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The following description of Mammals of the reserve is modified from the California Department of Fish and Game California's Wildlife . The Virginia opossum (Didelphis virginiana) is a recent invader of our area. Its preferred habitats include riparian, moist woodlands, brush and wetlands. Highly opportunistic, the opossum eats a wide variety of animal and plant material. Carrion and insects are usually the principal foods, but fruits, berries and grains, green vegetation, earthworms, and fungi may also be important. The opossum is nocturnal and active year round in this area. A rough nest of leaves and other material is constructed in hollow snags, logs, rocks, piles of brush, or in the burrows of other animals. Litters are produced in two peak periods: January-March and May-July. Litter size in California averages 7.2. The young are extremely altricial, and remain attached to a nipple in the mother's pouch for 50-65 days. Weaning occurs at 95-105 days. The vagrant shrew (Sorex vagrans) forages under litter on moist surfaces, underground, and in moist accumulations of dead plant material. It feeds mainly on insects, worms, snails, slugs, and spiders but also eats fungi, small mammals, roots, young shoots, and probably seeds. The shrew makes a nest of dry grass, moss, or other materials under logs, roots, or dense vegetation. Most young are born from March to May. There may be a second peak of births in August and September. Litter size averages 6 and there are 1 or 2 litters per year. The young are weaned 16-20 days after birth. The broad-footed mole (Scapanus latimanus) is a small predator, rarely seen above ground. It "swims" through soft soil, usually just below the surface, searching for prey including earthworms, insects, spiders, and centipedes. It is active year round, day and night. It is especially active after rain when digging is easier. Moles are solitary, except when mating or caring for young, and highly territorial, patrolling and defending their burrow systems. They breed from February to May and produce a single litter of 2-5 per year. The California myotis (Myotis californicus) is a common to abundant small bat. It feeds on a variety of aerial arthropods including moths, midges and other Diptera, beetles, and spiders generally foraging close to the ground or water, and among shrubs and trees. Its foraging flight is slow and highly erratic. It roosts in crevices in buildings, under bark, and in caves and mines. The California myotis prefers rock-walled canyons with open water, open woodlands and forests, or brushy habitats. A single young is born from late May-July. The young usually are capable of flight by mid-July. The western small-footed myotis (Myotis ciliolabrum) forages along cliffs and rocky slopes where it feeds on a variety of small insects. Not much else is known. The little brown myotis (Myotis lucifugus) feeds on small, flying insects detected by echolocation. It appears adapted for exploitation of patchily distributed prey such as swarms of midges. Its flight is maneuverable, and it can detect prey at close range. Several prey may be captured in rapid succession using interfemoral membranes. This bat uses separate day, night, hibernation, and nursery roosts. Populations may be limited by the availability of roost sites. Day roosts are located in buildings, trees, under rocks or wood, or occasionally in caves. Night roosts are in similar sites, or even the same sites, but usually in more confined spaces. Temperatures usually warmer there, as many bats pack into the night roost. Hibernation roosts are usually in caves or mines. Activity peaks about 2.5 hr after dusk. Mating occurs in fall. Births occur May-June. One young is born each year. The young are weaned and begin to fly at 3 weeks. The Yuma myotis (Myotis yumanensis) is common along Big Chico Creek in the reserve and widespread in California. Optimal habitats are open forests and woodlands with bodies of water over which to feed. The Yuma myotis uses echolocation to find its prey of moths, midges, flies, termites, ants, homopterans, and caddisflies. It roosts in buildings, mines, caves, crevices, and under bridges. Maternity colonies of several thousand females and young may be found in appropriate roosts. Warm, dark sites are preferred and individuals cluster together for warmth when temperatures are low. A single offspring is produced yearly. The western red bat (Lasiurus blossevillii) roosts in trees in forests and woodlands but feeds over a wide variety of habitats including woodlands and forests, grasslands, shrublands, and croplands. It feeds on a variety of insects, mostly moths, crickets, beetles, and cicadas. Its foraging flight is slow and erratic. Prey is found with echolocation and captured in wing and tail membranes. Foraging may be from high above treetops to nearly ground level. The red bat begins foraging 1-2 hr after sunset and may forage throughout the night with a second peak before