ANIMALS OF AUBURN RAVINE
The Auburn Ravine, along with several neighboring waterways, is home to a variety of species that range from aquatic to terrestrial animals. FAR strives to protect these animals and their habitats, ensuring a safe future for generations to come.
This page showcases only a fraction of the amazing animals that can call the Auburn Ravine home.
CHINOOK SALMON (ONCORHYNCHUS TSHAWYTSCHA)
Found in the freshwaters of the Pacific Northwest and Pacific Ocean, Chinook salmon, also known as King salmon, are the largest of their Pacific salmon species and are anadromous fish. This means that juvenile Chinook hatch and begin their migration out of freshwater environments, eventually reaching the Pacific Ocean to mature. Adults will journey back to the freshwater habitats, such as the Auburn Ravine, where they were born to reproduce. After reproduction, both male and female salmon will die, closing the final chapter of the Chinook salmon life cycle.
Several populations of Chinook salmon have been listed as endangered or threatened under the Endangered Species Act (ESA), such as the Sacramento River winter-run, the California coastal, and the Central Valley spring-run Chinook salmon. This is because the Chinook face many environmental stressors that severely impact their population growth, such as climate change that alters water temperature and dams that impede access to their spawning grounds.
STEELHEAD TROUT (ONCORHYNCHUS MYKISS IRIDEUS)
Similar to the Chinook salmon, Steelhead trout are an anadromous type of rainbow trout that are found in the freshwaters of the Pacific Northwest and the Pacific Ocean. Steelhead trout are slightly different from their solely freshwater counterparts, since they are born in freshwater but live their adult lives out at sea. Unlike Chinook salmon, when the mature Steelhead migrate back to freshwater habitats, such as the Auburn Ravine, to reproduce, they don't die after spawning. Instead, steelhead trout will spawn multiple times.
Several populations of Steelhead trout are classified as either endangered or threatened under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). These include the Southern California Distinct Population Segment (DPS), the Central California Coast DPS, and the Northern California DPS. This is due to several factors, such as climate change and the inaccessibility of spawning grounds caused by dams.
PACIFIC LAMPREY
(ENTOSPHENUS TRIDENTATUS)
Despite their eel-like appearance, the Pacific lampreys are parasitic anadromous fish with a range throughout the North Pacific Rim. Though their distribution appears widespread, they are now largely found in states such as California and Oregon due to a drastic population decline that has led them to be classified as a California State Species of Concern by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. Several factors have impacted this species, including dams, climate change, and non-native predators.
Pacific lampreys are born in freshwater and spend several years acting as filter feeders until they are old enough to migrate to the ocean and mature. When they are ready to reproduce, the lampreys return to freshwater habitats, such as the Auburn Ravine, to lay their eggs and die after spawning.
The Pacific lampreys also hold deep cultural significance for many Native American Tribes, serving nutritional, medicinal, and ceremonial purposes. Their ancient lineage--spanning hundreds of millions of years--is one reason they are honored and carefully stewarded by Tribal communities. In 2008, the Tribal Pacific Lamprey Restoration Plan was implemented for the benefit of the lampreys.
CALIFORNIA RED-LEGGED FROG
(RANA DRAYTONII)
The California Red-Legged frog is a medium-sized amphibian that is named for the red coloring along its hind legs and abdomen. While its habitat was once widespread in California, it is now mainly found in the central coastal ranges of the state, with its inland Sierra Nevada and southern California range greatly diminished, but still having a mild presence. Its habitat loss is due to several factors, including land development, invasive species, and drought.
The California Red-Legged frog can be found near freshwater sources such as ponds and streams, which are also used as breeding sites, and is often found in damp areas like animal burrows or leaf piles during the summer. It was federally recognized as threatened in 1996.
NORTH AMERICAN RIVER OTTER
(LONTRA CANADENSIS)
The North American river otter is a common and highly adaptable semi-aquatic mammal whose range is spread out across both Canada and the United States, with its conservation status listed as Least Concern. Despite the river otter's commonality nowadays, during the 19th to 20th centuries, this was not always the case. Prized for its water-resistant and dense, fluffy fur, the river otters were hunted for their pelts to the point that their populations had drastically declined, shrinking the range they'd once occupied. Thankfully, conservation efforts have seen to the resurgence of their modern-day populations.
North American river otters live in riparian zones, meaning that they call both the land and waterways--such ponds, lakes, and rivers--their home, including the Auburn Ravine. They can even be found in marine riparian zones, as well as in both high and low-elevation habitats.
AMERICAN MINK
(NEOVISON VISON)
The American Mink is a semi-aquatic mammal whose native range extends throughout North America, with its conservation status listed as Least Concern. Like many of the fur-bearing mammals during the 19th and 20th centuries, the American mink was hunted and eventually farmed for its luxurious fur, which is a practice that is continued in the United States and other places in the world, though not in California. Before mink farming was commonplace, hunting had put so severe a strain on the mink populations that the American mink's relative, the Sea mink (Neovison macrodon), went extinct.
The American mink is an elusive animal, with most of its activity occurring at night, primarily during dawn and dusk. They can be found mainly in riparian habitats, such as near and in rivers and lakes--including the Auburn Ravine--and on land in places like rock crevices or burrows in riverbanks.
