Mammals

A raccoon with a wet belly and limbs, and water droplets on its face, looks curiously at the camera.

NPS photo.

First State National Historical Park provides habitat for many common species of mammals found within Delaware and southeastern Pennsylvania. Among the most common mammals are the Eastern gray squirrel and Eastern chipmunk that inhabit the forest. Some mammals, not seen quite as often as squirrels and chipmunks, are the Red fox, woodchuck, raccoon, and Virginia oppossum.

The most notable mammal species found within the park are white-tailed deer. Deer can be observed within the park grazing the meadows and fields, usually around dusk. Deer are hunted in state game lands and on private properties, outside of the park’s boundaries. Typical concerns that arise with an increase in deer populations have to do with vehicular safety, especially on the narrow, windy roads in the northern unit of the park, and damage to agricultural fields and crops. The National Park Service, in partnership with several organizations, is currently working to complete several studies to deteremine the abundance and environmental impact of deer within the park.

 

A big brown bat, seen here from a bat community study completed in the park in 2017.

NPS photo.

The park also possesses a healthy habitat for numerous flying mammals - bats! Bats are incredibly important for our ecosystem, because they control insect populations by consuming large quantities of insects, like mosquitoes and other insects that damage crops or forests. A study completed in 2017 found three species of bats within the park - big brown bats, red bats, and hoary bats – all species currently considered common throughout this range.

The most prolific in the park is the big brown bat. Compared to other small bats, the big brown bat is relatively large, possessing a wingspan of 12-14 inches. As a nocturnal mammal, the big brown bat rests during the day and forages at night for a diverse array of insects.

Learn More: Want to know what the call of a big brown bat sounds like?

Safety Tip: If you see a bat that is behaving strangely, such as being aggressive, flying near or dipping down and making contact with people, tell a park ranger right away. Do not touch it! The bat may need to be handled by a professional and tested for rabies. If you accidentally had contact with a bat behaving this way, you should seek medical attention.

Do you love bats as much as we do? Check out the national subject site for more #BatFacts.