Mam·mal·o·gy / a branch of zoology dealing with mammals
Mam·mal·o·gist / a person with the best job in the world!
Mam·mal·o·gy / a branch of zoology dealing with mammals
Mam·mal·o·gist / a person with the best job in the world!
| ORDER/Family | Common Name | Species Name | Status | Distribution | Slide Library* | Mammalian Species | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DIDELPHIMORPHIA (opossums & allies) | |||||||
| Didelphidae (opossums) | Virginia Opossum | Didelphis virginiana | Common | Statewide | 3, 4(W), 630, 828(B), 829(B), 830(B) | 40 | Usually solitary, nocturnal |
| INSECTIVORA (shrews & moles) | |||||||
| Soricidae (shrews) | Southern Short-tailed Shrew | Blarina carolinensis | Uncommon | Extreme southeast corner of state. | Habitat is probably moist woodlands and swampy areas. Slightly venomous. | ||
| Elliot's short-tailed Shrew | Blarina hylophaga | Uncommon | Absent from northwestern third of state and Panhandle. | Difficult to tell from B. Carolinensis except by karyotype. Slightly venomous. | |||
| Least Shrew | Cryptotis parva | Uncommon | Statewide except Panhandle. | 957 | 43 | One of the smallest mammals in Oklahoma. Sociable; prefers grasslands. | |
| Southeastern Shrew | Sorex longirostris | Peripheral | Found in Missouri & Arkansas. One found in LeFlore Co. (East-Central Oklahoma) in 1988. | 143 | Moist habitats; stream banks, bogs, marshes, forests. | ||
| Desert Shrew | Notiosorex crawfordi | Uncommon | Western third of state; also recorded from southeast corner of state (Pushmataha Co.). | 17 | Skulls are often found in owl pellets. Habitats include mesquite, mixed grasses, prickly pear cactus. | ||
| Talpidae (moles) | Eastern Mole | Scalopus aquaticus | Uncommon | Statewide except Panhandle. | 647(C), 648(S) | 105 | Burrows in moist, loamy & sandy soils. Eliminate many insect pests & aerate soil, but may damage lawns. |
| CHIROPTERA (bats) | Most bats eat insects and echolocate at night; roost during days. Bats are known to carry rabies. | ||||||
| Vespertilionidae (vespertilionid bats) | Southeastern Myotis | Myotis austroriparius | Threatened | Southeast corner of state. | 332 | Caves, bldgs, bridges, culverts | |
| Gray Myotis | Myotis grisescens | Uncommon | Limestone hills east of Grand (Neosho) River & north of the Arkansas River valley (northeast corner of state). | 228 | Cave-dwelling. May be somewhat migragory. | ||
| Northern Myotis | Myotis keenii | Probably threatened | Extreme eastern edge of state. | 226, 227 | 121 | Caves, hollow trees, behind bark, bldgs. Secretive, solitary. Also known as M. septentrionalis. | |
| Small-footed Myotis | Myotis leibii | Uncommon | Southern quarter of state; also western Panhandle. | 226 | Flies in the evening while it is still light. Probably roost in crevices & caves. | ||
| Little Brown Myotis | Myotis lucifugus | Probably threatened | Eastern portion of state. Another subspecies may be found in northwestern OK, since it occurs in New Mexico. | 224, 225(G), 814(G) | 142 | Crevices, caves, houses | |
| Indiana Myotis | Myotis sodalis | Peripheral | Extreme eastern edge of state. | 391(P) | 163 | Nearest permanent populations are in Missouri & Arkansas. | |
| Cave Myotis | Myotis velifer | Common | Western half of state. | 149 | Largest Myotis in OK. Hibernates in large cave colonies; roosts in caves, bldgs, bridges. | ||
| Yuma Myotis | Myotis yumanensis | Peripheral | Extreme western Panhandle. | Arid regions. Caves, mines, bldgs. This is the eastern edge of this bat's range. | |||
| Silver-haired Bat | Lasionycteris noctivagans | Uncommon | Scattered; may be statewide | 658 | 172 | Migrant or nomadic. Hollow trees, behind bark, bldgs. Flies late. | |
