Build a Forest Carnivore

The morphology (physical shape) of a forest carnivore fits perfectly into the forest environment of the North Cascades. The body of a marten, as with other members of the weasel family, is long and narrow. This adaptation allows them to crawl into snags or under logs for shelter. Body shape also enables them to chase squirrels, hares and voles into their dens. Tail shape—long and hefty like a mountain lion—helps them keep balanced in trees and change directions on the go.

Most carnivores feed at the top of the food chain. Their teeth have obvious carnivore characteristics, with sharp grasping canines, shredding premolars and even sharp molars. Compare the skull at left with a herbivore's skull and teeth (deer skull).

Most larger forest carnivores such as wolverines, lynx, bobcats and fishers need vast swaths of forest for survival. The home range of a fisher, as with other forest carnivores, can differ greatly from area to area. It is recorded that one female fisher in California had a home range of only three square miles, while in Idaho a male fisher had a range of 50 square miles. With such great expanses needed for survival, it is no wonder that forest carnivores are becoming rare as quality forest habitat becomes more scarce.

Now see how well you do building a forest carnivore and receive a Wondervault clue.

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