Mammals of the Lake Tahoe Basin

The following are a few of the warm blooded mammals found in the Lake Tahoe Basin.

Yellow-bellied Marmot The marmot is the largest of the ground squirrel tribe and is often called a "woodchuck" or "groundhog." Its upper back is yellowish brown, and it has a buff-colored under-belly. The Yellow-bellied Marmot dwells at high altitudes and is most often spotted during the summer months sunning itself on rocks. Marmots come out of hibernation in the spring and feed on meadow vegetation.

Douglas Squirrel or Chickaree One of several species of tree squirrels found in the Basin, the Chickaree has a dark brown back and a bushy dark tail with silvery hair tips. This talkative squirrel is often seen scampering up and down trees searching for choice pinecones.

Golden-mantled Ground Squirrel Often confused with the chipmunk, the Golden-mantled Ground Squirrel has a broad white stripe-bordered back, but is larger than any chipmunk. Also the stripes do not extend up to the cheeks and face as they do on the chipmunk. Its diet is variable, including nuts, seeds, grasses, fruits and carrion. The golden mantle species is the most common and often tamest of the Sierra ground squirrels. They gather in campgrounds and lunch spots, as do chipmunks.

Pine Marten The Pine Marten is the size of a small domestic cat, but very slender. It is often confused with a weasel. Pine Marten have a brown back, pale under-belly and a patch of orange at the throat. They are agile climbers and often hunt tree squirrels and birds in branches of trees.

Mule Deer This species of deer get their name from unusually large ears which resemble mule ears. The Mule Deer is closely related to the White-tailed Deer which is not found in California. Mule Deer are migratory, and the ones in the Lake Tahoe Basin winter in the Carson Valley, about 40 miles to the east. Mule Deer are often sighted in the morning or evening browsing in the meadows behind Baldwin Beach.

Black Bear The largest of the Sierran carnivores, the Black Bear is no longer as abundant as it used to be in the Lake Tahoe Basin. The name "black bear" is a bit of a misnomer as its fur can be anywhere from black to brown to cinnamon. These bears are seen in campground areas where they can feed on garbage, or near residential areas.

Coyote If any animal can be said to typify the wild character of the west, it certainly would be the Coyote. The Coyote is a very curious animal and often lives close to humans. He usually hunts at night for small rodents. Coyotes are often seen near highways in the Tahoe Basin.

Raccoon Most people are familiar with the Raccoon. The black mask over the eyes combined with its habit of getting into ice chests have given it the reputation of being a camp robber. Raccoons are nocturnal and feed on anything from fruit to bird eggs. It also has a peculiar habit of dunking its food in water before eating.

Beaver Beavers are not native to the Sierra but were introduced by fur trappers. They have prospered building their dams and lodges in the many lakes and rivers of the area. Beaver subsist mostly on the inner bark of cottonwood, aspen, and willows. Gnawed trees and twigs are most often seen rather than the shy Beaver.

Porcupine The Porcupine is the largest member of the rodent family. When alarmed it turns away, erects the quills, humps the body, and swings its stout tail. If any quills touch an inquiring do, wildcat, or person, the barbed tips lodge in the "enemy's" skin. The Porcupine is active mainly at night, when it feeds on the succulent inner bark of conifers.

Note: Pictures will be added in the future.

This web site is maintained by Heather Babcock (heatherb@sierra.net),
Tahoe Center for a Sustainable Future.

Yellow-bellied Marmot	The marmot is the largest of the ground squirrel tribe and is often called a "woodchuck" or "groundhog." Its upper back is yellowish brown, and it has a buff-colored under-belly. The Yellow-bellied Marmot dwells at high altitudes and is most often spotted during the summer months sunning itself on rocks. Marmots come out of hibernation in the spring and feed on meadow vegetation.
Douglas Squirrel or Chickaree	One of several species of tree squirrels found in the Basin, the Chickaree has a dark brown back and a bushy dark tail with silvery hair tips. This talkative squirrel is often seen scampering up and down trees searching for choice pinecones.
Golden-mantled Ground Squirrel	Often confused with the chipmunk, the Golden-mantled Ground Squirrel has a broad white stripe-bordered back, but is larger than any chipmunk. Also the stripes do not extend up to the cheeks and face as they do on the chipmunk. Its diet is variable, including nuts, seeds, grasses, fruits and carrion. The golden mantle species is the most common and often tamest of the Sierra ground squirrels. They gather in campgrounds and lunch spots, as do chipmunks.
Pine Marten	The Pine Marten is the size of a small domestic cat, but very slender. It is often confused with a weasel. Pine Marten have a brown back, pale under-belly and a patch of orange at the throat. They are agile climbers and often hunt tree squirrels and birds in branches of trees.
Mule Deer	This species of deer get their name from unusually large ears which resemble mule ears. The Mule Deer is closely related to the White-tailed Deer which is not found in California. Mule Deer are migratory, and the ones in the Lake Tahoe Basin winter in the Carson Valley, about 40 miles to the east. Mule Deer are often sighted in the morning or evening browsing in the meadows behind Baldwin Beach.
Black Bear	The largest of the Sierran carnivores, the Black Bear is no longer as abundant as it used to be in the Lake Tahoe Basin. The name "black bear" is a bit of a misnomer as its fur can be anywhere from black to brown to cinnamon. These bears are seen in campground areas where they can feed on garbage, or near residential areas.
Coyote	If any animal can be said to typify the wild character of the west, it certainly would be the Coyote. The Coyote is a very curious animal and often lives close to humans. He usually hunts at night for small rodents. Coyotes are often seen near highways in the Tahoe Basin.
Raccoon	Most people are familiar with the Raccoon. The black mask over the eyes combined with its habit of getting into ice chests have given it the reputation of being a camp robber. Raccoons are nocturnal and feed on anything from fruit to bird eggs. It also has a peculiar habit of dunking its food in water before eating.
Beaver	Beavers are not native to the Sierra but were introduced by fur trappers. They have prospered building their dams and lodges in the many lakes and rivers of the area. Beaver subsist mostly on the inner bark of cottonwood, aspen, and willows. Gnawed trees and twigs are most often seen rather than the shy Beaver.
Porcupine	The Porcupine is the largest member of the rodent family. When alarmed it turns away, erects the quills, humps the body, and swings its stout tail. If any quills touch an inquiring do, wildcat, or person, the barbed tips lodge in the "enemy's" skin. The Porcupine is active mainly at night, when it feeds on the succulent inner bark of conifers.