| Western Pipistrelle | Pipistrellus hesperus | Uncommon | Southwest corner of state. | Among the smallest bats. First recorded in OK in 1955. Roosts in crevices, caves. Flies early; often also seen in early morning. Fluttering flight. | |||
| Eastern Pipistrelle | Pipistrellus subflavus | Common in eastern third of OK, but uncommon in central & western parts. | Statewide. | 38, 654(C) | 228 | Caves, crevices, bldgs. Apparently lives in trees in summer. Flies early. More associated with forests than W. Pipistrelle | |
| Big Brown Bat | Eptesicus fuscus | More common in East than in West. | Statewide. | 39(C), 223 | 356 | Hibernate in caves; nursery colonies in bldgs. Also roost in trees; crevices.Slow flight near treetops | |
| Eastern Red Bat | Lasiurus borealis | Uncommon | Statewide | 40, 655(C), 815 | 183 | Less common in the West. Migratory; present in summer; maybe year-round in some areas. Roosts in tree foliage. | |
| Hoary Bat | Lasiurus cinereus | Uncommon | Statewide | 41, 42, 656 | 185 | The largest bat in OK. Migratory; roosts on twigs or branches; emerges late | |
| Seminole Bat | Lasiurus seminolus | Rare | South-central and southeast portions of state. | 280 | Has only been taken twice in OK. Roosts in Spanish Moss, Oaks, Hickory, Pines | ||
| Evening Bat | Nycticeius humeralis | Uncommon | Southeastern two-thirds of state. | 232 | 23 | Hollow trees, bldgs. Forage in early evenings & just before dawn. Slow, steady flight. | |
| Rafinesque's Big-eared Bat | Plecotus rafinesquii | Threatened; Peripheral | Southeast corner of state. | 394 | 69 | Often roosts in houses; also hollow trees, behind bark, among leaves. Flies late in the evening. | |
| Townsend's Big-eared Bat | Plecotus townsendii | Uncommon | Western third of state (one subspecies); also recorded from the eastern edge of the state (second subspecies). | 229 | 175 | Live & hibernate (singly or in groups) in gypsum caves & caverns under granite boulders. May forage close to ground. | |
| Pallid Bat | Antrozous pallidus | Uncommon | Northwestern population separated from the southwestern by the High Plains. | 230 | 213 | Crevices, caves, old bldgs; may hibernate in caves in the state. Fly well after dark. Probably feeds on the ground. | |
| Molossidae (free-tailed bats) | Brazilian Free-tailed Bat | Tadarida brasiliensis | Common | Statewide | 729(as Tadarida sp.) | 331 | Migratory. Roosts in caves, trees, bldgs. Large nursery colonies are found in gypsum caves from which millions of bats emerge in late summer. |
| Big Free-tailed Bat | Tadarida macrotis | Peripheral | Records from Panhandle and from Central OK. | 891 | 351 | A wanderer from the southwestern deserts and Mexico. Crevices, buildings. Fly late. Some authors assign this bat to genus Nyctinomops. | |
| XENARTHA (armadilos, sloths, & allies) | |||||||
| Nine-banded Armadillo | Dasyppus novemcinctus | Common | Southern & Eastern parts of state. | 53, 242 | 162 | Nocturnal, but may be out on cloudy days. Range has spread north & east since 1900. Capable of carrying leprosy bacteria. | |
| LAGOMORPHA (hares & rabbits) | Typically most active mornings &early evenings; often at night. Vegetarian. | ||||||
| Leporidae (hares & rabbits) | Swamp Rabbit | Sylvilagus aquaticus | Common, but secretive | Southern & Eastern parts of state; abundant only in SE corner. | 151 | Largest cottontail. Found near stream & river banks, ponds & lakes. Range is declining due to draining, clearing, damming. | |
| Desert Cottontail | Sylvilagus audubonni | Common | Panhandle westerh third of state. | 59, 1188 | 106 | Medium-sized cottontail; found in arid grasslands, brush & rocky areas. | |
| Eastern Cottontail | Sylvilagus floridanus | Common | Statewide | 58, 953 | 136 | Most common cottontail in OK, A moderately large cottontail; ears shorter than Desert Cottontail. Associated with stream valleys, grassy, forested, & brushy areas; possibly in dunes. | |
