The Biota of the Gordon Natural Area - Mammals
Until recently, mammal ‘research’ at the Gordon consisted of a checklist of mammal observations and trail camera images that was compiled by GNA staff. Despite this absence of focused research, the White-tailed Deer is one of the most commonly encountered animals at the GNA (perhaps second only to deer ticks) and deer have had profound effects on the flora of the GNA (primarily through overgrazing and selective grazing).
Beginning in 2019, Temple University Doctoral candidate Payton Phillips has included the Gordon as a study site in her investigation of wildlife and tick-borne diseases. Through this work, she has added one new mammal species, the Southern Flying Squirrel (Glaucomys volans ) to the GNA checklist and has also provided photographic confirmation of other mammals that we only ‘knew’ from their tracks (e.g., Raccoons) and/or from the leavings of prey that they had killed (e.g., from deer carcasses left by Coyotes).
To date, 14 species of mammals, in 13 Genera, 9 Families, and 5 Orders, have been noted at the GNA. It is worth noting that many of these species are ‘subsidized predators’: i.e., species (predators and scavengers) with broad-based diets whose population density is elevated by human-facilitated resources (e.g., garbage, etc.). These elevated populations then can potentially ‘spill over’ into adjacent, non-developed areas (in this case, the Gordon), thereby exerting undo pressure on the ecosystem.
You can explore the mammal checklist below, or you can access a pdf copy of the checklist.
Rattus norvegicus (Brown Rat)
Group: Mammals
Notes
Common Name: Brown Rat
Year Noted: 2018
Identified and First Noted By: J. Kline
Images
Rattus norvegicus (Brown Rat) pup at the GNA who's nest was unearthed by weed-wacking
Rattus norvegicus (Brown Rat) pup at the GNA who's nest was unearthed by weed-wacking
Canis familiaris (Domestic Dog)
Group: Mammals
Family: Canidae
Notes
Common Name: Domestic Dog
Year Noted: 2020
Identified and First Noted By: N. Ritter
Comments:
Although this species has long been noted in the GNA, it was never considered to be part of the fauna. However, once a skull was noted in Area G1N on 9-22-20, it was considered to be a member of the GNA biota.
Images
Canis familiaris (Domestic Dog) skull noted at the Gordon
Canis familiaris (Domestic Dog) skull noted at the Gordon
Canis familiaris (Domestic Dog) skull noted at the Gordon
Canis latrans (Coyote)
Group: Mammals
Family: Canidae
Notes
Common Name: Coyote
Year Noted: 2022
Identified and First Noted By: A. Carlson
Comments:
For a number of years, we suspected that Coyotes were present in the Gordon because we repeatedly found the remains of dead fawns that had been dismembered and carried far from the killing site. Finally, in 2022, Temple Masters' student Anna Carlson came up with a verified Coyote sighting from one of her trail cameras.
Images
Canis latrans (Coyote) biting a scent lure at the Gordon
Canis latrans (Coyote) rubbing against a scent lure at the Gordon
Vulpes vulpes (Red Fox)
Group: Mammals
Family: Canidae
Notes
Common Name: Red Fox
Years Noted: 2008; 2010; 2016; 2017; 2018; 2019; 2020; 2021; 2022
Identified and First Noted By: G. Hertel
Also Noted By: K. McMillin; N. Ritter; M. Beatty; A. Rivellini; P. Phillips
Comments:
Often seen at the Gordon, and there have been various years when kits have been observed. Food sources in surrounding properties allow for a greater than normal number of Red Foxes in the GNA.
Images
Vulpes vulpes (Red Fox)
Vulpes vulpes (Red Fox)
Vulpes vulpes (Red Fox)
Vulpes vulpes (Red Fox)
Vulpes vulpes (Red Fox)
Vulpes vulpes (Red Fox)
Vulpes vulpes (Red Fox). Photo from Peyton Phillips (Integrative Ecology Lab
Castor canadensis (American Beaver)
Group: Mammals
Family: Castoridae
Notes
Common Name: American Beaver
Year Noted: 2022
Identified By: tfrench (iNaturalist). First Noted By: N. Ritter
Comments:
To date, known for the Gordon only from a skull that was found near to the Route 202 ramp in the spring of 2022 during the construction of a new trail. Our guess is that this individual may have traveled from Brandywine Creek (where there are known populations of American Beavers), up Plum Run, and onto Gordon Run. It would have encountered the Route 202 ramp at the upper end of Gordon Run and may have either been hit by a vehicle or just expired in the Gordon. Alternatively, the skull may have been dropped over the Gordon by a raptor (no bones other than the skull were found), or died elsewhere in the Gordon or surrounding area and was carried to where it was found by a scavenger.
Images
Castor canadensis (American Beaver) skull
Castor canadensis (American Beaver) skull: close-up of upper front teeth
Castor canadensis (American Beaver): lower jaw
Castor canadensis (American Beaver): close-up of lower front tooth
Odocoileus virginianus (White-tailed Deer)
Group: Mammals
Family: Cervidae
Notes
Common Names: White-tailed Deer
Years Observed: 2007; 2008; 2009; 2010; 2011; 2012; 2013; 2014; 2015; 2016; 2017; 2018; 2019; 2020; 2021; 2022; 2023
Identified and First Noted By: William Overlease
Also Noted By: Gerry Hertel; Harry Tiebout; Jessica Schedlbauer; Greg Turner; Kendra McMillin; Nur Ritter; Alexandra Hodowanec; Kate Thompson; Paige Vermeulen; Maribeth Beatty; Jared Kline; Ariana Rivellini; Noah Long; Payton Phillips; Maeve Dowd; Maddison Rettenmaier; Kathryn Krueger; Miranda Davies; Alex Desjardines (and, undoubtedly, many others)
Notes:
The GNA is inhabited by a white-tailed deer population that is approximately 4-8 times its carrying capacity. This high population results in significant over-browsing and appears to be driving a transition in the GNA towards plant species that are resistant to browsing.