sunrise. Mating occurs in August and September. Births are from late May through early July. Most females bear 2 or 3 young in a single litter. Nursing lasts 4-6 weeks, and the young are capable of flight at about 4 weeks old. The hoary bat (Lasiurus cinereus) is the most widespread North American bat. It feeds primarily on moths and prefers habitat mosaics, with trees for cover and open areas or habitat edges for feeding. Unlike most bats, it roosts by itself, generally in the dense foliage of medium to large trees. Preferred sites are hidden from above, with few branches below, Females bear (usually two) young in the same tree roosts. The hoary bat migrates between summer and winter ranges, probably over long distances. The silver-haired bat (Lasionycteris noctivagans) may be found anywhere in California during spring and fall migrations and in winter. It feeds mainly on moths and other soft-bodied insects but also eats hard-shelled insects to some extent. It's Foraging flight is slow and fluttery with short glides. Most activity is crepuscular. It roosts in hollow trees, snags, buildings, rock crevices, caves, and under bark. Most summer activity and breeding occurs further north. The western pipistrelle (Pipistrellus hesperus)is a year-round resident of California. It feeds on a wide variety of flying insects, including moths, Diptera, Homoptera, Hymenoptera, Hemiptera, and Coleoptera. Its flight is slow and fluttery and it forages at low to moderate heights over water, in rocky canyons, and along cliff faces. Crepuscular as well as nocturnal, the Pipistrelle is one of the first bats to fly in the evening and may be seen as much as 45 min before sunset. Most activity is in the first 1-2 hr after sunset. The Pipistrelle roosts and gives birth primarily in rock crevices. Pregnant females are found in May and June; Births are in June and July. A single litter per year of 1 or 2 young is produced. The big brown bat (Eptesicus fuscus) prefers to forage over open areas, water sources, or among trees in fairly open stands. It feeds on a variety of flying insects, preferring large beetles but also taking Diptera, Hymenoptera, and other insects. Their flight, when foraging tends to be slow, straight, and steady. They often roost in buildings but natural roosting habits are poorly known. Small to moderate-sized groups roost together, usually less than 100 individuals. Most breeding is in fall, but ranges to March. A single young is born between May and July. Townsend's big-eared bat (Plecotus townsendii) is now considered uncommon in California. Suitable habitat is present on the reserve. The big-eared bat feeds mostly on small moths captured in flight using echolocation, or by gleaning from foliage. Their flight is slow and maneuverable and they sometimes hover. Peak activity is late in the evening preceded by flights close to the roost. Most mating occurs from November-February, but many females are inseminated before hibernation begins. Sperm is stored until ovulation occurs in spring. Births occur in May and June, peaking in late May. A single offspring is produced annually. Young are weaned in 6 weeks and fly in 2.5-3 weeks after birth. The pallid bat (Antrozous pallidus) is a yearlong resident that prefers rocky outcrops, cliffs, and crevices with access to open habitats for foraging. It feeds on a wide variety of arthropods, including beetles, crickets, Jerusalem crickets, moths, spiders, scorpions, and solpugids. Its flight is slow and maneuverable with frequent dips, swoops, and short glides as it forages over open ground, usually 2-8 ft above ground level. Many prey are taken on the ground. Day roosts are in caves, crevices, mines, and occasionally in hollow trees. Night roosts may be in more open sites, such as porches and open buildings. Maternity colonies form in early April, and may have 10 to 100 individuals. Young are born from April-July, mostly from May-June. The average litter is 2. The altricial young are weaned at 7 weeks, and are observed flying in July and August. Females and juveniles forage together after weaning. The Brazilian free-tailed bat (Tadarida brasiliensis) is found throughout California in all habitats, but prefers open habitats such as woodlands, shrublands, and grasslands. It utilizes echolocation to hunt for small aerial insects, primarily small moths, foraging high, usually at least 100 ft above ground level. A fast flier, it averages 25 MPH when travelling as much as 40 miles to and from roosting sites. Caves, mine tunnels, crevices, or buildings are required for roosting and hibernation and maternity colonies of females and young. Copulation occurs in February-March with delayed fertilization. Gestation is about 100 days with birth in June and July. The usual litter size is 1. Young nurse in July and August, fly at 5 wk, and reach full size in 2 mo. Audubon's cottontail (Sylvilagus audubonii) is common in grasslands, open forests, and shrub habitats. It is found in slightly more open habitats than the brush