Mammals
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Common Name: Raccoon
Scientific Name: Procyon lotor
Family: Procyonidae
Order: Carnivora
Size: Can grow to be 16 to 28 in (40 to 70 cm) long and weigh 8 to 20 lb (3.5 to 9 kg).
Lifespan: Raccoons living in captivity have been known to live up to 20 years, but wild raccoons tend to live from 1.8 to 3.1 years.
Reproduction: After a gestation period that can last anywhere from 54 to 70 (although usually from 63 to 65) days, a litter of 2 to 5 is usually born.
Food: In the spring and early summer, racoons eat invertebrates like insects and worms. In the late summer and fall, raccoons begin storing fat for the coming winter by eating fruits and nuts.
Predators: Bobcats, coyotes, great-horned owls, wolves, lynxes, eagle owls, and although they are not technically predators, automobiles often contribute to the deaths of adult raccoons.
Social Behavior: Related female raccoons often share a general area for feeding and resting. Unrelated males sometimes form loose social groups to maintain their position against invaders, or other males.
Location: Raccoons are native to North America, but they have cropped up in Germany in Japan, and are often regarded as a pest in those areas.
Photo: http://www.sterlingwildlife.com/raccoons.html
Work Cited: http://wdfw.wa.gov/living/raccoons.html
Scientific Name: Procyon lotor
Family: Procyonidae
Order: Carnivora
Size: Can grow to be 16 to 28 in (40 to 70 cm) long and weigh 8 to 20 lb (3.5 to 9 kg).
Lifespan: Raccoons living in captivity have been known to live up to 20 years, but wild raccoons tend to live from 1.8 to 3.1 years.
Reproduction: After a gestation period that can last anywhere from 54 to 70 (although usually from 63 to 65) days, a litter of 2 to 5 is usually born.
Food: In the spring and early summer, racoons eat invertebrates like insects and worms. In the late summer and fall, raccoons begin storing fat for the coming winter by eating fruits and nuts.
Predators: Bobcats, coyotes, great-horned owls, wolves, lynxes, eagle owls, and although they are not technically predators, automobiles often contribute to the deaths of adult raccoons.
Social Behavior: Related female raccoons often share a general area for feeding and resting. Unrelated males sometimes form loose social groups to maintain their position against invaders, or other males.
Location: Raccoons are native to North America, but they have cropped up in Germany in Japan, and are often regarded as a pest in those areas.
Photo: http://www.sterlingwildlife.com/raccoons.html
Work Cited: http://wdfw.wa.gov/living/raccoons.html
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Common Name: Fox squirrel
Scientific Name: Sciurus niger
Family: Sciuridae
Order: Rodentia
Size: Can grow to be 45 to 70 cm (17.7 to 27.6 in) long and 500 to 1,000 g (1.1 to 2.2 lb) heavy
Lifespan: Wild males are expected to live a maximum of 8.6 years and females 12.6 years in the wild
Reproduction: After a gestation period of about 44 days, a litter of 1 to 5 is born
Food: Nuts, small fruit, insects, and bird eggs
Predators: Bobcats, foxes, red-tailed hawks, and barred owls
Social Behavior: Fox squirrels are solitary animals, often only interacting during mating season. Surprisingly, although they tend to be asocial, they have a large range of sounds that they make in order to communicate.
Location: Found throughout North America
Photo: http://www.gpnc.org/fox.htm
Works Cited: http://www.gpnc.org/fox.htm
http://myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/profiles/mammals/land/fox-squirrel/
Scientific Name: Sciurus niger
Family: Sciuridae
Order: Rodentia
Size: Can grow to be 45 to 70 cm (17.7 to 27.6 in) long and 500 to 1,000 g (1.1 to 2.2 lb) heavy
Lifespan: Wild males are expected to live a maximum of 8.6 years and females 12.6 years in the wild
Reproduction: After a gestation period of about 44 days, a litter of 1 to 5 is born
Food: Nuts, small fruit, insects, and bird eggs
Predators: Bobcats, foxes, red-tailed hawks, and barred owls
Social Behavior: Fox squirrels are solitary animals, often only interacting during mating season. Surprisingly, although they tend to be asocial, they have a large range of sounds that they make in order to communicate.
