela rixosa eskimo

The range of the least weasel is circumpolar. In North America it is found over most of Alaska and Canada, and southward to Montana, Kansas, North Carolina. It is widely dispersed but apparently nowhere abundant. This tiny weasel is only 6 to 6½ inches long with a maximum tail length of 1½ inches. It is the smallest living member of the carnivores and weighs no more than a meadow mouse. The tail is pure white, lacking the black tip present in other weasels. I have a record of four specimens from

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Snowshoe Rabbit Lepus americanus macfarlani

Snowshoe Rabbit Lepus americanus macfarlani

Like the ptarmigan and the northern weasel, the snowshoe rabbit, or varying hare, each autumn changes from a dominantly brown summer coat to a white winter ensemble. (In Washington where snow is scarce in its habitat, the snowshoe rabbit remains brown the year round.) His coat color blends at all seasons with his background, so all he need do to be fairly sure of escaping visual detection is to have confidence in his camouflage and sit motionless. The fur is so long, thick, and warm that he can

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Collared Pika Ochotona collaris

Collared Pika Ochotona collaris

The pika, cony, or rock rabbit, as he is variously called, makes his home in rock slides. His way of life, and his physical attributes, are such, that he would have difficulty surviving away from the labyrinth of passages in his slide rock home. The pika is in the same order (different family) as hares and rabbits. Like rabbits, they have two pairs of upper incisors; back of the grooved anterior incisors is a pair of very small incisors. The feet are furred; the ears are not long but are rounded

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Hoary Marmot Marmota caligata

Hoary Marmot Marmota caligata

Hoary marmot mother and young. The hoary marmot is an amplified version of the eastern woodchuck. It is roughly bicolor, being gray over the shoulder region and light brown over the hips. The black patch across the nose enhances its facial aspect somewhat, and the jet-black feet add a little contrast to its appearance. He has a bushy tail that he jerks about a good deal, especially when he travels. Occasionally, he is mistaken for a wolverine. His soft color pattern is an excellent example of ca

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Arctic Ground Squirrel Citellus parryi ablusus

Arctic Ground Squirrel Citellus parryi ablusus

Arctic ground squirrel at alert. The most neighborly animals in the park are the ground squirrels. They quickly become tame at cabins and campgrounds and eagerly stuff their cheek pouches with hotcakes until their gulps become ludicrous with excessive efforts to make room for one more mouthful. Leave a cabin door ajar and the bread supply is soon being appropriated. Ground squirrels are always standing erect shouting worried warnings of danger. Much of the time the cries seem to be only an outle

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Red Squirrel Tamiasciurus hudsonicus preblei

Red Squirrel Tamiasciurus hudsonicus preblei

The noisy red squirrel, with his churring, chattering, and “sic-sic-ing,” lends a touch of the familiar to the northern woods. He has followed the spruces along the rivers to timberline, and I saw one a half-mile beyond timber, living perhaps temporarily, among the pikas in tumbled rocks. They are generally plentiful, but in 1956 I found them extremely scarce. A catastrophic die-off had apparently occurred in the park, and that year the squirrels were also reported scarce in other parts of Alask

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Northern Flying Squirrel Glaucomys sabrinus yukonensis

Northern Flying Squirrel Glaucomys sabrinus yukonensis

When the gesticulating red squirrel has finished his daylight bustling and retires to his nest, the flying squirrel comes forth to take over the night, but in a gentle and quiet manner. Like the night-flying owl, its coat is soft and its flight silent. The furred “wing” membranes on each side of the body are attached to the full length of the fore and hind legs and are supported and extended in part by a cartilaginous process growing out from the wrist. Thus when the legs are extended laterally,

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Porcupine Erethizon dorsatum myops

Porcupine Erethizon dorsatum myops

The porcupine has been accused of being slow-witted, but we must admit that he has not done badly for he is able to lead an unhurried life in the country. His quill protection has, no doubt, decreased his need for mental activity, and his eyesight does seem deficient. But his hearing is quite keen, and judging by his nose activity it appears that his sense of smell is on the acute side. His mental and physical attributes are all based on the quill. The upper surface of the porcupine, except for

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Beaver Castor canadensis

Beaver Castor canadensis

Beavers may be found at Horseshoe Lake, Riley Creek, various ponds near the Nenana River, and in ponds and creeks along the road in the Wonder Lake region. They are out chiefly at night, but many families emerge for pond activity by 2 or 3 o’clock in the afternoon. Beavers are large rodents, scaling 60 pounds or more. Their weight does not make them good hikers but it is no handicap in water where they paddle their way about as though they were skiffs. And when they sit up to gnaw down an aspen

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Muskrat Ondatra zibethicus spatulatus

Muskrat Ondatra zibethicus spatulatus

In some parts of Alaska where extensive favorable pond habitat prevails, muskrats are abundant and their sedge lodges are a part of the scenery. In the park there are a few muskrats in Horseshoe Lake and other ponds and creeks near the eastern border, and also in the Wonder Lake area. These usually live in bank burrows with submerged entrances. It is not uncommon to find a muskrat living in an occupied beaver house, apparently utilizing an unoccupied cranny. They ply back and forth across the po

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Shrews Sorex sp. and Microsorex sp.

Shrews Sorex sp. and Microsorex sp.

Shrews may be identified by their long, pointed, mobile nose, extremely minute eyes, short velvety fur and blackish-tipped teeth. They are the smallest mammals in the world, some kinds weighing less than 3 grams. It would require over 100 of these to weigh one pound. Because of the shrew’s small size and long nose, Alaskans frequently refer to them as long-nosed mice. Thousands of shrews (four species) are vigorously active in the park but are rarely seen. Occasionally, one may be discovered cro

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Bat Vespertilioninae

Bat Vespertilioninae

A bat was reported in flight at Wonder Lake in 1959 and again in 1960. Since no specimen has been examined there is no definite identification, but judging from the geographical distribution of bats it seems probable that those seen in the park belong to the genus Myotis . Three or four species of this genus are known to occur in southeastern Alaska. The little brown bat ( Myotis lucifugus alascensis ) has been taken at Illiamna Lake at the base of the Alaska Peninsula so it seems likely that th

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The Mouse World Microtinae

The Mouse World Microtinae

Are there any trails in the park? Yes, thousands of miles, but most of them are under a canopy of grass and sphagnum moss and are only 1 or 2 inches wide, so of course they are not of much use to you. And even if we could nibble on Alice’s mushroom and grow, in reverse, small enough to use them, we would hardly dare, at least a lady wouldn’t, for she would soon meet a mouse, inasmuch as these trails have been constructed by, and belong to, mice. And I might add that the fierce little shrews use

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