Hobbies And Interests
Small mammals
Weighing up to 3/4 oz., the big brown bat has black fur at the roots that lightens to brown on the surface. Feeding mainly on insects, this bat gains a third or more of its weight in fat to prepare for hibernation. Chickarees, also called pine squirrels or American red squirrels, are smaller than a gray squirrel with a thinner and flatter tail and are named for their chattering sounds. They den in cavities in the redwoods, often as high as 60 feet off the ground. Gray foxes bark somewhat like dogs. Their sharp, curved claws allow them to scurry up trees. Silvery gray with black-tipped tails, they are 32 to 45 inches long and eat birds, rodents, lizard, frogs, nuts and berries. Folds of loose skin, attached between front and hind legs, allow Northern flying squirrels to glide through the air from high branches to lower ones like a parachute.
Large Mammals
Black bears, unlike their grizzly bear cousins, are adapt at climbing trees and despite their clumsy appearance can sprint at speeds of 35 miles an hour. They den in winter in tree holes or under windfalls. Bobcats are named for their stubby tails which are black tipped on the underside and when raised are a signal for the kittens to follow. They lead solitary lives except at breeding times and the young become independent at about 9 months.
Elk are a majestic site with their antlers and are often spotted by visitors to the redwoods national parks, along the woods' edges where they feed on shrubs and grasses.
Mountain lions or cougars make many sounds, similar to those made by house cats but much louder. The largest of the North American purring cats, an adult male can weigh more than 225 lbs. and measure 9 feet from nose to tail.
Reptiles, amphibians and slugs
One of the most common redwood forest animals is the banana slug, which lives in the shady, rainy forest floor. Related to the snail, it may grow as long as 10 inches and is the second largest slug in the world. Pacific tree frogs are only about an inch long and have a dark brown or black eye stripe and green, tan, red, gray, brown, black or, a combination of those colors, bodies. Despite its name, they live on the forest floor near water. Wandering salamanders live high up the canopy of redwood trees in crevices, cavities and among woody debris and eat ants, mites and beetles.
Northern red-legged frogs are reddish brown to gray or olive green with spots on their backs and dark banding on their legs and red underneath on their hind legs.
Birds
The northern spotted owl is listed as a threatened species. Of all the owl species, they are the most proficient hooters and their wide variety of calls can be heard from miles away. Hunting at night, they eat flying squirrels, wood rats and other rodents. As of 2011, there are only 560 pairs in northern California, according to the Defenders of the Wild organization.
Stellar's jays are commonly spotted by visitors to redwood forest national parks. With their crests and cerulean or azure blue heads and bodies they are easily identified. They make their nest in the redwoods with large sticks, moss, grass and cement them with mud and line them with fine dried grass.