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Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge Amphibians, Fish, Mammals and Reptiles List

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U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge Amphibians, Fish, Mammals and Reptiles List The Okefenokee swamp is covered with Mammals ___Seminole Bat cypress, blackgum, and bay forests (Lasiurus seminolus). A common bat of scattered throughout a flooded prairie ___Virginia Opossum the Okefenokee which is found hanging in made of grasses, sedges, and various (Didelphis virginiana pigna). Common on Spanish Moss during the day. the swamp edge and the islands within aquatic plants. The peripheral upland and ___Hoary Bat the almost 70 islands within the swamp the Swamp. A night prowler. “Pogo” is often seen by campers. (Lasiurus cinereus cinereus). This are forested with pine interspersed with yellowish-brown bat flies high in the air hardwood hammocks. Lakes of varying ___Southern Short-Tailed Shrew late at night and will hang in trees when sizes and depths, and floating sections (Barina carolinensis). A specimen was resting. It is the largest bat in the East of the peat bed, are also part of the found on Floyds Island June 12, 1921. It and eats mostly moths. Okefenokee terrain. kills its prey with poisonous saliva. ___Northern Yellow Bat People have left their mark on the swamp. ___Least Shrew (Lasiurus intermedius floridanus). A 12-mile long canal was dug into the (Cryptotus parva parva). Rarely seen but Apparently a rare species in the area. It eastern prairies in the 1890’s in a failed probably fairly common. Specimens have likes to feed in groups. attempt to drain the swamp. During the been found on several of the islands, on early 1900’s large amounts of timber were the swamp edge, and in the pine woods ___Evening Bat removed, so that very few areas of virgin around the swamp. (Nycticeius humeralis). Once the most common bat in the swamp, it is now forest remain. In an attempt to reduce ___Eastern Mole the potential for wildfires, a sill was built uncommon due to the decreases in man- (Scalopus aquaticus australis). Generally made structures which are common in the early 1960’s to control the water distributed on the upland adjacent to the flowing out of the Okefenokee into the nursery sites. It flies lower as the night swamp and has been found on some of the progresses. Suwanne River. islands within the swamp. The Okefenokee is a rainfall-dependent ___Rafinesque’s Big-Eared Bat ___Star-Nosed Mole (Plecotus rafinesquii). A rather system, and when periods of drought (Condylura cristata). Apparently rare. occur, the area becomes susceptible to uncommon species in the area. They can Nose surrounded by finger like, fleshy hover like butterflies to pick off insects wildfire. A 20/30 year cycle of drought projections. and fire has allowed the Okefenokee to and fold their ears when at rest. exist as the unique wetland it is. These ___Southeastern Myotis ___Brazilian Free-Tailed Bat periods cause changes in the abundance (Myotis austroriparius austroriparius). (Tadarida brasiliensis cynocephala). An of certain plants (more grasses growing Species of bat native to Southeast uncommon species in this area. One of the in exposed areas,) the nesting success of Georgia. highest flying bats. certain wading birds (failure in extreme ___Eastern Pipistrelle ___Armadillo drought), and the location of some species (Pipistrellus subflavus subflavus). A fairly (Dasypus novemcinctus mexicanus). This of wildlife (fish migrate into deeper common species in the area. One of the unusual “ground” mammal was first seen lakes and channels and are followed by smallest eastern bats. on the refuge in 1968. Since then it has predators.) ___Big Brown Bat become more numerous and is commonly With its varied habitats, the Okefenokee (Eptesicus fuscus fuscus). An uncommon seen along roadways and trails. has become an area known for its species in the area. The fastest known bat ___Marsh Rabbit abundance of plants and animals. There with speeds of 40 mph. (Sylvilagus palustria palustris). Fairly are over 620 species of plants growing in ___Red Bat common on the swamp edge. Frequently the swamp. Animals include 39 fish, 37 (Lasiurus borealis borealis). An takes to water to escape enemies and amphibian, 64 reptile, 234 bird, and 50 uncommon species in the area. One of the often walks on its hind legs. Tail is gray mammal species. Use the following list to few mammals in which males and females underneath. help identify Okefenokee inhabitants. are different colors. *Indicates endangered or threatened Okefenokee U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service National Wildlife Refuge http://www.fws.gov 2700 Suwannee Canal Road 1 800/344 WILD Folkston, GA 31537 912/496 7836 voice/TDD July 2009 http://www.fws.gov/okefenokee U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service / Okefenokee NWR Amphibians, Fish, Mammals and Reptiles List Mammals continued ___Hispid Cotton Rat ___Long-Tailed Weasel (Signodon hispidus hispiedus). A common (Mustela frenata olivacea). This species ___Eastern Cottontail mammal in the pine woods and old fields is probably more common than the few (Sylvilagus floridanus mallurus). Common on the upland around the swamp. observations would indicate. Specimens around clearings and in the more sparse ___Eastern Woodrat have been found on Billy’s Island and on pine woods on the uplands surrounding Chesser Island. the swamp and on some of the islands. (Neotoma floridana floridana). Fairly Females have territories and males may common throughout the swamp and in ___Mink be seen in courtship dances at night. the hammocks on the upland. Also known (Mustela vison mink). Very rarely seen locally as the Packrat because of its habit in the Okefenokee, this chiefly nocturnal ___Gray Squirrel of building a huge pile of sticks for its nest, animal is an excellent swimmer. (Sciurus carolinensis carolinensis). and for collecting shiny objects. Abundant in the blackgum bay forests in ___Striped Skunk the swamp and in the oak woodlands on ___Woodland Vole (Mephitis mephitis elongata). This species the upland. (Microtus pinetorum parvulus). Tunnels is generally distributed on the upland through leaf mold and loose soil near surrounding the swamp and is found ___Fox Squirrel the surface of the upland areas and eats occasionally on the islands. (Sciurus niger niger). Uncommon in the bulbs, tubers, and seeds. pine forests surrounding the swamp and ___River Otter along roads. Its head is black with white ___Round-Tailed Muskrat (Lontra canadensis vaga). Occasionally on the ears and nose. (Neofiber alleni exoristus). Occasionally observed along the water courses, seen in the prairies where a bulky grass especially during the winter. ___Southern Flying Squirrel house is constructed over the water along ___Florida Panther* (Glaucomys volans querceti). This species with a feeding platform. is rarely seen because of its nocturnal (Felis concolor coryi). Apparently this habits, but is fairly common, particularly ___Black Rat species was never more than of rare in pine/oak uplands. (Rattus rattus rattus). This was the occurrence in the vicinity of the swamp. common barn rat when farming was ___Bobcat ___Georgia Pocket Gopher practiced on some of the islands within (Geomys pinetis pinetis). Uncommon on (Lynx rufus floridanus). Common the swamp. It probably occurs now on throughout the swamp and on the dry, sandy sites on the east side of the farmsteads in the vicinity but not on the swamp. Rarely seen above ground. surrounding uplands. Occasionally seen refuge. along Swamp Island Drive. ___Southeastern Pocket Gopher ___Roof Rat ___Wild Pig (Geomys pinetis floridianus). An (Rattus rattus alexandrinus). It was a uncommon species of this area. (Sus scrofa). These feral pigs were common barn rat when farming was introduced by the early settlers of the ___Beaver practiced in the swamp but it probably swamp. (Castor canadensis carolinensis). The occurs now only in the vicinity. ___White-Tailed Deer first record of beavers in the swamp was ___House Mouse in 1969. Their population, never very (Odocoileus virginianus). These deer can (Mus musculus musculus). Formerly be found throughout the refuge even high, varies from time to time, probably common around habitations but now that because of alligators. travelling across prairies from island to few people live within the swamp, it has island. ___Marsh Rice Rat probably disappeared from the area. Very (Oryzomys palustris palustris). A fairly likely it is still common around human Fish common mammal throughout the swamp. habitations in the vicinity of the swamp. _____ Florida Gar ___Eastern Harvest Mouse ___Gray Fox (Lepisosteus platyrhincus) (Reithrodontomys humilus humilus). (Urocyon cinereoargenteus floridanus). Found in the prairies and in old fields Fairly common on the upland around the _____ Bowfin (Amia calva) near the swamp’s edge. swamp. Has the ability to climb trees. _____ American Eel (Anguilla rostrata) ___Oldfield Mouse ___Red Fox (Peromyscus polionotus polionotus). (Vulpes fulva fulva). This species is rare _____ Redfin Pickerel Feeds on seeds and berries. but occurs occasionally on the upland in (Esox americanus americanus) ___Cotton Mouse the vicinity of the swamp. _____ Chain Pickerel (Esox niger) (Ochrotomys nuttalli aureolis). Common ___Black Bear throughout the area. Found under (Ursus americanus floridianus). Bears _____ Eastern Mudminnow palmetto scrub. Good tree climber and range throughout the refuge. Look for (Umbra pygmaea) swimmer. them wherever berries and acorns area _____ Lake Chubsucker ___Golden Mouse abundant. (Erimyzon sucetta) (Ochrotomys nuttalli aureolis). This ___Raccoon _____ Spotted Chubsucker (Procyon lotor
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