Читать книгу Afoot and Afield: Portland/Vancouver. A Comprehensive Hiking Guide онлайн

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Fur, Feathers, Scales, & Slime: The Local Fauna

Hikers aren’t the only creatures leaving footprints on our area trails. By far the most common large mammal you will encounter, apart from Homo sapiens and their canine companions, is the black-tailed deer. Even on trips within the city limits, you are likely to see deer tracks, and every hiker who spends time in the backcountry will see lots of deer. Next on the list of large mammals is the Roosevelt elk. It’s always a thrill to catch a glimpse of these large, impressive animals. The most likely area to observe elk is in the Coast Range. Other large mammals prowling area forests include black bears and mountain lions, but the average hiker would be extraordinarily fortunate to see either.

Smaller mammals are another story. In the right habitat, every hiker will see chipmunks, Douglas squirrels, and pikas. Some representative examples of the other common smaller mammals in our area are porcupines, beavers, raccoons, skunks, coyotes, red and gray foxes, marmots, and snowshoe hares. Hikers who are quiet stand a better chance of seeing these, and all other, wildlife.