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Some of Oregon's larger mammals, such as deer and elk can easily be seen at places like Jewell Meadows Wildlife Area, Dean Creek Elk Viewing Area, and the North Bank Habitat Management Area. Black-tailed deer are frequently seen in western Oregon along roadsides. Commonly seen animals include raccoons, rabbits, squirrels, and skunks. A quiet walk in the forest or desert, a keen eye and a good pair of binoculars will reward you with glimpses of some of our more secretive animals. Some viewing tips include: keep your distance, move as silently as possible or pick a spot and remain still
Townsend's chipmunk is the largest member of the genus in Oregon.The pelage of this chipmunk is dark and dull but as in other Oregon chipmunks, there is a dark brown to blackish middorsal stripe with alternate light and dark stripes, laterally, a total of five dark and four light stripes. Alternate dark (three) and light (two) stripes adorn the sides of the face. The throat, belly, and a patch behind the ear are white. The tail is black on the tip and the margins are frosted above with buff or white-tipped hairs. Townsend's chipmunks have been found on the west
The coyote is a typical canid intermediate in size between the foxes and the gray wolf. The pelage of the coyote is grayish, buff, pinkish cinnamon, or brownish, or a combination of those colors, often overlain by blackish tipped hairs on the ears, muzzle feet, and dorsum. The lips and eyelids are black, accentuated by contrasting borders of white fur. The underparts are paler than the remainder of the body. Considerable variation in color and markings of coyotes is evident among individuals and regionally east and west of the Cascade Range. True albinos with pink eyes and pink foot pads
The cougar is the largest felid in Oregon, and except for the jaguar, the largest felid in the western Hemisphere. The skull of the cougar, also know as mountain lion, is massive; the canine teeth are large and slightly recurved. The heel pads of both fore and hind feet have three lobes on the posterior margin which are useful in separating the tracks of a cougar from those of other felids, such as the lynx. The dense and soft dorsal fur typically is tawny, but slate gray and reddish brown individuals are known. The venter is whitish. The back of
The bobcat is the smallest wild felid in Oregon, with females being considerably smaller than males. The bobcat is about twice the size of a domestic cat, but its legs are longer, its tail is shorter, and its body is more muscular and compact. The feet are relatively small and the bobcat is not well adapted to negotiate deep snow. In general, the variously spotted pelage is yellowish with grayish overtones in winter and with reddish overtones in summer, reflecting the two annual molts. The ears are black with a large white spot and are equipped with short black tufts
Oregon's black bears don't always live up to their name. Their coloring can be blonde, brown, cinnamon, and of course, black. Check ODFW's Living with Wildlife, Bears for great tips on working or recreating in bear country, homeowner checklist to keep bears at bay, and more.
Swans, ducks and geese belong to the Anatidae family and occur on all continents. Special oils let their feathers shed water, so they are adapted for swimming and floating, and some are even talented divers. For tips on discouraging geese from overwhelming your yard, check our Living with Wildlife, Birds page.
With dove and quail seasons beginning Sept. 1, some waterfowl seasons extending through January, and spring turkey available through the end of May, game bird hunting in Oregon is almost (but not quite) a year-round activity. Visit e-regulations
This group of animals is common throughout Oregon in various locations depending on species. Oregon just has one marmot, the yellow-bellied marmot and two of its squirrels are on the Oregon Conservation Strategy Species list: the Washington ground squirrel and the Western gray squirrel. Check our Living with Wildlife, Tree Squirrels page for tips on preventing conflicts, trapping, species status and recommended conservation actions.
The red fox has a beautiful orange-red coat, black feet, and black-tipped ears. The belly is usually white or light grey, the muzzle is narrow and pointed, and the ears are pointed. It is an opportunistic carnivore, eating what is available including small mammals, birds and their eggs, reptiles, amphibians, fruit and some insects. The red fox is territorial and mates for life Red foxes occur throughout much of Oregon.
