Small Mammals
Ok, Here are some of the small critters found in these parts. I have had some personal relationships with some of them, although they are not domesticated animals. As in any wild animals they have two choices when provoked run or fight and when cornered they will fight. In most cases the critters I have taken care of were brought to me before their eyes were open, bottle fed, and in most cases, given to people out in the country to be turned loose but cared for if needed. In one case a raccoon was turned loose at a farm, and returned for several years for a free meal, even bringing his famley one year.
Raccoon (Procyon lotor
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Size
: 23 to 37 inches long & weighing between 12 and 48 lbDistribution: Throughout the United States
Biology: Nocturnal critter that mates in December, giving birth to 4 - 5 young in April - May and weaned in about 4 months. Raccoons are omnivorous feeding on everything from bugs to birds to fruit. Coons also crawfish, eggs, mice, turtles as well as proficient garbage robbers. Coons are known to wash their food although this is not a sanitary act rather is done due to the lack of saliva glands.
Tracks: As shown with the hind print being 4" long and fore print 3" long with a 14" stride. Back foot prints look like small human prints.
Habitat: Found just about any wooded area near water. Can even be found on the Gulf Coast's Barrier Islands.
Through the years I have raised a number of raccoons to adults. Being in construction I've seen a lot of habitat destruction and when young coons were found I took it on as a personal responsibility to rear them. In the Mississippi delta I have found them to have a lot of red color, not sure but would think it is because of their diet. Young coons should be fed Esbilac, about 2 tablespoons per 4 oz of body weight, per day, divided into 6 feedings. One other note, Raccoons are great swimmers and have been known to even drown dogs when used to hunt them.
Nine-banded Armadillo (Dasypus novemcinctus)
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Size
: 24 to 31 inches long & weighing about 15 to 20 lbs.Distribution: Nine-banded are found in the Gulf Coast States & Ark., Ok., Ga., Ks.
Biology: Mate in the fall giving birth to 4 young with eyes open. This burrowing critter feeds on insects, crawfish, and eggs.
Tracks: As shown with the hind print being 2" long and fore print 1.5" long.
Habitat: Often found burrowing by the edge of fields, or wooded area with sandy soil. Seem to come out just before dark to search for a meal.
When my father had his farm we would go out just before dark and chase these guys. Even though they have short little legs they are very fast, but easy to sneak up on. Armadillos are a very unique animal having scaly plates covering their head, body, and tail. Nine-banded get its name because of 9 joints in its midsection. This allows him to curl up like a doodlebug. One other note, Not to scare anyone but Armadillos are reported to carry Leprosy.
Nutria (Myocastor coypus)
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Size:
26 to 55 inches long & weighing between 5 and 30 lbDistribution: Along the Gulf Coast States, with a few pockets scattered around the United States.
Biology: Mates year round giving birth to 4 - 6 young with litters occasionally as many as 11 young. Young feed on green plants within 24 hours.
Tracks: As shown with fore print resembles Bart Simpson's head with hind print larger showing webbing between toes.
Habitat: Found along rivers, ponds, swamps, canals and bayous.
Nutria were brought to Southwest Louisiana from South America in the 30's for the fur trade. The plan was to breed them in captivity but in the 40's a hurricane released these critters into the wild and they started taking over. Although it couldn't be seen back then, in 1951 a population of them were released at the mouth of the river to increase the fur trade in Jefferson Parish
. Chick here for article from the Jefferson Parish Yearly Review dated 1951. With the diminishing fur trade Nutria have now become a nuisance in Louisiana. Destroying vegetation that stabilizes the banks of our canals a price was put on their head. In the swamps Nutria build their nest on Muskrat nests which has greatly reduced their population. I was talking to an old time trapper about the swamp along Airline Hwy between Kenner and Norco who told me when he trapped there you could always find Muskrats but he hasn't seen one in years. "All ya find now is dem darn Nutra Rats!" One other thing, Nutrias Have sparked a following in Louisiana, they are the mascot for our baseball team Boudreaux, And every year while the rest of the US are watching Groundhogs on Groundhogs Day to see if they see their shadows we watch a nutria at the Audubon Zoo Swamp Exhibit.
River Otter (Lutra canadensis )
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Size:
23 to 37 inches long & weighing between 12 and 45 lbDistribution: Coastal Gulf along the East Coast States, throughout Canada to the Northwest States
Biology: Mate in the spring giving birth to 1 - 4 young and wean in about 4 months. Feed on fish, crawfish, clams.
Tracks: As shown but about 3" wide with a 1 - 2' stride.
Habitat: Found along rivers, creeks, ponds, bayous, and lakes.
This is one of my favorites of the small animals. Years ago I had the opportunity to care for a young one who was rescued during a lot cleanup in Lafitte Louisiana. We named him Ott (pictured below) and was a very comical critter. To watch him in a tub with a dozen goldfish was so funny. After he ate, he wanted to play and if you tried to leave he would nip you on the back of your ankle.
