Mammals
Fisher
Martes pennanti
Photo/observer: Lis and Jessica
What it looks like:
Dark brown and very furry. It has a dense bushy tapering tail, and the tail and legs are darker in color than the rest of the body. Small rounded upright ears on a head that becomes pointed at the front of the face. Long, narrow body. Approximately 3-4 feet long and stands about a foot tall when moving with its head down.
Observed Habitat/Behavior
Footage was captured on a trail camera set up in hemlock/hickory/pine forest behind Glen Urquhart School in Beverly. In the video the fisher runs across a fallen log, and its body moves smoothly while it "bounds" low to the ground on its front and hind legs. It appears highly observant and curious - it noticed the presence of the camera and came up to sniff and bite it, perhaps trying to learn more about the unfamiliar object in its environment. Also observed perching on log with neck and head lifted high to look out at camera. Activity was observed between 11:30pm-3am. Note: photo is in gray-scale due to nighttime visibility setting.
Massachusetts Conservation Status
Common
Massachusetts Native Status
Native
Natural History
Fishers are the largest member of the Mustelid, or weasel, family in Massachusetts. Although common, fishers are extremely good at hiding and acting secretive, so it is rare to see one out in the open. They are excellent hunters, and their omnivorous diet consists of small rodents, squirrels, rabbits, birds, eggs, fruit, porcupines, and carrion. Contrary to widespread myths, they are shy and not dangerous to humans, are not known to make a screaming sound (the sound most people think is a fisher is actually a Red fox), and do not frequently prey on pets.
​
Source: Massachusetts Division of Fish and Wildlife (MassWildlife)
American Woodchuck
Marmota monax
Photo/observer: Jessica
What it looks like:
I can always identify this critter in my garden as a Woodchuck, also known as a Groundhog, by the wide body and course hair. It has small eyes on the side of its head, and small, rounded ears. Its snout is broad and rounded. It is about the size of a raccoon.
​
Observed Habitat/Behavior
This Woodchuck, like many of those I have observed, spends a lot of time eating grasses and flowers in my garden. It also likes to hide in the foundation of my building. When it runs, the groundhog stays very low to the ground and moves in almost a rippling motion. It tends to stop and look around only when partially hidden by grasses, as shown in the photo.
​
​
Massachusetts Conservation Status
Woodchucks are common throughout Massachusetts
Massachusetts Native Status
Native
Natural History
Woodchucks, or Groundhogs, are large members of the squirrel family, which is part of the Rodent order. Unlike our other local squirrels, Woodchucks are true hibernators, and sleep in underground burrows throughout the entire winter. Like all rodents, Woodchucks have front teeth that never stop growing, and that must be kept ground down through constant chewing.
They are very serious about burrowing, and will dig long tunnels underground, with multiple rooms and many entrances. They feed entirely on plants, mostly grasses and flowers and vegetables, and will also chew on small trees.
​
Woodchucks love edge habitat, which is where yards or fields meet forest.
Source: https://www.mass.gov/service-details/learn-about-woodchucks
Eastern gray squirrel
Sciurus carolinensis
Photo/observer: Chloe M
What it looks like:
The squirrel I saw had long claws, a fluffy tail, and large eyes. It was all gray.
Observed Habitat/Behavior
The squirrel was trying to get up to a window bird feeder. You can find them in a wide range of habitats, from theme parks to forests to towns. Eastern gray squirrels inhabit the entire eastern half of the United States, as well as some parts of Europe.
Massachusetts Conservation Status
The gray squirrel is quite common in Massachusetts. As previously said, you can find them in an incredibly wide range of habitats.
Massachusetts Native Status
The eastern gray squirrel is native to the eastern half of the United States.
Natural History
Natural History: Eastern gray squirrels forage for foods such as nuts, seeds, buds, and flowers of trees. They also seem to enjoy scavenging dropped crumbs of human food. These squirrels are one of the approximate 200 species of squirrel inhabiting the world--gray squirrels being one of the most common in Massachusetts. Gray squirrels play an important role in dispersal--they stash nuts, acorns especially, in holes they dig to store food for winter. If they forget about one or decide not to eat it, (which they do) a new tree or plant will sprout out of the “planted” nuts.
Eastern gray squirrels have a keen sense of smell, which they use to locate food or pick up information about nearby squirrels. They can communicate with each other by making sounds or body movements, and can also sound warning calls to alert each other for predators. Gray squirrels are exceptionally agile, and are infamously known for using their skills to steal food from bird feeders. They can jump up to four feet high, and can leap an impressive nine feet horizontally.
Source: National Geographic
_________________________
American red squirrel
Tamiasciurus hudsonicus
What it looks like:
The red squirrel I saw was mostly reddish brown and had a white belly. It also had huge eyes and a big fluffy tail. It was smaller than a gray squirrel.
Observed Habitat/Behavior
It came up on the deck and climbed up onto the couch. It might have been looking for fallen birdseed.
Massachusetts Conservation Status
American red squirrels are abundant and common in Massachusetts.
Massachusetts Native Status
American red squirrels are native to North America, as their name suggests
Photo/observer: Chloe M
Natural History
The American red squirrel is a small to medium sized squirrel. Adult red squirrels grow to be up to 10.5-15 inches long (including tail length). They are easily distinguishable from gray squirrels with their red fur and smaller size. Red squirrels are widely spread throughout the US. Red squirrels mainly feed on seeds but will collect birds’ eggs and fruit when they can. American red squirrels stash food in Summer so they will be supplied for Winter. These squirrels will create nests out of leaves or nest in a natural cavity.
Source: Mass.gov, National Wildlife Federation https://www.mass.gov/service-details/learn-about-squirrels
https://www.nwf.org/Educational-Resources/Wildlife-Guide/Mammals/Red-Squirrel
Photo/observer: Gracelyn
Eastern cottontail
Species name
What it looks like:
Describe only what you noticed or saw.
​
Observed Habitat/Behavior
Describe only what you observed at the time. For example, where did you see it when you observed it? What was it doing when you observed it?
​
​
Massachusetts Conservation Status
How common is it in Massachusetts? Is it listed on the Massachusetts list of endangered species?
Use this site to find out:
https://www.mass.gov/info-details/list-of-endangered-threatened-and-special-concern-species
Massachusetts Native Status
Is it native or introduced to Massachusetts? If it's introduced, is it considered invasive?
Natural History
Include any background information about the organism that you know and can back up with either online or written sources. This helpful information is something you didn't discover yourself (even if you observed signs that support it), because it is based on observations researchers made about many individuals or an entire population. This may include helpful information about species diet, life cycle/breeding, habitat, current range in North America, or predators/threats.
​
You must include the source of your information. Even if you own the knowledge, you must provide a source that supports your research.
​
Source: (full name of book, article, or website where background information was found)