7 minute read
Lookalikes Unmasked
Similar-Looking Wisconsin Wildlife
There are a variety of Wisconsin wildlife species might have you doing a double take. DNR biologists help highlight the differences to distinguish the doppelgangers. Here’s how to tell them apart.
Wolf, Coyote Or Fox?
Wolf (Canis lupus)
The gray wolf is the largest of wild canid species, usually seen in forested areas of Wisconsin.
Coat color:
Gray is most common
Fur also can be mix of tan, brown, black and cinnamon
Black or white are uncommon
Distinct features:
Blocky muzzle
Rounded, relatively short ears
Long legs in proportion to the body
Tails only fluff out at the end
On average, 65–90 pounds and 3.5–4 feet in length, not including their tail.
Coyote (Canis latrans)
These animals are shorter and lighter than wolves. They live across the state in both rural and urban areas.
Coat color:
Typically, a mix of tan, brown, black and cinnamon
Distinct features:
Pointed snout
Pointed ears that are large in proportion to the head
Legs are stouter and more proportionate to the body
Bushier tails
On average, 30–45 pounds and 2.5–2.8 feet in length, not including their tail.
Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes)
Tending to be solitary, the red fox is adaptable and can be found in rural, suburban and urban areas.
Coat color:
Red or yellowish red
Can also have color phases, including black, silver and red-silver
Distinct features:
Tail generally has a white tip
Black legs and ears
Pointed muzzle
On average, 10–15 pounds and 20–25 inches in length, not including their tail.
Gray Fox (Urocyon cinereoargenteus)
The gray fox is the smallest of Wisconsin’s wild canids, slightly smaller than the red fox.
Coat color:
Gray with white on chins and throats
Brown undersides
Distinct features:
Tails have a black stripe
Unique semi-retractable claws allow them to climb trees
On average, about 10–12 pounds and 19–25 inches long, not including their tail.
Cougar, Lynx, Bobcat Or House Cat?
Cougar (Puma concolor)
Cougars (also known by other names such as mountain lion, puma and catamount) are rare in Wisconsin. There are no known breeding populations in the state, but there have been several verified sightings in recent years. Most cougars seen in Wisconsin are wandering young bachelor males from Western populations, like the Dakotas.
Coat color:
Tannish brown to grayish brown
Lighter color belly, chins and undersides
Cubs have spotted coats
Distinct features:
Head is relatively small
Area behind the ears is all black or gray, and ears are short and rounded
Long, black-tipped tail that’s often a third of the body length
Large and slender
On average, males are 120–160 pounds, and females are 75–106 pounds.
Lynx (Lynx canadensis)
Lynx are very uncommon in Wisconsin, although rare sightings of visitors from Canada do occur.
Coat color:
Gray to grayish brown
Spots on the legs and belly
Distinct features:
Short tails that are tipped black
Much more “sloped” appearance than bobcats, with hips higher than shoulders, longer ear tuffs, taller back legs and large furry feet
On average, 15–30 pounds and 30–35 inches in length.
Bobcat (Lynx rufus)
The bobcat is the most-seen member of the wild cat family in Wisconsin, though still uncommon in parts of the state. Named for its bobbed tail, it closely resembles the Canada lynx, with a few key differences.
Coat color:
Gray to brown
Spots and dark stripes on insides of the legs
Distinct features:
4-8 inch tail, with a tip that’s black above and white below
Ear tufts are short and pointy, with white markings on backs of the ears
Distinctive facial tufts
On average, 11–30 pounds and 26-41 inches in length.
House Cat (Felis catus)
Domestic cats vary in size and color but are much smaller than cougars and generally smaller than lynx and bobcats. When the tail is not visible, larger house cats with certain coloring can be mistaken for bobcats. Look for white spots on the back of the ears to identify bobcats; most house cats will not have these markings.
Fisher, Mink, Weasel Or Marten?
Fisher (Martes pennanti)
The fisher is a medium-sized member of the weasel family.
Coat color:
Dark brown to almost black
Distinct features:
Fishers are forest dwellers, mostly solitary
Long body with a broad head, pointed snout, small ears and bushy tail
Males weigh around 15 pounds and are about 25% larger than females.
Mink (Neovison vison)
This mustelid species is typically found near water. Mink are small and long-bodied but larger than weasels.
Coat color:
Uniform dark brown fur
Sometimes has white patches on the chin and chest
Compared to a weasel, they are more uniformly colored
Distinct features:
Mink are semi-aquatic, so their coats may appear more coarse than a weasel
Face is flat and pointed
Weasel (Mustela sp.)
Different species of weasels (least weasels, long-tailed weasels and short-tailed weasels) are typically found in Wisconsin forest areas and are land-dwelling. Weasels are smaller than mink, especially the least weasel, which is significantly smaller than mink.
Coat color:
Brown to dark brown in summer, with a lighter underside
White in the winter
Some species have a black-tipped tail
Distinct features:
Long, small and thin bodies with short legs
American (Pine) Marten (Martes americana)
Another small member of the weasel family, the marten is endangered in Wisconsin and seldom seen.
Coat color:
Yellowish brown fur
Dark brown fur on legs and tails
Throat patch of white or yellow
Distinct features:
Martens have short legs, black eyes, large round ears and curved claws that help them climb trees
Adults weigh about 2–4 pounds.
Otter, Beaver Or Muskrat?
North American River Otter (Lontra canadensis)
This semi-aquatic animal is the largest species of the weasel family. Otters are often found near water and usually socialize in groups. They can slide across mud and snow as a mode of transportation.
Coat color:
Short, dense, dark brown fur that’s sleek in appearance
Light tan around face and neck
Distinct features:
Broad head, muscular neck and small facial features, except for their large nose pad and whiskers 2–4 inches in length
Long, tapered body and relatively short legs with webbed feet
Long, thick, muscular tail that tapers at the tip
On average, about 12–30 pounds and 3–4 feet long, with a tail of 12–18 inches.
North American Beaver (Castor canadensis)
Beavers are typically found near water, where they build dams out of sticks, mud and vegetation. When swimming, usually only the beaver’s head can be seen.
Coat color:
Glossy fur that appears reddish brown to blackish brown
Distinct features:
Scaly, paddle-shaped tail
Larger black nose
On average, 40–70 pounds, though they can reach 80 pounds or more, and 24–40 inches in length.
Muskrat (Ondatra zibethicus)
Muskrats are much smaller than beavers and otters. They also are usually found near water, building huts out of vegetation or digging burrows with underwater entrances. When swimming, a muskrat’s body and tail usually can be seen.
Coat color:
Dark brown fur
Distinct features:
Short, rounded ears, barely protruding above the fur
Long, thin, scaly tail
On average, about 2–4 pounds and 18–25 inches in length.
