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List of mammals of Colorado facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
Colorado in United States
Colorado in the United States

Welcome to the exciting world of Colorado's wild mammals! This list shows all the amazing furry creatures that live freely in the state of Colorado. It's based on information from Colorado Parks and Wildlife. You won't find animals kept in zoos or as pets here, only those living in their natural homes.

We've grouped these animals to make them easier to understand. First, they are sorted into big groups called orders. Think of an order as a large family tree branch. Then, within each order, they are divided into smaller groups called families. Each animal's common name is listed, followed by its scientific name, which is like its unique secret code name.

Sometimes, you'll see special letters next to an animal's name:

  • EN - This means the animal is endangered. It's in danger of disappearing forever, and we need to protect it!
  • NT - This means the animal is near threatened. It's not in immediate danger, but its numbers are getting low, so we need to watch out for it.

Amazing Mammals of Colorado

Opossums and Their Relatives

Opossums are unique mammals. They are the only marsupials found in North America. This means they carry their babies in a pouch, just like kangaroos!

Opossums

Opossum 2
An opossum

Order: Didelphimorphia   Family: Didelphidae

Armored Mammals: Armadillos

Armadillos are famous for their tough, bony shells. They look like little tanks! They use their strong claws to dig for food and burrows.

Armadillos

9-banded-armadillo
A nine-banded armadillo

Order: Cingulata   Family: Dasypodidae

Rodents: Gnawing Wonders

Rodents are the largest group of mammals. They are known for their strong, ever-growing front teeth. These teeth help them gnaw on plants, nuts, and other foods.

Beavers

American Beaver
A beaver working on its dam

Beavers are amazing engineers. They build dams and lodges using trees and mud. They are the largest rodents in North America. Order: Rodentia   Family: Castoridae

Pocket Gophers

Pocket gophers are expert diggers. They have special fur-lined pockets on their cheeks. They use these pockets to carry food back to their underground homes. Order: Rodentia   Family: Geomyidae

Kangaroo Rats and Pocket Mice

These small rodents are known for their large cheek pouches. They also have long tails and often hop like kangaroos. They are very good at living in dry areas. Order: Rodentia   Family: Heteromyidae

Porcupines

Porcupine in Tree (50862928908)
A porcupine resting in a tree

Porcupines are famous for their sharp quills. These quills are a defense mechanism. They protect the porcupine from predators. Order: Rodentia   Family: Erethizontidae

Jumping Mice

Jumping mice have very long tails and large hind feet. They use these features to make impressive leaps. They can jump to escape danger. Order: Rodentia   Family: Dipodidae

New World Rats, Mice, and Voles

This is a very diverse group of rodents. It includes many different types of mice, rats, and voles. They live in various habitats across Colorado. Order: Rodentia   Family: Cricetidae

Chipmunks, Marmots, and Squirrels

This group includes many familiar and active rodents. They are often seen scampering through trees or across the ground. They are known for collecting and storing food. Order: Rodentia   Family: Sciuridae

Lagomorphs: Hoppers and Nibblers

Lagomorphs include rabbits, hares, and pikas. They look a bit like rodents but have two sets of upper incisor teeth. They are herbivores, meaning they eat plants.

Pikas

AMERICAN PIKA (Ochotona princeps) (8-19-13) 9000 ft, just s of stunner pass, conejos co, co -01 (9592444667)
A pika in its rocky home

Pikas are small, cute mammals that live in rocky mountain areas. They are known for collecting plants and drying them. This creates "haypiles" for winter food. Order: Lagomorpha   Family: Ochotonidae

Hares and Rabbits

SNOWSHOE HARE (Lepus americanus) (8-20-13) stunner c g, n-w conejos co, co (2) (9592453799)
A snowshoe hare during summer months

Hares and rabbits are well-known for their long ears and powerful hind legs. They use these legs to run fast and escape predators. Order: Lagomorpha   Family: Leporidae

Eulipotyphla: Shrews and Moles

This group includes small, insect-eating mammals. They have long snouts and tiny eyes. They are often found underground or in dense vegetation.