Images
Odocoileus virginianus (White-tailed Deer) fawn on the GNA forest floor
Odocoileus virginianus (White-tailed Deer)
Odocoileus virginianus (White-tailed Deer)
White-tailed Deer: Photo from Payton Phillips (Integrative Ecology Lab - Temple University - Philadelphia - PA).
Peromyscus leucopus (White-footed Mouse)
Group: Mammals
Family: Cricetidae
Notes
Common Name: White-footed Mouse
Years Noted: 2011; 2021
Identified and First Noted By: G. Hertel
Also Noted By: N. Ritter
Comments:
A primary carrier of Lyme Disease bacteria.
Images
Peromyscus leucopus (White-footed Mouse)
Peromyscus leucopus (White-footed Mouse):disturbed from their hibernation
Peromyscus leucopus (White-footed Mouse):disturbed from their hibernation
Didelphis virginiana (Opposum)
Group: Mammals
Family: Didelphidae
Notes
Common Name: Opposum
Years Noted: 2010; 2019
Identified and First Noted By: K. McMillin
Also Noted By: P. Phillips
Images
Didelphis virginiana (Opposum) in the Gordon
Sylvilagus floridanus (Cottontail Rabbit)
Group: Mammals
Family: Leporidae
Notes
Common Name: Cottontail Rabbit
Years Noted: 2016; 2017; 2018; 2019; 2020; 2021; 2022
Identified and First Noted By: K. McMillin
Also Noted By: G. Hertel; N. Ritter; P. Vermeulen; M. Beatty; N. Long
Images
Cottontail Rabbit (Sylvilagus floridanus)
Mephitis mephitis (Striped Skunk)
Group: Mammals
Family: Mephitidae
Notes
Common Name: Striped Skunk
Years Noted: 2019; 2021
Identified and First Noted By: N. Ritter
Comments:
The presence of this species in the Gordon is based on encountering its scent.
Procyon lotor (Raccoon)
Group: Mammals
Family: Procyonidae
Notes
Common Name: Raccoon
Years Noted: 2008; 2011; 2019; 2020; 2022
Identified and First Noted By: K. McMillin
Also Noted By: P. Phillips; N. Ritter; K. Krueger
Images
Procyon lotor (Raccoon) at nighttime. Photo from Peyton Phillips (Integrative Ecology Lab
Glaucomys volans (Southern Flying Squirrel)
Group: Mammals
Family: Sciuridae
Notes
Common Name: Southern Flying Squirrel
Year Noted: 2019
Identified and First Noted By: P. Phillips
Comments:
Noted during Tick-borne Disease monitoring by Peyton Phillips (Integrative Ecology Lab, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA).
Images
Glaucomys volans (Southern Flying Squirrel). Photo from Peyton Phillips (Integrative Ecology Lab
Marmota monax (Groundhog)
Group: Mammals
Family: Sciuridae
Notes
Years Noted: 2019; 2022
Identified and First Noted By: N. Ritter
Also Noted By: M. Davies; K. Krueger
Images
Marmota monax (Groundhog
Marmota monax (Groundhog
Sciurus carolinensis (Eastern Gray Squirrel)
Group: Mammals
Family: Sciuridae
Notes
Common Name: Eastern Gray Squirrel
Years Noted: 2008; 2010; 2016; 2017; 2018; 2019; 2020; 2021; 2022
Identified and First Noted By: K. McMillin
Also Noted By: G. Hertel; N. Ritter; P. Vermeulen; P. Phillips; N. Long; K. Krueger; M. Davies; and, countless others.
Images
Sciurus carolinensis (Eastern Gray Squirrel) at the Gordon
Tamias striatus (Eastern Chipmunk)
Group: Mammals
Family: Sciuridae
Notes
Common Name: Eastern Chipmunk
Year Noted: 2022
Identified and First Noted By: K. Krueger
Comments:
To date: A single individual has been noted.
Images
Tamias striatus (Eastern Chipmunk)
Tamias striatus (Eastern Chipmunk)
Tamiasciurus hudsonicus (American Red Squirrel)
Group: Mammals
Family: Sciuridae
Notes
Common Name: American Red Squirrel
Years Noted: 2019; 2021; 2022
Identified and First Noted By: N. Ritter
Also Noted By: K. Krueger
Images
Tamiasciurus hudsonicus (American Red Squirrel)
Tamiasciurus hudsonicus (American Red Squirrel)
Tamiasciurus hudsonicus (American Red Squirrel)
Tamiasciurus hudsonicus (American Red Squirrel)
Lasiurus borealis (Eastern Red Bat)
Group: Mammals
Family: Vespertilionidae
Notes
Common Name: Eastern Red Bat
Year Noted: 2022
Identified and First Noted By: K. Krueger
Comments:
A distressed individual was on Kathryn Krueger's shoe in the large ginseng enclosure in Area G1S. No other individuals were noted.
Images
Lasiurus borealis (Eastern Red Bat)
Lasiurus borealis (Eastern Red Bat)
Lasiurus borealis (Eastern Red Bat)
Lasiurus borealis (Eastern Red Bat)