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[jaketeachesdeath]

Even Toed Ungulates today!

Wild Boar

Reeves Muntjac

Fallow

Roe

Chinese Water Deer

Sika

Red Deer

Unsurprisingly only 3 of these are native and all others come from regions of Asia

The Chinese Water Deer (CWD) and Muntjac are from China. The CWD originally came from Whipsnade Zoo and due to our vast wetland regions populations in the UK now make up over 10 percent of the world's population. These tiny odd looking deer have long tusks but no antlers on the flip side Muntjac males have tusks and short, usually single tined antlers. Unlike other deer Muntjac have no fixed breeding season so young can be found all year round. These dog sized deer dont cause damage to trees particularly but your cars maybe, unfortunately 25% of deer collisions are Muntjac. Theyre fairly successful despite this but have been recently listed as invasive

Sika are from Japan but are readily found up in Scotland where they can hybridize with our native Red Deer. Its possible that since one stag and three hinds were introduced that a huge percentage that all Sika in England and Scotland are descendents of those from Viscount Powerscourt’s deer park at Enniskerry, Eire (1860). Their antlers are smoother and paler than Reds with tines popping out at around a 45 degree angle. Whilst also known as the Spotted Deer, the Fallow is also spotted, along with 4 different coat patterns. Adorned with large palmate antlers theyre a sight to see, they did at one stage go extinct but were reintroduced from the East Mediterranean. They are considered naturalised at this stage

Reds and Roe are our only natives, Roes are smaller sized and Red the biggest of all Deer in the UK. Roe antlers only usually get 3 tines and weigh just 25kg they are most distributed in the UK. Reds can weigh up to 8 times that and are mostly found in Scotland but theres even pockets in South Staffs

Wild Boar secretly reintroduced in places but not legally, they were unfortunately hunted into extinction. These bristley beasties have cute stripey babies they will fiercely protect, thier tusks easily cause damage so during breeding season males develop thicker skin to help protect themselves

26/04/24

[jaketeachesdeath]

Next up, Carnivores. Which in this instance is Mustelids and a Fox.

For starters then theres

Red Fox

European Badger (Juvenile)

Stoat

Least Weasel

Ferret

American Mink

The other species are Wild Cat, Pine Marten, Polecat and on the naughty list European Otter, I say that as to own an Otter you require a licence.

American Mink as Im sure you're aware are introduced, some historicaly as accidental escapees of the fur industry and well the others are from deliberate release by protesters, proving you have to know your objective if you want change and not just act.

I added Ferret to this list despite it being feral on the basis that theyre pretty hard to distinguish from Polecats and they do hybridize. However whilst there are ferals its possible they could be escaped or released pets/workers. Whilst the strong bandit style pattern on the face is a good identification tool, skull examination is your best bet but even then theyre pretty similar.

Least Weasel. Ferocious and mighty is the UKs smallest Carnivore. Slender and speedy these incredible hunters pack an almighty punch taking on animals much bigger than themselves. The reason they are such effective killers is the set up of thier skulls thier small jaws are powered by strong muscles stretched over a long skull for maximum efficiency. Needle like teeth make piercing under that pressure effortless.

Now if you follow @robertefuller Im sure you will have developed a love for our Stoats, lots of character thier curiosity peaks, even more fun to be had on trampolines. Further north you'll find they'll change fur colour in the winter to a great white contrasting with that black tipped tail. A little ruthless however they may very well use the home of the Rodent it called prey and then use its fur to line the nesting space.

Badger and the Fox are complex some folk see them as pests and others love them. The nighttime gang can be a little elusive to most and the evidence you'll find of Foxes will be the human sacrifice sounds echoing in the night or strewn about rubbish. Badgers however upset capitalists through legislation to protect them.

Sadly you'll find most on roadsides either way as theyre amongst the biggest road casualties

25/04/24

[jaketeachesdeath]

Third day of Mammal Week is all about Rodents!

There are a total of 17 different Rodents across the British Isles and we have less than half of that.

Here there is

Grey Squirrel

Brown Rat

Bank Vole

Field Vole

Wood Mouse

House Mouse

Theres also Red Squirrel, Eurasian Beaver, Hazel Dormouse, Water Vole, Harvest Mouse and Yellow Necked Mouse, all of which are native. On top of that theres also some Island subspecies, the Skomer, Guernsey and Orkney Voles. Skomer being a subspecies of the Bank Vole and the latter of the Common Vole. Not forgetting the Edible Dormouse and the Black Rat both of which have been introduced.

