• Created on 1/10/12 by BYC Project Manager

  Squirrel General Information & Description   Squirrels belong to the large rodent order called Sciuridae. They are generally small furry mammals that are smaller than rabbits. The largest variety, the Alpine marmot, measures 22-29 inches from nose to tail. Squirrels have large eyes, indicative of a good visual sense. This is an evolutionary necessity among tree-dwelling animals.   They hunt in the daytime, except for the flying squirrel, which is more nocturnal. Most ground squirrels are social and known to hunt in packs, while tree dwellers are more... read more

• Created on 1/10/12 by BYC Project Manager

    GENERAL INFORMATION   The fisher cat (Martes pennanti), also known as the "pekan cat", or "black cat", is a large, dark coloured, furry member of the weasel family. These forrest dwelling mammals are active year round and mostly during the dawn and dusk hours of the day.  Fishers are generalist predators. Their primary prey is hares and porcupines, but they are also known to feed on insects, nuts, berries and mushrooms and on occasion carrion. Since they are solitary hunters and small in size, their prey is limited to birds and smaller mammals and... read more

• Created on 1/10/12 by BYC Project Manager

General Information and Description    Skunks (also known as polecats in the USA) are medium size mammals, probably best known for their ability to spray a liquid with a strong, unpleasant odour. There are four species of skunks: the hooded skunk, the striped skunk, the spotted skunk and the scarce hog-nosed skunk. The most common of the four being the striped skunk. Skunks' eyes and ears are small and though their vision is bad, they have a keen sense of hearing. Skunks are members of the weasel family and spotted skunks look similar to weasels because they are... read more

• Created on 1/10/12 by BYC Project Manager

  Bear     General Information and description     Bears are omnivores in the Ursidae family. They are found mostly in North America, Europe and northern and central Asia. The most common are the American Black Bears, which roam in North America and enjoy a widespread population. Bears generally have large shaggy bodies with short stubby tails. They walk and run on all fours, but can stand on two stocky legs when reaching for food or attacking to frighten their enemies. They are also observed to sit like humans. Bears have a large head with a long... read more

• Created on 1/10/12 by BYC Project Manager

    General information and Description   Crows are scavenger birds of the genus Corvus in in the Cirvidea family, which also includes magpies, ravens and about 120 other bird species. Crows thrive in pairs, and are territorial. Their main mode of attack is vulture-like in nature. Unlike hawks that carry away hens, crows are known to attack prey in droves. As opportunistic feeders, they often just hover around an area, waiting for their prey to die. Crows seldom bother adult chickens that can defend themselves. They favor young hens, growers, chicks, and... read more

• Created on 1/10/12 by sumi

General Information   Raccoons (Procyon Lotor) a.k.a. Coons are one of the best knows and easily recognised non-domesticated mammals in our region. Due to their adaptability raccoons are able to use urban areas as a habitat. Easily accessible refuse bins, fruit and nut trees and chicken coops are favoured sources of food for urban raccoons. Though their preferance is fruit and nuts, their diets consist mainly of insects, worms and other animals that are readily available. Unfortunately that includes chickens.    Description   An average specimen of the... read more

• Created on 1/10/12 by BYC Project Manager

  General Information and Description   Widely considered a pest in homes and farms, rats are long-tailed rodents in the biological superfamily Muroidea. Their large size distinguishes them from mice. Rats like to live alongside humans, and take every opportunity to prey on their food and livestock. These predators often do their dirty work at night. Rats are also known to carry zoonotic pathogens, or animal-borne diseases like Leptospira and Weil’s disease. In fact, the Black Death that plagued Europe in the 1300s is believed to be caused by black rats... read more

• Created on 1/10/12 by BYC Project Manager

Cats   General Information and Description   Domestic cats (Felis Catus or Felus Silvestris Catus) are one of the most popular house pets in the world. Cats are carnivores belonging to the Felids or Felidae family, which also includes tigers, lions, jaguars, leopards and cheetahs. Cats are similar in anatomy to the other felids with strong, flexible bodies, sharp, retractable claws and sharp teeth, adapted to killing small prey. These loveable and gentle creatures are popular pets, mainly because of their easy companionship, but they have instinctive predatory... read more

• Created on 1/10/12 by BYC Project Manager

  General Information   Mice are mammals that belong to the order of rodents. They are small animals with pointed snouts, small rounded ears, short legs and and a long naked, or almost naked, hairless tail. There are about 30 species scattered through various regions of the world. They are considered one of the great survivors on the planet and can adapt to almost any environment. These rodents are herbivores by nature and would normally consume grain or fruit, but due to the rise of urban development, they have learned to eat almost anything. Though generally... read more

• Created on 1/10/12 by BYC Project Manager

General Information & Description   Snakes are long, legless carnivorous reptiles of the suborder Serpentes. Fifteen families of snakes are currently recognized, comprising of more than 2,900 species. The largest living species are the reticulated pythons, which can reach 30 feet long, and the aquatic anaconda, the heaviest existing snake, which measures 25 feet. Most snakes are relatively small animals measuring 3 to 4 feet in length. The smallest is only 4 inches long, the Leptotyphlops cariae. Because they cannot chew their food, snakes swallow their prey whole.... read more