| Black-tailed Jackrabbit | Lepus californicus | Common | Statewide, except extreme southeast corner; more abundant in arid western half. | 60, 245(Y) | Associated with arid, open areas with scattered thickets or shrub patches. | ||
| RODENTIA (rodents) | Gnawing animals; most (except grasshopper mice) feed on vegetation. Mostly active at night, but squirrels are active days. | ||||||
| Sciuridae (Squirrels, Woodchucks, & Chipmunks) | Eastern Chipmunk | Tamias striatus | Common | Eastern half of state. | 110, 259(AB) | 168 | Forests & tall-grass prairies; rocky slopes & moist ravines. |
| Colorado Chipmunk | Eutamias quadrivittatus | Uncommon | Western Panhandle (Black Mesa region) | White eye stripes & alternating 5 dark & 4 white bands help tell this animal from ground squirrels. Found in dry, rocky, piƱon-juniper canyons, ravines & mesa slopes. | |||
| Woodchuck | Marmota monax | Rare | East & northeast portions of state. | 107 | A very large squirrel. Hilly & rocky areas in open woodlands with fields or meadows. | ||
| Spotted Ground Squirrel | Spermophilus spilosoma | Uncommon | Western third of state & panhandle | 101 | Small with spots on back, but not in rows. Tail not very bushy. Found in arid areas; sometimes in abandoned prairie dog towns. | ||
| Thirteen-lined Ground Squirrel | Spermophilus tridecemlineatus | Common | Statewide, except eastern edge. | 103, 573(C) | 103 | Small with (usually) 13 alternating dark (w/spots) & light stripes. Found in grassy or open wooded or shrublands. Hibernate. | |
| Rock Squirrel | Spermophilus variegatus | Rare | Western Panhandle. | 951 | 272 | Large, rather bushy-tailed, mottled ground squirrel. Can climb trees. | |
| Black-tailed Prairie Dog | Cynomys ludovicianus | Uncommon; possibly threatened. | Central & western parts of state. Formerly much more widespread; now only a few disjunct populations. | 105 | Large, chunky ground squirrel with a short tail. Sociable; live in towns w/ many burrows, mostly in shortgrass prairies. | ||
| Eastern Gray Squirrel | Sciurus carolinensis | Common | Eastern half of state. | 94, 95(P) | 480 | Medium sized tree squirrel. Found in timbered areas; in parks & golf courses. | |
| Eastern Fox Squirrel | Sciurus niger | Common | Statewide except panhandle (but has been introduced into towns. | 96, 880 | 479 | The largest & most common tree squirrel in OK. Larger & more brown or rusty than gray squirrel. | |
| Southern Flying Squirrel | Glaucomys volans | Uncommon | Southern & eastern portions of state. | 1021, 1022(B) | 78 | Small with gliding membrane connecting front & back legs. Primarily nocturnal. | |
| Geomyidae (pocket gophers: the "pocket" refers to fur-lined cheek pouches) | Botta's Pocket Gopher | Thomomys bottae | Possible | Found in Colorado | 254 | Do more above-ground feeding than other pocket gophers. Habitat is short grasses & pinon-juniper. Upper incisors without conspicuous grooves. | |
| Plains Pocket Gopher | Geomys bursarius | Common, except in extreme northeast corner of state | Statewide | 690 | Found in sandy & moist soils. Their mounds are about 6" high & 2' in diameter. Several different chromosomal types probably exist. Upper incisors have a single, deep groove. | ||
| Yellow-faced Pocket Gopher | Cratogeomys castanops | Uncommon | Panhandle. | 338 | Moderately large; dull yellowish brown color. Found in deep sandy soils or open plains. Upper incisors have 2 grooves. | ||
| Heteromyidae (pocket mice & kangaroo rats) | Plains Pocket Mouse | Perognathus flavescens | Uncommon | Western part of state & Panhandle | 694 | Found in sandy soils & sparse vegetation. Three subspecies probably meet in OK. | |
| Silky Pocket Mouse | Perognathus flavus | Common | Western third of state & Panhandle | 562, 1182 | 471 | Found in rocky or sandy soils | |
