ZION Mammals of Zion-Bryce and Cedar Breaks

MAMMALS OF ZION-BRYCE AND CEDAR BREAKS

List of Mammals
(continued)

PORCUPINE, Erethizon epixanthum epixanthum. — "An animal that looks like a cactus" is the apt description given to this creature by one of the visitors to Zion. No other animal is likely to be confused with this one, for even when in a placid mood, with its quills almost obscured by hair, it is easily recognized by its high-arched back and slow waddling gait. It is fairly common in the forested portions of all our areas, although not often seen among the deciduous trees in Zion and Parunuweap Canyons. In summer it feeds on a great variety of vegetable foods and in winter lives almost exclusively on the bark and cambium layer of trees. This food habit has lead to its persecution in some areas where trees are used for lumber, but in the national parks the porcupines are allowed to carry out their part in the wilderness picture, even though a few trees are barked.

PIKA, Ochotona princeps fuscipes. — These odd little "rock rabbits" or "conies" are found in the most rocky places (including lava fields) in the Hudsonian Zone, and although common on Brian Head, just north of Cedar Breaks, they are not often seen inside the boundaries of the monument. They remind one of a guinea pig that has developed some characteristics of a rabbit — soft loose gray fur, and somewhat rabbit-like hind legs. In summer months they are busy gathering grasses and plants, which are carefully cured and stored among the rocks for winter use. They are not easily seen, being nearly the color of the rocks in which they live, but often indicate their presence by a sharp bleating "bark".

WHITE-TAILED JACKRABBIT, Lepus townsendii townsendii. — It has been noted once in 1938 at Cedar Breaks.

BLACK-TAILED JACKRABBIT, Lepus californicus deserticola. — This fairly common jack lives in level semi-desert areas around the parks, up to Transition Zone, but rarely comes into the canyons and forests within the parks.

NUTTAIL COTTONTAIL, Sylvilagus nuttallii grangeri. — This and the following species of cottontail have not been studied enough to make definite statements about their habitats, but nuttallii appears to be uncommon, usually in the Transition Life Zons or higher.

AUDUBON COTTONTAIL, Sylvilagus auduboni arizonae. — This is relatively common in Lower and Upper Sonoran Zones, as in Zion and Parunuweap Canyons, and Swamp Canyon at Bryce.