Mammal Checklists of the United States

Konza Prairie

Manhattan, Kansas

Mammals Checklist

This list of mammals of the Konza Prairie Research Natural Area and the surrounding area encompassing parts of Geary, Pottawatomie, Riley, and Wabaunsee counties is based on records for Konza Prairie (Finck et al., 1983) Fort Riley (Pitt et al., 1987) and from county records for Kansas given by Bee et al. (1981).

MARSUPIALS (Marsupialia)

___ Virginia Opossum (Didelphis virginiana). Habitat: rushy/woody areas. Abundant on Konza.

SHREWS and MOLES (Insectivora)

___ Elliots Short-tailed Shrew (Blarina hylophaga). Habitat: Woodlands/grasslands. Common on Konza.

___ Least Shrew (Cryptotis parva). Habitat: Dense grasslands and deciduous forests. Tolerates drier areas than the short-tailed shrew.

___ Eastern Mole (Scalopus aquaticus). Habitat: Woodlands, edges of lakes and ponds. Prefers loose soils.

RABBITS (Lagomorpha)

___ Eastern Cottontail (Sylvilagus floridanus). Habitat: Open forests and forest edges, brushy, weedy, grassy areas.

RODENTS (Rodentia)

___ Woodchuck (Marmota monax). Habitat: Woodlands bordered by open grasslands and along stream banks.

___ Thirteen-lined Ground Squirrel (Spermophilus tridecemlineatus). Habitat: Arid, short grasslands, overgrazed or mowed areas, and brushy areas near forests.

___ Fox Squirrel (Sciurus niger). Habitat: Open woodlands and deciduous forests.

___ Plains Pocket Gopher (Geomys bursarius). Habitat: Found where there are no trees in deep sandy or loamy soil.

___ Hispid Pocket Mouse (Perognathus hispidus). Habitat: Open dry area with sandy or loamy soils, along limestone breaks.

___ Beaver (Castor canadensis). Habitat: Rivers, creeks, and lakes where woody vegetation is available.

___ Western Harvest Mouse (Reithrodontomys megalotis). Habitat: Grasslands,weedy fields and woodlands. Usually in lowlands and unburned areas on Konza.

___ Plains Harvest Mouse (Reithrodontomys montanus). Habitat: Found on ungrazed short-grass prairie. Rare on Konza.

___ White-footed Mouse (Peromyscus leucopus). Habitat: Woodlands, and brushy areas. Abundant on Konza.

___ Deer Mouse (Peromyscus maniculatus). Habitat: Grasslands, open and cultivated fields and recently burned areas. Most abundant animal an Konza.

___ Hispid Cotton Rat (Sigmodon hispidus). Habitat: Weedy grasslands and fields, marshes and brushy areas. Locally abundant on Konza.

___ Eastern Woodrat (Neotoma floridana). Habitat: Woodlands and shrubby areas. Abundant on Konza.

___ Prairie Vole (Microtus ochrogaster). Habitat: Ungrazed prairie, disturbed lowlands, and open woody areas.

___ Woodland Vole (Microtus pinetorum). Habitat: Woodlands, brushy habitats and forest edges. Rare on Konza.

___ Southern Bog Lemming (Synaptomys cooperi). Habitat: Moist habitats such as marshes and wet grasslands with heavy cover.

___ Meadow Jumping Mouse (Zapus hudsonius). Habitat: Open woodlands, grasslands near trees, meadows and abandoned felds.

CARNIVORES (Carnivora)

___ Coyote (Canis latrans). Habitat: Woodlands and grassland habitat. Abundant on Konza.

___ Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes). Habitat: Mixed woodlands and grasslands. Few sightings on Konza.

___ Raccoon (Procyon lotor). Habitat: Woody and brush areas and along ravines. Common on Konza.

___ Least Weasel (Mustela nivalis). Habitat: Grassland and marshy areas. A recent migrant to Kansas.

___ Badger (Taxidea taxus). Habitat: Rolling grasslands in sandy soil. Common on Konza but rarely seen.

___ Striped Skunk (Mephitis mephitis). Habitat: Grasslands and woodlands. Abundance on Konza unknown.

___ Bobcat (Felis rufus). Habitat: Woodlands and brushy areas.

UNGULATES (Artiodactyla)

___ Mule Deer (Odocoileus hemionus). Habitat: Rugged prairie areas. Rare on Konza.

___ White-tailed Deer (Odocoileus virginianus). Habitat: Forest edges, woodlands and the banks of rivers and streams.

___ Bison (Bison bison). Habitat: Formerly all areas of the central and western prairie. There are around 168 on Konza.

For additional information, please contact:

                   John Zimmerman
                   Biology Division
                   Kansas State University
                   Manhattan, KS 66506-4901
                   Telephone: 913/532-6620

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