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March Mammal Madness
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March Mammal Madness
Assignment: You have been assigned 2 or 3 different species to research. Please add a quick write up on your
assigned species by class on Wednesday and be ready to identify any information you still need on your species.
Your write up should have a brief description of the animals (take into consideration what wins battles and how
these animals ‘might’ do in different habitats. They are listed in rank order (best to worst). Please put your name
in parenthesis at the start of your comments. Please indicate your sources (web link or citation).
Full write up (likely 2­3 paragraphs) are due by the start of class on Friday. How are battles won?
The organizers take info about their weaponry, armor, fight style, temperament/motivation, and any special
skills/consideration and estimate a probability of the outcome and then use a random number generator to
determine the outcome­ this is why there are upsets in the tournament. Through to Sweet 16 the battle location
is in the preferred habitat of the better­ranked combatant in the battle, and ecology can play a huge roll in what
happens. Once to the Elite Trait the battle location is random among 4 ecologies.
Places to find information:
ASU March Mammal Madness Library Guide: Oxford Press Journal of Mammalogy Journal Articles
Brief descriptions of animals
Wild card:
Snow Leopard: (Duncan LeBlond) This big cat is native to the mountain ranges of Central and Southern Asia,
most notably the Himalayas. They prefer sub­alpine and alpine zones that mostly range from 3,000 to 4,500 feet.
Due to this habitat, it is an incredibly adept climber of cliffs, ridges, and mountain faces. The Mongolian
population has also adapted to the arid conditions of the lower hilly terrain that characterizes the region. They
are also incredibly solitary and multiple are usually only seen together for the purposes of mating and raising
offspring. Their litters usually average at around two offspring. Further, an individual's territory can range from
2
40km to 140km , and they hey prey on other alpine­adapted mammals such as blue sheep, ibex, marmot, and
pika. A single kill can last them up to a week. They will hunt for a new prey specimen every 10 to 15 and days.
The snow leopard is listed as endangered on the IUCN Red List. Jackson, R., Mallon, D., McCarthy, T., Chundaway, R.A. & Habib, B. 2008. Panthera uncia. The IUCN Red List of
Threatened Species 2008: e.T22732A9381126.
http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2008.RLTS.T22732A9381126.en. Downloaded on 27 February 2017.
Rhesus macaque: (Lark Heston) Listed as least concern; tolerant of a broad range of habitats including
temperate coniferous, moist and dry deciduous, bamboo, mangroves, scrub, rainforest, and around human
habitations, including cultivated areas and temples"; found throughout southern Asia including China, Vietnam,
India, and Afghanistan; introduced into Florida; diurnal; terrestrial and arboreal; omnivorous, eating plants and
insects; preyed upon by foxes, owls, bobcats, and gators; elevations up to 4000m; charismatic and cheeky
personalities; good at swimming long distances; live in troops of 20­200. http://www.bioexpedition.com/rhesus­
macaque/ http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/12554/0 http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article­2418549/Tarzan­
monkeys­Florida­number­1­000­introduced­74­years­ago.html
Red Giant Flying Squirrel (Innes Macleod): The Red Giant Flying Squirrel is amongst the largest of flying
squirrels in Southeast Asia. It is predominantly nocturnal and inhabits primary though it will also make use of
adjacent heavily disturbed forest where tree cover is less dense (this species is able to glide great distances
between trees, reportedly up to 100 metres or so). The species nests in tree holes, and its diet includes fresh,
young leaves and various forest fruits, nuts and seeds. The body of this squirrel is robust, and its tail long. The
cutting and burning of forest regions have significantly decreased the size of their
habitats. http://www.ecologyasia.com/verts/mammals/red­giant­flying­squirrel.htm.
Fisher: (Brianna Hyatt)
Scientific Name: Martes pennant
This species is found only in the northern forests of Canada, United States, and Appalachian Rocky and Pacific
Coast mountains. They prefer large dense, mature coniferous or mixed forests. They are mainly nocturnal but
can be active during the day and are solitary animals. They dwell in rock crevices and dens of other animals.
They are effective hunters and primarily eat rodents, birds, porcupines, insects, nuts, and berries, and do not eat
or hunt fish. Fishers normally live about 7 years and are about 3 feet tall. The males weigh around 12 lbs and the
females weigh around 8lbs. They have long slim bodies with short legs and have dark thick fur. They are also
excellent climbers and are agile and swift. The biggest threats to the population are habitat loss due to logging,
road building, and fires. http://www.defenders.org/fisher/basic­facts­about­fishers
Adjective animals:
Spectacled Bear: (Carlotta Abogado) Intensely shy bears, prefer isolated cloud forests on the slopes of the
Andes, climbing as high as 14,000 feet. Seen in many different habitats from rainforests to coastal deserts.
generally nocturnal and primarily vegetarian. (Matthew Morris) Found in the Andean Jungles, the spectacled bear is the only bear endemic to South America.
These bears are mainly solitary creatures and are known for their agile and skilled climbing abilities. Spectacled
bears are also mainly vegetarian and are the smallest member of the Ursidae family. They are intensely shy
creatures but have evolved very powerful jaws in order to accommodate their diet. There is no doubt these bears
could deliver a devastating bite if threatened and are occasionally known to kill small cows. They are South
America's largest predator and are undoubtedly an impressive species.