| Hispid Pocket Mouse | Chaetodipus hispidus | Common | Statewide, except extreme northeast & southeast corners. | 320 | The largest pocket mouse in OK. Found in grasslands with sandy or loose soils. | ||
| Texas Kangaroo Rat | Dipodomys elator | Threatened | Southwest part of state. | 232 | Has 4 toes & a "banner" tuft on its tail. This Kangaroo rat has not been recorded in OK for about 75 years (in a sorghum field near Chattanooga in Comanche Co.). | ||
| Ord's Kangaroo Rat | Dipodomys ordii | Common | Western half of state. | 560, 693(S), 1099 | 353 | Has 5 hind toes; rarely has a white -tipped tail. Inhabits arid areas with loose or sandy soils; especially dunes. | |
| Castoridae (beavers) | American Beaver | Castor canidensis | Uncommon | Statewide; especially along creeks & streams. | 247(H), 248(H), 408, 409(H), 410(H), 1239 | 120 | The largest rodent inOK. Require water. Build dams across streams to form ponds. Was once widespread, but became nearly extinct in OK in the 1900's due to extensive trapping. |
| Muridae (mice & rats) | Marsh Rice Rat | Oryzomys palustris | Uncommon | Southeast corner of state. | 252 | 176 | Isolated populations. Found in marshy areas, grasses, rushes & sedges. Semiaquatic. Omnivorous. |
| Fulvous Harvest Mouse | Reithrodontomys fulvescens | Common | Central, eastern, & southern OK. | 174 | A small mouse, but the largest of harvest mice. Tail noticeably longer than head & body. Found in brushy grasslands, prairies, & forest edges. All harvest mice have grooved incisors. | ||
| Eastern Harvest Mouse | Reithrodontomys humulis | Uncommon | Eastern parts of state. | 685 | Very small. Shorter tail; dark ears. | ||
| Western Harvest Mouse | Reithrodontomys megalotis | Uncommon | Northwestern corner of state & Panhandle. | 1018 | 167 | Medium-sized harvest mouse. Tail length about as long as head & body. Ears flesh-colored or yellowish. | |
| Plains Harvest Mouse | Reithrodontomys montanus | Common | Statewide. | 257 | Very small. Tail shorter than head & body. Skulls frequently found in owl pellets. | ||
| Texas Mouse | Peromyscus attwateri | Common | Southern & eastern parts of state; isolated populations. | 48 | Found in rocky habitats, especially limestone outcrops & boulders. | ||
| Brush Mouse | Peromyscus boylii | Uncommon | Extreme western Panhandle (Black Mesa). | 1171 | One of the most abundant mice in the Black Mesa area. Found in dense, shrubby vegetation or rocky areas. | ||
| Rock Mouse | Peromyscus difficilis | Uncommon | Extreme western Panhandle (Black Mesa). | Primarily found in the Black Mesa area, in higher regions where vegetation is lacking. Ears larger than the brush mouse's. | |||
| Cotton Mouse | Peromyscus gossypinus | Uncommon | Southeast corner of state. | 677, 678(C) | 70 | Woodlands. Sometimes found in trees. Omnivorous. | |
| White-footed Mouse | Peromyscus leucopus | Very Common | Statewide | 73, 251(A), 1174 | 247 | One of the most common small rodents in OK. Brusy areas & woodlands. | |
| Deer Mouse | Peromyscus maniculatus | Common | Statewide, except extreme southeast corner. | 74, 1175 | Grassy & prairie areas. | ||
| White-ankled Mouse | Peromyscus pectoralis | Peripheral | Extreme south-central OK (Love Co.) | 49 | Rocky habitat (limestone outcrops). | ||
| Pinon Mouse | Peromyscus truei | Uncommon | Extreme western panhandle (Black Mesa). | 1176 | 161 | Found in rocky areas with pinons or junipers. | |
| Golden Mouse | Ochrotomys nuttalli | Rare | Southeastern part of state. | 75 | Timbered regions. Builds nests & feeding platforms in trees. | ||
| Northern Pygmy Mouse | Baiomys taylori | Peripheral | South (Cotton County: one animal). | 72, 1164 | 285 | Very small. Found in a grassy area of sandy, rolling hills. | |
