Organisms Identification Manual: For The Western United States - Peyton Edwards - 16

Gray Fox: Urocyon cinereoargenteus

Range: The Gray Fox ranges from
southern Canada to northern
Venezuela in South America.

Typical Size: The Gray Fox can

get up to 47 inches in length.

Distinguishing/Key Features:
The Grey Fox has salt and pepper
gray fur. Grey Foxes have a black
tipped tail. The Grey Fox can also
have a light reddish-brown coloring
to its fur on the sides, underbelly,
and legs. The neck is whitish cream.

Habitat: Gray Foxes can be found in woodlands, forests, fields, and pastures. They can be
spotted in trees as well as thick shrubs.

Interesting Observations: The Gray

Fox I observed was up high in a tree. It
balanced well and was able to get down
just fine.

Interesting Facts: Grey Foxes are

primarily nocturnal. They can climb trees
and they descend backwards like a cat or a
bear.
 Organisms Identification Manual: For The Western United States - Peyton Edwards - 17

Javelina: Tayassu tajacu

Range: The Javelina can be found in desert regions
along the United States-Mexico border and into Central
America all the way to Argentina.

Typical Size: Adult Javelinas are around 2 feet tall

and between 3 and 4 feet long.

Distinguishing/Key Features: They have coarse

short hairs that are a salt and pepper coloration. They
have a pig like nose and long sharp canine teeth that
protrude from their jaws at about an inch long. The hairs around the neck/shoulder area are
lighter in color and can look white.

Habitat: Javelinas prefer desert washes as well as saguaro and palo verde forests. They can also
be found residing in oak woodlands and grasslands.

Interesting Observations: The Javelina has a strong musky smell about them.

Interesting Facts: Javelinas live in herds of an average of 10 individuals but some have been
seen having a little over 50.
 Organisms Identification Manual: For The Western United States - Peyton Edwards - 18

Mexican Wolf: Canis lupus baileyi

Range: Mexican Wolves used to
range Southern North America
through Mexico. they are highly
endangered so now they only reside
in parts of Arizona and Mexico in
wildlife sanctuaries.

Typical Size: Mexican Wolves on

average between 25 to 31 inches in
height. Mexican Wolves are 54 to 59
inches in length.

Distinguishing/Key Features: Mexican Wolves have light gray and brown fur on their
backs. The Mexican Wolf has a sleek body and long legs.

Habitat: The Mexican Wolf prefers mountain forests, shrublands, and grasslands.

Interesting Observations: Mexican Wolves are very friendly with members of their pack.

Interesting Facts: The Mexican Wolf is the world’s most endangered wolf species.
 Organisms Identification Manual: For The Western United States - Peyton Edwards - 19

Mountain Lion: Puma concolor

Range: The Mountain Lion can be found throughout the Americas.

Typical Size: Mountain Lions are around 5 to 9 feet in length and 24 to 35 inches in height.

Distinguishing/Key Features: Mountain Lions have tan-brown fur. The fur on their mouth is
white and there is dark brown fur on the cheeks.

Habitat: Mountain Lions can be found in mountain

areas, forests, deserts, and wetlands.

Interesting Observations: The Mountain Lion is

lean and muscular. It resembles a large muscular house
cat.

Interesting Facts: Mountain Lions cannot roar like

other big cat species. Instead they growl, hiss, purr, and
shriek.
 Organisms Identification Manual: For The Western United States - Peyton Edwards - 20

Ocelot: Leopardus pardalis

Range: Ocelots range from southern Texas
to South America.

Typical Size: Adult Ocelots on average are

28 to 35 inches in length.

Distinguishing/Key Features: Ocelots

have an orange-brown coat with a dark
brown or black dappled pattern.

Habitat: Ocelots live in forests as well as

brushlands.

Interesting Observations: The Ocelot is very nimble and fast.

Interesting Facts: Ocelots are twice the size of house cats.