(http://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/s/spectacled­bear/) Clouded Leopard: (Liz Comeau) Mammalia, Carnivora. They are a separate genus of cat, not just a type of
leopard. They are closely related to snow leopards. Lived mostly tropical rain forest, could occasionally branch
out to grassland, scrubland and wetlands. Clouded leopards have 2 inch long canine teeth. Advantages to
hunting, their ankles can rotate backward to enable it to climb down trees headfirst, climb upset down or hang
from their back feet. Also known to be great swimmers. http://animals.sandiegozoo.org/animals/clouded­leopard
Maned Wolf: (Mathieu de Bruin) The Maned Wolf is the largest canid in South America. It has long legs evolved
to help it see above tall grass. They receive their name from a strip of black hair which runs from their head to
their shoulders. This strip is raised when they sense danger and could act as a deterrent for potential opponents.
They are commonly found in grasslands, low­scrub edges of forest and even swampy areas. The diversity in
habitat could play in their favor if need be.
http://www.arkive.org/maned­wolf/chrysocyon­brachyurus/
Hairy Nosed Wombat: (Zachary Elliott) Hairy nosed wombat, whether common, northern or southern, live
underground in their burrows allowing them to conserve water and energy however have been seen outside
sunning themselves. The burrows of these mammals are often quite complicated consisting of an extensive
tunnel system up to 90m long and multiple entrances, these openings are often marked by urine. Primarily the
grazers operate during the night and have similar teeth to many other rodents in which they do not stop
growing. http://www.ehp.qld.gov.au/wildlife/threatened­species/endangered/northern_hairynosed_wombat/
White­headed Capuchin: (Monique Elliott) A medium sized monkey native to the jungles of Central America
and northern regions of South America. They are thought to be one of the most intelligent monkeys in the world.
They are one of the most effective dispersers of plant and fruit seeds throughout the jungle. Besides fruits, they
also eat insects and small animals. They live in troops with around 20 individuals and they are highly
adaptable. https://a­z­animals.com/animals/white­faced­capuchin/ Bat­eared Fox:
Brown­Throated Sloth: (Dalton Gamache) This cat­sized mammal, typically weighing 8 ­ 9 pounds, has a round
head, a short snout, small eyes, long legs, tiny ears and a stubby tail. They have long coarse fur. Instead of
having toes they have 3 curved claws that are typically used for climbing. They are some of the slowest moving
animals on Earth which makes they easy prey. They are virtually unable to walk. They can swim however but
this is also very slow. They live primarily in rain forests in Central and South America. They can camouflage
very well, but they hardly ever leave the trees. http://www.rainforest­alliance.org/species/sloth
Long­tailed Pangolin: (Cody Gartner) Phataginus tetradactyla is also referred to as the black­bellied pangolin,
and is an arboreal species. This means they spend the majority of their lives among the trees climbing. Their tail
contains 46­47 caudal vertebrae, which is the most of any mammal. They are native to parts of western and
central Africa mostly in moist, tropical riverine and swamp forest environments. In addition to preferring the
canopy, they are capable swimmers and are usually found near water. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Long­tailed_pangolin, http://www.pangolinsg.org/pangolins/long­tailed­pangolin/ (Elyse Thurman, choice) Smallest of all the pangolin species. Can hang just by its tail from the trees. They are
most active during the day and never live far away from water, where they can drink and swim.
http://www.pangolins.org/2012/02/16/meet­the­species­long­tailed­pangolin/ Tip of tail is bare and has sensory pad to feel out branches for climbing. The underside of the limbs and stomach
are covered in hair instead of scales. They are solitary and very shy. When they are threatened, they roll in to a
ball exposing only their claws, and emit a bad smelling liquid from their anal glands. They mainly eat ants, and
are the only species of pangolin that does not have termites take up most of their diet.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Long­tailed_pangolin
Spotted Skunk: (Ivy Guisewite) The spotted skunk has a unique “stay away” coat with areas of white and black
fur mixed together on its body. Their body closely resembles that of a weasel, and they have short feet. Spotted
skunks are slow movers, but they are agile climbers and their defense systems include scent glands that release
strong odor that is foul smelling. They can spray other animals and people up to 15 feet from them. This
powerful spray is used to help them defend themselves against predators. The spotted skunk is typically found
around the woodland regions of North America; however, they are also found in the Continental Divide, British
Columbia, and Central America.
They create their dens from rocks, trees, and whatever has been abandoned. They have even been known to
get into garages and other man­made structures. Spotted skunks are nocturnal, so they only come out to hunt
for food at night. They are classified as being omnivores. During the day, they will be found in their dens
sleeping. If another spotted skunk approaches on their territory they will scratch and bite until the intruder leaves.
The spotted skunk is considered vulnerable on the red list.
http://www.bioexpedition.com/spotted­skunk/
http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/41636/0
http://www.wildflorida.com/wildlife/mammals/Spotted­Skunk.php
Banded Linsang: (Lark Heston) Listed as Least Concern; lives in Sundaic Southeast Asia (Thailand, Myanmar,
Borneo, etc); habitat consists of primary/secondary evergreen and deciduous forests, as well as human­
inhabited land; tolerant of encroachment such as plantations and fragmented forests; habitat is being logged
(such as palm oil plantations); almost entirely nocturnal; carnivorous, eating squirrels, rats, birds and lizards;
solitary; mostly terrestrial, but partly arboreal.
http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/41705/0https://www.thainationalparks.com/species/banded­linsang Pouched Rat: (Brianna Hyatt) Scientific Name: Cricetomys gambianus
The pouched rat is a native to Africa and is the world’s largest rat. They can reach up to nine pounds and
measure around thirty­five inches long. Their body color is normally grey to brown and have a lighter belly. They
normally live in natural crevices, holes, and termite mounds, hollow trees in forests, thickets and around human
homes. They feed on insects, snails, nuts, seeds, and fruit, and can eat pet food if available. They collect food in
their cheek pouches. They are nocturnal and can climb really well. The pouched rat can also reproduce easily
and can have up to five litters in a span of nine months.
http://myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/nonnatives/mammals/gambian­pouch­rat/
Burrowing Bettong: (Duncan LeBlond) Previously endemic to Southern and Central Australia, it now only
survives on several islands located in Shark Bay of Western Australia due to environmental pressures. There are
also a few further introduced populations in closely monitored wildlife refuges throughout mainland Australia. It is
a small marsupial that enjoys burrowing in the sandy soils of semi­arid shrublands and woodlands. They are
nocturnal and omnivorous, preying on a variety of insect and plant species. They live in complex underground
burrow systems that have many tunnels, and reside in large colonies. Females generally give birth to a single
offspring three or four times a year. They are classified as Near Threatened according to the IUCN Red List.
