Mammals

Prior to the arrival of the Spanish in the late eighteenth century, the San Francisco peninsula was home to a wide variety of mammalian species, including grizzly bears and tule elk. Since then, physical changes to the environment--along with hunting and urbanization--led to the decline of the larger mammals. Today, the mammalian fauna of the Presidio is primarily composed of typical urban dwellers including squirrels, skunks and raccoons. A recent addition to the Presidio's wildlife is the coyote, several of which have been seen in the area recently. The mammals listed below are the most commonly sighted.
 
Common Name Scientific Name Group
Virginia Opossum Didelphis virginiana Marsupial
Gray Fox Urocyon cinereoagentus Canine
Red Fox Vulpes vulpes Canine
Coyote Canis latrans Canine
Striped Skunk Mephitis mephitis Weasel
Raccoon Procylon lotor Raccoon
House Mouse Mus musculus Rodent
Western Harvest Mouse Reithrodontomys megalotis Rodent
Roof Rat Rattus rattus Rodent
Valley Pocket Gopher Thomomys bottae Rodent
California Vole Microtus californicus Rodent
Fox Squirrel Sciurus niger Rodent
Vagrant Shrew Sorex vagrans vagrans Insectivore
Broad-Footed Mole Scapanus latimanus Insectivore
Hoary Bat Lasiurus cinereus Bat
Townsends Big-eared Bat Plecotus townsendii townsendii Bat

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Last updated: February 28, 2015

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