| Northern Grasshopper Mouse | Onychomys leucogaster | Uncommon | Western parts of state. | 253, 1017, 1169 | 87 | Predatory on insects, scorpions, & small or young mice. | |
| Hispid Cotton Rat | Sigmodon hispidus | Common | Statewide | 76, 1177 | 158 | Has spread north from Mexico & Texas. Found in dense grasses or other dense vegetation. | |
| White-throated Woodrat | Neotoma albigula | Uncommon | Panhandle | 310 | Rock canyons & brushy slopes. Arid areas. | ||
| Eastern Woodrat | Neotoma floridana | Common | Eastern two-thirds of state. | 1016 | 139 | Wooded areas, ravines & grass-shrub areas. Often build large brush-pile houses at bases of trees or bushes. May build nests in trees. | |
| Mexican Woodrat | Neotoma mexicana | Peripheral | Extreme western Panhandle | 1167 | 262 | Found in mountainous regions; rock canyons of Black Mesa. | |
| Southern Plains Woodrat | Neotoma micropus | Common | Western third of state. | 330 | Arid regions; rocky hillsides & ledges. Constructs den of sticks & cacti, bones, cow dung, etc. | ||
| Prairie Vole | Microtus ochrogaster | Rare | Northern parts of state, especially north-central | 1160 | 355 | Found in grassy areas. | |
| Woodland Vole | Microtus pinetorum | Common | Eastern & southern parts of state. | 147 | Found in woodlands & moist grassy areas, especially along fence lines. | ||
| Southern Bog Lemming | Synaptomys cooperi | Possible | Occur in Kansas | 682 | Found at edges of marshes or bogs. | ||
| Common Muskrat | Ondantra zibethicus | Common | Statewide; most abundant in northeast corner | 1162, 1163(H) | 141 | Live in marshes and water ways. Live in dome-shaped houses often surrounded by water, or in burrows in banks. | |
| Norway Rat | Rattus norvegicus | Introduced | Statewide, but less common in the west. | 755(W), 756(G), 757(B), 758 | Lives in close association with humans. Loves garbage. Usually forces roof rats (if present) out of bldgs. | ||
| Roof Rat, Black Rat | Rattus rattus | Introduced | South & central parts of state | 759, 760(B) | Lives in close association with humans. May have entered state through Red River Valley. | ||
| House Mouse | Mus musculus | Introduced | Statewide | 92, 754 | Lives in close association with humans. Has spread along water courses & into fields & grasslands. | ||
| Dipodidae (=Zapodidae) (Jumping Mice) | Meadow Jumping Mouse | Zapus hudsonius | Rare | Northeast OK (Tulsa Co.) | 11 | Known from only two animals in 1938 in a dense thicket of young trees. | |
| Erethizontidae (New World porcupines) | Porcupine | Erethizon dorsatum | Uncommon | Western & southern parts of state | 83, 870(Y) | 29 | Found in forested & rocky areas. Can climb trees. Range may be expanding. |
| Myocastoridae (myocastorids) | Nutria | Myocastor coypus | Introduced | Aquatic habitats in southern part of state. | 1019 | 398 | Natural home = South America. Introduced into U.S. over 80 years ago; into OK (Hinton & Fort Sill) in the early 1950's as a commercial furbearer. Make nests of large piles of cattails, reeds, & sedges; often destroy habitat for other wildlife. |
| CARNIVORA (carnivores) | Most are active at night, early mornings & evenings. Most eat freshly-killed meat, but bears, raccons, ringtails, coyotes & foxes are more omnivorous. | ||||||
| Canidae (canids) | Coyote | Canis latrans | Common | Statewide | 265(C), 1126, 1127, 1267 | 79 | The most common large carnivore in OK. They have expanded their range into that of wolves, bears, & mt. lions. |
| Gray Wolf | Canis lupus | Extirpated | Formerly statewide | 581, 1038(P), 1128 | 37 | About twice the size of a coyote. The last wolf was described in 1939. | |
| Red Wolf | Canis rufus | Extirpated | Formerly wooded eastern two-thirds of state | 264(C), 968 | 22 | Intermediate in size between the coyote & gray wolf; long legs. Head, muzzle, & nose pad broader than that of a coyote. | |