Richards, J., Morris, K. & Burbidge, A. 2008. Bettongia lesueur. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2008:
e.T2784A9480530. http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2008.RLTS.T2784A9480530.en. Downloaded on 28
February 2017. Screaming Hairy Armadillo (Innes Macleod): The Screaming Hairy Armadillo is a burrowing mammal. It is found
in the western regions of Bolivia and northwestern areas of Argentina It digs burrows in the desert, preferably in
sloping sand dunes and also in savanna and grassland. The burrows are about a meter deep and extend to
about several meters in length to protect the armadillo from the excessive heat of the sun. The Screaming Hairy
Armadillo has a built­in protective armor. This armor includes the head shield, the shield on the neck's back
between its ears, and the carapace protecting its back, shoulders, rump, and sides. They emit a very loud squeal
when
threatened. http://thewebsiteofeverything.com/animals/mammals/Xenarthra/Dasypodidae/Chaetophractus/Chaetophractus­
vellerosus.html
Red Squirrel: (Tommy Matia) Red squirrels live in both conifer and broadleaved woodland. They can be found at altitudes up to 2000m in the
Alps and Pyrenees Mountains. Red squirrels’ fur can range from a warm reddish­brown in summer, to a deep
brown with grey in winter. The color may be very variable, ranging from almost black to buff, yet their underside
is always cream. They have four fingers and five toes, build nests, can be right or left­handed and are able to
swim. They live solitary lives except for communal nesting in winter months, and communicate mostly through
vocalizations.
http://rsst.org.uk/about­us/red­squirrel­facts/
http://www.wildlifeonline.me.uk/squirrels.html#behaviour
Silky Anteater: (Patrick McKnight) The Silky Anteater is the smallest living anteater and the only anteater still
alive in its family, Cyclopedidae. They reside between southern Central America and northern South America and
are known for their distinctly shorter faces than larger species of anteater. They are nocturnal, normally slow
moving and mostly arboreal, rarely leaving the trees making them difficult to find. They have partially prehensile
tails as well as claws on some digits in order to help them climb. They are not considered particularly aggressive
but will display some defensive behaviors in attempts to ward off threats. The silky anteater mostly preys on
insects on ants. http://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Cyclopes_didactylus/ Sac­Winged Bat: (Emily Sullivan, choice) The Sac­Winged Bat is found in tropical and subtropical regions all
over the world. They range from about 3.5 to 10 cm in body length and are generally gray or brown in color.
They have sac shaped glands in their wings that give them their name. These glands are used to attract mates
as they release pheromones. These bats usually live in hallowed out trees or entryways to caves. Most species of Sac­Winged Bat are solitary,
with the exception of one (tomb bats). Species that don't live in the tropics can be lethargic and sometimes even
hibernate. They feed mainly on insects and catch most of their food while flying. The Greater Sac­Winged Bat is
listed as least concern on the IUCN Red List. Deforestation is the only current threat to the species and it is not a
big worry. http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/19804/0
Coulda Shoulda Mammals
Sabertooth Cat: (Matthew Morris)Smilodon, or the sabre toothed tiger, is certainly an impressive carnivore. Known for their two
elongated front canines, these large predatory cats weighed in between 160­280 kilograms. The fossil record
suggests that sabre tooths had a social structure similar to modern day lions and hunted in packs. When taking
down large prey, it is suggested, that they would jump on the prey and deliver a fatal wound, then waited around
till it died. Another impressive feature, is that the sabre toothed tiger could open its mouth 120 degrees in order
to accommodate it’s up to 28cm long teeth.
Sabretooth's, however, were likely not the best long distance runners. Their low to the ground stocky frame and
bobtails were likely best adapted for short bursts of speed.
(http://www.prehistoric­wildlife.com/species/s/smilodon.html)
Short Faced Bear (Robert Moss)
Short Faced Bear is an extinct mammal with the genus name of Arctodus. This bear is also known as the bulldog
bear. The short faced bear lived in North America about 11,000 years ago and was most commonly abundant in
Northern California. It is known as the largest terrestrial mammal that was also a carnivore. While standing on its
hind legs, the Short Faced Bear could stand around 12 feet high. Despite its massive size, it is estimated that the
Short Faced Bear could run around 40 miles per hour.
The bear's razor sharp teeth indicate that it was a ferocious carnivore. The eye sockets are very far apart,
indicating that it had amazing vision with an incredible sense on smell to go with it. The bear's short face gave it
the similar advantages as the modern bulldog, a very strong bite. This bite was mainly used for tearing the meat
off carcasses left by North American predators. It is believed that meat was the Short Faced Bear's only source
of food. The main hypothesis behind its extinction is global cooling. It is believed that once the planet started
cooling for the ice age, the Short Faced Bear was unable to adapt to the changing climate.