Location: Found throughout North America
Photo: http://www.gpnc.org/fox.htm
Works Cited: http://www.gpnc.org/fox.htm
http://myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/profiles/mammals/land/fox-squirrel/
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Common Name: American Badger
Scientific Name: Taxidea taxus
Family: Mustelidae
Order: Carnivora
Size: Grow to generally be 60 to 75 cm (23.6 to 29.5 in) long and weigh an average of 7kg (15.5 lb)
Lifespan: Wild American badgers typically live to be 9 to 10 years old
Reproduction: American badgers mate through July and August, but embryos do not begin to develop until December, or February at the latest. Litters are born in March.
Food: American badgers eat other burrowing animals like moles, gophers, and mice. American badgers also eat plants like corn, peas, green beans, and some fungi.
Predators: Wolves, bears, bobcats, golden eagles, and cougars
Social Behavior: American badgers tend to be nocturnal, but may forage during the day if there is not a human presence in the area. American badgers often have many burrows that may serve different purposes, such as storing food in, sleeping, and giving birth. American badgers are solitary foragers.
Location: Can be found throughout the Unites States, except in the southeastern states. Can also be found in Northern Mexico and Southern Canada.
Work Cited & Photo: http://www.nhptv.org/natureworks/americanbadger.htm
Scientific Name: Taxidea taxus
Family: Mustelidae
Order: Carnivora
Size: Grow to generally be 60 to 75 cm (23.6 to 29.5 in) long and weigh an average of 7kg (15.5 lb)
Lifespan: Wild American badgers typically live to be 9 to 10 years old
Reproduction: American badgers mate through July and August, but embryos do not begin to develop until December, or February at the latest. Litters are born in March.
Food: American badgers eat other burrowing animals like moles, gophers, and mice. American badgers also eat plants like corn, peas, green beans, and some fungi.
Predators: Wolves, bears, bobcats, golden eagles, and cougars
Social Behavior: American badgers tend to be nocturnal, but may forage during the day if there is not a human presence in the area. American badgers often have many burrows that may serve different purposes, such as storing food in, sleeping, and giving birth. American badgers are solitary foragers.
Location: Can be found throughout the Unites States, except in the southeastern states. Can also be found in Northern Mexico and Southern Canada.
Work Cited & Photo: http://www.nhptv.org/natureworks/americanbadger.htm
Insects
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Scientific Name: Chauliognathus pensylvanicus
Common Name: Pennsylvania Leatherwing or Goldenrod Soldier Beetle
Order: Coleoptera
Family: Cantharidae
Size: 9-12mm
Season: June to early October; most active from August to mid-September
Food: Pollen and nectar of flowers, especially goldenrod
Location found: BVHS football field
Work Cited: http://www.insectidentification.org/insect-description.asp?identification=Pennsylvania-Leatherwing-Beetle
Common Name: Pennsylvania Leatherwing or Goldenrod Soldier Beetle
Order: Coleoptera
Family: Cantharidae
Size: 9-12mm
Season: June to early October; most active from August to mid-September
Food: Pollen and nectar of flowers, especially goldenrod
Location found: BVHS football field
Work Cited: http://www.insectidentification.org/insect-description.asp?identification=Pennsylvania-Leatherwing-Beetle
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Common Name: Fork-Tailed Bush Katydid
Scientific Name: Scudderia furcata
Order: Orthoptera
Family: Tettigoniidae
Size: Can grow to be 1.42 to 1.97 in (36 to 50 mm) long
Season: Late spring to autumn
Food: broad-leaved woody deciduous plants, flowers, and rinds of citrus fruits
Location found: Outside of Iron Horse golf course
Work Cited: http://idtools.org/id/citrus/pests/factsheet.php?name=Fork-tailed+bush+katydid
Scientific Name: Scudderia furcata
Order: Orthoptera
Family: Tettigoniidae
Size: Can grow to be 1.42 to 1.97 in (36 to 50 mm) long
Season: Late spring to autumn
Food: broad-leaved woody deciduous plants, flowers, and rinds of citrus fruits
Location found: Outside of Iron Horse golf course
Work Cited: http://idtools.org/id/citrus/pests/factsheet.php?name=Fork-tailed+bush+katydid
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Common Name: Monarch butterfly
Scientific name: Danaus plexippus
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Nymphalidae
Size: Can have a wingspan of 3.5 to 4 in (8.9 to 10.2 cm) and be as long as 3.5 to 4.13 in (8.9 to 10.5 cm)
Season: Active during the entire year, but they migrate south to wait for the winter to pass before returning north
