Mammal Checklists of the United States

Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge

Ridgefield, Washington

MAMMALS

Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge, located on the Columbia River floodplain adjacent to Ridgefield, Washington, provides 5,148 acres of vital migration and wintering habitat for birds migrating through the region west of the Cascade Mountains. The mild, rainy winter climate, combined with important remnant wetlands along the Columbia River, creates ideal resting and feeding areas for a variety of species, including ducks, geese, swans, sandhill cranes and great blue herons. A variety of other wildlife also lives in the diversity of habitats found on the refuge.

Enjoying the Refuge's Wildlife

You will be most successful at viewing wild animals in their natural habitats if you use binoculars or a spotting scope. This equipment will help you observe wildlife from a distance and minimize disturbance. Your chances of observing wildlife in the area open to the public in the River "S" Unit are much greater if you remain in your car. Wildlife is easily disturbed by visitors on foot.

You can also avoid disturbing wildlife by obeying closure signs. Portions of the refuge closed to public entry from October 1 through April 15 to protect wintering waterfowl from disturbance are identified in the General Refuge Leaflet and on maps at the entrance kiosks to the Carty and the River "S" Units. The winter period is a stressful time of the year for migratory birds, which is made even more stressful when they are forced to use vital energy reserves trying to escape disturbances on their feeding and roosting areas.

Using This Wildlife List

Bird species abundance on the refuge, by season, is illustrated on the following abundance charts. Substantial efforts were begun in 1990 to obtain data to accurately reflect species abundance. Most mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and fish, however, are more secretive than birds, so our list of these species is also not complete. Species whose range includes the refuge have been listed, with a "*" symbol beside those positively identified on the refuge.

Refuge visitors are strongly encouraged to report any unusual sightings (such as those observed out of their normal season, large numbers, or new species seen) to the refuge biologist, whose address and phone number are listed at the end of this resource. This information will aid in future updates of the Wildlife List.

Mammals

The following list of mammals has been obtained from inventory work conducted on the refuge.

OPOSSUMS

___ Common Opossum*

SHREWS & MOLES

___ Vagrant Shrew*
___ Trowbridge's Shrew
___ Townsend's Mole*
___ Shrew-mole

BATS

___ Little Brown Myotis
___ California Myotis

RABBITS

___ Eastern Cottontail*

RODENTS

___ Townsend's Chipmunk*
___ Western Gray Squirrel
___ Eastern Gray Squirrel*
___ Douglas' Squirrel*
___ Beaver*
___ Deer Mouse*
___ Oregon Meadow Mouse (Creeping Vole)
___ Townsend's Vole*
___ Pacific Jumping Mouse*
___ Nutria*
___ Muskrat*

CARNIVORES

___ Coyote*
___ Red Fox*
___ Raccoon*
___ Mink*
___ Long-tailed Weasel*
___ Striped Skunk*
___ River Otter*
___ Mountain Lion (Cougar)
___ Bobcat

DEER

___ Black-tailed Deer*

Please report any unusual sightings to the address below. For more information contact:


                      Refuge Biologist
                      Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge
                      301 N. Third Street, P.O. Box 457
                      Ridgefield, Washington 98642
                      Telephone: 360/887-4106

No person shall, on the basis of race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, physical or mental restrictions, be excluded from participation in, denied the benefits of, or be otherwise subjected to discrimination in any program or activity of the Department of the Interior.

Return to Bird Checklist of Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge