Mammals

Learn About our Mammal Ambassadors

Red Fox

Vulpes vulpes

The red fox is the largest and most widely distributed species of fox. Known for its cunning behavior and adaptability, the red fox thrives in a wide range of environments, including forests, grasslands, mountains, and urban areas. Its striking appearance and resourcefulness have made it a prominent figure in folklore and culture worldwide.

CONSERVATION STATUS: LEAST CONCERN

Range

Native to North America, Europe, Asia, and parts of North Africa. Red foxes have also been introduced to Australia, where they are considered invasive.

Fast Facts

  • Description

    Red foxes are characterized by their reddish-orange fur, bushy tail tipped with white, and black markings on their legs and ears. Their coat color can vary, including silver and cross colorations.

  • Diet

    Red foxes are omnivores, feeding on a variety of foods, including small mammals, birds, fruits, berries, insects, and carrion. They are opportunistic hunters and scavengers, making them highly adaptable to different habitats.

  • Size

    Red foxes typically stand about 14–20 inches tall at the shoulder, measure 18–35 inches in body length (excluding the tail), and have a tail length of 12–22 inches. They weigh between 6 and 24 pounds, depending on the region and individual.

  • Lifespan

    Wild: 2-5 years

    Human care: 10-14 years

Red foxes have a unique adaptation called "magnetic targeting" that helps them hunt. They can detect the Earth's magnetic field and use it to pounce on prey with remarkable accuracy, particularly when the prey is hidden under snow or vegetation.

Fun Fact

Our Red Fox Ambassadors

Todd

Todd, the silver fox, arrived at Raptor Hallow as a six-week-old kit after his parents were rescued from a fur farm in West Virginia. As a mischievous ambassador for his species, he’s known for snatching items from his keepers and hiding them in his den alongside his collection of “treasures” which is speculated to include things like training pouches, food cups, and enrichment items. Todd’s intelligence shines during fox encounters, where he delights guests by showcasing his target training skills, helping to educate visitors about his wild relatives.

Todd has been at the sanctuary since 2020

Vixie

Vixie, the pearl fox, arrived under similar circumstances as her half-brother Todd. Her parents were rescued from a fur farm by a caretaker who was not licensed to breed them and thus unable to keep the resulting kits. Vixie arrived at Raptor Hallow a year later than Todd, and she was only six days old. Vixie is full of playful energy and curiosity, delighting visitors during fox encounters by creating colorful paintings and gently accepting treats from their hands. Like most little sisters, she enjoys teasing Todd, often attempting to get him to play and occasionally swiping his food, adding a dynamic and spirited presence to their shared habitat.

Vixie has been at the sanctuary since 2021

Striped Skunk

Mephitis mephitis

The striped skunk is a well-known member of the weasel family, easily recognized by its bold black-and-white pattern and its ability to spray a pungent musk as a defense. Despite their fearsome reputation, striped skunks are important for pest control, feeding on insects and small rodents.

CONSERVATION STATUS: LEAST CONCERN

Range

Found across much of North America, from southern Canada through the United States and into northern Mexico.

Fast Facts

  • Description

    Striped skunks have glossy black fur with a distinctive white stripe that starts at the top of the head and splits into two stripes running down their back. They have a bushy tail and short legs, with small rounded ears and a pointed snout.

  • Diet

    Omnivorous; their diet includes insects, small mammals, bird eggs, fruits, seeds, and carrion.

  • Size

    Striped skunks stand about 7–10 inches tall at the shoulder, measure 18–32 inches long (including their bushy tail), and weigh between 4 and 14 pounds.

  • Lifespan

    Wild: 2-4 years

    Human care: 10 years

Striped skunks can spray their foul-smelling musk with remarkable accuracy up to 10 feet. Before spraying, they perform warning displays, including stomping their front feet, raising their tail, and even doing a handstand to scare off potential threats.