So out of our list theres two species which have been introduced. The Brown Rat and of course the Grey Squirrel, the Brown Rat came in from Asia and the Grey Squirrel is native to North America. The Grey Squirrel however is classed as an Invasive Species.

Both of these species are adaptable, agile and unfortunately are known for spreading disease. Notably the Grey Squirrel having a huge effect on Red Squirrel populations who have no immunity to pox. In addition thier aggressive behaviour (amongst other complications) forced Reds into a select few locations, entirely absent from Southern England Mainland.

But now lets talk about teeth!

Teeth are the easiest way to seperate the last 4 species. Mice have cusped molars and Voles have molars that continuously grow. Then to seperate that further the distinction between Wood and House Mice is the notch in the back of the incisors of the House Mouse which the Wood lacks. In Voles its a little more complicated, sometimes its notable by the length of row of teeth, sometimes even the shape of the teeth pattern as seen from the underside but the distinction between Field and Bank Voles is the second molar the Bank Vole has a paired root and the Field Vole have a single open root on the 2nd upper molar!

24/04/24

[jaketeachesdeath]

Day 2 of Mammal Week is Lagomorphs!

3 of 4 species found in the British Isles

European Rabbit

Brown Hare

Mountain Hare

Theres also Irish Hare a subspecies of the Mountain Hare located in Ireland

Just 2 of these species are native and thats the Mountain and Irish Hare. The Rabbit was introduced from Europe by Normans and the Brown Hare comes from Asia and was thought to be introduced by Romans. Whilst both are introduced they are considered naturalised.

Hares and Rabbits are so different they cant hybridize. Hares are much larger with very long ears and amber coloured eyes, they also dont use burrows. Rabbits however are very social and live in networks of burrows thier smaller stature is adapted for this however these social space make it easy for disease like myxomatosis to take hold.

Unfortunately the success of these species amongst other difficulties has made life for our native Hare to be a little more troublesome. The Mountain Hare is now Red Listed in Scotland. They are adapted to upland habitats where thier coats turn white in winter to aid with snow camouflage, they have big furry feet to help them shift to a whopping 45mph across the snow too. Unlike the Brown Hare the eye colour is brown they also have a white tail that lacks a black upper.

23/04/24

[jaketeachesdeath]

First up for Mammal Week are Insectivors!

I have very few of these but heres 3 Ive acquired over time.

European Hedgehog

European Mole

Common Shrew

Theres are also Pygmy and Water Shrews and out on the Isles of Scilly and Jersey lie the Lesser Whited Toothed Shrew. The Greater Whited Toothed Shrew usually found on Guernsey and other Channel Isles apparently turned up in Sunderland of all places after being caught by a Cat!

The Hedgehog is a rapidly declining resident leading to a Red Listed status. However our love for these nighttime visitors has actually seen a rise in population numbers in Urban settings so keep up the hard work. Hedgehogs will also foam at the mouth, this is to self anoint coating this onto thier spines its thought to provide a new smell as a potential predator deterrent but researchers arent exactly sure

The same cant be said for the rarely seen Mole who have no legal protection. Historically used for fur and culled for garden interference they spend their time underground. The fur doesnt grow in a set direction and its thought to aid with manoeuvring around a common myth is they dont have eyes, they do, albeit basic.

Common Shrews on the other hand dont stick around too long. Thats because they need to eat almost 90% of its body weight a day to survive, feasting on insects theyre always on the hunt. So its no wonder that despite them being Britain's second most numerous mammal you dont find em all too often.

22/04/24

[jaketeachesdeath]

Nice big feather today, I think its Buzzard but Ive yet to check

20/04/24

[jaketeachesdeath]

Its Friday at last and we have that Friday feeling. Sunday Al's on holiday and Monday is the start of #mammalweek and then in a weeks time the #citynaturechallenge2024 begins and Al runs the #fibbersleybioblitz2024 and we have a little skull event in the middle.

There's still skulls to finish and all these skulls need adding to the Jakelog

19/04/24

[jaketeachesdeath]

Thats right, Al's taking some skulls out for thier Bioblitz so we'll be out to interact with. Theres just over a week to go but since Al's going on holiday Ill be going with! Maybe Ill have other adventures too.

