James Mammals

There are 27 species of mammals that roam the James Reserve.  They range from the conspicuous western gray squirrel and their terrestrial cousins, the California ground squirrel, to the secretive and rarely seen mountain lion or puma.  Some are subterranean such as the broad-footed mole and the valley pocket gopher and only their excavations provide evidence that they are here.  Some such as the 8 species of mice, rats and voles are nocturnal, providing food for owls and other night roaming mammals such as coyotes, foxes, and bobcats. All in all, a small but rich assemblage of this group can be found at the James.