Category: Mammal

Observer: Kirk Thomas Observation Date: 3/3/13 Observation Time: 6:20 a.m. Observation Location: Griffin Land Common Name: Coyote Scientific Name: Canis latrans Comments: The eastern coyote (Canis latrans var.) is a wild North American canine of both coyote and wolf origins. The hybridization likely first occurred in the Great Lakes region, as western coyotes moved east. It was first noticed during the early 1930s to the late […]

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 5/12/12 Observation Time: 8:30 a.m. Observation Location: 5 Gavins Pond Rd. Common Name: Gray Fox Scientific Name: Urocyon cinereoargenteus Comments: This species and the closely related Channel Island fox (Urocyon littoralis) are the only living members of the genus Urocyon, which is considered to be among the most primitive of the living canids. The gray fox’s ability to climb trees is shared only with […]

Observer: Art Newman Observation Date: 11/4/11 Observation Time: 9:12 a.m. Observation Location: Common Name: Gray Fox Scientific Name: Urocyon cinereoargenteus Comments: Spotted running across Billings St., headed for the Devil’s Rock trail. Coat in transition with yellowish flecks on her body. The gray fox has rounded ears, a pointed muzzle and long hooked claws. The gray fox can climb and will occasionally forage for food or rest in […]

Observer: Josh Simons Observation Date: 7/17/11 Observation Time: 4:00 p.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill area Common Name: Eastern chipmunk Scientific Name: Tamias striatus More Information: Animal Diversity Web: Eastern Chipmunk

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 4/16/11 Observation Time: 7:35 p.m. Observation Location: Gavins Pond Road behind Shaw’s Plaza Common Name: Short-tailed weasel Scientific Name: Mustela erminea Comments: White undersides (as opposed to cream-colored), white feet, and small size differentiate this road-kill specimen from a long-tailed weasel. Mink are all brown. Short-tailed weasel is also known as a stoat. In winter, they turn all white with a black-tipped tail, […]

Observer: Richard Mandell Observation Date: 10/12/10 Observation Time: dusk Observation Location: Mountain St. Common Name: Opossum Scientific Name: Didelphimorphia Comments: Opossums are voracious eaters that will try anything they find. Surprisingly, opossums eat ticks by the thousands. Ticks, particularly the black-legged ticks like deer ticks that are responsible for the spread of Lyme disease, appear to be a top item on the opossum’s menu. Several years […]

Observer: Kate Kavanagh Observation Date: 9/23/10 Observation Time: 7:15 a.m. Observation Location: Woods at the end of South Pleasant St. Common Name: Fisher Scientific Name: Martes pennanti Comments: Not too far from the neighborhood houses, moving quickly through the woods along the trail path. More Information: MassAudubon.org or Wild Things Unlimited

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 7/12/10 Observation Time: 7:40 a.m. Observation Location: Gavins Pond Road soccer field Common Name: White-Tailed Deer Scientific Name: Odocoileus virginianus Comments: This doe was grazing on the green grass at the soccer field. More Information: University of Michigan Museum of Zoology “Animal Diversity Web”

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 5/26/10 Observation Time: 5:00 p.m. Observation Location: Gavins Pond Common Name: Eastern Chipmunk Scientific Name: Tamias striatus More Information: Animal Diversity Web: Eastern Chipmunk

Observer: Rick Dumont Observation Date: 5/21/09 Observation Time: 9:00 a.m. Observation Location: Belcher St. Common Name: Raccoon Scientific Name: Procyon lotor Comments: The raccoon is mostly nocturnal. It is also solitary, except for mothers and their young. In the winter the raccoon may sleep in its den for a few weeks but it does not hibernate. The raccoons usually walks, but it can run at speeds […]

Observer: Alison Siegel Observation Date: 5/20/09 Observation Time: 7:05 a.m. Observation Location: Lakeview Street Common Name: Coyote Scientific Name: Canis latrans Comments: At 7 AM on the mornings of 5/20 and 5/21 a single coyote was observed walking in our backyard. More Information: Nature Works

Observer: Michael Tranavitch Observation Date: 2/13/09 Observation Time: 2:45 p.m. Observation Location: Pine Street, Sharon Common Name: Fisher Scientific Name: Martes pennanti Comments: Appeared in backyard near deck. The fisher is the second largest member of the weasel family found in Massachusetts; only the river otter is larger. Although many people call them “fisher cats,” the name is inappropriate. They are neither members of the feline […]

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 11/26/08 Observation Time: 2:00 p.m. Observation Location: Bluebird house in field near Gavins Pond Road Common Name: Deer Mouse Scientific Name: Peromyscus maniculatus Comments: Deer mice sometimes take up residence in bird houses. They can live up to five years in captivity but probably only live about a year in the wild. This shorter natural life span is primarily due […]

Observer: Peter Higgins Observation Date: 11/26/08 & 11/30/08 Observation Time: 7:30 a.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Farm Common Name: White-Tailed Deer Scientific Name: Odocoileus virginianus Comments: Moose Hill Farm is a wonderful gift to the town, I get up early and see deer, turkeys, and coyotes on a regular basis. More Information: University of Michigan Museum of Zoology “Animal Diversity Web”

Observer: Peter Higgins Observation Date: 6/8/08 Observation Time: 6:15 a.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Farm Common Name: Eastern Chipmunk Scientific Name: Tamias striatus More Information: Animal Diversity Web: Eastern Chipmunk