Fun Fact

Our Striped Skunk Ambassador

Flower

Flower, the striped skunk, serves as an engaging animal ambassador. Raised to advocate for his wild counterparts, he is a favorite among visitors for his calm, friendly nature and adorable appearance. Flower demonstrates the impressive adaptations of skunks and helps dispel misconceptions, showing guests just how valuable and beneficial skunks are to the environment.

Flower has been at the sanctuary since 2022

Eastern Mountain Coati

Nasuella meridensis

The eastern mountain coati, a lesser-known member of the raccoon family, inhabits high-altitude cloud forests in the Andes Mountains. Characterized by its pointed snout and long, ringed tail, it plays a vital role in seed dispersal and insect control. This elusive animal is highly social, with females and juveniles forming groups, while males lead solitary lives.

CONSERVATION STATUS: ENDANGERED

Range

Native to the Andes of Venezuela, with potential populations in Colombia.

Fast Facts

  • Description

    These coatis have thick, dark brown to black fur, a long snout for rooting in soil, and sharp claws adapted for climbing, as well as a long ringed tail. Their ringed tail is often held upright when walking.

  • Diet

    Omnivorous, feeding on fruits, insects, small vertebrates, eggs, and other invertebrates.

  • Size

    Eastern mountain coatis stand about 10 to 12 inches tall at the shoulder, measure 24 to 30 inches long including their tail, and weigh between 5 and 9 pounds.

  • Lifespan

    Wild: 7-8 years

    Human care: 14 years

Fun Fact

Eastern mountain coatis can rotate their ankles 180 degrees, allowing them to climb down trees headfirst with ease—a trait they share with few other mammals.

Our Mountain Coati Ambassador

Vida

Vida serves as an education ambassador for her species. Known for her endless curiosity and energy, she captivates visitors with her impressive climbing abilities and playful behavior. She has a remarkable sense of smell and enjoys investigating new scents. Smart and spirited, Vida delights in engaging with toys and stuffed animals, showing off her intelligence and occasional sass during interactions.

Vida has been at the sanctuary since 2023

Black-tailed Prairie Dog

Cynomys ludovicianus

Black-tailed prairie dogs are burrowing rodents native to North America's grasslands. They are highly social animals, living in large colonies known as "towns" with complex tunnel systems. Their name comes from their short black-tipped tails and their bark-like warning call. Prairie dogs play a crucial role in their ecosystem, benefiting many species that rely on their burrows or prey upon them.

CONSERVATION STATUS: LEAST CONCERN

Range

Found in the central and western United States, from Montana and the Dakotas south to New Mexico and Texas, with some populations extending into northern Mexico and Canada.

Fast Facts

  • Description

    Black-tailed prairie dogs have tan to yellowish-brown fur with a black-tipped tail. They have small, rounded ears, large eyes adapted for spotting predators, and strong forelimbs with claws for digging.

  • Diet

    Herbivorous, primarily eating grasses, roots, seeds, and flowers.

  • Size

    Black-tailed prairie dogs stand about 5 to 7 inches tall at the shoulder, measure 14 to 17 inches long from nose to tail, and weigh between 1.5 and 3 pounds.

  • Lifespan

    Wild: 3-5 years

    Human care: 8 years

Fun Fact

Black-tailed prairie dogs have an elaborate communication system with specific alarm calls for different predators, distinguishing between flying hawks, snakes, and humans. Their social complexity and vocal repertoire are among the most advanced in the animal kingdom.

Our Prairie Dog Ambassadors

Simon & Theodore

Simon and Theodore are brothers, raised as education ambassadors for their species. They greet and delight guests with their vocalizations and excitable personalities. These curious prairie dogs love digging in their enclosure, chewing on anything they can get their teeth into, snacking, and napping in their cozy underground nest. Through their interactions, they help teach guests about the importance of prairie dogs as a keystone species, demonstrating their essential role in the ecosystem.

Simon & Theodore have been at the sanctuary since 2022