Wildlife Terminology

Bear - The Black Bear is the only species of bear in Maine .  Currently the subject of a referendum vote this fall to ban hunting them by baiting.

Beaver - the hydrology engineer of the animal kingdom.  When we build roads across brooks and streams we provide him with ideal habitat.  The cutting we do for the road often regenerates to intolerant hardwood, its favorite food.  And we constrict the flow if the stream through a culvert which is easily plugged to make a dam.  We spend a fair amount of time and money moving nuisance beaver around the countryside but less money and time than trying to constantly repair the damage they do to roads and culverts.

Deer  - White-tailed deer.  The only (?) species not on the endangered or threatened lists to have State-designated Critical Wildlife Habitat (Deer Wintering Areas).  The most common big game animal in the eastern US.

Eastern Coyote - larger than its western cousin, thought to have interbred with the Red Wolf.  Reviled by some sportsmen in Maine because is preys on white-tailed deer, especially in winter.

Endangered Species- Congress passed The Federal Endangered Species Act in 1971 to protect species of plants and animals that were in danger of extinction.  The Act was also designed to protect the habitats on which they depend.  Under the Act, plants or animals presently in danger of disappearing acre classified as “endangered”.  Those that are somewhat more abundant but are still declining, and which may disappear in the near future, are classified as “threatened”.

Gray Wolf - thought to be extirpated in Maine , although there have been some recent (unconfirmed) sightings and one trapping.  Some would like to reintroduce a breeding population in Maine .  On the Endangered Species List.

Grouse - Ruffed Grouse.  Known in Maine as “patridge”; no one from Maine will know what you’re talking about if you say, “Grouse”.  Grouse is a verb or adverb in Maine , meaning to complain, as in “What are you grousing about?”

Habitat - a plant or animal’s home; what it needs for a physical environment to survive. You may need a house with a swimming pool and a mall to go to.  A deer needs shelter from wind, rain and snow, near some good food, and some water to drink.

Lynx - a slightly bigger version of the bobcat with a darker coat, long black ear tufts, and much bigger feet.  Its big feet enable it to pursue snowshoe hare, its favorite prey, through deep snow.  Generally lives where the snow is too deep for bobcats. On the Endangered Species list.  A breeding population is being studied in Maine .

Moose - the largest deer in North America .  Maine ’s largest big game animal, hunted under a lottery system.  The cause of more traffic related deaths and injury than any other animal in Maine . 

Neotropical Birds - songbirds that spend their summers in North America and their winters in Central and South America .

Pine Marten - a small, 2 foot long, brown, weasel-like animal that preys on a number of small animals with Red Squirrels being a favorite.

Squirrels - Red Squirrels are the most common in Maine .  They are the smallest tree squirrels around, smaller than the less common Gray Squirrel.  Both are named for their color.

Turkeys - Suggested as our national bird by Ben Franklin who didn’t like bald eagles because they were carrion feeders.  Successfully introduced into Maine and hunted in spring under a permit system.