| Swift or Kit Fox | Vulpes velox | Rare | Extreme northwest corner of state & Panhandle | 269(Y), 583, 1208 | 122 | The smallest American fox; about the size of a large house cat. Live in arid areas. Easily trapped & poisoned; their numbers are declining. | |
| Red Fox | Vulpes vulpes | Possibly introduced; uncommon | Statewide | 435(W), 436(Y), 582 | Introduced from Europe into Virginia about 1750; there may have been a native red fox & they may have interbred. First reported in OK in 1854 in the Red River Valley. | ||
| Common Gray Fox | Urocyon cineroeargenteus | Common | Statewide; more common in eastern oak-hickory forests | 584 | 189 | Lives in wooded areas. They often climb trees. When forests are cleared, red foxes usually move in. | |
| Ursidae (bears) | Black Bear | Ursus americanus | Endangered | Formerly statewide | 142(C), 1132(S) | A few have wandered in from reintroductions into the Arkansas Ozarks & possibly from Colorado or New Mexico. | |
| Grizzly or Brown Bear | Ursus arctos | Extirpated | Formerly probably western half of state | 455, 821(CB), 1008, 1271(B) | 439 | Only a few grizzlies remain in the U.S.; mainly in Yellowstone & Glacier national parks. Numbers continue to decline. | |
| Procyonidae (procyonids) | Ringtail | Bassariscus astutus | Uncommon | Western two-thirds of state; possibly statewide | 858 | 327 | Found in rocky areas. Eat small animals including insects; also eat fruits & berries. |
| Common Raccoon | Procyon lotor | Common | Statewide | 140, 709(S) | 119 | Most common in woodlands and near water. Omnivorous. | |
| Mustelidae (mustelids) | Long-tailed Weasel | Mustela frenata | Uncommon | Probably Statewide | Secretive. May be found in gopher or squirrel burrows, crevices, brushpiles, or among tree roots. Can climb trees after birds or eggs; can swim. | ||
| Least Weasel | Mustela nivalis | Peripheral | Occur in Kansas. One animal found in Cherokee Co. (NE Oklahoma) in 1988. | 440(Y), 1214 | 454 | Range is expanding southward. | |
| Black-footed Ferret | Mustela nigripes | Extirpated | Formerly Panhandle & western parts of state | 128 | 126 | One of the rarest mammals in North America. Range corresponded to prairie dogs (their food). Endangered elsewhere in the U.S.; almost went extinct due to canine distemper (18 survived in Wyoming). A captive breeding program was begun in 1986. | |
| Mink | Mustela vison | Uncommon | Most of state where permanent water is found; more abundant in eastern two-thirds of state & in the south | 1129 | Live alone (except during breeding season) along waterways. Their den is usually a hole in a bank or behind a pile of debris in a stream. | ||
| American Badger | Taxidea taxus | Common | Western two-thirds of state. Isolated reports from eastern OK | 701(C), 702(A), 703(H) | 26 | Dig with large front claws; they feed on burrowing animals. | |
| Western Spotted Skunk | Spilogale gracilis | Rare | Extreme western panhandle (Black Mesa) | Habitat not well known in OK. In TX, often associated with rocky bluffs, cliffs, and stream banks; often found close to people. | |||
| Eastern Spotted Skunk | Spilogale putorius | Uncommon | Statewide; none recoreded from Panhandle | Secretive. Usually found in rocky canyons & outcrops in woodlands & prairies. Often make dens under buildings. | |||
| Striped Skunk | Mephitis mephitis | Common | Statewide | 280 | 173 | One of the best known mammals of OK (by its smell). Found in woods, brushy areas & farms. May live in family groups. Eat small animals including insects; also eggs. | |
| Common Hog-nosed Skunk | Conepatus mesoleucus | Rare | Extreme western Panhandle (Black Mesa) | Found in rocky, woody, brushy areas and foothills; avoid deserts & heavy timber. They dig with their nose & leave ploughed up patches of earth where they have rooted out insects. | |||
