(other than Homo sapiens)
Whistler Naturalists
The following mammals are confirmed sightings for the Whistler region, many of which are supported by museum specimens, identified by Dr. Ian McTaggart Cown and C.J. Guiguet, authors of "The Mammals of British Columbia", Handbook No. 11, British Columbia Provincial Museum, published 1956 and reprinted one or more times henceforth.
Updates on this classic volume are now appearing as a series, order by order, as shown by the classification below.
The Whistler region is that shown on the "Checklist of Whistler Birds" (1996) is available at several outlets and distributed by the Whistler Naturalists Society. Latin nomenclature is shown in italics to avoid confusion on those species with two or more common names.
Order Insectivora Ñ Shrews and Moles
Cinereus Shrew Ñ Sorex cinereus
Dusky Shrew Ñ Sorex obscurus
Navigator Shrew Ñ Sorex palustris
Order Chiroptera Ñ Bats
Silver-haired Bat Ñ Lasiomyeteris noctivagans
Hoary Bat Ñ Lasiurus cinereus
California Myotis Ñ Myotis californicus
Keen Myotis Ñ Myotis keeni
Little Brown Bat Ñ Myotis lucifugus
Order Lagomorpha Ñ Rabbits, Hares and Pikas
Rocky Mountain Pika Ñ Ochotona princeps
Varying (Snowshoe) Hare Ñ Lepus americanius
Order Rodentia Ñ Rodents, Beavers and Squirrels
Hoary Marmot Ñ Marmota caligata
Northwestern Chipmunk Ñ Eutamias amoenus
Douglas Squirrel (Chickaree) Ñ Tamiascirus douglasi
Northern Flying Squirrel Ñ Glaucomys sabrinus
American Beaver Ñ Castor canadensis
Deer (White-footed) Mouse Ñ Peromyscus maniculatus
Bushy-tailed Wood (Pack) Rat Ñ Neotoma cinera
Northern Bog Lemming Ñ Synaptomys borealis
Mountain Heather Vole Ñ Phenacomys intermedius
Boreal Redback Vole Ñ Clethrionomys gapperi
Muskrat Ñ Ondatra zibethica
Old World Rat Ñ Rattus norvegicus
House Mouse Ñ Mus musculus (old world origin)
Northwestern Jumping Mouse Ñ Zapus trinotatus
Porcupine Ñ Erethizon dorsatum
Order Carnivora Ñ Flesh Eaters
Coyote Ñ Canis latrans
Wolf Ñ Canis lupus
American Black Bear Ñ Euractos americanus
Grizzly Bear Ñ Ursus arctos horribilis
Raccoon Ñ Procyon lotor
Marten Ñ Martes americana
Fisher Ñ Martes pennanti
Short-tailed Weasel Ñ Mustela erminea
Long-tailed Weasel Ñ Mustela frenata
Mink Ñ Mustela vison
Wolverine Ñ Gulo luscus
Spotted Skunk Ñ Spilogale gracilis
River Otter Ñ Lutra canadensis
Cougar Ñ Felix concolor
Bobcat Ñ Lynx rufus
Order Artiodactyla Ñ Ungulates
Coast (Columbia) Black-tailed Deer Ñ Odocoileus hemionus columbianus
Moose Ñ Alces americana
Mountain Goat Ñ Oreamnos americanus
In addition to the above 43 species, the following are possibly in the region, but authoritative confirmation has yet to be retrieved by authorities at the Provincial Museum:
Big Brown Bat Ñ Eptesicus fuscus
Long-eared Myotis Ñ Myotis evolis
Yuma Myotis Ñ Myotis yumanensis
Yellow-bellied Marmot Ñ Marmota flaviventris
TownsendÕs Chipmunk Ñ Eutamias townsendi
Long-tailed Vole Ñ Microtus longicaudus
The other Rattus species
Red Fox Ñ Vulpes fulva
Mule Deer Ñ Odocoileus hemionus hemionus
So far, the pesky Gray squirrel, gray or black phase, ( Sciurus carolinensis ), an eastern species liberated in Stanley Park in 1914, has not reached the Whistler area, but it has moved as far north as Squamish in the last decade. Hopefully, proximity to tidewater will be the limit of its northward movements.
Upcoming Events:
Pitch in Day April 23 Ð Support the Naturalists by helping to clean up the Function Junction area. Meet at the Re-Use-Ut center at 9:30 a.m., and at the Fire Hall for a barbeque at noon.
Calling all Aspiring Nature Writers Ð Do you have an interest in natural history? Want to educate others about your favourite flora and/or fauna? Write your very own Naturespeak article. For more information contact April McCrum at 604-932-0919 or aprilmccrum@yahoo.ca
