"Views from the Lava Beds" by NPS photo , public domain
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Lava Beds
National Park Service
U.S. Department of the Interior
Lava Beds National Monument
Mammals of Lava Beds
NPS
Badger
Mammals
Squirrels
Lava Beds National Monument has over 50 species of mammals, fourteen of which are bats.
Pay close attention, and you may see them while caving, hiking, or driving the monument’s
roads. This brochure describes and compares a few of the species commonly observed in the
monument. If you are lucky enough to see any of these animals, please share the Monument
with them, but don’t share your lunch!
Belding’s Ground Squirrel (Spermophilus beldingi)
The Belding’s ground squirrel is reddish-brown with a short, slim, black-tipped tail and small
ears. Their seven-to-eight month hibernation period makes them one of the longest-hibernating
mammals in North America, so you are unlikely to see them early or late in the year. Look for
these mammals burrowing in the grasslands at the northern end of the monument and around
Petroglyph Point.
California Ground Squirrel (Spermophilus beecheyi)
A bushy tail, gray and black coloring, and light gray “shoulder pads,” are characteristics of the
California ground squirrel. You may see them during the day perched on large rocks and
shrubs, or scampering through the brush.
The California ground squirrel has evolved an unusual method for deterring western
rattlesnakes, which are among their main predators. When threatened by a rattlesnake, the
squirrels raise the temperature of their tails and shake them back and forth vigorously.
Rattlesnakes hunt primarily with infrared vision, so this tail signal shows the snake that the
squirrel is well aware of its presence and ready to dodge a strike. The snake will likely leave a
tail-waving squirrel alone in favor of more vulnerable prey.
Rabbits, Pika,
and Hares
Pika (Ochotona princeps)
Slightly larger than a hamster, the pika has short, rounded ears and no visible tail. They can be
found in the rocky areas of the monument such as the lava fields and the areas around caves. In
preparation for winter, pikas make their own hay by collecting summer plants and storing them
beneath the rocks to dry.
Unfortunately, a warming climate may be adversely affecting pikas, and it is a rare treat to see
one in the park. Over 100 sites in Lava Beds are currently being monitored for pikas, so if you
do see one of these elusive creatures during your visit, please inform monument staff.
Mountain Cottontail (Sylvilagus nuttallii)
Pika
Mountain cottontails are often seen nibbling sagebrush plants along roads and in the
campground. They have a color similar to that of pikas, but they tend to be larger with long
hind legs, upright ears, and a fluffy white tail.
Black-tailed Jackrabbit (Lepus californicus)
Much larger than mountain cottontails are black-tailed jackrabbits which are also found
throughout Lava Beds. These rabbits are easily identified by their enormous, upright ears
which they use to stay cool during the hot summers. Jackrabbits can also be distinguished
from mountain cottontails by the black markings on their ears and the upper side of their tails.
Deer and
Pronghorn
Mule Deer (Odocoileus hemionus)
There are many small herds of mule deer that roam the park, foraging on the shrubs and
herbaceous plants found throughout the monument. During the summer, males can easily be
distinguished from females by their large antlers which they use to fight for mates during the
fall breeding season.
Pronghorn (Antilocapra americana)
Pronghorns are an unusual sight, but they are sometimes seen in the grasslands at the northern
end of the monument. They can be distinguished from mule deer by their smaller size, dark
horns, and the distinct white patches on their bellies and throats. Pronghorn are the fastest land
mammal in the Western Hemisphere, and have been known to run at speeds up to 62 miles per
hour (100 km per hour).
Cats
Bobcat (Lynx rufus)
Territorial and largely solitary, bobcats can occasionally be seen along roadsides as they hunt
for rabbits in the park. These cats are twice the size of a housecat with excellent climbing skills
and sharp hearing. Their coat is gray or brown with black spots, and they have tufted ears and a
round, stubby tail which is the bobcat’s namesake.
Mountain Lion (Felis concolor)
Mountain Lion
Keeping
Track
Due to their shy nature, it is rare to see mountain lions at Lava Beds, but a few do call the
monument home. With plenty of deer for prey, Lava Beds is a perfect habitat for these wild
cats, which are the largest in North America. Their long tail and tawny coat distinguish them
from the smaller bobcat. If you see a mountain lion during your visit, try to be as intimidating
as possible. Shout, wave your arms, and back away slowly. Convince the lion that you are not
prey!
