Hobbies And Interests
Chipmunks
Chipmunks, the smallest members of the squirrel family, are active during the day in search of insects, nuts, berries, fruits, seeds and grains to eat. Chipmunks use their cheek pouches to carry food back to their underground burrows, nests or log homes. Chipmunks are identifiable by the light and dark contrasting stripes running from their faces down their backs and along their tails. Watch for these lively gray to reddish-brown animals scampering in and out of logs, bushes and plants along the forest floor.
Ground Squirrels and Tree Squirrels
Squirrels are a common sight in the forest. Ground squirrels make their homes in burrows underground while tree squirrels prefer to live in tree branches. When threatened by a hawk, snake or other predator, squirrels quickly retreat to their homes. Squirrels are easily recognizable by their big glossy eyes, pointy ears, bushy tails, and gray, red or brown fur. Squirrels prefer to eat nuts, berries, seeds, roots and other plant parts. To keep up with the squirrels constant gnawing, their four front teeth never stop growing.
Raccoons
Raccoons are nocturnal by nature and come out at night to forge for food. Raccoons eat almost anything from crayfish and frogs to mice, insects and bird eggs. Raccoons also eat fruits, plants and leftover scraps from a garbage can. If you see a raccoon in person, you will notice a narrow black facemask around the eyes, long fingered front paws, stout bodies and ringed tails. Look for raccoons resting on tree branches, peering out of tree holes, walking along the forest floor and, of course, rummaging through trashcans. However, keep a safe distance as raccoons have sharp claws and teeth that can be used for protection if they feel threatened.
White-Tailed Deer and Elk
White-tailed deer, with their characteristic white patch of fur underneath their tails, are often found grazing on grasses and other plants in the forest. Deer are crepuscular animals, those that are active during the dawn and dusk hours. Elk, known as wapiti by the Native Americans, are also herbivores that are active at dawn and dusk. Male elk grow antlers that can measure 4 feet tall. Since deer and elk usually rest during the day, look for their split hoof prints in soft dirt or dried mud. Deer tracks are about 2 to 3 inches long with pointed toes. Elk tracks measure about 4 to 5 inches long and are generally wider and rounder than deer tracks.