Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge
Northeast Region

Mammals

 
Virginia Opossum. Credit: USFWS
Credit: Henry Barnaby
Virginia Opossum
 
Virginia Opossum
(Didelphis virginiana), Uncommon. The opossum is easily recognized by its pale face and scantily haired tail.  This creature is the only marsupial found in North America. Commonly found in wooded areas, the opossum feeds on carrion, fruits, and berries.
Little Brown Bat. Credit: Don Fritizer
Credit : Don Fritizer

Little Brown Bat
 
Little Brown Bat
(Myotis lucifugus), Uncommon.  The little brown bat roosts in hollow trees and is seen generally at dusk and dawn feeding on insects.

 
Delmarva Fox Squirrel. Credit:Irene Hinke-Sacilotto
Credit:Irene Hinke-SacilottoS
Delmarva Fox Squirrel.
 
Delmarva Fox Squirrel
(Sciurus niger cenerus), Common. An endangered species, the Delmarva fox squirrel, a native of the Delmarva Peninsula, was introduced to the refuge in 1968. The fox squirrel is larger than the gray squirrel and has a bushier tail. A dark black morph also occurs. These squirrels live in wooded areas and generally stay close to the ground.
Eastern Cottontail. Credit: John White
Credit: John White
Eastern Cottontail.
 
Eastern Cottontail
(Sylvilagus floriadanus mallurus), Common. The best known rabbit of North America, the Eastern cottontail prefers shrub and forested areas. Eastern Cottontail’s eat a variety of herbaceous and woody plants.
Muskrat. Credit: John White
Credit: John White
Muskrat.
 
Muskrat
(Ondata zibethicus), Common. This semiaquatic mammal can be found in both freshwater and brackish water impoundments. The muskrat’s rabbit-sized body is laterally compressed and has a sparsely haired tail. The muskrat feeds on a variety of aquatic plants.
Red Fox. Credit: Nick Greif
Credit: Nick Greif
Red Fox.
 
Red Fox
(Vulpes vulpes), Common. The red fox frequents edges between different types of cover and usually digs dens in open areas such as sand dunes. The red fox is a predator, eating anything it can find including small mammals, birds, and insects.
Raccoon. Credit: Dave Menke
Credit: Dave Menke

Raccoon.

 
Raccoon
(Procyon lotor), Common. This resourceful predator can be found in all habitats, but is most common in marsh edges, woods, and thickets. Raccoons also venture out to the shore to feast on shorebird eggs and sand crabs as well as various items washed ashore.
River otter. Credit: John White
Credit: John White

River otter
 
River otter
(Lutra canadensis), Uncommon.  A large, elongate member of the weasel family, this critter has webbed toes and a thick tail.  River otters may be seen in freshwater impoundments and occasionally on the beach.  The river otter eats fish, crabs, and other aquatic invertebrates.
Sika Elk. Credit: John White
Credit: John White

Sika Elk.
 
Sika Elk
(Cervus nippon nippon), Common. The sika is as Asian elk which was released on Asseteague Island in the 1920’s. They are smaller than white-tailed deer and have a distinct all-white rump. Sika can also be distinguished by their white spots, which they retain all year.
White-Tailed Deer. Credit: John White
Credit: John White

White Tail Deer.
 
White-Tailed Deer
(Odocoileus virginianus), Common. The only native deer present in the mid-Atlantic, the white-tailed deer prefers wooded areas and grazing meadows. Its tail is white on the underside and springs upward when alarmed.
Bottlenose Dolphins. Credit: USFWS
Credit: USFWS

Bottlenose Dolphins.
 
Bottlenose Dolphin
(Tursiops truncates), Common. Often seen frolicking in the surf along the shore during the summer, this dolphin’s coloration is a blend of brown to charcoal with a lighter belly. The curiosity of the bottlenose dolphin often brings it into close contact with humans.
Chincoteague Pony. Credit: John White
Credit: John White

Chincoteague Pony.
 
Chincoteague Pony
(Equus caballus), Common. Two herds graze freely on Assateague Island. Legend has it that the ponies arrived on Chincoteague from a Spanish ship that had run aground during a storm in 1750. Historians believe they are descended from horses brought by settlers in the 1600’s.
   

Other Mammals of
Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge

Least Shrew
(Cryptotis parva), Uncommon.

Silver-haired Bat
(Lasionycteris noctivagans), Common

Red Bat
(Lasiurus borealis), Common.

Meadow Jumping Mouse
(Zapus hudsonius), Common

White-footed Mouse
(Peromyscus leucopus), Common.

House Mouse
(Mus musculus), Common.

Meadow Vole
(Microtus pennsylvanicus), Common.

Rice Rat
(Oryzomys palustis), Common.

Norway Rat
(Rattus norvegicus), Uncommon.

Coyote
(Canis latrans), Rare.

Harbor Seal
(Phoca vitulina), Rare.

Hooded Seal
(Cystophora cristata), Rare.

Gray Seal
(Halichoerus gryphus), Rare.

True’s Beaked Whale
(Mesoplodon mirus), Rare.

Goosebeak Whale
(Ziphius cavirostris), Rare.

Pygmy Sperm Whale
(Kogia breviceps), Rare.

Sperm Whale
(Physter macrocephalus), Rare.

Humpback Whale
(Megaptera novaeangliae), Rare

Rough-toothed Dolphin
(Steno bredanensis), Rare.

Common Dolphin
(Delphinis delphis), Common.

Atlantic White-sided Dolphin
(Lagenorhynchus acutus), Uncommon.

Melon-headed Whale
(Peponocephala electra), Rare.

Atlantic Harbor Porpoise
(Phocoena phocoena), Rare.

Risso’s Dolphin
(Grampus griseus), Rare.

Long-finned Pilot Whale
(Globicephala melaena), Rare.

Fin Whale
(Balaenoptera physalus), Rare.

Sei Whale
(Balaenoptera borealis), Rare.

Minke Whale
(Balaenoptera acutorostrata), Rare.

Blue Whale
(Balaenoptera musculus), Rare.

Black Right Whale
(Eubalaena glacialis), Rare.
   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Last updated: September 24, 2012