Put your observation skills to the test!
Use the list below to keep track of the mammals you see during your stay at Lava Beds. Stop
by the visitor center to share your finds and to get more information about the wildlife found in
the monument. The list is formatted as follows:
Order
Artiodactyla
Family
Common name ................................................................. Genus species
Antilocapridae (Pronghorn)
Pronghorn ...................................................................... Antilocapra americana
Cervidae (Deer)
Mule Deer ..................................................................... Odocoileus hemionus
Carnivora
Canidae (Dogs, Foxes, and Wolves)
Coyote ........................................................................... Canis latrans
Red Fox ......................................................................... Vulpes vulpes
Gray Fox........................................................................ Urocyon cinereoargenteus
Wolf .............................................................................. Canis lupis
Felidae (Cats)
Mountain Lion ............................................................... Felis concolor
Bobcat ........................................................................... Lynx rufus
Mustelidae (Weasels and Skunks)
Long-tailed Weasel ........................................................ Mustela frenata
Mink .............................................................................. Neovison vison
Badger ........................................................................... Taxidea taxus
Striped Skunk ................................................................ Mephitis mephitis
Spotted Skunk ............................................................... Spilogale gracili
Procyonidae (Raccoons)
Raccoon ......................................................................... Procyon lotor
Ursidae (Bears)
Black Bear ..................................................................... Ursus americanus
Coyote
Coyote
Chiroptera
Molossidae (Free-tailed Bats)
Brazilian Free-tailed Bat ................................................Tadarida brasiliensis
Vespertilionidae (Plainnose Bats)
Pallid Bat .......................................................................Antrozous pallidus
Townsend’s Big-eared Bat ............................................Corynorhinus townsendii
Big Brown Bat ...............................................................Eptesicus fuscus
Silver-haired Bat ............................................................Lasionycteris noctivagans
Hoary Bat ......................................................................Lasiurus cinereus
California Myotis ...........................................................Myotis californicus
Western Small-footed Myotis ........................................Myotis ciliolabrum
Long-eared Myotis ........................................................Myotis evotis
Little Brown Myotis ......................................................Myotis lucifugus
Fringed Myotis ..............................................................Myotis thysanodes
Long-legged Myotis ......................................................Myotis volans
Yuma Myotis .................................................................Myotis yumanensis
Western Pipistrelle .........................................................Pipistrellus hesperus
Insectivora
Townsend’s Big-eared
Bat
Soricidae (Shrews)
Trowbridge’s Shrew ......................................................Sorex trowbridgii
Talpidae (Moles)
California Mole .............................................................Scapanus latimanus
Lagomorpha
Leporidae (Rabbits and Hares)
Mountain Cottontail .......................................................Sylvilagus nuttallii
Black-tailed Jackrabbit ..................................................Lepus californicus
Ochotonidae (Pikas)
Pika ................................................................................Ochotona princeps
Rodentia
Cricetidae (New World Rats and Mice)
Canyon Mouse ...............................................................Peromyscus crinitus
Deer Mouse ...................................................................Peromyscus maniculatus
Pinyon Mouse ................................................................Peromyscus truei
Western Harvest Mouse.................................................Reithrodontomys megalotis
Dusky-footed Wood Rat ................................................Neotoma fuscipes
Bushy-tailed Wood Rat..................................................Neotoma cinerea
Mountain Vole ...............................................................Microtus montanus
Muskrat..........................................................................Ondatra zibethicus
Erethizontidae (New World Porcupines)
Porcupine .......................................................................Erethizon dorsatum
Heteromyidae (Pocket Mice and Kangaroo Rats)
California Kangaroo Rat ................................................Dipodomys californicus
Great Basin Pocket Mouse.............................................Perognathus parvus
Sciuridae (Marmots, Squirrels and Chipmunks)
Least Chipmunk.............................................................Tamias minimus
Yellow Pine Chipmunk..................................................Tamias amoenus
Yellow-bellied Marmot .................................................Marmota flaviventris
California Ground Squirrel ............................................Spermophilus beecheyi
Golden-mantled Ground Squirrel ..................................Spermophilus lateralis
California Kangaroo Rat
Belding’s Ground Squirrel .............................................Spermophilus beldingi
Douglas Squirrel ............................................................Tamiasciurus douglasii
Golden-mantled Ground
Squirrel
E X P E R I E N CE Y O U R AM E R I C A