Mammals of Washington, Volume 2: University of Kansas Publications Museum of Natural History

In Short

This comprehensive natural history volume surveys the mammalian life across the state of Washington. Combining geological history, ecological mapping, and taxonomic classification, it traces how ancient lava flows, retreat of continental ice sheets, and microclimates dictated the spread of native fauna. The work details species distributions, dietary habits, and physical adaptations for hundreds of animals, ranging from high-altitude rodents to marine mammals. Its enduring value rests on its painstaking field observations, robust geographic analysis, and clear documentation of how landscapes govern animal life.

The Story

The book presents a systematic, scientific exploration of Washington’s mammals, beginning with the deep geological forces that carved the region. In the Miocene epoch, massive fissure eruptions laid down thick basalt blankets across the interior plateau, while later ice sheets like the Vashon Glacier scoured the coastal and alpine terrains. These physical events set rigid boundaries for animal life. As the ice retreated, two distinct groups—the Pacific Coastal Fauna and the Rocky Mountain Fauna—invaded the newly exposed land. The coastal species moved cautiously, constrained by localized habitat preferences, while the Rocky Mountain fauna expanded rapidly across northern and eastern corridors.

Moving from deep time to ecological space, the narrative maps out distinct life-zones ranging from arid sagebrush deserts to the frozen Arctic-Alpine peaks of Mount Rainier. Temperature, precipitation, and terrain structure determine where species can survive. The interior lowlands house desert-adapted ground squirrels and pocket mice, whereas damp coniferous forests shelter specialized shrews, flying squirrels, and jumping mice.

From these broad spatial patterns, the text shifts into detailed species accounts organized by taxonomic order. Insectivores like shrew-moles and giant moles work the damp soil, while varied bat species navigate canyon walls and forest canopies using night flight. Carnivores occupy specialized niches across these landscapes: black bears roam timberlines gorging on huckleberries and spawning salmon; marten, fishers, and wolverines haunt deep wilderness; and coyotes, lynx, and bobcats hunt across desert borders and mountain slopes.

The survey then examines the prolific rodent families, which form the ecological core of the region. Ground squirrels, chipmunks, marmots, and pocket gophers exhibit extreme local variation, often forming localized subspecies across river barriers or isolated mountain ranges. Beaver dams transform hydrology, creating rich wetland meadows that support trout, waterfowl, and big game.

Finally, the study turns to the largest land mammals and marine life. Elk herds wind silently through thick forests, while mule deer, white-tailed deer, moose, caribou, and mountain goats hold down varied elevations. Coastal ocean waters and river mouths complete the picture, harboring river otters, harbor seals, sea lions, and diverse cetaceans, including porpoises, killer whales, and giant baleen whales. By tying each animal back to its precise geographic and ecological boundaries, the work demonstrates how physical history dictates the living fauna of a state.

How It Unfolds

The geological foundation Volcanic activity and basalt flows build the ancient interior plateau, while subsequent glacial movements score the Cascades and coastal valleys. These physical events create the natural barriers and migration corridors that dictate all future animal movements.

Faunal invasions and distribution Following the retreat of continental ice, species from the Rocky Mountains and the Pacific Coast move into vacant habitats. The coastal fauna moves slowly due to strict habitat requirements, whereas the Rocky Mountain fauna spreads swiftly across eastern Washington.

Mapping ecological zones The landscape breaks down into distinct life-zones based on elevation, moisture, and vegetation. Sagebrush deserts give way to timbered transition zones, dark coniferous forests, and high Arctic-Alpine meadows.

Insectivores and bats Small subterranean species like moles and shrews adapt to moist coastal soils, while eight distinct species of bats claim eastern coulees and western forest cover, using rapid flight to hunt night insects.

Predators of the forest and desert Black bears feed on berries and fish, while secretive carnivores like wolverines, lynx, and cougars track prey through mountain terrain. Coyotes and badgers maintain populations across the open eastern plains.

Rodents and land modification Chipmunks, ground squirrels, and jumping mice fill specific vegetation niches, while beaver populations engineer entire waterways, creating ponds that alter plant growth and support diverse wildlife.

Ungulates and ocean life Large herbivores like elk and mountain goats occupy distinct forest and alpine ranges, while coastal waters host a wide variety of marine mammals, from porpoises to large baleen whales.

The People

Because this text is a formal biological survey rather than a human narrative, the primary figures are the mammalian species and the distinct faunal groups whose histories unfold across the landscape.

• The Pacific Coastal Fauna: A group of specialized species isolated south of ancient ice sheets. They prefer stable, moist habitats along the coast and Cascades, expanding their ranges very slowly due to extreme habitat specialization.
• The Rocky Mountain Fauna: An adaptable group of mammals that rapidly invaded deglaciated territory from the east. Their willingness to cross varied terrain allowed them to dominate northeastern Washington and surround isolated coastal populations.
• The Black Bear (Ursus americanus): A large, omnivorous mammal that ranges widely across forests and mountain slopes. It relies heavily on plant matter, berries, and spawning fish, shaping its movements around seasonal food abundance.
• The Columbian Ground Squirrel (Citellus columbianus): A plump, meadow-dwelling rodent that thrives in dense colonies across grasslands, forest clearings, and roadside margins from river valleys up to alpine peaks.
• The Red Fox (Vulpes cascadensis): A shy, alpine predator adapted to high-elevation timberlines. It maintains small populations in rugged, inaccessible mountain terrain, largely out of reach of human activity.

In Its Own Voice

"The dip of the lava flows results in the basalt-marginal course of the Spokane and Columbia rivers today, along the northern edge of the Columbian Plateau."

This sentence explains how ancient volcanic events shaped the physical paths of Washington's major river systems.

"The black bear is omnivorous in the truest sense of the word."

This introduction to the black bear's natural history sets up a detailed examination of its varied, opportunistic diet.

"The attractive color and sprightly actions of chipmunks make them a delightful feature of the outdoors."

This brief observation captures the visible charm and active nature of chipmunks in their woodland habitats.

What It's Really About

The core argument centers on the idea that biological diversity is not accidental; it is the direct outcome of geological history, climate, and physical geography. Species do not exist in isolation. Their current boundaries reflect ancient glacial barriers, volcanic eruptions, and river cuts that separated or connected animal populations over thousands of years.

The work explores how physical isolation leads to subspecific variation. When mountain ranges or river gaps isolate a small population, that group slowly adapts to its specific microclimate, developing unique coloration, size, or skull structure. At the same time, the text emphasizes ecological balance. Creatures like beavers actively alter their surroundings, raising water tables and creating habitats that sustain plant life, birds, and larger mammals.

Why Read It Today

This volume appeals to naturalists, wildlife biologists, historians of science, and anyone fascinated by the rugged geography of the Pacific Northwest. Reading it feels like walking through a landscape with a deeply knowledgeable guide who sees past the surface scenery to explain why a particular mouse lives on one side of a river while a slightly darker relative occupies the other.

The writing avoids technical clutter where possible, leaning on clear descriptions of animal behaviors, diets, and habitats. While the format includes dense taxonomic measurements and formal check-lists, these technical sections anchor the narrative in verified physical evidence. The text candidly presents historical trapping records and period approaches to wildlife management, offering a realistic look at 19th- and 20th-century field mammalogy. What stays with the reader is a permanent awareness of the land itself—how mountains, ice, and lava created the living patterns of the natural world.