Rustic Cabins on Private Sperry Pond located in the heart of the Adirondack Mountains of New York State

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Wildlife and Birding in the Adirondacks

 

 

  The coyote is a medium-sized wild canid with slender legs, small feet, prominent erect pointed ears, and a narrow pointed muzzle. The 30.5-38.1 cm (12-15 in) tail is bushy and drooping. Each foot has four clawed toes which support the weight. A fifth toe on each foot is reduced in size, bears a dew claw, and does not touch the ground. The rather course fur consists of long guard hairs that overlap the dense underfur. The yellowish eyes have round pupils. Above the coyote is grayish, reddish, or yellowish brown grizzled with black. The underparts are paler. A black patch occurs at the base and the tip of the tail, and on the front surfaces of the ankles. The upper surfaces of the feet, backs of the ears, nape, muzzle, and outsides of the legs are tan or rufous. The relative amounts and blending of color vary among individuals. Reddish, blackish, and pale (blond) color phases occur.

The coyote is the largest wild canid inhabiting the Adirondack Park. (The gray, or timber wolf (Canis lupus Linnaeus) was present in the Adirondacks until the late 1800’s, when it was extirpated). Averaged-sized adult coyotes are about 122 cm (48 in) in total length, and weigh 10.9-17.7 kg (24-39 lb). Males are heavier than females. There are a few records of Adirondack coyotes weighing 22.7-25 kg (50-55 lb). A 33.9 kg (74.8 lb) coyote, taken in the state of Wyoming, represents the maximum weight.

     

 

 

 

  Black bears inhabit the extensive forest lands of northern New York, particularly those within the Adirondack Park. The Adirondack region is "home" to a healthy population of nearly 4,000 black bears. Until the arrival of a few moose in recent years, black bears were the largest New York mammal, with some adult males weighing in excess of 600 pounds.

Bears have been described as "big, black eating machines" because foraging for food is a near constant activity except in winter. Adequate food resources are important for growth, reproduction, and building fat reserves for winter survival in their den.

Adirondack black bears eat a wide variety of foods. Approximately 90 percent of their diet is plant material consisting of not less than 30 different plant species. The remainder is primarily insects, but bears also will scavenge carcasses of larger animals, and, if the opportunity arises, prey upon live white-tailed deer fawns, small woodland mammals, and beaver.

Bears are very well adapted for finding and gathering food. They have a keen sense of smell, powerful "forearms," long claws, tremendous endurance, and are adept with their tongue and paws. As a result, black bears can "dig out" plant tubers or small rodents, tear apart rotten logs to find grubs, climb trees and break off branches to gather nuts, "pick" raspberries and blueberries, and travel long distances in search of new food resources.

     

 

 

  A long nose with a prehensile upper lip, a dewlap or bell at the throat, and size distinguish the moose, the largest of our Adirondack mammals. Maximum weight for the northeastern subspecies (Alces alces americans) is approximately 636 kg (1400 lb). Males (bulls) are almost one fourth heavier than females (cows). Males bear enormous palmate antlers which develop from the frontal bones of the skull each spring; they are shed in winter. Females are similar to males but as in most cervids, do not develop antlers. Both sexes have long legs (shoulders higher than the rump), a short neck, and a short, stumpy tail. The coat consists of a dense woolly underfur, and coarse, hollow guard hairs, which form a 15-25 cm (6-10 in) mane on the shoulders. Moose are grayish or dark brown in spring and blackish brown in winter. The lower legs are gray to white. Females have a white patch around the genital area.

The moose was once an integral part of the Adirondack fauna. No one can confidently attest to the species' demise, but Merriam's record of a 364 kg (800 lb) cow shot near Raquette Lake in 1861 is often cited as the last of the Adirondack's moose. Several unsuccessful, crude restoration attempts occurred around 1900, which would explain, for example, the young bull shot near Newcomb, Tahawus Upper Works, during the period 1907-1909.

     
   
     
   
     
 

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