Great Basin Mammals

The rare, the elusive Pygmy Rabbit (Brachylagus idahoensis)! From a trail camera comes photographic evidence of their long suspected presence. The rumor is that they will be listed at some point in the near future.

Here is some information from The Guide to the Mammals of Great Basin National Park by Rickart and Robson.

Description: The smallest North American rabbit, this species is distinguishable from cottontails (Sylvilagus) by its smaller size, relatively short ears, and tail which lacks a white underside.

Ecology and diet: The Pygmy rabbit is a habitat specialist, essentially restricted to areas dominated by mature sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata). They construct burrows and are principally nocturnal. Sagebrush constitutes most of their year-round diet, but a variety of green vegetation is consumed when available. Historically, their geographic range has been diminished along with loss of sagebrush habitat.

Mule Deer (Odocoileus hemionus)
This Black-tailed Deer is their equivalent of our White-tail.

Black-tailed jackrabbit (Lepus californicus)
I am seeing more and more of these guys. They have to be pretty thick out here, and we see plenty of sign, but we usually only kick up one or two a day.

Jack Rabbit number two. Jack Rabbits seem pretty goofy. They clearly have running and leaping skills, but they seem to have questionable judgment. Sometimes they'll run like crazy out of good cover into the open when they weren't even seen. Sometimes they'll freeze, although clearly they are in the open and seen, like this guy. Sure, sure, I still wouldn't be able to catch him, but he just sat there and never ran off.

Piute ground squirrel (Spermophilus mollis)



White-tailed antelope squirrel (Ammospermophilus leucurus)
We have seen these guys running around several times. Maybe I'll get a better picture.

I think this is a Least chipmunk (Tamias minimus), but I couldn't get him to venture out from his little hole. He was about 8500' up the mountain side.

Rock squirrel (Spermophilus variegatus)