Shrews

Shrews are tiny, mouse-like mammals with long, pointed snouts. They have very high metabolisms. This means they need to eat almost constantly to stay alive. Order: Eulipotyphla   Family: Soricidae

Moles

Moles are incredible diggers. They have powerful front paws and live mostly underground. They create complex tunnel systems to find worms and insects. Order: Eulipotyphla   Family: Talpidae

Chiroptera: Flying Mammals (Bats!)

Bats are the only mammals that can truly fly. Their wings are made of skin stretched between their elongated fingers and body. They use echolocation to navigate and find food in the dark.

Vesper Bats

Vesper bats are the most common type of bat. They are found all over the world. Many species live in Colorado, hunting insects at night. Order: Chiroptera   Family: Vespertilionidae

Free-tailed Bats

Free-tailed bats have a tail that extends beyond the edge of their tail membrane. This gives them their name. They are fast flyers and often live in large colonies. Order: Chiroptera   Family: Molossidae

Carnivores: Hunters of Colorado

Carnivores are mammals that primarily eat meat. They have sharp teeth and claws. These help them catch and eat their prey.

Cats

8th Place - Mountain Lion (7487178290)
A cougar, also known as a mountain lion

Wild cats are powerful and stealthy hunters. They have excellent senses. They use these to stalk and ambush their prey. Order: Carnivora   Family: Felidae

  • Canada lynx, Lynx canadensis - This animal was brought back to Colorado after disappearing.
  • Bobcat, Lynx rufus
  • Cougar, Puma concolor

Canids: Dogs, Wolves, and Foxes

Howl (cropped)
A coyote howling

Canids are known for their strong sense of smell and their ability to run. They often hunt in packs or pairs. This helps them catch larger animals. Order: Carnivora   Family: Canidae

Bears

Black bear Yellowstone NP 2008
A black bear in its natural habitat

Bears are large, powerful mammals. They are omnivores, meaning they eat both plants and meat. They are known for their strength and intelligence. Order: Carnivora   Family: Ursidae

Skunks

Skunks are famous for their strong-smelling spray. They use this spray to defend themselves. It's a powerful warning to predators. Order: Carnivora   Family: Mephitidae

Weasels and Their Relatives

Taxidea taxus
An American badger
Martes americana Yellowstone 2
An American marten
MinkforWiki
An American mink
NRiverOtter23
A North American river otter

This family includes many agile and fierce predators. They have long, slender bodies. This helps them hunt in small spaces. Order: Carnivora   Family: Mustelidae

Procyonids: Raccoons and Ringtails

Young Raccoons (15113506863)
Young raccoons

These mammals are known for their cleverness and adaptability. They often have distinctive facial markings. They can live in many different environments. Order: Carnivora   Family: Procyonidae

Artiodactyla: Hoofed Mammals

Artiodactyls are hoofed mammals. They have an even number of toes on each foot. This group includes deer, elk, bison, and bighorn sheep.

Pronghorns

Antilocapra americana
A pronghorn, one of the fastest land animals in North America

Pronghorns are incredibly fast runners. They are the fastest land animals in North America. They can reach speeds of up to 60 miles per hour! Order: Artiodactyla   Family: Antilocapridae

Deer Family

RMNP, Estes Park 2008-11-02 (3015423869)
A Rocky Mountain elk
Moose in Rocky Mountain National Park. NPS-Karen Battle-Sanborn (18496371548)
A moose in a national park

The deer family includes animals with antlers. Antlers are bony growths that usually grow and fall off each year. They are used for defense and attracting mates. Order: Artiodactyla   Family: Cervidae

Bovids: Bison, Goats, and Sheep

Bighorn pair
The bighorn sheep is the state mammal of Colorado
Mountain Goat Mount Massive
A mountain goat on a rocky slope
Bison bison Wichita Mountain Oklahoma
An American bison

Bovids are hoofed mammals with unbranched horns. Their horns are permanent and do not shed. This group includes some of Colorado's most iconic animals. Order: Artiodactyla   Family: Bovidae

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List of mammals of Colorado Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.