Mammals

Common mammals of Southern California

Mountain Lion- (Puma concolor )

The Mountain Lion is a large wild animal of the cat family. An adult mountain lion may be either a gray color or a reddish or yellowish color called tawny. A full-grown animal may reach 4 to 5 feet in length, not counting the heavy tail, which are 2 to 3 feet long. Mountain Lions need a large range (approximately 50 miles) for which to hunt in. Riley Park has Mountain Lion sightings on occasion, but because Riley Park is less than 500 acres in size, the food supply certainly can't sustain a Mountain Lion for long.

Bobcat- (Lynx rufus)

The bobcat is the smaller of our local wild cats, weighing in at around 20 pounds. They are named for their short "bobbed" tail. Hunting success depends upon the element of surprise. Bobcats catch large numbers of birds, small mammals, reptiles and amphibians but occasionally may take a deer or fawn. The ears, usually pointy, have little tuffs of fur. Bobcats can be pale to dark brown with black spots. Currently, Riley Wilderness Park has at least two resident Bobcats. The larger, adult male of the two is frequently seen hunting for gophers in the surrounding meadows.

Coyote- (Canis latrans)

The coyote typifies the wild character of the west. Its high-pitched yodeling and barking can sometimes be heard coming from a brushy ridge. It preys upon small mammals, birds, reptiles and insects. It is an omnivore, eating plants and berries as well.

Raccoon- (Procyon lotor)

Raccoons are found throughout North America. They prefer to live in wooded areas near water. They are true omnivores, eating almost anything available. Wild fruits, seeds, fish, frogs, insects and birds are some of their natural foods. They often turn up in the camping areas so please secure your camp supplies. They have been known to raid coolers and food storage boxes.

Mule Deer- (Odocoileus hemionus)

Most often mule deer are seen in the early morning and at dusk around small meadows and on brushy slopes. The day is usually spent resting in tall meadow grass or in a protected area under shrub or trees. Fawns are born in early spring in our area.

No photo yet
Oppossum-(Didelphis virginiana)

Millions of years ago marsupials roamed all over North America. Today, the Opossum is the only one left on our continent. Like the Kangaroo, Opossums raise their young in the motherís pouch. The Opossum also has opposable thumbs like we do, but theirs are on their feet! They were first introduced to California in 1910. The Opossum will eat just about anything, plant or animal, as it forages for food.

No photo yet
Spotted Skunk-(Spilogale putorius)

One of the least favorite mammals of all time. This mal-odorous little creature uses its scent glands to eject its foul odor at just about any observer that gets too close. Like the larger Striped Skunk, the Spotted Skunk is fearless and is known for standing on its forefeet with its tail and hind legs high in the air. This stance is very possibly a type of warning to any potential attacker that this skunk is not to be messed with.

Animal Tracks
Do you know yours?
Bird List
Trabuco Canyon, CA
Birds
Found in this area
Fire Ants
What you should know
Flora
know your plants
Gallery
Download artwork Lyme Disease
Get the facts
Mammals
Found in this area
O'Neill Park
Trabuco Canyon, CA
Poison Oak
Recognize & avoid
Quiz
Wildlife trivia
Reptiles
Found in this area Riley Park
Coto de Caza, CA
Sounds
Animal Sound effects
Water falls
Holy Jim, Falls Canyon
Wild Cats
Bobcat or Cougar?
Wildflower List
Trabuco Canyon, CA
Yellow Jackets
What you should know

Links of Interest

California State Parks
Official Homepage
canyonlife.com
Get the latest canyon info
County of Orange
Official Homepage
Endangered Species
Dept. of Fish & Game O'Neill Regional Park
Trabuco Canyon's own
Check the Freeways
of Southern California
California
Official State Homepage
California
Dept. of Fish & Game Bobcat
Internet photos here!
Mountain Lion
Internet photos here!
Acorn Naturalist
Online Shopping
Yellow Jackets
Learn More

	Mountain Lion- (Puma concolor ) The Mountain Lion is a large wild animal of the cat family. An adult mountain lion may be either a gray color or a reddish or yellowish color called tawny. A full-grown animal may reach 4 to 5 feet in length, not counting the heavy tail, which are 2 to 3 feet long. Mountain Lions need a large range (approximately 50 miles) for which to hunt in. Riley Park has Mountain Lion sightings on occasion, but because Riley Park is less than 500 acres in size, the food supply certainly can't sustain a Mountain Lion for long.
	Bobcat- (Lynx rufus) The bobcat is the smaller of our local wild cats, weighing in at around 20 pounds. They are named for their short "bobbed" tail. Hunting success depends upon the element of surprise. Bobcats catch large numbers of birds, small mammals, reptiles and amphibians but occasionally may take a deer or fawn. The ears, usually pointy, have little tuffs of fur. Bobcats can be pale to dark brown with black spots. Currently, Riley Wilderness Park has at least two resident Bobcats. The larger, adult male of the two is frequently seen hunting for gophers in the surrounding meadows.
	Coyote- (Canis latrans) The coyote typifies the wild character of the west. Its high-pitched yodeling and barking can sometimes be heard coming from a brushy ridge. It preys upon small mammals, birds, reptiles and insects. It is an omnivore, eating plants and berries as well.
	Raccoon- (Procyon lotor) Raccoons are found throughout North America. They prefer to live in wooded areas near water. They are true omnivores, eating almost anything available. Wild fruits, seeds, fish, frogs, insects and birds are some of their natural foods. They often turn up in the camping areas so please secure your camp supplies. They have been known to raid coolers and food storage boxes.
	Mule Deer- (Odocoileus hemionus) Most often mule deer are seen in the early morning and at dusk around small meadows and on brushy slopes. The day is usually spent resting in tall meadow grass or in a protected area under shrub or trees. Fawns are born in early spring in our area.
No photo yet	Oppossum-(Didelphis virginiana) Millions of years ago marsupials roamed all over North America. Today, the Opossum is the only one left on our continent. Like the Kangaroo, Opossums raise their young in the motherís pouch. The Opossum also has opposable thumbs like we do, but theirs are on their feet! They were first introduced to California in 1910. The Opossum will eat just about anything, plant or animal, as it forages for food.
No photo yet	Spotted Skunk-(Spilogale putorius) One of the least favorite mammals of all time. This mal-odorous little creature uses its scent glands to eject its foul odor at just about any observer that gets too close. Like the larger Striped Skunk, the Spotted Skunk is fearless and is known for standing on its forefeet with its tail and hind legs high in the air. This stance is very possibly a type of warning to any potential attacker that this skunk is not to be messed with.