Prior to the arrival of the Spanish in the late eighteenth century, the San Francisco peninsula was home to a wide variety of mammalian species, including grizzly bears and tule elk. Since then, physical changes to the environment--along with hunting and urbanization--led to the decline of the larger mammals. Today, the mammalian fauna of the Presidio is primarily composed of typical urban dwellers including squirrels, skunks and raccoons. A recent addition to the Presidio's wildlife is the coyote, several of which have been seen in the area recently. The mammals listed below are the most commonly sighted.
Did You Know?
The modern-day Officers' Club was part of the original Spanish Presidio. In the front section of the building, excavations have uncovered adobe walls dating from the 1790's.