When settlers were first exploring our country, they were surprised to find large rodents in the ponds and streams. These were our North American Beavers (Castor canadensis). At about 3 to 4 feet long and weighing up to 86 lbs, the average weight being range…
The Aztecs deified the coyote (coyotl) as a hunting god, a mischief-maker, and a moon goddess for its baying at the moon. Native American legends portrayed it as a trickster: part god, part animal and part human. Americans are most familiar with its famous howl,…
Our national bird, the bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) is one of the largest raptors in Virginia with a wingspan of up to 8 feet. The female is larger than the male and can weigh up to 14 pounds. The large size and white head and…
The raccoon (Procyon lotor) is one of the few examples of an animal that has thrived despite human development and sprawl. With its intelligence and adaptability, the raccoon finds its niche in both our backyards and in its normal habitats of stream edges, forests and…
In colonial times, red wolves ranged throughout the southeast. Today they are the most endangered mammal in North America. Visitors to the Virginia Living Museum can enjoy watching red wolves along the museum’s outdoor boardwalk. The red wolves are part of a federal Species Survival…
