Mammals

Invasive species are animals and plants that are not native to an ecosystem and that cause economic or environmental harm. Not all non-native species are invasive, however many become a serious problem. They can aggressively compete with Oregon's native wildlife for food and habitat. 

Enlarged front feet allow moles to dig underground while shrews do not have enlarged feet and use varied habitat. Moles are specially equipped to live underground and have ears and eyes so small they are not visible.

Shrews have tiny eyes that are visible. They reuse mole and vole tunnels and are occasionally found invading buildings.

Fun facts about our bats

• Oregon's bats eat only insects. An adult bat eats about 1,000 insects every hour!
• Bats hang upside down because it gives them an ideal position for take-off.
• Bats can fly 20 to 30 miles an hour and travel more than 100 miles a night.
• A baby bat is called a pup. Young bats can fly between two and five weeks of age.
• Bats are the only flying mammal.

ODFW's Living with bats page has tips on protecting at-risk populations, and more.

• Bat Conservation International
• Batty for Bats: Facts for kids (pdf)
• Build a bat house:
  • Four-Chamber Nursery House Plans (pdf)
  • Two-Chamber Rocket Box Plans (pdf)
  • Small Economy Bat Box Plans (pdf)
• Living with Bats fact sheet (pdf)
• White Nose Syndrome
• Online Reporting for Sick or Dead Bats

Report a Bat Colony

This group of mammals is spread nearly worldwide and in Oregon, they are found throughout the state. Oregon is home to the American pika and seven species of rabbits and hares.

The mountain beaver is a medium-sized, muskrat-like rodent often lacking a visible tail. It is not related to other beavers or rodents but are called beavers because of their habit of gnawing down young trees. The mountain beaver has an extremely short, fur-covered tail, and otherwise differs from the muskrat by possessing five-toed feet. It is dark brown with a small white spot at the base of each ear.

In Oregon, are common in forested areas on the west slope of the Cascade Range west to the Pacific Ocean. They are, however, rarely seen as they spend most of their time in underground tunnels, emerging only at night to eat. 

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. 

View more information about Living with Wildlife, Tree Squirrels for tips on preventing conflicts, trapping, species status and recommended conservation actions. 

Oregon has five species of pocket gophers that are specially equipped for digging and tunneling. They have large-clawed front paws with small eyes and ears. Sensitive whiskers help them navigate underground. 

This group of rodents includes mice, voles, rats and muskrats of various sizes, but they all share one trait - their dentition is highly specialized for gnawing. 

ODFW's Living with beavers page has more information on beavers role in Oregon's ecosystems, and more.

Receive Beaver Action Plan Partnership Updates by E-mail

Resources

ODFW Living with Wildlife: American Beaver (Information) (pdf)

ODFW Living with Wildlife: American Beaver (flier) (pdf)

ODFW's 3-Year Action Plan for Beaver-Modified Landscapes (pdf)

ODFW Beaver Emphasis Area primary contacts map (pdf)

Beaver bibliography (pdf): An annotated bibliography of published literature on beaver (2008)

Oregon State Animal: (pdf) American Beaver Fact Sheet

ODFW Requirements for Relocation of Beaver in Oregon (pdf)

Large, slow-moving rodents, porcupines are found on every continent except Antarctica. There are 12 "New World" species in North, Central and South America. In Oregon, there is only one, the common porcupine. 

Coyotes, wolves and foxes are found throughout Oregon, depending on the species. The gray wolf, kit fox and Sierra Nevada red fox are Oregon Conservation Strategy Species.

More about wolves in Oregon

Report a wolf sighting

ODFW's Living with bears page has tips on living, working, and recreating in bear country and more.

Oregon is Black Bear Country Brochure (pdf)

Be Wildlife Smart When Working in the Woods (pdf)

Electric Fences Keep Bears Out - BearWise Bulletin (pdf)

Follow these "bear" essentials on working or recreating in bear country, print this homeowner checklist to keep bears at bay, and more. Essentials for Living with bears (pdf)

Although these species are quite different, they are both in the same family, Procyonidae.

This group of mammals includes the American marten, fisher, and wolverine which are all Oregon Conservation Strategy Species. 

Oregon's three cat species all belong to the same family as the domestic house cat. Cats are muscular but graceful and have retractable claws to hold prey. 

Oregon's hoofed mammals include three sub-species of deer, along with moose, elk, goat, and sheep. Otherwise known as ungulates, these animals are herbivores.