Leopard Seal (Alyssa Naylor): Hydrurga leptonyx is a carnivore with a strong jaw and long teeth. These animals
are used to polar regions and have a diet consisting of fish, penguins, and other seals. They can swim fast
enough to "jump" out of water and onto sea ice, are good hunters and are known to lie in wait for penguins and
other seals to get in water, and then snatch them up. Their blubber may be an advantage to avoiding injury. They
will do well in water battles, mediocre on land, and poor in air battles. Leopard seals can weigh up to 1,000
pounds. Their cuteness is advantage as well, as they look cuddly but are rather fierce animals.
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/l/leopard­seal/
https://www.afsc.noaa.gov/nmml/education/pinnipeds/leopard.php
Giraffe (Kylie Noonan): Giraffa reticulate; vulnerable; native to Somalia, Ethiopia, and Kenya; herbivores and
ruminants; can interbreed with related species; efficient at conserving and maintaining body temperature and
water; tallest species on Earth; extremely long and strong necks that can be used for fighting; vulnerable when
drinking water; see predators from a far distance and over vegetation; ossicones on top of head used to ram;
have very few predators but young giraffes have a very high predation risk; powerful tails; hunted for their hide
and meat; loss of habitat; extremely heavy (between 2400 and 4250 pounds); extremely powerful kicks.
http://www.thebigzoo.com/Animals/Reticulated_Giraffe.asp,https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reticulated_giraffe
Neanderthal Hunting Party (Reagan Phillips): Homo neanderthalensis; the neanderthals were an archaic
hominid species that went extinct about 40,000 years ago. They lived through the ice age nearly 100,000 years
ago, and their fossils have been found in Africa. Neanderthals were skilled in making tools for hunting,
butchering, and creating new tools. As a large party, the neanderthals were able to hunt and take down larger
prey by circling and using their advanced tools. http://humanorigins.si.edu/evidence/human­
fossils/species/homo­neanderthalensis
Tiger (Jamie Poma) There are various subspecies of tigers and they are known to range among different
habitats such as forests, woodlands, jungles, and mangrove swamps. They are capable of coping with climatic
variation. Tigers are relatively large and are armed with claws, sharp incisors and a muscled body. They are said
to have no natural predators except for humans. They are a large carnivore that feeds on terrestrial vertebrates
and they have experience in catching other mammals. This experience could aid them in any fights.
(http://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Panthera_tigris/#b913d0ba1ae42b5dcb7de2713b5d7cfa)
Irish Elk (Emily Sullivan) The Irish Elk is an extinct species of deer that was one of the largest deer to ever live.
It's range extended across Eurasia during the Pleistocene era. The main location where the elk was foun include
Ireland, Siberia, and China. The elk stood about 7 ft tall at the shoulders and carries the largest antlers of any
known cervid (deer).
The Irish Elk fell victim to the ending of the ice age. While it is named after an elk, DNA analysis has shown that it
is actually a deer. The antlers of an individual can measure more than 12 feet across. Because it went extinct in
the icy north, preserved specimens of the extinct animal can be found fairly regularly, which actually makes it a
prime candidate for possibly being cloned. http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/life/Irish_Elk Greek Sphinx (Reagan Phillips): In Greek mythology, the sphinx had the head of a woman, the body of a lion,
the tail of a snake, and the wings of an eagle. This creature was always a female, and would wait outside the city
to make travellers answer riddles. If they could not answer correctly, she would eat them. Oedipus was the only
one to ever answer the riddles correctly, and the sphinx killed herself because of
it. http://www.greekmythology.com/Myths/Monsters/Sphinx/sphinx.html
Lion (Jamie Poma­choice) Lions are primarily found in grasslands or savannas but their geographic range can
occur in other areas except tropical rain forest, and deserts. If a fight occurred in a desert or a rainforest, the
lions would not fare as well. Lions are large in size and they are equipped with claws, sharp incisors, and a
heavy, muscled body. Lions usually hunt in groups so if the lion is alone it may not fare as well as it would in a
group but it still good do a lot of damage to other species. ((http://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Panthera_leo/) (Kaitlin Taylor) Lions are hunters and scavengers. They can take down prey as big as buffalo, rhinos, and
giraffes. They can weigh between 330 and 500lbs. They have a fast working digestive system and can go back
for seconds shortly after. They can go 4­5 days without drinking water, by obtaining moisture from their prey. http://www.awf.org/wildlife­conservation/lion http://www.animalfactguide.com/animal­facts/lion/
Pegasus (Prof. Gowans) This is an interesting choice, clearly capable in aerial battles, but also has some skills
on land, very poor competitor in the
water. http://www.greekmythology.com/Myths/Creatures/Pegasus/pegasus.html
Dire Wolf (Kylie Noonan­chocie animal) Dire wolf: Canis dirus; extinct species of genus Canis; lived in America
during Late Pleistocene; forested mountains to open grasslands and plains; carnivorous; two subspecies; mean
body mass is 130 lbs; heavier and broader then modern wolf; adaption of cranium and teeth due to environment;
hunted and scavenged off most available herbivores; adapted to large, struggling prey; strongest bite force of all
canines; social hunter; estimated to have been able to take down prey between 660­1300 lb range;
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dire_wolf, href="http://library.sandiegozoo.org/factsheets/_extinct/direwolf/direwolf.htm">http://library.sandiegozoo.org/factsheets/_exti
(Elyse Thurman) Wider skull than grey wolf indicates stronger bite. Fossils with healed broken bones indicates
pack hunters, as solitary animals would not be able to hunt with such wounds. Lack of pup skeletons also
indicates that the young were kept away from the hunts. http://www.prehistoric­wildlife.com/species/c/canis­dirus­
dire­wolf.html
Leopard (Madison Trimble) Panthera Pardus. Listed as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List. Leopards weigh 66­
176 pounds and be upwards of 6 feet long, not including their tail. Leopards are native to sub­Saharran Africa,
Northeast Africa, Central Asia, China, and India. They are very comfortable in trees and will often drag their large
prey items up into the branches. They are known to hunt from the trees, their spots make it possible for them to
blend in with the leaves. Leopards are nocturnal and prey on antelope, deer, and pigs but are also strong
swimmers and will hunt fish and crabs on occasion. The biggest threats that leopards face are poaching, trophy
hunting, and conflict with local people. http://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/l/leopard/
https://www.panthera.org/cat/leopard
Fossil Baboon (Carlotta Abogado) Not much is found on the Fossil Baboon, although the pictures of their fossils
show that they had massive teeth that could easily do some major damage to any animal that crossed paths with
it. Males were said to get as large as 100lbs according to fossils that had been found.
