The Zoologist/4th series, vol 6 (1902)/Issue 734/Collecting Small Mammals in N.W.T. Canada

by Edwin Hollis

 

COLLECTING SMALL MAMMALS IN N.W.T. CANADA.

By Edwin Hollis.

 

Whilst staying in the neighbourhood of the Touchwood Hills, Assa, N.W.T. Canada, from July, 1901, to April, 1902, I occupied my spare time collecting small mammals for the British Museum. This district is situated about 51·5° N. latitude, 104° W. longitude, and is about 3000 ft. above sea-level. The country is slightly undulating, open prairie and bush being fairly evenly distributed, interspersed every few miles with lakes. These are all more or less alkaline, some of them so strongly as to kill cattle if they drink any quantity of the water; they naturally contain no fish. There is no fresh running water, but many sloughs (shallow ponds), caused by melting of the snow. The temperature varies from great heat in summer to 40° below zero in winter.

I obtained one or more specimens of twenty-three different species of mammals, which I think are nearly all the wild animals to be found in this district at the present time, although Lynx, Bear, Deer, and Jack-Rabbit are occasionally to be met with. I saw one of each of the two last-named, and these were the only animals I saw of which I did not get at least one specimen. The following is a list of animals obtained, with remarks on same.

Canis latrans (Coyote; locally called Wolf).—Not at all uncommon, several often being seen during the course of a day's drive. They are practically never dangerous to human beings unless driven into a corner, but are a great nuisance to ranchers, as if they once take to killing sheep or calves they seem to prefer them to other food. Those I got were all caught with hounds, except one suffocated in his earth, for they are too wary to be trapped. Although I set traps round an earth which I knew contained young ones about the size of a small Fox-Terrier, I never had one struck.

Taxidea taxus (Badger).—Not nearly so common now as a few years ago. These were also taken with hounds, except one, drowned out. They are hardly ever seen by day if the weather is fine, but on dull, misty days seem to travel a good deal.

Vulpes fulva (Fox).—Fairly plentiful. Their skins form one of the principal trade furs of the district, prices varying from 250/00 dollars for an ordinary Red Fox, to 150 dollars for a Silver Fox. The latter is very rare, only one being taken by an Indian in the season 1901–2. They are taken with hounds, shot, or trapped. I fancy they kill a considerable number of Newts, as I could often see Newts' tails strewn round large stones near a lake, where I could only find Fox tracks.

Mephitis hudsonia (Skunk).—A few years ago these animals were fairly plentiful, but are now getting scarce. I shot mine; but the Indians find where they are lying up for the winter, five or six in a hole, and smoke them out. When annoyed they smell very bad, and great care must be taken in skinning not to cut the gland containing the scent, which is placed immediately under the skin just below the anus. I found it best to remove the gland before commencing to skin. When killed by hounds the smell causes these animals to froth at the mouth, roll on the ground, and bite up mouthfuls of earth, but it does not appear to frighten them from going for the next one they see. The scent is very lasting. I took particular note of a terrier which killed one, with the idea of seeing how long I could notice the smell, but unfortunately after a month she killed another, so I could not tell, but up to that time it was quite unpleasant, particularly if she got wet. I am rather inclined to think, from the quivering motion of the Skunk's tail when attacked, that the scent is ejected on to the tail, and flung from that on to the animal attacking. They are very destructive if allowed to get into a hen-house, killing a large number of the birds, which they neither eat nor carry away.

Putorius longicaudus and P. cicognani (Ermine).—Not very common. These are locally called Weasels when alive, but Ermine as fur. Mine were trapped with either beef liver or "Prairie Chicken" heads. The same caution as applies to Skunks requires to be observed in skinning, but the smell is not nearly so strong or lasting. Their habits appear to be the same as those of the English Stoat.

Putorius vison (Mink).—Uncommon. The only one I obtained was taken in a gin. The usual plan for trapping is to make a hole part way through the top of a Musk-Rat house, and there place a trap, for when the Mink is hunting Rats, of which its winter food principally consists, it is sure to try to enter by the hole already partially made.

Lepus americanus (locally called Rabbit).—Has been to a great extent killed off in this district by a succession of prairie fires. It inhabits bush country, and never appears to make its form in the open. I saw no young ones, but was told by half-breeds that they have from three to four at a litter, generally under a fallen tree, not in a burrow. They are easily snared in wires.

Fiber zibethicus (Musk-Rat).—More plentiful this year than they have been for many preceding ones. The skin of these animals is the principal fur taken here. Many thousands are trapped annually, their bodies forming one of the chief articles of an Indian's winter diet. The young are born in a hole in the bank, not in the Rat-house. Trapping these is a very simple matter, as you only have to find a sheet of water too deep to freeze to the bottom, and containing Rat-houses. Make a hole in the top of each house till you can feel the platform used by the Rats on emerging from the water. Place a trap on this and close the hole again carefully to prevent the water-hole freezing. You will probably have one in a very short time, when the process can be repeated till the house is cleared out, and then the waterhole will freeze. The houses contain from two to five Rats.