rabbit.. Audobon's cottontail grazes and browses on a wide variety of grasses, forbs, tree and shrub leaves, twigs, fallen fruit, acorns, and tender bark. They use rockpiles, fallen trees and logs, fence rows, thickets and patches of shrubs, vines, and brush as cover. They construct fur-lined nests on the ground or in burrows, usually within dense shrub stands. They are active throughout the year; preferring crepuscular periods, with some nocturnal and diurnal activity. Cottontails breed from December through June. Females produce 2-4 litters of 1-6 young each year. The brush rabbit (Sylvilagus bachmani) is herbivorous, grazing on a wide variety of grasses and forbs, always within, or very close to, dense brushy cover. They can often be seen adjacent to dense patches of chaparral in the reserve. When food is scarce, they browse on tender leaves, twigs, buds, and bark. They are most active during crepuscular periods; less active at night, and occasionally active in daytime. Brush rabbits nest in cavities, beneath brushy cover. The nest is lined with dry vegetation, and/or fur. Breeding occurs from January through August. Females produce 2-4 litters of 3-4 young per year. Young brush rabbits remain in the nest approximately 2 wk The black-tailed jackrabbit (Lepus californicus) is the large, fast, rabbit seen in the reserve. Like most lagomorphs, they are strictly herbivorous. They prefer grasses and forbs but will eat almost any vegetation. They avoid dens, trusting to their speed to evade predators. Young are born beneath vegetation that provides some overhead cover. The jackrabbit breeds throughout the year, with greatest number of births occurring from April through May.. Up to 4 litters of 3-4 young each may be produced per year. Young are weaned at 3 weeks. Jackrabbits are solitary, except when mating and raising young. The California ground squirrel (Spermophilus beecheyi) is a resident of woodland and savannah areas in the reserve. Omnivorous, they eat seeds, nuts, fruits, bulbs, fungi, and stems and leaves of grasses and forbs but also include insects, bird eggs, and carrion. They forage on the ground, and in low shrubs and trees and retreat to extensive burrows, often near rocky areas or under trees or logs. They often live in small, dispersed colonies. Mating occurs from January through July producing an average of 6-7 young in one litter per year. The Northern flying squirrel (Glaucomys sabrinus) eats seeds, nuts, and fruits, lichens, fungi, arthropods, eggs, and birds They require large trees and snags, using cavities for cover and nest sites. They are nocturnal and active year-round, mating in Spring, with an average litter size of four. Flying squirrels are preyed upon by large owls, domestic cats, bobcats, and long-tailed weasels The western gray squirrel (Sciurus griseus) is common in the forest and woodland habitats within the reserve. It is an opportunistic feeder depending on availability of seasonal and local foods. Squirrels eat fungi, pine nuts, acorns, fruits of California bay, other fruits and nuts, forbs, and tender shoots and leaves. In winter, gray squirrels make brood nests in tree and snag cavities, often enlarging an abandoned woodpecker cavity. They also build nests on branches of oak, fir, or pine trees. Nests are lined with shredded bark, grass, moss, and lichen. They are active diurnally throughout the year. Squirrels breed from January through September, with most births occurring between March and June. Average litter size is 3-4. Botta's pocket gopher (Thomomys bottae) is a fossorial herbivore. It may be active any time of day or night underground, but is mainly nocturnal above ground. All entrances to tunnels are plugged with earth to keep intruders out, and to stabilize temperature and humidity. The pocket gopher feeds on roots, tubers, bulbs, stems, and leaves of forbs and grasses. It nests in deep chambers within its burrow. Mating and parturition may occur throughout the year. Females produce 1-3 litters per year, each with up to 12 young. The extensive burrowing activities the pocket gopher have far-reaching ecological consequences, mixing and aerating soils and allowing rainwater to absorb efficiently into the ground. The California kangaroo rat (Dipodomys californicus) is usually found in annual grassland habitat, but also occurs in openings in mixed chaparral. Nocturnal, it retreats to a burrow excavated in loose soil, often at the base of a shrub or edge of a rock. It obtains water metabolically from its food (seeds of grasses, forbs, and shrubs )and "bathes" in loose sand or silt. It breeds from February through April, producing one litter of 2-4 young per year. The American beaver (Castor canadensis) is a large (30-50 lb) mostly aquatic, herbivorous rodent that lives in burrows in the bank of Big Chico Creek. They are relatively uncommon within the reserve. In spring and summer, beavers feed mostly on grasses, leaves, and aquatic vegetation. In winter, when the herbaceous plants are scarcer they shift to the