Rodents

You could not miss seeing this black and white striped skunk out for a walk on a sunny and warm winter day. They are normally nocturnal so I am not sure why this one was on a walk about during mid-day.  It was walking along and rooting under the snow here and there in search of food.  These photos were taken in the Pinawa area.  About the size of a domestic cat, skunks won’t bother you unless they feel threatened and it is very wise not to annoy them.  In all fairness to the skunk their body language will give you warning if you are too close.  Their diets consists mainly of insects and they do eat small rodents as well. Sometimes in more rural areas  skunks will damage lawns by digging for food.  I especially love the baby skunks and they are adorable reminding me of kittens following along behind their mother.  One campground in the Whiteshell that I frequented had many skunks which would appear with the onset of dusk and they wandered around the campsites in search of food. They were so used to people and being fed that they were almost like the campground pets.  One walked right under my camp chair one night on its way to the lakeshore for a drink of water.  I enjoyed watching them wander about without feeling threatened.

Enjoy!

~Sharon

This adult beaver was busy eating the leaves and branches of a recently harvested branch.  Two adults were floating this branch in the water only to be met by two beaver kits (photos below).  The little kits swam out from the edges of the creek to meet their parents and promptly started munching on the leaves as well.

I recently saw a nature show featuring the Canadian Beaver who is wreaking havoc in South America.  In South America they are known as  Super Beaver because of their ability to alter entire ecosystems.  It seems our Canadian Beavers are very adaptable to different environments, are active for longer periods throughout the day and therefore create their watery worlds at a faster rate. Our transplanted Canadian Beavers are thriving and destroying forests and valleys on the island of Tierra del Fuego.   Beavers also create wetland habitats for the benefit of other species and are nature’s greatest engineers.  The most fascinating rodent and so much fun to watch!

Enjoy!

~Sharon

Related to Beaver?  No.  Related to a Rat?  No.  It is said they are more likened to an overgrown field mouse.  Thick, richly coloured fur which keeps them warm in the icy cold waters throughout winters.  They build little mud/reed lodges for sleeping and eating in.

They are active during the later hours of the day. Muskrats do not have webbed feet and their tail is bald; both feet and tail are sparsely covered with fine hairs.  Their tail is long and more round than flat and does look like a rat tail. They use musk glands to scent their trails and communicate. Muskrats are found in slower moving rivers, streams and marshy areas and inhabit virtually all areas of North America. Valued for their fur, they are trapped in large numbers and they have numerous air borne and land predators. In spite of this their population remains healthy.  There are many fascinating facts (how they have adapted to eating underwater) about these mammals which have so well adapted to their aquatic habitats.  Check out the following Muskrat Fact Sheet at Hinterland Who’s Who

Below:  A good view of the hind feet

Below:  A muskrat’s tail – round and bare

Muskrats use their front feet like hands to grip their preferred food like cat tails.

Enjoy!

~Sharon