Mammals of the
University of Kansas Field Station
Thirty-nine species of mammals have been recorded (confirmed) from the University of Kansas Field Station (KUFS) since 1948. A hypothetical list of species that may have occurred, or may still occur, on KUFS areas has 14 additional species including 5 that were extirpated in Kansas in the late 19th century (Black Bear, Gray Wolf, Mountain Lion, Bison, and Wapiti), six wide-ranging bats (Big Brown Bat, Evening Bat Hoary Bat, Silver-haired Bat, Brazilian Free-tailed Bat and Eastern Pipistrelle), two semi-aquatic species known to live in the general area (Mink and Otter) and one species typical of shortgrass plains that also has been found nearby (Black-tailed Jackrabbit). Humans, as well as their domesticated (and feral) livestock and pets (especially dogs and cats), have not been included in this list even though their activity can have significant impact on the areas.
Several types of small live-traps have been used for mammal sampling at KUFS, with hundreds of thousands of "trap nights" accumulated since 1948 (one trap set for one night = one trap night). Relatively little sampling has been done with bat nets. Information on mammal species larger than rabbit size is based mainly on sight records, tracks and other sign.
This checklist is intended to provide the reader with an overview of the mammal community of KUFS. General information on ecology and abundance of species occurring on KUFS, and the region, can be found in Bee et al. (1981), Mammals in Kansas. Likewise, broader information on mammal abundance and natural communities in the region can be obtained by contacting the Kansas Biological Survey. Detailed information on the local ecology of many of these species can be found in scores of scientific publications reporting research at KUFS. Specific questions as to abundance and ecology of mammals at KUFS and current emphasis of ecological research can be obtained by contacting the KUFS administrative office. A small synoptic collection of small mammals is maintained at the KUFS field laboratory and extensive research collections of mammals are housed at the Natural History Museum on the main campus of the University of Kansas.
The following list is presented in phylogenetic sequence, and scientific and common names follow Jones et al. (1986), Revised Checklist of North American Mammals North of Mexico. A generalized key to abundance of each species on KUFS provides coarse information on occurrence at KUFS. Codes for abundance are as follows: a=abundant; m=moderately abundant; r=rare; x=extremely rare, only a few records; h=historical records but now extremely rare; t=transitory; and i=introduced species with no extant population. Acknowledgements to Henry S. Fitch and Norman A. Slade for revising and updating this information.
| Marsupialia (Marsupials) | ||
| Didelphidae | ||
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Virginia Opossum |
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| Insectivora (Insectivores) | ||
| Soricidae | ||
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Elliot's Short-tailed Shrew |
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Least Shrew |
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Eastern Mole |
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| Chiroptera (Bats) | ||
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Little Brown Myotis |
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Red Bat |
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| Lagomorpha (Lagomorphs) | ||
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Eastern Cottontail |
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| Rodentia (Rodents) | ||
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Eastern Chipmunk |
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Woodchuck |
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Franklin's Ground Squirrel |
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Thirteen-lined Ground Squirrel |
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Gray Squirrel |
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Fox Squirrel |
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Southern Flying Squirrel |
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Plains Pocket Gopher |
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Beaver |
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Western Harvest Mouse |
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Plains Harvest Mouse |
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White-footed Mouse |
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Deer Mouse |
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Hispid Cotton Rat |
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Eastern Woodrat |
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Prairie Vole |
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Woodland Vole |
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Muskrat |
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Southern Bog Lemming |
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Norway Rat |
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House Mouse |
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Meadow Jumping Mouse |
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| Carnivora (Carnivores) | ||
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Coyote |
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Red Fox |
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Gray Fox |
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Raccoon |
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Long-tailed Weasel |
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Eastern Spotted Skunk |
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Badger |
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Striped Skunk |
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Bobcat |
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| Artiodactyla (Even-toed Ungulates) | ||
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White-tailed Deer |
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- © Copyright 2008 Kansas Biological Survey
- Last modified 8 October, 2009 .