Food: Larvae eat just about every species of milkweed leaves, and adults feed on the nectar of flowering plants
Location found: My frontyard
Work cited: http://dnr.wi.gov/org/caer/ce/eek/teacher/milkweedmonitoring/monarchfacts.pdf
Scientific name: Danaus plexippus
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Nymphalidae
Size: Can have a wingspan of 3.5 to 4 in (8.9 to 10.2 cm) and be as long as 3.5 to 4.13 in (8.9 to 10.5 cm)
Season: Active during the entire year, but they migrate south to wait for the winter to pass before returning north
Food: Larvae eat just about every species of milkweed leaves, and adults feed on the nectar of flowering plants
Location found: My frontyard
Work cited: http://dnr.wi.gov/org/caer/ce/eek/teacher/milkweedmonitoring/monarchfacts.pdf
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Common Name: Four-Toothed Mason Wasp
Scientific Name: Monobia quadridens
Order: Hymenoptera
Family: Vespidae
Size: Can grow to be 1.5 to 2.1 cm (0.59 to 0.89 in) long
Season: May to October
Food: When larvae hatch, they eat a paralyzed moth or caterpillar that their mother had left for them. Adults eat the eat the nectar of flowering plants
Location found: Outside of Iron Horse golf course
Work cited: http://bugguide.net/node/view/5345
Scientific Name: Monobia quadridens
Order: Hymenoptera
Family: Vespidae
Size: Can grow to be 1.5 to 2.1 cm (0.59 to 0.89 in) long
Season: May to October
Food: When larvae hatch, they eat a paralyzed moth or caterpillar that their mother had left for them. Adults eat the eat the nectar of flowering plants
Location found: Outside of Iron Horse golf course
Work cited: http://bugguide.net/node/view/5345
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Common Name: Circumpolar Bluet
Scientific Name: Enallagma cyanigerum
Order: Odanta
Family: Coenagriidae
Size: 2.8 to 3.7 cm in length
Season: Summer and early fall
Food: Smaller insects
Location found: Outside of Iron Horse golf course
Works Cited: Field Guide to Insects and Spiders
Scientific Name: Enallagma cyanigerum
Order: Odanta
Family: Coenagriidae
Size: 2.8 to 3.7 cm in length
Season: Summer and early fall
Food: Smaller insects
Location found: Outside of Iron Horse golf course
Works Cited: Field Guide to Insects and Spiders
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Common Name: Dog-day cicada
Scientific Name: Tibicen canicularis
Order: Homoptera
Family: Cicadidae
Size: Can be as long as 2.7 to 3.3 cm and have a wingspan of up to 8.2 cm
Season: Mid-summer to early October
Food: Suck the sap from trees, especially pine trees
Location: East of the Rockies and southern Canada
Photo & Work Cited: http://bugguide.net/node/view/12461
Scientific Name: Tibicen canicularis
Order: Homoptera
Family: Cicadidae
Size: Can be as long as 2.7 to 3.3 cm and have a wingspan of up to 8.2 cm
Season: Mid-summer to early October
Food: Suck the sap from trees, especially pine trees
Location: East of the Rockies and southern Canada
Photo & Work Cited: http://bugguide.net/node/view/12461
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Common Name: Boxelder bug
Scientific Name: Boisea trivittatus Order: Hemiptera Family: Rhopalidae Size: Average a length of about 0.5 in Season: Early spring through late fall Food: Almost exclusively feeds on the seeds of trees of the Acer species, but also pierces plant tissue to feed Location: Found in most states east of the Rockies and in southern Canada Photo: http://www.extension.umn.edu/garden/insects/find/boxelder-bugs/ Works Cited: http://www.extension.umn.edu/garden/insects/find/boxelder-bugs/ http://bugguide.net/node/view/3598 |
![Picture](/uploads/3/8/8/2/38827847/1980097.jpg?250)
Common Name: Housefly
Scientific Name: Musca domestica
Order: Diptera
Family: Muscidae
Size: Typically 5-8 mm long
Season: Spring through fall
Food: Dead or decaying organic matter
Location: Found throughout the world in warmer climates
Photo & Work Cited: http://bugguide.net/node/view/39559
Scientific Name: Musca domestica
Order: Diptera
Family: Muscidae
Size: Typically 5-8 mm long
Season: Spring through fall
Food: Dead or decaying organic matter
Location: Found throughout the world in warmer climates
Photo & Work Cited: http://bugguide.net/node/view/39559
Birds
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Common Name: Eastern Bluebird
Scientific Name: Sialia sialis
Family: Turdidae
Order: Passeriformes
Size/Wingspan: Can grow to be 6.3 to 8.3 in long (16-21 cm) and have a wingspan of 9.8 to 12.6 in (25 to 32 cm)
Migratory Patterns: If food is plentiful in their current area, Eastern Bluebirds won't migrate for the winter, but when they do, they flock to the southern United States and some parts of Mexico.