bark of trees. In the reserve, beavers select mostly willow, alder, and cottonwood. The beaver seldom goes as far as 100 feet from the creek, gnawing bark or felling trees to get at branches, leaves and buds. It is monogamous, mating January through February. One to 8 young are born in May or June and nursed by their mother 60-90 days. The western harvest mouse (Reithrodontomys megalotis) is common to abundant in shrublands, grasslands, and oak woodlands. It forages for seeds, insects, fruits, and shoots from the ground surface, and in bushes. It makes spherical nests of woven dried vegetation in protected places such as thick grass or the base of shrubs, or in debris or slash. The harvest mouse is nocturnal and crepuscular and active year-round. It also breeds year-round. Litter size averages 2-4. In captivity, each of two young females gave birth to 14 litters in a year. Weaning occurs at 24 days. The brush mouse (Peromyscus boylii) likes dense shrub cover. It forages on ground, in shrub understory and in small tree canopy for seeds (especially acorns), fungi, and green vegetation above ground all year. It breeds throughout the year except for the coldest part of winter, producing 1-4 litters of 2-6 each year. The deer mouse (Peromyscus maniculatus) is the most ubiquitous and abundant mammal in California and North America. It forages mainly on ground, occasionally climbing shrubs for a wide variety of food items, including seeds, fruits, leaves, fungi, insects, and other animal material. Large caches may be stored for winter use. Cover is provided by brush piles, litter, logs, rocks, or vegetative ground cover. Nests are constructed in almost any form of confined cover and are lined with a variety of materials such as grasses, mosses, root fibers and hair. The deer mouse is nocturnal and active above ground year-round. It also breeds year-round, producing 2-4 litters of 3-4 young per year. The pinyon mouse (Peromyscus truei) is locally abundant in rocky areas with brushy thickets. It occurs in most forested and shrub habitats in the state where it forages nocturnally on the ground surface, usually amidst underbrush but also in shrubs and small trees. It is an omnivore, feeding primarily on leaves, seeds, arthropods, berries, fungi, and acorns. Nests are constructed in hollow branches, trunks, logs, snags, or in rock crevices and at the base of shrubs. Active year-round, it breeds from April to November. Litter size averages 3 young (range 1-6). Peromyscus truei is easily confused with P. boylii. It differs from P. boylii in that ear length is equal to or greater than hindfoot length (versus 70-80% of hindfoot length in P. boylii.) The dusky-footed woodrat (Neotoma fuscipes) is very common in the reserve. It is best known for its habit of carrying something home with it to add to its house. Houses are built of sticks and other miscellaneous items at the base of a tree, around a shrub, between boulders, or sometimes in a shrubby tree. The houses may be as much as 8 ft in both height and diameter. Nests, constructed of shredded grass and leaves, are located in the stick house. The wood rat forages nocturnally on the ground, in bushes, and in trees. It feeds mainly on woody plants, especially live oak, maple, coffeeberry, alder, and elderberry. but also eats fungi, flowers, grasses, and acorns. The wood rat is active and breeds year-round, producing up to 5 litters of 2-3 young each year. The California vole (Microtus californicus) is generally found in dense grass, beneath plant residues, in brush piles, beneath logs, and in underground burrows. It forages on the ground, clipping grasses and forbs at the bases, forming a network of runways leading from its burrow and feeding on the leafy parts of grasses, sedges, and herbs. It is most abundant in early seral stages of montane riparian, dense annual grassland, and wet meadows. A nest of dried grass is built in a shallow burrow, often under some object. It breeds throughout the year whenever food and cover are abundant. Two to 5 litters averaging 4 each are produced each yr. Females reach sexual maturity at 29 days on average, but as early as 21 days. The long-tailed vole (Microtus longicaudus) is a common resident of the herbaceous understory of many forests. It seeks cover in dense herbaceous vegetation or beneath shrubs, constructing burrows in soft soils, within or beneath logs, but does not construct runways in grass as extensively as other voles. It feeds on a variety of plant materials including grasses, sedges, bulbs, and bark of shrubs. It is active year round, but breeds mostly in spring and summer. It can produce 3-4 litters of 5 or 6 young each year. The common muskrat (Ondatra zibethicus) is not that common in the reserve, but can probably be seen occasionally along Big Chico Creek. Its classic habitat is permanent water bordered by aquatic vegetation. The muskrat is mainly herbivorous, eating aquatic plants such as cattail and bulrush, either from the bank or underwater. Clams and other