American badgers specialize in hunting burrowing rodents, so they are built for digging. They use their impressively long front claws to dig out dirt which they kick out behind them with their stubby hind legs. Their eyes have nictitating membranes to keep out debris...

The Bennett’s wallaby typically has tawny gray fur, with a white belly and chest, and dark paws. They are also called the Red-necked wallaby for the reddish fur on the back of their neck and shoulders. Baby wallabies, called joeys, are born the size of a jellybean and...

Bobcats, although elusive and rarely seen, are one of the most common wildcats in the United States. They are easily distinguishable by their short, bobbed tails. Additionally, their characteristic tufts of fur at the top of their ears serve as camouflage and help...

Because of their wide range across multiple continents, there are many subspecies of brown bear. The term “grizzly bear” is typically applied to the populations of smaller inland bears, as opposed to individuals living along the coast. The largest subspecies in North...

The eastern fox squirrel is a relatively large squirrel with a long, bushy tail. They have a wide variety of colorations. The scientific name ‘niger’ means black, which was the fur color of the first individual described. However, the name ‘fox squirrel’ refers to the...

This giant rabbit is a domesticated breed, originating in the Flemish region in the 16th century. Originally bred for their meat and luxuriously soft fur, this animal has now made its way into homes as a popular domesticated pet. Being such a large rabbit, they...

This wide-ranging fox is found from southern Canada to the northern portion of South America, making it the only canid native to both North and South America. Additionally, they’re one of the few canids that are adept climbers! Gray foxes have long legs and sharp,...

This breed of goat is believed to have descended from goats brought from Spain to the west coast of the United States. The creation of the species is credited to Eula Fay Frey, who bred them in Oregon in the 1930’s. This is the only breed of dairy goat developed in...

River otters are incredibly well-adapted swimmers and divers, allowing them to pursue their preferred prey of fish. They can swim up to 7.5 miles per hour, dive as deep as 65 feet, and hold their breath underwater for 4-8 minutes. They also have specialized ears and...

The Patagonian cavy, also known as the Patagonian mara, is native to South America. Although they resemble jackrabbits, they are actually large rodents! They are primarily grazers, spending almost half of their day eating on semi-open plains. Because they are so often...

Striped skunks are the most common skunk species in North America, found from southern Canada to northern Mexico. Although skunks used to be grouped in with the Mustelid family, they are now recognized as their own distinct family Mephitidae. They are best known for...

The swamp wallaby is also commonly called the black wallaby, black-tailed wallaby, fern wallaby, black pademelon, stinker (in Queensland), and black stinker (in New South Wales) on account of its characteristic swampy odor. These animals typically have thick, coarse...

While there are many kinds of marsupials in the world, the Virginia Opossums are the only marsupials in North America. This means they carry their young around in a pouch on their stomach. Baby opossums are smaller than a dime, and will live in the pouch for up to two...