http://www.carnivoriaforum.com/topic/9593204/1/
Giant Armadillo: (Liz Comeau) Found in Venezuela, Brazil, Paraguay, most of the species range lies within the
Amazon basin. Can also survive in the tropical, subtropical rainforest, savanna, arid and semiarid woodlands.
Got its name from its enormous size, weighting 26 kilograms (57 lbs.) and between 832 and 960 mm in length
(around 33 inches). The animal has an enlarged central claw and is covered in bony scales. It is also important
to note that the armadillo is a good swimmer. http://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Priodontes_maximus/
Quokka: (Mathieu de Bruin) Majority of Quokkas are found on the island of Rottnest near Perth, Australia.
Smaller groups can be found on mainland Australia in the west and southwest territories. They range from 16­21
cm in length and are commonly mistaken for rats. Quokkas are nocturnal herbivores which live in territories
defended by a dominant male. They can also climb trees.
http://www.animalfactguide.com/animal­facts/quokka/
Desert Adapted
Honey Badger (Alyssa Naylor­choice): This is a reasonably famous animal, likely to have many fans. They are
carnivores with large, strong claws. Honey badgers are great diggers who have a rattle­like cry (battle cry?).
They have been known to fearlessly attack African honey bee nests. Reportedly, the honey badger accomplishes
this by "using its anal glands to fumigate the bees" which causes the insects to either flee or become inactive, the
hive is then broken up by the honey badger's claws. These guys can range from 91 to 98 cm in length, and
weigh between 5 and 14 kg. Their habitat ranges from south of the Sahara in Africa, the Arabian Peninsula,
Western Asia, and the Indian Peninsula. They are likely to do well on land, particularly in desert­like
environments, although they are adaptable to rainforest environments as well. They will probably do poor in
water and air.
http://www.arkive.org/honey­badger/mellivora­capensis/
(Zachary Elliott) Honey Badgers are likely Africa's least fearless animal. Often eating venomous snakes, these
animals have a variety of preferred foods but the organisms name may give away its favorite resource. Honey
badgers are well known for attacking hives and as the famous quote describes "Honey Badger don't care"
(National Geographic) these animals do not shy away from a few stings however have been known to be found
dead next to or in hives. They have also been known to ignore the presence of alpha predators such as
lions. http://video.nationalgeographic.com/wild/ultimate­animal­countdown/honey­badger­dont­care
Guanaco: (Monique Elliott) A camelid native to South America, on mountains or the plains. They are able to
reverse to behaviors of earlier development to resolve conflicts. They are slender with pale brown backs, white
undersides, short tails, large heads, very long necks and big pointed ears. They live in groups of up to 10. They
can travel up to 35 mph. Very calm atitudes, have been domesticated for use as pack animals. They have large
eyes with thick eyelashes to protect from dust and dirt. They run when threatened, best way of escape is to do it
all together to confuse predators. http://animals.sandiegozoo.org/animals/guanaco (Tommy Matia) One of the largest wild mammals found in South America, Guanaco, is like a younger twin of a
camel. Guanaco has a specially acclimatized heart and blood cells, which help it fight with the atmosphere at
high altitude where air does not have sufficient amount of oxygen. As their habitats do not provide for any hiding
place to hide themselves at the time of attack from their predators, running is the only option available to them to
escape. They have sufficiently high running speed at 34 miles per hour. When danger in the form of a mountain
lion of other powerful animal is anticipated, guanacos make loud warning call, leading to their swift escape
across the rough landscape. http://www.interestingfunfacts.com/funfacts­about­guanaco.html
Saiga Aardwolf: (Dalton Gamache) This small Dog­like Hyena has a long sloping back and pointed ears. It has fur
and a think guard type fur under layer. The aardwolf has a narrow head and neck followed by a small body size. They are very territorial and can make a very deep throated growl or roar. They are able to handle to toxic
secretions from termite soldiers. The have a dull, flat row of teeth and a long sticky tongue. During the summer
they have a much larger body mass than during the winter due to a surplus of food in the summer and very little
during the winter months. They live mostly in large grassy areas and do not like and tend to avoid forested
areas. http://www.arkive.org/aardwolf/proteles­cristata/
Patas Monkey: (Cody Gartner) Erythrocebus patas is also known as the wadi monkey or hussar monkey. Their
native range is the semi­arid areas of West Africa and into East Africa. They are the only species in their genus,
so they have some unique characteristics that set them apart from other primates. Most notable is the fact that
they are the fastest known primate and have recorded speeds of approximately 55 km per hour, or 34.2 mph.
