Fauna of Oregon

The fauna of the State of Oregon includes a wide array of species.

The Common Nighthawk is one of more than 50 species of birds seen in the John Day Fossil Beds National Monument.
The western meadowlark is Oregon's state bird.
The North American beaver is Oregon's state mammal.

One way of presenting the fauna of Oregon is by classification by lifezone. Oregon is a vastly diverse state in terms of topography and climate. Five of the seven recognized lifezones are identified in Oregon.[1]

Mammals

Although there are variable reports, some sources report that there are four species of mammals found exclusively in Oregon: the Baird's shrew, the Pacific shrew, the camas pocket gopher, and the red tree vole (North Oregon Coast "distinct population segment").[2][3] However, other sites list the red tree vole as present in northern California. According to the Oregon State University libraries Oregon Wildlife Explorer website, one hundred thirty-six mammals have been described, exclusive of the marine mammals. Most of these are smaller creatures weighing under one kilogram, active primarily at night, with a tendency towards more inconspicuous ways of life. Some of the larger, more iconic, carnivorous species have been driven from the region. Others are present, but in lesser numbers compared to the smaller species.[2]

The American Society of Mammalogists provides a more exhaustive listing of species.[4] Grizzly bears are no longer listed. According to the list, 12 specimens of Canada lynx remain. The gray wolf populations has been increasing in recent years and is monitored by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife.[5] The first confirmed wolf sighting in western Oregon since 1947, known as Journey OR-7, was born in April, 2009 is [6]

Upper Sonoran zone

Transition zone

See also

References
  1. Bailey, Vernon (29 August 1936). "The Mammals and Life Zones of Oregon". North American Fauna. 55: 1–348. doi:10.3996/nafa.55.0001. Retrieved 17 October 2014.
  2. "Oregon Mammals". Oregon Wildlife Explorer. Oregon State University. Retrieved 17 October 2014.
  3. "Species Fact Sheet Red tree vole Arborimus longicaudu". Oregon Fish and Wildlife Office. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Retrieved 17 October 2014.
  4. "Mammals of Oregon". www.mammalsociety.org. American Society of Mammalogists. Archived from the original on 16 October 2011. Retrieved 17 October 2014.
  5. "Oregon Wolves". ODFW Gray Wolves. Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. Retrieved 17 October 2014.
  6. Freeman, Mark (February 23, 2012). "Wandering Wolf OR-7 Moves Within 10 Miles of Oregon". Mail Tribune. Medford, Oregon: Dow Jones Local Media Group. Retrieved March 28, 2012.
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