16/04/24

[jaketeachesdeath]

All the skulls had for thier 30th Birthday from @adrian.johnstone.taxidermy have now been completed!

From left to right

Juvenile Tree Sparrow

Chaffinch (male)

Chaffinch (male)

House Sparrow (female)

House Sparrow (female)

Blackcap (male)

Greenfinch (male)

Swallow

Juvenile Treecreeper

And Snipe is in the back!

These have been fun to complete and it was a pleasure to have brought from Adrian

15/04/24

[jaketeachesdeath]

Does your dog just wreak havoc with your collection or does he just get stuck in a blanket and headbutt your whole shelf from underneath?

15/04/24

[jaketeachesdeath]

*New Species Alert*

Greenfinch!

This one took at long time to clean and still isnt perfect gease trapped in the beak posed a difficult problem and after nearly a month in acetone it still isnt fully resolved.

Again the Greenfinch is rarely seen round here but its not surprise when it was added to the red list in 2021, Trichomonosis seems to be a significant contribution to that population decline.

The males however are a stunning green with striking yellow barring on the wings and tail, the females lack the green and have a dull brown pattern with the yellow tail and wing edges.

They are noted as being garden birds, Greenfinch may take up residence in your conifers and as you can tell from the beak are seed eaters and will readily feed and fight at bird tables. Theyre a large finch not one to pick a fight with especially in the winter months where theyll often feed together.

Our urban parks and gardens have been a safe haven for them due to food restrictions from changes in farming practices. So keep an eye out in your local area for that flash of yellow as they take off!

15/04/24

[jaketeachesdeath]

Al has been a little naughty and fell into a Temu hole. But they saw something ideal for ecological or dead works. Its sold as a nail varnish thing but the trays are the perfect size for Al vials. Usually if we take skulls places all uses a box with a built in seat but for other events its perfect.

This holds all the skulls we usually take and can take more (minus the cow). Im really looking forward to seeing how this holds up

13/04/24

[jaketeachesdeath]

There's been a lack of content lately and for that I apologise.

Between Al's partner visting soon and planning a Bioblitz in the end of the same week, Al is a little fried.

However, inbetween work and organising a big project has been underway. So whilst Al is away on holiday these posts will update themselves to spend as much time having fun as possible without the stresses of spending hours writing posts.

A daily post will go out at 12pm and some days another at 2pm and 4pm UK time so please stay tuned and get a little excited for Mammal Week (seriously its been a really long process)

Who knows what will happen next!

12/04/24

[jaketeachesdeath]

We finally sorted a shelf for the tiny skulls and Rats after a previous disaster!

Though I need more Mice to work out a good method to clean them as it doesnt usually end well.

12/04/24

[jaketeachesdeath]

Set yourself goals that seem farfetched. Then work at them. Look back on how easy they were to achieve compared to how you thought it was going to go.

Back as a novice collector Al thought these skulls would be a hard goal. Roll on nearly a decade later and we've all but one on that list and that due to space Highland Cattle are too big for the space atm.

Which skulls do you have now that youd dreamed of that felt unobtainable?

09/04/24

[jaketeachesdeath]

New Species Alert!

This one is a Snipe! A funky Wader as you can see these birds have long beaks for probing into the mud in search of earthworms and crustaceans. Its beak is also mightly flexible allowing the beak tips to open up to snaffle away in the narrow probing holes.

Since theyre active in late evening or early morning tied in with thier incredible camouflage it makes surveying them rather difficult however ringers are now taking to using thermal imaging to find them. Its important to keep an eye on numbers as our breeding population is declining leaving them Amber listed.

Which is kind of interesting since they are Birds which have been historically hunted in the UK. That however is why hunting seasons are important. Large numbers descend on UK wetland from Europe and Russia over winter so the season is actually open from August to January.

That is how I think this ones beak got shattered. Since this was my first attempt at a Snipe I wasnt quite sure how to preserve the beak sheath, which feels more like a skin. But it does however leave the interesting view of the holes for the nerve endings (if you ignore the accidental rust markings)

09/04/24

[jaketeachesdeath]

First dead animal Ive seen in a while, Al saw a male Blackbird on the way home earlier.

Its expected youd find more dead in the winter but we find less and less. Summer months are usually the busiest. Soon the fledges will start appearing after unsuccessful beginnings

05/04/24