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List of mammals of Ohio facts for kids

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White-tailed deer, Heath Ohio
The white-tailed deer is the state mammal of Ohio

Ohio is home to many amazing animals, and this article will tell you all about the mammals that live here! Mammals are warm-blooded animals with fur or hair, and they feed milk to their babies. In Ohio, you can find 70 different kinds of mammals.

Some of these mammals are very special:

Amazing Mammals of Ohio

Ohio's mammals belong to different groups, like opossums, shrews, bats, and more. Let's explore some of them!

Opossums: Unique Pouch Animals

The only marsupial (pouch animal) found in North America is the Virginia opossum. These interesting creatures are about the size of a house cat. They are known for "playing dead" when they feel scared. They have a long, hairless tail that can even help them hang from branches!

Tiny Shrews and Moles

Shrews and moles are small mammals that often live underground or in leaf litter. They have excellent senses of smell and touch to help them find food.

Shrews: Busy Little Hunters

Shrews are some of the smallest mammals on Earth. They are very active and eat a lot of insects and worms. The Northern short-tailed shrew is one of the few venomous mammals!

Moles: Digging Experts

Moles are amazing diggers with strong front paws. They spend most of their lives underground, creating tunnels. The Star-nosed mole has a unique nose with 22 fleshy "fingers" that help it feel its way around.

Bats: Flying Mammals

Bats are the only mammals that can truly fly! They use echolocation (like sonar) to find insects in the dark. Ohio has many types of bats, and some are very important for controlling insect populations.

Vesper Bats: Nighttime Hunters

Most bats in Ohio are vesper bats. The Eastern red bat has beautiful reddish fur. The Indiana bat is an endangered species in Ohio, meaning it needs our help to survive.

Free-tailed Bats: Fast Flyers

The Mexican free-tailed bat is known for its fast, high flight. It's an accidental visitor to Ohio, meaning it doesn't usually live here but sometimes makes a rare appearance.

Rabbits and Hares: Hopping Friends

Ohio is home to quick-moving rabbits and hares. The Eastern cottontail is a common sight in fields and backyards. The Snowshoe hare used to live in Ohio but is now extirpated.

Rodents: The Largest Mammal Group

Rodents are the largest group of mammals. They are known for their strong, continuously growing front teeth.

Squirrels: Acrobats of the Trees

Ohio has many types of squirrels, from tree-climbing experts to ground dwellers. The Eastern gray squirrel and Fox squirrel are common in parks and forests. The Eastern chipmunk is a small, striped squirrel that loves to gather nuts.

Beavers: Nature's Engineers

The North American beaver is famous for building dams and lodges in rivers and streams. They are the largest rodents in North America.

Jumping Mice: Long-tailed Leapers

These small mice have very long tails and large hind feet, which help them make impressive jumps.

Mice, Rats, and Voles: Diverse Rodents

Woodland Vole Microtus Pinetorum
Pine vole

This group includes many small rodents. The Muskrat is a semi-aquatic rodent that builds lodges in wetlands. The Allegheny woodrat is an endangered species in Ohio. Some rats and mice, like the House mouse and Brown rat, were introduced to Ohio by humans.

Porcupines: Spiky Defenders

The North American porcupine is known for its sharp quills, which it uses for defense. It's an accidental visitor to Ohio.

Carnivores: Meat Eaters

Carnivores are mammals that primarily eat meat. This group includes foxes, bears, raccoons, and cats.

Canids: Wolves, Coyotes, and Foxes

Ohio has several members of the dog family. The Coyote is a common wild dog. The Red fox and Gray fox are also found here. The Eastern wolf once lived in Ohio but is now extirpated.

Bears: Large and Powerful

The American black bear is the largest carnivore in Ohio. It is an endangered species in the state, but its numbers are slowly growing.

Raccoons: Clever Scavengers

The Raccoon is a very adaptable animal, often found in both wild and urban areas. They are known for their masked faces and clever paws.

Mustelids: Weasels and Otters

This family includes sleek, agile hunters like weasels, mink, and otters. The North American river otter has made a great comeback in Ohio after nearly disappearing.

Skunks: Stinky but Shy

The Striped skunk is famous for its strong-smelling spray, which it uses to defend itself from predators.

Cats: Wild Felines

Ohio's wild cats include the Bobcat, a medium-sized cat with tufted ears. The Cougar (also known as a mountain lion) used to live in Ohio but is now extirpated.

Hoofed Mammals: Artiodactyla

This group includes mammals with hooves, like deer and pigs.

Deer: Graceful Forest Dwellers

The White-tailed deer is the state mammal of Ohio and is very common. The Elk once roamed Ohio but is now extirpated.

Pigs: Wild Boars

The Wild boar is an introduced species in Ohio. These animals can be quite large and are known for their tusks.

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