Mammals

River otter

Courtesy of Matt Knapley

There are 18 species of mammals at Ninety Six National Histoirc Site. A few of these animals are easier to spot than others. Here are a few of the varied species that have been seen at the site.

 

Bobcat at night

NPS

Bobcat (Lynx rufus)

Diet: Mostly rabbits/hares, may eat rodents, deer, snakes, lizards, and domestic animals such as dogs, cats, goats, and poultry.
Lifespan: 7 years.
Habitat: Boreal and coniferous and mixed forests in the north, bottomland hardwood forests and coastal swamps in the southeast, and desert and scrublands in the southwest.
Where to find: Forests, coastal swamps, deserts and scrublands.
Season of Sight: Active year-round but activity peaks three hours before sunset until midnight.
Breeding Season: November through August.
Fun Fact: Bobcats are often misidentified as domestic cats, stray kittens, florida panther, Canadian lynx, or even a mountain lion!

 

Otters

NPS/VIP Rusty Wilson

Otter (Lutrinae)

Diet: fish, frogs, crayfish, turtles, insects, and some small mammals.
Lifespan: 8-9 years in the wild but in captivity can live up to 21 years.
Habitat: Streams, rivers, lakes, ponds, and marshes.
Where to find: In or along streams, rivers, lakes ponds, and marshes.
Season of Sight: Usually Spring and Summer but occasionally seen in the Winter.
Breeding Season: Late winter to early Spring.
Fun Fact: Unlike most marine mammals otters do not have a blubber (fat) layer to keep them warm, instead they rely on their dense-water resistant fur.

 

Coyotes

NPS

Coyote (Canis latrans)

Diet: Coyotes are omnivorous, which means they will eat about anytghing, including cactus fruit, mesquite beans, flowers, insects, rodents, lizards, rabbits, birds, and snakes.
Lifespan: 13-15 years in captivity, in the wild most will not make it passed 3 years of age.
Habitat: Prefer open areas like prairies and the desert.
Where to find: Anywere
Season of Sight: Year round.
Breeding Season: Late February and early March.
Fun Fact: Coyotes can successfully mate and reproduce with domestic dogs and occasionally gray wolves.

 

Bats

In 2007, the Cumberland Piedmont Network, sponsored by National Park Service, conducted a study at Carl Sandberg Home National Historic Site, Cowpens National Battlefield, Guilford Courthouse National Military Park, Kings Mountain National Military Park, and Ninety Six National Historic Site to document bat species at each site. The presence or absence of bats can indicate how healthy an ecosystem is. The researchers found at least 4 species of bats with evidence of at least 6 at Ninety Six National Historic Site. For more information about bats, go the National Park Service page dedicated to them.