Food: Seeds, berries, insects, and other invertebrates
Location: West of the Rockies and in some parts of Mexico and Canada
Photo: http://ibc.lynxeds.com/photo/eastern-bluebird-sialia-sialis/adult-male
Work Cited: http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/eastern_bluebird/id
Scientific Name: Sialia sialis
Family: Turdidae
Order: Passeriformes
Size/Wingspan: Can grow to be 6.3 to 8.3 in long (16-21 cm) and have a wingspan of 9.8 to 12.6 in (25 to 32 cm)
Migratory Patterns: If food is plentiful in their current area, Eastern Bluebirds won't migrate for the winter, but when they do, they flock to the southern United States and some parts of Mexico.
Food: Seeds, berries, insects, and other invertebrates
Location: West of the Rockies and in some parts of Mexico and Canada
Photo: http://ibc.lynxeds.com/photo/eastern-bluebird-sialia-sialis/adult-male
Work Cited: http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/eastern_bluebird/id
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Common Name: Turkey vulture
Scientific Name: Cathartes aura
Family: Cathartidae
Order: Cathartiformes
Size/Wingspan: 25.2 to 31.9 in (64 to 81 cm) long, wingspan of 66.9 to 70.1 in (170 to 178 cm), and usually weigh 70.5 oz (2000 g)
Migratory Patterns: Migrates to the Southern U.S., Mexico, and South America for winter. Only returns to its more northern locations in the summer.
Food: Carrion; rarely attacks living prey
Location: Throughout the U.S., Mexico, South America, and southern Canada
Photo: http://www.birdinginformation.com/birds/vultures-and-condors/turkey-vulture/
Work Cited: http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/turkey_vulture/lifehistory
Scientific Name: Cathartes aura
Family: Cathartidae
Order: Cathartiformes
Size/Wingspan: 25.2 to 31.9 in (64 to 81 cm) long, wingspan of 66.9 to 70.1 in (170 to 178 cm), and usually weigh 70.5 oz (2000 g)
Migratory Patterns: Migrates to the Southern U.S., Mexico, and South America for winter. Only returns to its more northern locations in the summer.
Food: Carrion; rarely attacks living prey
Location: Throughout the U.S., Mexico, South America, and southern Canada
Photo: http://www.birdinginformation.com/birds/vultures-and-condors/turkey-vulture/
Work Cited: http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/turkey_vulture/lifehistory
![Picture](/uploads/3/8/8/2/38827847/2019092.jpg?250)
Common Name: Canada goose
Scientific Name: Branta canadensis
Family: Anatidae
Order: Anseriformes
Size/Wingspan: Range from being 29.9 to 43.3 in (76 to 110 cm) long and have a wingspan of 50 to 66.9 in (127 to 170 cm)
Migratory Patterns: Migrates to the southern U.S. and northern Mexico for the winter, but can be found in some states year round
Location: Found in the U.S., Canada, and northern Mexico
Photo: http://www.goosehuntinginfo.com/canada-goose.php
Work Cited: http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Canada_goose/lifehistory
Scientific Name: Branta canadensis
Family: Anatidae
Order: Anseriformes
Size/Wingspan: Range from being 29.9 to 43.3 in (76 to 110 cm) long and have a wingspan of 50 to 66.9 in (127 to 170 cm)
Migratory Patterns: Migrates to the southern U.S. and northern Mexico for the winter, but can be found in some states year round
Location: Found in the U.S., Canada, and northern Mexico
Photo: http://www.goosehuntinginfo.com/canada-goose.php
Work Cited: http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Canada_goose/lifehistory
Reptiles
![Picture](/uploads/3/8/8/2/38827847/1551273.jpg?250)
Common Name: Eastern Coachwhip
Scientific Name: Masticophis flagellum flagellum
Family: Colubridae
Order: Squamata
Size: Can grow to be 42 to 72 in (107 to 180 cm)
Season: April to October
Predators: Birds of prey
Reproduction: Female typically lay about 8 to 24 eggs, which hatch after an incubation period of about two months.