| River Otter | Lutra canadensis | Rare; Reintroduced | Formerly statewide along waterways | 802, 859 | Reported very rare or extirbated by the OK Dept. of Fish & Game in 1952. New water development projects have allowed them to reoccupy areas. Seventeen from LA were released in 1984 & 1985 into the Wister & the McGee Creek Wildlife Management Areas. | ||
| Felidae (cats) | Mountain Lion | Felis concolor | Rare | Statewide but mostly extirpated except for a few that wander in from neighboring states. | 275, 276, 586(C) | 200 | Recent records are sightings only. Also called Pumas & Cougars. Primary prey = deer, but also eat rabbits, prairie dogs and other small animals. People hunt them when they eat livestock. |
| Ocelot | Felis pardalis | Possible | See comments | 125 | May have formerly occurred in OK; they used to exist in the Texas Panhandle. Found in chaparral thickets. Their habitat extends southward into the tropics. | ||
| Jaguar | Panthera onca | Possible | See comments | 795 | 340 | May have lived in OK; formerly lived in New Mexico & Texas. Live in dense brushland and forested areas. Their habitat extends southward into the tropics. | |
| Bobcat | Lynx rufus | Common | Statewide | 819 | Secretive; usually solitary. Live in dry areas of the west as well as in dense forests, lowlands, & mountains of the east. May sometimes be seen in the day. Eat small animals; very rarely eat livestock as large as sheep. | ||
| ARTIODACTYLA (even-toed ungulates; deer, pronghorn, bison & allies) | |||||||
| Dicotylidae (peccaries) | Collared Peccary | Tayassu tajacu | Possible | See comments | 200(B), 325, 794 | 293=T. pecari | Also called Javelinas. May have lived in OK; they formerly lived in Texas as far north as the Red River. Live in brushy arid areas. |
| Cervidae (cervids) | Wapiti or Elk | Cervus elaphus | Reintroduced | Probably formerly statewide since they used to range from Canada to northern Georgia | 189(M), 190(G), 191(F), 318(Y), 809(FM), 863(M), 864(F), 1077(F), 1278(B) | Extirpated before 1900. Between 1908 & 1911, a few were introduced from Jackson, Wyo., into the Wichita Mts; this herd is maintained at 500. From 1969-1972, 300 of these were moved to eastern OK. | |
| Mule Deer | Odocoileus hemionus | Uncommon | Northwestern parts of state. Some may wander into SW OK from the TX Panhandle. | 187(M), 475(Y), 476(F) | 219 | Noted for their bouncing gait. Found in arid areas and sparsely wooded areas. In mountainous areas, they may migrate to low country for winters. | |
| White-tailed Deer | Odocoileus virginianus | Common | Statewide | 185(F), 186(A), 803(M), 1279(M) | 388 | The most important big game animals in Oklahoma. Found primarily at edges of woodlands. Uncontrolled burning & livestock overgrazing are the main destroyers of deer habitat. | |
| Antilocapridae (pronghorn) | Pronghorn | Antilocapra americana | Rare | Western parts of state | 166(M), 717(M), 718(F), 823(B) | 90 | Formerly abundant in the western two-thirds of the state, but now mostly extirpated. Requires habitat where it can see and run long distances. About 500 animals now have made a comeback in the Panhandle. |
| Bovidae (Bovids) | Bison | Bison bison | Extirpated | Isolated commercial & Wildlife Refuge herds; formerly very abundant, especially in the western parts of the state. | 167(M), 304(CM), 305(Y), 306(H), 719(W), 720, 1224(B), 1273 | 266 | The largest native North American land mammal. An animal of the Prairies. Eliminated by1885. |
| *A=Anatomical Specialization, B=Behavioral, C=Close-up of Head, F=Female, FM=Female & Male, G=Group, H=Habitat, M=Male, P=Phase of Color, S=Skull, | |||||||
| W=female With young, Y=Young, CP=Comparison of species or subspecies |