Mammals of the Great Swamp

Opossum

(Didelphis virginiana)

Common along streams and marshes near woodland.

Masked Shrew

(Sorex cinerus)

Found in poorly drained fields.

Smoky Shrew

(Sorex fumeus)

Inhabits moist fields.

Short-tailed Shrew

(Blarina brevicauda)

Common in wooded and swampy areas.

Starnose Mole

(Condylura cristata)

Abundant in vicinity of swamps and brooks.

Little Brown Myotis (Bat)

(Myotis lucifugus)

Numerous but rarely seen. Roosts in hollow trees and under eaves.

Red Bat

(Lasiurus borealis)

This solitary creature is occasionally seen during the day flying along wooded streams.

Black Bear

(Ursus americanus)

Rarely observed on the Refuge.

Raccoon

(Procyon lotor)

Very numerous over the entire Refuge.

Longtail Weasel

(Mustela frenata)

A common but infrequently seen inhabitant of upland areas.

Mink

(Mustela vison)

Fairly common in wet areas but rarely seen.

River Otter

(Lutra canadensis)

Extirpated in the Great Swamp until it reappeared in the 1970's. Now present in small numbers and thought to be reproducing.

Striped Skunk

(Mephitis mephitis)

Common but seldom seen.

Red Fox

(Vulpes vulpes)

Very common throughout the Refuge.

Gray Fox

(Urocyon cinereoargenteus)

Fairly common in brushy woodlands.

Woodchuck

(Marmota monax)

Occasionally seen near their burrows in dry upland fields and woodlands.

(Tamias striattis)

Commonly found in upland woods.

Eastern Gray Squirrel

(Sciurus carolinensis)

Very common in upland hardwoods. When hollow trees are in short supply, look for their round, leaf nests constructed high in the tops of trees.

Red Squirrel

(Tamiasciurus hudsonicus)

May be seen in evergreen trees or surrounding hardwoods.

Southern Flying Squirrel

(Glaucomys volans)

Fairly common, but seldom seen during the day.

Beaver

(Castor canadensis)

Rarely seen throughout the Refuge.

White-footed Mouse

(Peromyscus leucopus)

Abundant in woodland areas.

Gapper's Redback Vole

(Clethrionomys gapperi)

A ground-dwelling vole of damp and cool forests.

Meadow Vole

(Microtus pennsylvanicus)

Common in fields and grassy areas.

Pine Vole

(Microtus pinetorum)

Found primarily in hardwood areas, in contrast to common name.

Muskrat

(Ondatra zibethicus)

Abundant where there is water. Look for their mound-shaped houses in swamps and marshes.

Norway Rat

(Rattus norvegicus)

Found in and around old farm buildings.

House Mouse

(Mus musculus)

Present in buildings and fields.

Meadow Jumping Mouse

(Zapus hudsonius)

Occasionally seen in fields. May be mistaken for frogs when seen jumping through the grass.

Woodland Jumping Mouse

(Napaeozapus insignis)

Found in wet and heavily wooded areas.

Eastern Cottontail

(Sylvilagus floridanus)

Seen frequently in brushy upland areas.

Whitetail Deer

(Odocoileus virginianus)

Very common throughout the Refuge. Viewing opportunities best in early morning and early evening.