animals are eaten opportunistically. Cover from predators and for reproduction is provided by burrows excavated in the streambank. Reproduction is confined to spring and summer. Two or 3 litters of 4-8 young may be produced each year. The common porcupine (Erethizon dorsatum) may be found in the reserve on occasion. It is herbivorous, feeding in spring and summer on aquatic and terrestrial herbs, shrubs, fruits, leaves, and buds. Its winter diet consists of twigs, bark, and cambium of trees, particularly conifers, and evergreen leaves. The porcupine dens in caves, crevices in rocks, cliffs, hollow logs, snags and burrows of other animals. It is active through the year, mostly at night, but often active in daylight. It mates in fall or winter, and gives birth to a single offspring per year. The young are capable of climbing and assuming a defensive posture soon after birth, and can survive on a diet of vegetation by 2 weeks of age. Nursing, however, may continue through August. The coyote (Canis latrans) is fairly common in the reserve. It is an omnivorous opportunist, eating primarily mice, rats, ground squirrels, gophers, rabbits, and carrion but also taking insects, reptiles, amphibians, fruits, and occasionally birds, their eggs, and fawns. It dens in natural cavities in rocky areas, hollow trees and logs, caves and holes but will also dig dens, usually on brushy, south-facing slopes. It s activity pattern is mostly crepuscular and nocturnal. Coyotes mate from January to March, with a litter of 5-6 young born between March and May. The young are weaned at 5-7 weeks, and usually leave their parents at 6-9 months. The common gray fox (Urocyon cinereoargenteus) is very common in the reserve. It is omnivorous, preying on rabbits, mice, gophers, woodrats, and squirrels, but also eating large amounts of fruit, nuts, insects and carrion. The gray fox dens in natural cavities in rocky areas, snags, logs, brush, slash and debris piles, abandoned burrows, and under buildings. Nest materials are usually dry grass, leaves, or shredded bark. It is chiefly crepuscular and nocturnal. It mates February through March to produce a litter of around 4 pups in April. The black bear (Ursus americanus), the largest carnivore in the reserve, gets about 75% of its diet from plant material. It feeds mostly on grasses and forbs in early spring, insects and fruits (e.g., manzanita berries) in summer, and on acorns and fruits in fall. Animal matter such as decaying carcasses, fish, honey, and a variety of small mammals are opportunistically consumed. Hollows spaces in trees, snags, stumps, logs, uprooted trees or talus slopes, are used for denning. Cubs (commonly twins) are born from late January to early February while the female is denned. They nurse for at least 6 months and usually stay with mother for 1.5 years. The black bear has one of lowest reproductive rates of any wild land mammal in North America but can live 25 years. The ringtail (Bassariscus astutus) is a shy, nocturnal resident of riparian and brushy areas. It is more carnivorous than its relative, the raccoon, eating woodrats, mice, rabbits, birds and eggs, reptiles, invertebrates, fruits, nuts, and some carrion. It forages on the ground or in trees; usually near water. It nests in rock recesses, hollow trees, logs, snags, abandoned burrows, or woodrat houses. Young are born in May and June, averaging 3 per litter. The raccoon (Procyon lotor) is omnivorous and highly opportunistic. In spring, it eats mostly animal matter: fish, amphibians, arthropods, small mammals, birds, and eggs. In summer and fall, it eats large amounts of seeds, fruits and acorns. Raccoons use cavities in trees, snags, logs, and rocky areas for dens and other cover. They breed from January through March. Most young are born March through May. Litters average 3-4. Young areweaned at 60-90 days and become semi-independent at about 130 days. The long-tailed weasel (Mustela frenata) is a permanent resident of most California habitats. This small carnivore may be active any time of the day all year, hunting mice, gophers, chipmunks, ground squirrels, rabbits, birds, and lizards. Nests may be located in burrows of small mammals or cavities in trees, snags or logs. Weasels mate in July or August with most young born in April or May. One litter of 4-9 is produced per year and cared for by both parents. The young begin to eat meat at 21-25 days, and are weaned at about 35 days. The American mink (Mustela vison) is an uncommon semi-aquatic, highly carnivorous, mustelid. Staple foods include crayfish, frogs, fish, mice, muskrats, and clams. They also take some terrestrial foods, including rodents, birds and bird eggs, snakes, salamanders, and invertebrates. They mostly forage along the creek sometimes diving underwater. Mink den in burrows under trees, snags, stumps, logs, and rocks near water or use abandoned burrows of muskrats or other species. (If the burrow is already occupied, the mink has no objection to eating its owner then claiming