Location: Eastern Coachwhips are commonly found in the southeastern United States, but they are also known to live in certain parts of the Midwest.
Photo & Work Cited: http://mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/field-guide/eastern-coachwhip
Scientific Name: Masticophis flagellum flagellum
Family: Colubridae
Order: Squamata
Size: Can grow to be 42 to 72 in (107 to 180 cm)
Season: April to October
Predators: Birds of prey
Reproduction: Female typically lay about 8 to 24 eggs, which hatch after an incubation period of about two months.
Location: Eastern Coachwhips are commonly found in the southeastern United States, but they are also known to live in certain parts of the Midwest.
Photo & Work Cited: http://mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/field-guide/eastern-coachwhip
![Picture](/uploads/3/8/8/2/38827847/1487124.jpg?250)
Common Name: Common snapping turtle
Scientific Name: Chelydra serpentina
Family: Chelydridae
Order: Testudines
Size: Its shell can be as long as 9.8 to 18.5 in (25 to 47 cm) and weigh 9.9 to 35.3 lb (4.5 to 16 kg)
Season: March to November
Predators: Common snapping turtles have few predators when they're mature, buy as eggs or juveniles, they can be prey to raccoons, herons, skunks, foxes, hawks, and larger turtles
Reproduction: A female usually lays 25 to 80 eggs at a time. Eggs hatch after 9 to 18 weeks.
Location: East of the Rockies, southeastern U.S., and northern Canada. An invasive population has also cropped up in Italy.
Photo: http://www.marshall.edu/herp/Turtles/snapping.htm
Work Cited: http://www.ct.gov/deep/cwp/view.asp?a=2723&q=469200
Scientific Name: Chelydra serpentina
Family: Chelydridae
Order: Testudines
Size: Its shell can be as long as 9.8 to 18.5 in (25 to 47 cm) and weigh 9.9 to 35.3 lb (4.5 to 16 kg)
Season: March to November
Predators: Common snapping turtles have few predators when they're mature, buy as eggs or juveniles, they can be prey to raccoons, herons, skunks, foxes, hawks, and larger turtles
Reproduction: A female usually lays 25 to 80 eggs at a time. Eggs hatch after 9 to 18 weeks.
Location: East of the Rockies, southeastern U.S., and northern Canada. An invasive population has also cropped up in Italy.
Photo: http://www.marshall.edu/herp/Turtles/snapping.htm
Work Cited: http://www.ct.gov/deep/cwp/view.asp?a=2723&q=469200
![Picture](/uploads/3/8/8/2/38827847/1872628.jpg?311)
Common Name: Broadhead skink
Scientific Name: Eumeces laticeps
Family: Scincidae
Order: Squamata
Size: Can be as long as 16.5 to 32.5 cm
Season:
Reproduction: Typically 8 to 22 eggs are laid at a time and these eggs hatch after 3 to 8 weeks
Location: In the Midwest and southeastern U.S.
Photo: http://www.paherps.com/herps/lizards-skinks/broadhead_skink/
Work Cited: http://thewebsiteofeverything.com/animals/reptiles/Squamata/Scincidae/Eumeces-laticeps
Scientific Name: Eumeces laticeps
Family: Scincidae
Order: Squamata
Size: Can be as long as 16.5 to 32.5 cm
Season:
Reproduction: Typically 8 to 22 eggs are laid at a time and these eggs hatch after 3 to 8 weeks
Location: In the Midwest and southeastern U.S.
Photo: http://www.paherps.com/herps/lizards-skinks/broadhead_skink/
Work Cited: http://thewebsiteofeverything.com/animals/reptiles/Squamata/Scincidae/Eumeces-laticeps