Red Fox eats a wide variety of foods. It is an omnivore and its diet includes fruits, berries and grasses. It also eats birds and small mammals like squirrels, rabbits and mice. A large part of the red fox's diet is made up invertebrates like crickets, caterpillars, grasshoppers, beetles and crayfish. The red fox will continue to hunt even when it is full. It stores extra food under leaves, snow or dirt.The red fox is mostly nocturnal, although it will sometimes venture out in the day. The red fox, unlike other mammals, hears low-frequency sounds very well. It can hear small animals digging underground and will frequently dig in the dirt or snow to catch prey. The fox stalks its prey, much like a cat. It gets as close as it can and then pounces and chases its prey.

Wild turkeys have excellent vision during the day but don't see as well at night. They are also very mobile. Turkeys can run at speeds up to 25 mph, and they can fly up to 55 mph.5,000 and 6,000 feathers cover the body of an adult turkey in patterns called feather tracts. A turkey's feathers provide a variety of survival functions-they keep him warm and dry, allow him to fly, feel and show off for the opposite sex.

Woodchuck and groundhog are common terms for the same animal, the rodent with the scientific name of Marmota monax. Most closely related to squirrels, woodchucks actually can climb trees and also swim. Groundhogs in the wild eat succulent green plants, such as dandelion greens, clover, plantain and grasses. They also are tempted by nearby gar den vegetables.  Woodchucks binge and purposefully put on weight in the summer, reaching their maxi mum mass in late August. They become lethargic and prepare for hiber nation in October. By February, hibernating woodchucks have lost as much as half their body weight

Muskrats in Laurel Cove Stream

Dens are made of bulrushes and reeds in a marsh or slow moving stream. Weaned at three weeks, muskrats are able to take care of themselves by the time they are six weeks old. Adult muskrats average 50 cm long with a 25 cm long tail. They will weigh about 1.5 kg. The short dark fur ranges from dark brown to light or silvery brown.

The muskrat feeds on roots, stalks, bulbs and leaves of aquatic plants. They have been known to eat molluscs, insects, fish, reptiles and amphibians if vegetation is sparse.

Muskrats live in the water and are able to close their nostrils and ears to keep out water. They also have a set of lips behind their teeth that they can close to keep from choking as they chew underwater. The scientific name for the muskrat is Ondatra Zibethicus.

Opossum

Over 70 million years ago dinosaurs roamed the Earth. While they are now extinct, one animal who shared the same land with the dinosaurs still exists today... the opossum..

Despite its appearance, the opossum is not related to the rat. In fact, the opossum is a marsupial, or "pouched" mammal, and is therefore related to other marsupials such as the kangaroo and the koala. Like kangaroos and koalas, infant opossums stay inside the mother's pouch to nurse and develop. The opossum holds the distinction of being North Americas's only marsupial.

Flying Squirrel   These appealing little creatures are found throughout most of the forested areas, but they are rarely seen because of their nocturnal habits. A furry membrane uniting the front and back legs enables them to glide from higher branches to lower ones with great dexterity. This is a sociable little animal with strong maternal instincts. 
     Their large, dark eyes give the flying squirrel a look of lively intelligence, and, indeed, they have been known to make affectionate and playful pets

What makes box turtles so unique is the hinge in the plastron.  This allows them to completely withdraw their legs, tail, head and neck within the shell for protection from predators.   If a coyote, raccoon or fox tries to make a meal out of a box turtle, it will not find anything to nip at.  The sturdy shell protects the turtle until its enemy gets frustrated and goes away. Box Turtle

The white-tailed deer is an herbivore or plant eater. It follows well-used trails to its feeding areas. It feeds in the early morning hours and in the late afternoon. A deer's diet changes depending on its habitat and the season. It eats green plants in the spring and summer. In the fall, it eats corn, acorns and other nuts. In the winter, it eats the buds and twigs of woody plants.

The white-tailed deer is a ruminant. Its stomach has four chambers for digesting food

Raccoons are among the oldest, wisest, and most adaptable inhabitants of our country. They were revered by Native Americans and early settlers.

Their intelligence level is that of primates. Their paws and toes identify objects as well as human hands. Raccoons provide a very important link in the chain of life. Without them, we would suffer an epidemic of vermin such as mice, rats, and snakes.

Raccoons do not carry the rabies virus. It is caused from the bite of an infected animal that is shedding the virus. Raccoons are not born with rabies. 

Bobcat

Named for their short, bobbed tail, bobcats are medium-sized cats, slightly smaller and similar in appearance to their cousin the lynx. Their coat varies in color from shades of buff or brown fur with spotted or lined markings in dark brown or black. On average, bobcats measure 17 to 23 inches in height and 25 to 41 inches in length. Males weigh approximately 16 to 28 pounds, while females typically weigh 10 to 18 pounds. The bobcat is approximately two feet tall.

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Black Bear

The typical life span of a bear is about 8 to 15 years. Wild bears tend to live 23 percent longer than "garbage" bears (those that exist on unnatural foods). Adult bears are generally up to six feet in length and about three feet high at the shoulder. Female adult bears can weigh up to 300 pounds and attain breeding status about 3.5-4.5 years of age. Adult males can weigh over 500 pounds and may breed as early as 1.5 years of age. Bears have poor eyesight but an excellent sense of smell. They are good tree climbers, can swim well and are able to run at speeds of up to 30 miles per hour.  Female bears become sexually mature at two to five years of age. The breeding season is in July and cubs are born in the den in late January or February.

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