it.) Mink breed from late January through March. Litters, averaging 4, are born in April or May, and weaned at 5-6 wk. The American badger (Taxidea taxus) is an uncommon, highly specialized fossorial mustelid that does a good deal of its hunting by digging for burrowing prey. It eats rats, mice, chipmunks, ground squirrels and pocket gophers as well as some reptiles, insects, earthworms, eggs, birds, and carrion. Young are born in burrows dug in relatively dry, soil. Badgers mate in summer and early fall. An average litter of 2-3 is born around March or April. The western spotted skunk (Spilogale gracilis) prefers shrub and brush habitats with moderate canopy-closure but also inhabits open forest, woodland and riparian habitats. Its diet consists primarily of insects and small mammals, along with reptiles, birds, eggs, carrion, fruits, and seeds. Spotted skunks forage on the ground, dig in the earth, and occasionally climb into low trees and shrubs. They use brushy areas, slash, talus, burrows, and hollow logs, snags, and stumps for cover. They nest in burrows and natural crevices in trees, snags, logs, stumps, rock areas, and brush piles. Spotted skunks mate in September and October and give birth in April or May to a litter of around four. Young are weaned at about 8 weeks but accompany female on foraging trips into autumn. The striped skunk (Mephitis mephitis) is common in the reserve, frequenting the grass/forb areas of most habitats. Striped skunks are omnivorous. They primarily eat insects, small mammals, other small vertebrates, eggs, crustaceans, fruits, seeds, and some carrion. They search and dig in the ground, rotting logs and stumps for food Use Cavities and crevices in rock areas, snags, logs, stumps and abandoned burrows are used for cover and dens. Skunks breed from late January through March. A litter of about 4 is born between April and June. Young are weaned at 60-75 days. The river otter (Lutra canadensis) is not common in Big Chico Creek within the reserve, but will sometimes pass through. Its huge home range may extend 15 miles or more along the stream. River otters are carnivorous and largely aquatic. Within the reserve, they primarily feed on fish but also eat amphibians, mollusks, aquatic insects, and carrion, Otters nest in burrows and cavities in banks, rocks, trees, stumps, in hollow logs. Although mostly nocturnal, they show frequent day-time activity. Most young are born in March and April. The single litter per year averages 2.6 young. Young are weaned in about 4 months, but the mother and young remain together 8 months or more. Feral housecats (Felis sylvestris) have been observed in the reserve. However, in the presence of populations of large native predators (great horned owls, coyotes, bobcats, and mountain lions) they rarely last long. The mountain lion (Felis concolor) is the top carnivore in California. As such it is an integral part of the food web and a definite presence in the reserve. Lions feed primarily on deer but will rabbits and hares, various rodents, porcupines, skunks, coyotes, and, occasionally, domestic stock. They stalk or ambush prey, attacking from close range. Caves and other natural cavities, and thickets are used for denning. Mountain lions are territorial and need large areas with little human disturbances. Home range sizes vary with prey availability and local lion populations. Adult male home ranges can exceed 100 square miles, with females occupying somewhat smaller areas, overlapping the males' ranges. Female lions may be in estrus at any time of the year, but in California, most births occur in spring. Weaning occurs at about 8 weeks but the young remain with the mother for about a year, learning hunting skills. The bobcat (Lynx rufus) has ideal habitat in the reserve. Like most cats, it is carnivorous, eating rabbits, various rodents, a few deer (mostly young fawns), and some birds, reptiles, amphibians, and invertebrates. Bobcats stalk prey on the ground or ambush it from trees, or atop logs or rocks. Their dens are located in cavities in rock areas, in hollow logs, snags, stumps, or dense brush. They are seldom seen, being camouflaged, and mostly nocturnal or crepuscular. They usually breed in winter with 2-3 young born in spring. The wild pig (Sus scrofa) is an introduced mammal that is expanding its range in California. It has been reported from the reserve area, but not recently. It is mostly crepuscular and nocturnal with some diurnal activity. Pigs forage on the ground surface and root beneath the ground. They are omnivorous and opportunistic, eating wild oats and other green grasses, forbs, berries, roots, bulbs, insects, fungi, carrion and especially acorns, locating food by scent. Breeding is promiscuous and sows produce 1-2 litters of 5-6 piglets per year. Wild pigs have a major adverse impact on native plants and animals by competition, predation and habitat destruction. Black-tailed deer (Odocoileus hemionus
columbianus)
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