They are well­adapted for life on the ground, so that is where they spend the majority of their time. They are not
picky eaters, and will eat plants, insects, fruits, and fungi. In order to avoid predation, the patas monkey uses
three strategies: crypsis, watchfulness, and speed.
http://pin.primate.wisc.edu/factsheets/entry/patas_monkey, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patas_monkey
Tibetan Sand Fox: (Ivy Guisewite) The Tibetan sand fox is found in the Tibetan plateau of India, China, and
Sutlej valley of Northwestern India and even some parts of Nepal. They like to inhabit barren slopes and
streambeds. They also enjoy rocky and or bushy areas at higher elevations. Tibetan sand foxes are typically
black or brown in color and have a yellowish tint to their necks and backs with white on their tails and muzzles.
Their fur is thick and they also have a dense undercoat. They are 575 mm to 700 mm in length, and their tails
add an extra 400 mm to 475 mm. The Tibetan sand fox weighs around 4 kg. They have extremely well
developed canines. These animals often hunt in pairs (one male and one female) and will share their catch with
one another. They mostly eat rodents, hares, rabbits, and even small ground birds. Anything they catch they will
consume. When the Tibetan sand fox encounters a predator, however, they typically will retreat to their dens.
The Tibetan sand fox is rated under least concern on the red list.
http://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Vulpes_ferrilata/
http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/23061/0
http://www.theanimalfiles.com/mammals/carnivores/fox_tibetan_sand.html
South American Gray Fox: (Lark Heston) carnivores, eating mostly rodents, reptiles, and birds; monogamous
mating and pair up to defend territory; predators: coyotes, eagles, cougars, great horned owls; nocturnal; great
senses of smell, hearing, and vision; good at climbing trees http://www.wildlifelandtrust.org/wildlife/close­
ups/gray­fox.html?referrer=https://www.google.com/ http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/life/South_American_Gray_Fox
(Kaitlin Taylor) They can be found in the mountains, plains and foothills in South America. They are very tolerant
to different weather conditions including hot and dry deserts, humid regions and the
cold. http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/summary/6927/0
Gila Monster (Brianna Hyatt)
Scientific Name: Heloderma suspectum
This species is near threatened and live in solitary in desert and demi­desert areas with few shrubs. The body is
covered heavily with beadlike scales and has short legs with a long tail that swings from side to side for balance.
In length they average around 23.5 inches long and weight about 3.5 pounds. They are not fast but are good
climbers and have a venomous bite. The venomous glands are located in the lower jaw and can be used on
predators by flipping over while its jaws are clamped for the venom to flow better into the wound. The Gila
monster has a strong bite and can hold its bite for several seconds. This species lives in burrows in rocky
foothills and avoids open areas. They can be active at night if the daytime temperatures are too hot or they can
be diurnal if the temperature is suitable. During cold winter months they stay in their burrows and use their fat
stores to keep them alive. The Gila monster also does not have good eyesight, so the species relies on their
sense of taste and smell to hunt by flicking its tongue into the air to pick up scent particles in the air. They
normally feed on bird eggs, rodents, frogs, lizards, insects, centipedes, and worms and swallow their prey whole.
The Gila monster can live up to 20 years and reach maturity by years 3 to 5.
http://animals.sandiegozoo.org/animals/gila­monster
Meerkat (Duncan LeBlond): A small mammal that is part of the monggose family, the meerkat is found
throughout Southwest Africa. They generally live in semi­arid grassland and scrub environments. It body
measures out to around a foot in length, and it generally weighs about a single kilogram. They live in cooperative
packs of 5 to 25, and build extensive burrowing systems together for protection from predators and the heat of
day. Their large pack sizes allow them to adequately alarm each other in the presence of predators, as well as
confuse predators. They are carnivorous like other members of the mongoose family and mostly feed on small
reptiles, rodents and insects. They can obtain water during the dry season by digging up succulent tubers.
https://www.britannica.com/animal/meerkat
Sand Cat (Innes Macleod): Sand Cats are true desert dwellers, with numerous adaptations to an arid life and
colouring that blends in with their environment. They are exclusive to desert habitats. Mainly nocturnal. Can
survive on water just from their prey. The broad head has large eyes placed greatly forward, and low set, large,
tapered ears which provide keen hearing for habitat where prey is scarce. Another desert adaptation is the long,
dense, hairs covering the soles of the feet, providing insulation from the hot sands and helping them move
across shifting surfaces. They have evolved a thick coat which insulates them from the alternating intense heat
and cold of a desert environment. https://wildcatconservation.org/wild­cats/africa/sand­cat/.
Bilby: (Tommy Matia) The bilby is a desert living marsupial in Australia. There were originally two species of bilby, but one became
extinct in the 1950s. Bilbies are nocturnal and have powerful forelimbs and strong claws for digging. Their vision
is poor, but their sense of smell and hearing are acute. They are burrowers and can build tunnels with their
strong limbs and claws. The female bilby has a pouch, which faces backwards so her pouch does not get filled
when she is digging. Bilbies are nocturnal omnivores that do not need to drink water – they get all the moisture
they need from their food. The bilby also has a long tongue, which helps it find/reach food.
http://blog.australian­native.com.au/2009/07/03/australian­animal­facts­the­bilby/
http://www.alicespringsdesertpark.com.au/kids/nature/mammals/bilby.shtml
Ringtail: (Patrick McKnight) The Ringtail is part of the raccoon family. It is most distinguishable by its black and
white ringed tail. Also called the Ring­Tailed cat, it is found throughout the arid regions of North America. The
Ringtail is nocturnal and has fantastic vision and hearing. They are fantastic climbers and able to rotate their rear
feet 180% allowing them easy ability to scale trees, rocks, cliffs and cacti. Their tail acts to support and balance
the animal in movement but also acts to distract predators away from the ringtail’s head with its white and black
rings. The feed on anything the can find really, lizards, fruit, small rodents, snakes. Their primary predators are
bobcats, great horned owls and coyotes. https://www.desertmuseum.org/kids/oz/long­fact­sheets/Ringtail.php Marbled Polecat: (Madison Trimble) Vormela peregusna is listed as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List. They
thrive in desert, semi­desert, and steppe habitats throughout southeast Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. They
are carnivores that prey on rodents and birds. Marbled Polecats are small, but equipped with long claws. They
are generally active at night and have poor eyesight so they must use smell to locate prey which they bite at the
base of the neck to kill. When threatened they emit secretions, display their distinctive markings, and become
aggressive.
