Wildlife Research - Small Mammals

Small mammals are also interesting to watch and available to observe. There are over 40 mammal species found in Wisconsin that are smaller than a raccoon. These include mice, bats, voles, shrews, chipmunks, squirrels, and weasels.

Small mammals often form the prey base for larger, predatory animals. For example, what would happen to some of our raptor species if small mammals disappeared?

Many small mammal species inhabit a great variety of niches, from praries, to along riparian zones, to sand dunes. They perform important ecological functions, such as seed dispersal and soil aeration, and also influence insect populations.

Science Services is currently engaged in the following projects relating to small mammal research:

• Wisconsin Statewide Small Mammal Inventory [PDF 190KB]
• Help locate Franklin´s Ground Squirrel! [PDF 110KB]
• Development of Guidelines to Prevent Excessive Mortality to Bats
• Landscape Scale Management of Northwest Pine Barrens
• Comparison of Old-Growth and Managed Forest Communities
• Private Lands Habitat Development for Pheasants, Ducks, and Cottontails
• Ecologically Sustainable Agricultural Systems

For more information on Wisconsin´s small mammal species check out DNR´s Wildlife Management Fact Sheets. In addition Science Services has published numerous reports on small mammals.