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List of mammals of Oklahoma facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

This article is a list of all the wild mammals found in the state of Oklahoma. It includes animals that once lived here but are now gone from the state (these are called extirpated species). It also lists animals that were brought into Oklahoma by people (these are called introduced species). We won't be talking about pets or farm animals here.

Mammals of Oklahoma: A Wild Guide

Opossums: Didelphimorphia

Opossums are the only marsupials found in North America. This means they carry their babies in a pouch, just like kangaroos! Order: Didelphimorphia   Family: Didelphidae

  • Virginia opossum, Didelphis virginiana
    • The Virginia opossum is known for "playing dead" when it feels threatened.

Shrews and Moles: Eulipotyphla

This group includes small, busy insect-eating mammals like shrews and moles. Order: Eulipotyphla

Shrews: Soricidae

Shrews are tiny, mouse-like creatures with long snouts. They are very active and eat a lot of insects. Family: Soricidae

Moles: Talpidae

Moles are amazing diggers. They spend most of their lives underground, creating tunnels with their strong front paws. Family: Talpidae

Armadillos: Cingulata

Armadillos are unique mammals covered in a bony armor. They are known for digging and rolling into a ball for protection. Order: Cingulata   Family: Dasypodidae

Rodents: Rodentia

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

Beavers: Castoridae

Beavers are large rodents famous for building dams and lodges in water. Order: Rodentia   Family: Castoridae

Pocket Gophers: Geomyidae

Pocket gophers are burrowing rodents with large cheek pouches they use to carry food. Order: Rodentia   Family: Geomyidae

Kangaroo Rats and Pocket Mice: Heteromyidae

These rodents are well-adapted to dry environments. Kangaroo rats can jump long distances on their strong hind legs. Order: Rodentia   Family: Heteromyidae

Porcupines: Erethizontidae

Porcupines are known for their sharp quills, which they use for defense. Order: Rodentia   Family: Erethizontidae

Jumping Mice: Dipodidae

Jumping mice have long tails and large hind feet, allowing them to make impressive leaps. Order: Rodentia   Family: Dipodidae

New World Rats, Mice, and Voles: Cricetidae

This is a very diverse family of rodents, including many common mice, rats, and voles found in North and South America. Order: Rodentia   Family: Cricetidae

Old World Rats and Mice: Muridae

These are common rodents that were introduced to Oklahoma from other parts of the world. Order: Rodentia   Family: Muridae

Chipmunks, Marmots, and Squirrels: Sciuridae

This family includes many familiar tree-dwelling and ground-dwelling rodents. Order: Rodentia   Family: Sciuridae

Nutria: Myocastoridae

Nutria are large, semi-aquatic rodents that were introduced to North America. Order: Rodentia   Family: Myocastoridae

  • Nutria, Myocastor coypus (introduced)

Rabbits and Hares: Lagomorpha

Rabbits and hares are known for their long ears, strong hind legs for hopping, and soft fur. Order: Lagomorpha   Family: Leporidae

Bats: Chiroptera

Bats are the only mammals that can truly fly. They use echolocation to navigate and find food in the dark. Order: Chiroptera

Vesper Bats: Vespertilionidae

This is the largest family of bats, found all over the world. Many of them eat insects. Family: Vespertilionidae

Free-tailed Bats: Molossidae

These bats have thick, leathery tails that extend beyond the edge of their flight membrane. Family: Molossidae

Carnivores: Carnivora

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

Cats: Felidae

Wild cats are skilled hunters with sharp claws and excellent senses. Order: Carnivora   Family: Felidae

  • Bobcat, Lynx rufus
  • Cougar, Puma concolor (extirpated, vagrant)
    • Cougars once lived in Oklahoma but are now mostly gone. Sometimes, one might wander into the state.

Canids: Canidae

This family includes dogs, wolves, and foxes. They are known for their strong sense of smell and social behavior. Order: Carnivora   Family: Canidae

Bears: Ursidae

Bears are large, powerful mammals. They can be found in various habitats and often eat both plants and animals. Order: Carnivora   Family: Ursidae

Skunks: Mephitidae

Skunks are famous for their strong-smelling spray, which they use to defend themselves. Order: Carnivora   Family: Mephitidae

Weasels: Mustelidae

This family includes slender, agile predators like weasels, otters, and badgers. Order: Carnivora   Family: Mustelidae

Procyonids: Procyonidae

This family includes raccoons and ringtails, known for their cleverness and distinctive markings. Order: Carnivora   Family: Procyonidae

Hoofed Mammals: Artiodactyla

This group includes mammals with hooves, like deer, bison, and peccaries.

Pronghorns: Antilocapridae

Pronghorns are the fastest land animals in North America. Order: Artiodactyla   Family: Antilocapridae

Bovids: Bovidae

This family includes bison and bighorn sheep, which are known for their strong bodies and often horns. Order: Artiodactyla   Family: Bovidae

Deer: Cervidae

Deer are hoofed mammals, and males often grow antlers that they shed each year. Order: Artiodactyla   Family: Cervidae

Pigs: Suidae

Wild pigs are known for their strong snouts and tusks. Order: Artiodactyla   Family: Suidae

  • Wild boar, Sus scrofa (introduced)
    • Wild boars were brought to Oklahoma and now live in the wild.

Peccaries: Tayassuidae

Peccaries are pig-like animals found in the Americas. Order: Artiodactyla   Family: Tayassuidae

See also

  • List of chordate orders
  • List of regional mammals lists
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List of mammals of Oklahoma Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.