http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/29680/0
http://www.arkive.org/european­marbled­polecat/vormela­peregusna/
Long­Eared Hedgehog:
(Matthew Morris)The long eared hedgehog is a small terrestrial mammal known to inhabit semi­arid grasslands
and sub­desert areas. These hedgehogs possess a sharp spiny armour that covers their upper body, and when
they roll up into a defensive ball they turn into a little spikeball. Tipping the scales at a staggering 500 grams, the
long eared hedgehog is also known to hiss and produce aggressive vocalizations when threatened. They also
wander up to 9km a night in search of bugs and seeds, but spend the majority of their day in their underground
burrow. (http://www.arkive.org/long­eared­hedgehog/hemiechinus­auritus/)
Jerboa (Robert Moss)
The Jerboa is a small mammal that is also a rodent with the genus name of Allactaga major. The Jerboa can be
found in the hot desert climates of Northern Africa and Eastern Asia. These deserts can heat up to around 130
degree Fahrenheit and drop to 0 degrees Fahrenheit. This causes the Jerboa to hide underground throughout
most of the day and scavenge for at food and water at night. To get its water, Jerboa eat seeds, plant greens,
and insects and they may never drink free flowing water at any point in their entire lives. Relative to body size, the Jerboa has longer legs than a kangaroo giving this mammal the ability to run up to 24
kilometers per hour. This run is very similar to that of a kangaroo too, it using its legs like giant springs, propelling
it forward through the air. Despite its speed, the jerboa only grows to a maximum of 6 whole inches! It’s large
ears are used to hear predators for early detection. This gives them a better chance while trying to escape. If a
Jerboa lives a full life span, it should live to about six.
http://www.desertusa.com/animals/jerboa.html
Southern Marsupial Mole (Alyssa Naylor): Notoryctes typhlops possesses a horny shield on its nose, large
claws, and has fused neck bones adding extra rigidity to its body. These animals will thrive in darkness, but are
unlikely to be aided by light in battles. They are used to sandy environments and are likely to do poor in air and
water. They weigh between 40 and 66 grams and are about 100 to 200 mm long. Blindness is a disadvantage.
They eat small reptiles and insects and are relatively active animals
http://arkive.org/southern­marsupial­mole/nortoryctes­typhlops/
Two Animals For One
Bear Cat (Kylie Noonan) Arctictis binturong; vulnerable; south and south­east Asia; carnivorous mammal;
confined to tall forests, it is mostly arboreal; elusive; heavy, cannot leap between trees, as adults can reach up to
45 lbs; not very nimble; active during both the day and the night; caught for pet trade, human consumption, and
skins; prehensile tail; emit scent that smells like popcorn; predation on adults is rare; generally shy but are
aggressive when harassed; powerful jaws and teeth used as self­defense; threatened by habitat loss and
degradation. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Binturong, href="http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/41690/0">http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/41690/0
Leopard Cat (Reagan Phillips): Prionailurus bengalensis; leopard cat is a small feline (about the size of a
housecat) with longer legs. Its is approximately 18­30” long and 16” tall. This animal is commonly found in 21
Asian countries, typically in the jungles or mountains. They hunt both on the found and in trees, and primarily at
night. They are one of the species with the least amount of conservation concern and adapt well to human
activity. However, several hundred thousand are killed each year for their spotted
fur. https://wildcatconservation.org/wild­cats/asia/leopard­cat/
Hog Badger (Jamie Poma) Hog badgers are a near threatened species that are located in China and India. This
species lives in grasslands, forests, and mountains but they are nocturnal so they may not do well in battle
during the day. There is very little known about their behaviors but they do have claws that they could use as
defense. If they were placed against tigers or leopards they would likely lose because these species are known
to prey on the hog badgers. (http://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Arctonyx_collaris/)
Spider Monkey (Emily Sullivan) The Spider Monkey lives in topical rain forests of Central and South America,
occasionally as far north as Mexico. They have long arms and prehensile tails for gripping. They spend more of
their time in trees. They stay in ground of two to three dozen individuals. Indigenous people often hunt spider
monkeys for food, which is currently a threat to survival, along with logging and deforestation.
The size of a spider monkey depends specifically on its species, however, most species stand between 3 and 5
feet tall. When an individual climbs through thick vegetation, the prehensile tail acts as a fifth limb to help grab,
swing, and climb. While they do not have thumbs, they have four fingers which are curved to look like a hook.