Spermophilus richardsoni (Grey Gopher).—Very numerous. They live in colonies in burrows on the open prairie, and are a great nuisance to grain-growers, as they gnaw off the straw at the first joint when about eighteen inches high (it is said for moisture), sometimes clearing a space of an acre or two as if mown. They also store grain for the winter. At time of going into winter quarters they are very fat, and are then much sought after by Indians as food. Colour varies from pale grey in winter to quite a yellow tinge in summer. Last seen in fall, 1901, on October 20th. First seen in spring, 1902, on April 1st. Easily caught in gins.

S. tridecemlineatus (Striped Gopher).—Not very common. They have practically the same habits as the Grey Gopher, but usually only two live in each hole.

S.franklini (Grey Squirrel).—Not very plentiful. Burrowing animal, inhabiting bush country. Pair of old ones and family live together. They appear to me to hybernate earlier in fall, and come out later in spring than the other Gophers. First seen in spring, 1902, on April 29th.

Thomomys borealis (Pouched Gopher; locally called Mole).—Very common. My specimens were all trapped underground. Habits appear to be much like those of English Mole. Last seen in fall, 1901, at beginning of October. First seen in spring, 1902, on February 9th; but they evidently work during the winter, between the snow and earth, as their arched runs can be seen in the grass when the snow thaws. The Indians have an idea that their cheek-pouches are inflated with air, and then compressed to force up their earth mounds.

Tamias quadrivittatus (Chipmunk).—Not very plentiful. They are easily caught. Best bait, almond. If fed while still wild, they soon become tame enough to run in and out of the house. The first I saw, in spring, 1902 (caught April 13th), had barley in cheek-pouches, and was quite a quarter of a mile from nearest barley-field or granary, so evidently had a winter store.

Lasiurus cinereus and L. borealis (Bats).—Very few about. I only obtained one of each species, both being taken by hand while hanging in poplar trees during the daytime. The Indians call them little birds with bare wings.

Mus musculus (House-Mouse).—Not very plentiful, but seems to be evenly distributed over both prairie and bush. This appears to be the only very small animal which is constantly about during the coldest weather.

Zapus hudsonius (Jumping Mouse).—Not very common. Frequents very high grass in swampy places. I could never secure one in a trap, although I tried all sorts of baits and traps. Those I did catch were taken by hand, whilst following mowing-machine when cutting hay.

Sorex richardsoni (Shrew).—I only saw and caught one. Bait, cheese.

Onychomys leucogaster (Short-tailed Mouse).—Rare. I understand this has not been previously reported as taken in Canada. Caught in traps; bait, cheese. It is locally accused of killing young chickens, but I could obtain no reliable evidence on the point.

Evotomys gapperi (Red Vole).—Uncommon. I only caught them on cultivated land.

Microtus (Pedomys) minor (Grey Vole).—Not at all uncommon. Appears to live only in very wet places. I fancy, from remains of shells found in tussocks of rush where they were caught, that their food consists partly of water-snails, although I could not catch one, using snail as bait. Trapped with cheese and almonds.

Microtus drummondi (Brown Vole).—Very plentiful. Appears to be equally distributed over open prairie, bush, and cultivated land. One caught by hand, January 28th, 1902, in open, when thermometer registered 30° below zero.

An old half-breed trapper—who has for many years made the greater part of his living by trapping fur for the Hudson's Bay Company, who do a large business with the Indians, trading goods for fur—gave me many useful hints, on which one or two notes may be of use to other collectors.

When trapping, if unsuccessful, try change of both bait and style of trap, as one or the other will frequently result in a catch where traps have remained for days untouched. Best bait for Mice, Voles, &c, cheese and ordinary eating-almonds. Smoke and water will be found useful in getting burrowing animals where traps are not at hand. For small holes, pour water in gently, and the occupant will gradually come to the top to escape it; if poured in too fast, they are drowned inside. For large holes, make a good fire in the mouth of one hole; when well alight put on a good handful of grass; immediately close both that hole and all others, except the one from which you wish occupant to bolt. If, as sometimes occurs, the animal remains to be suffocated, it is lost, unless it can be reached with a pliable willow. Select a willow having several branches at the thin end growing close together, cut these off so as to leave a bunch of ends about three-fourths of an inch long. This can then be inserted into the hole till the animal is felt, when by gently twisting the stick the fur will usually get hung up in the short ends, and the animal can then be drawn out. It is impossible to dig out burrowing animals in winter, as the frost penetrates about four feet.

The gins used by the fur-trappers are, for the collector, much superior to those sold in England, as in the first place they have no teeth, and consequently do not tear the skin; and, secondly, the under part of the spring is put on with a ring round the jaws, like the upper part, so the trap can be bent either way to fit an angle in the hole or run.