Ojai Wildlife
American Badger
Taxidea taxus
The badger is a brown fur-covered mammal with short legs and low profile. The head appears pointed and small for the body. They have short ears and a short , furry tail. Read More »
Big-Eared Woodrat
Neotoma macrotis
Prefers forest habitats with moderate canopy, year-round greenery, a brushy understory, and suitable nest building materials. Read More »
Bobcat
Lynx rufus
(subspecies: Lynx rufus californicus (Mearns))
The bobcat resembles other species of the Lynx genus, but is on average the smallest. Read More »
Botta’s Pocket Gopher
Thomomys bottae (Also Valley Pocket Gopher)
Five species of pocket gophers are found in California, with Botta’s pocket gopher being most widespread. Read More »
California Black Bear
Ursus americanus californiensis
The coat of a black bear is shaggy and usually black but it can also be dark brown, cinnamon, yellow-brown, and grey-blue depending on location. Read More »
California Ground Squirrel
Otospermophius beecheyi
Named for Frederick William Beechey, who explored much of Northern California in 1826-28 as captain of his majesty’s ship Blossom, this squirrel is also sometimes called the Beechey Ground Squirrel. Read More »
California Mule Deer
Odocoileus hemionus californicus
It is named for its ears, which are large like those of the mule. There are believed to be several subspecies, including the black-tailed deer. Read More »
Cougar
Puma concolor
Cougars are slender and agile members of the cat family. They are the 4th largest cat; adults stand about 24 to 35 in (60 to 90 cm) tall at the shoulders. Read More »
Coyote
Canis latrans
The color of the coyote’s pelt varies from grayish-brown to yellowish-gray on the upper parts, while the throat and belly tend to have a buff or white color. Read More »
Eastern Fox Squirrel
Sciurus niger
The eastern fox squirrel (Sciurus niger) is a relatively large North American squirrel with a long, bushy tail and very variable coloration. Read More »
Gray Fox
Urocyon cinereoargenteus
The gray fox is a peppery gray on top, reddish-brown on its sides, chest and the back of its head. Its legs and feet are also a reddish color. Read More »
Western Gray Squirrel
Sciurus carolinensis
Long-Tailed Weasel
Mustela frenata
(subspecies: California weasel, Mustela f. xanthogenys)
The long-tailed weasel has a total length of 300-350mm and a tail comprising 40-70% of the head and body length. Read More »
Raccoon
Procyon lotor
The raccoon has gray to brown fur. It is a stocky mammal about 2 to 3 feet long and weighs 10 to 30 pounds. It has a black mask around its eyes with white fur around the mask. Read More »
Ringtail
Bassariscus Astutus
Spotted Skunk
Spilogale
Striped Skunk
Mephitis mephitis
The striped skunk has a black body with a white stripe along each side of its body.; the two stripes join into a broader white area at the nape. Read More »
Virginia Opossum
Didelphis virginiana
The opossum is about the size of a house cat, has coarse grayish fur, a pointed face, and hairless, rounded ears. Read More »
Western Brush Rabbit
Sylvilagus bachmani
The brush rabbit is smaller than many of the other cottontails, and unlike most of them, the underside of its tail is grey rather than white (which may be why its common name does not include the word “cottontail”). Read More »