This is a special adaptation to living in a forest. When different groups of spider monkeys encounter each other,
they hug as a greeting and avoid confrontation and aggression. They also sleep in trees to escape potential
predators on the ground. They live 22 to 25 years in the wild (about 35 in captivity). http://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/group/spider­monkeys/
Otter Civet: (Kaitlin Taylor) Weights between 6­11lbs. Found in and near streams, rivers and wetlands. Its diet
mainly consists of fish, crustaceans, mollusks and frogs, but will also eat small mammals, birds and fruit. This
species is considered endangered due to loss of wetlands, and pollution from mines, pesticides and other water
pollution. It is partly adapted for water habitats, it has slightly webbed feet but is believed to swim slowly and
cannot turn quickly in the water. It can close its ears to lay in the water with only its eyes and nostrils above the
water, to ambush its prey, much like a crocodile. It can also climb trees to escape
predators. http://www.animalinfo.org/species/carnivor/cynobenn.htm
Bear Cuscus: (Elyse Thurman) "Marsupial Monkey." Found in the tree canopy of Indonesia. Very little known
about its protection status and ecology, and only two have ever been measured. Body length was around 550
mm and weighed 7­10 kg. Fur is dark on top and light on bottom, with thick guard hairs. The tail is used for
climbing and the tip is covered with scales. The feet are big and have large claws, except for the first toe which is
opposable to be used for climbing. They tend to live in small groups of 2 to 4. Slow deliberate climbers, they are
herbivores with a bread array of plant leaves they eat.
http://www.edgeofexistence.org/mammals/species_info.php?id=529
Hog Deer (Madison Trimble) Axis porcinus is native to the foothills of the Himalayan Mountains from Pakistan to
Cambodia. Active in the early morning or late afternoon. Hog Deer are short and stout weighing between 70 and
90 pounds as adults. Males grow three­pronged antlers that are typically around 35cm in length. Generally
solitary but may gather in groups to feed. When the group is threatened they scatter with their heads low and
showing the white underside of their tails. The main predators of the Hog Deer include tigers, leopards, and
pythons. IUCN Red List Endangered http://www.ultimateungulate.com/Artiodactyla/Axis_porcinus.html
Tiger Quoll (Carlotta Abogado) is the largest remaining carnivorous marsupial on the Australian mainland. it has
the strongest bite of any predatory mammal in the world, beaten only by the Tasmanian devil. They are found in
a range of habitats, from rainforest to open woodland. they require forest with suitable den sites to live in. Raccoon Dog: (Liz Comeau) Member of the dog family, even though it closely resembles a raccoon. Roughly
the size of a fox, 50­68cm in length, weighting 4­6kg (depending on the season). They have very thick fur with a
dense undercoat. Live primarily in the forest and dense vegetation, using their curved claws to climb trees. Feed
on frogs, lizards, rodents, birds, and invertebrates. Squirrel Monkey: (Mathieu de Bruin) They are natively found in the rainforests of Central and South America.
Their tail, which they use to balance themselves and as a tool, accounts for more than half of their overall length.
They exhibit fast tree climbing behavior which would be an advantage in forested areas or as a disadvantage in
non­forested areas. They live in multi­male groups of up to 500 individuals which they use to decrease their
chance of predation due to their small size.
https://a­z­animals.com/animals/squirrel­monkey/
Mouse Opossum: (Zachary Elliott) These are small mammals capable of torpor behavior allowing them to
minimize calorie consumption in cases of resource shortages. They live primarily in a mediteranean environment
and tempertures can range form 9­17 C dependent on seasons. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00360­
006­0137­0
Antelope Squirrel: (Monique Elliott) Gray in color with some brown on its upper front and back legs. Has been
seen dashing around in the middle of the day despite the hot desert weather. They have quick reflexes with
nerves of steel. Their tail is used as an umbrella to help shade their bodies. Prefers rocky desert habitats and
can be found throughout Arizona. They feed on desert fruits and seeds. They live in underground burrows under
shrubs and mesquites. https://www.desertmuseum.org/kids/oz/long­fact­
sheets/Harris's%20Antelope%20ground%20Squirrel.php Kangaroo Rat
Deer Mouse: (Dalton Gamache) The Deer Mouse s a very small mouse that weights between 15 and 32 grams
on average. They are covered in a soft, think fur. They also have a tail that is generally longer than the rest of its
body. They generally live in forested areas and reside in the abandoned dens of other mammals, but prefers
natural cavities of tress. They are extremely abundant and reproduce quickly. They have sharp front teeth are
generally used for gnawing through seeds and the exoskeleton of beetles. They are highly preyed upon by
hawks, owls, snakes, short­tailed shrews, foxes, minks, weasels, bobcats and coyotes.
http://www.esf.edu/aec/adks/mammals/deer_mouse.htm Grasshopper Mouse: (Cody Gartner) Native to the United States and Mexico, the grasshopper mouse is
around 3.5­5 inches long. When hunting, these mice tend to stalk their prey with similar behaviors to a cat. They
are exclusively carnivorous, feeding on insects, worms, centipedes, scorpions, snakes, and even other mice. The
most impressive part about the grasshopper mouse is the fact that they are immune to the venom of most of
their prey. Most notably is the venom of scorpions they hunt. Their bodies are able to break this venom down in
such a way that they can actually use it as a pain­killer. This could be a valuable tool when battling organisms
that rely on their venom. http://phenomena.nationalgeographic.com/2013/10/24/this­mouse­turns­agonising­
scorpion­venom­into­a­painkiller/, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grasshopper_mouse Shrew Mole: (Ivy Guisewite) At four inches long, the shrew mole is the smallest species of mole in North
America. They also have small eyes and lack external ears. The shrew mole is constantly needing to eat due to
its fast metabolism. This species can place their front feet flat on the ground allowing them to be agile and easily
climb downwards. Shrew moles are excellent diggers/burrowers thanks to well­developed claws that are specially
adapted to help them dig downward to forage for food. Their primarily insectivores and sometimes will eat
vegetation. They forage in subsurface runways, burrows, and in vegetation. The shrew mole is typically found in
California and some cities in British Columbia. They are typically found below 240m, but have been recorded at
up to 2500m elevation. This species is active during both day and night. The shrew mole is rated under least
concern on the red list.
http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/41468/0
https://www.crittercontrol.com/services/moles/shrew­mole.html