NORTH AMERICAN BEAVER
(CASTOR CANADENSIS)
The North American Beaver is a semi-aquatic mammal found in various types of bodies of water, such as ponds, lakes, and rivers throughout North America. They build homes from branches and mud that are called lodges, which are protected by the deep ponds they create using dams. The beaver’s ability to build dams and lodges is vital to the creation and health of aquatic ecosystems, including those of the Auburn Ravine. Its dam-building activities flood or raise the water levels of new areas, transforming the environment and creating deeper, calmer ponds. These beaver ponds provide places for a diversity of other animals and plants to thrive in and around.
The practice of beaver trapping in the 19th century contributed to a rapid population decline that resulted in the North American Beaver nearly going extinct. However, today's populations have rebounded due to conservation efforts; its conservation status is currently listed as Least Concern, and populations are stable.
BLACK-TAILED DEER
(ODOCOILEUS HEMIONUS COLUMBIANUS)
The black-tailed deer, also known as the Columbian black-tailed deer, is a subspecies of the mule deer that can be found in western North America and Southern British Columbia, including Northern California. Though most populations are stable, the black-tailed deer still faces many threats, including habitat loss, competition with non-native wildlife, and increasing rates of AHD (Adenovirus Hemorrhagic Disease).
The black-tailed deer is most often found in wooded areas with plenty of underbrush for grazing, though it can also be found in grasslands if enough cover is nearby. They are aptly named after their distinctive black tail.
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Black-tailed Deer - Pacific Coast Science and Learning Center (U.S. National Park Service)
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Columbian Black-tailed Deer (Mammals of Ano Nuevo State Park · iNaturalist
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Getting to know Black-tailed deer -- Blacktail Deer Foundation
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An Assessment of Mule Deer and Black-tailed Deer Habitats and Populations in California
RED-TAILED HAWK
(BUTEO JAMAICENSIS)
The Red-tailed Hawk is the most common large hawk in North America and can be found in virtually any terrain that provides them both open ground to hunt and high places, such as trees or powerlines, for perching and ambushing their prey. They are easily spotted for their large wingspan, with lengths of up to 4 ½ feet, and their characteristic reddish-brown tail. They have a varied diet that includes small mammals, other species of birds, reptiles, and sometimes amphibians, all of which can be found in and around the Auburn Ravine. Their current population status is listed as Least Concern, and they are a species protected under the Migratory Bird Act. However, the red-tailed hawk still faces threats such as habitat loss, electrocution from perching on powerlines, and being killed or injured for preying on poultry.
TURKEY VULTURE
(CATHARTES AURA)
Turkey vultures are one of the most common birds seen soaring above the great California landscape, with a geographic range extending from Southern Canada to throughout South America. Due to this, their conservation status is currently listed as Least Concern. However, due to their crucial role in keeping the environment clean and preventing the spread of disease, turkey vultures are not without threats. Threats, such as toxic pollutants, e.g., lead, found in the carrion they consume, and misintended shootings, pose substantial threats to turkey vultures.
Turkey vultures can be identified in the air by their characteristic “V” wing shape and circular soaring flight patterns, with wingspans ranging from 66.9 inches to 72.1 inches, or 5.5 to 6 feet. Their coloring varies from dark brown to black, with a bright red featherless head and a sharp, ivory-like bill used to tear flesh off of carcasses. They are solely scavengers and do not kill their prey, meaning their diet consists mainly of carrion. A heightened sense of smell allows them to locate their food from over a mile away, even if it is hidden under a forest canopy.
Expanded List of Animals
(Not Exhaustive!)
Birds
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Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias)
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Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura)
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Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis)
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Red-shouldered Hawk (Buteo lineatus)
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Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus)
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Barn Owl (Tyto alba)
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Great Horned Owl (Bubo virginianus)
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Western Screech-Owl (Megascops kennicottii)
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Anna’s Hummingbird (Calypte anna)
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Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura)
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California Quail (Callipepla californica)
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Lesser Goldfinch (Spinus psaltria)
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Nuttall’s Woodpecker (Picoides nuttallii)
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Acorn Woodpecker (Melanerpes formicivorus)
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Wood Duck (Aix sponsa)
Reptiles
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Western Fence Lizard (Sceloporus occidentalis)
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Northern Alligator Lizard (Elgaria coerulea)
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Western Skink (Plestiodon skiltonianus)
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California Kingsnake (Lampropeltis californiae)
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Pacific Gopher Snake (Pituophis catenifer catenifer)
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Northern Pacific Rattlesnake (Crotalus oreganus)
Amphibians
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California Treefrog (Pseudacris cadaverina)
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Pacific Treefrog (Pseudacris regilla)
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California Red-legged Frog (Rana draytonii)
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American Bullfrog (Lithobates catesbeianus)
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California Toad (Anaxyrus boreas halophilus)
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California Newt (Taricha torosa)
Mammals
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Columbian Black-tailed Deer (Odocoileus hemionus columbianus)
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American Mink (Neovison vison)
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Muskrat (Ondatra zibethicus)
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American Beaver (Castor canadensis)
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North American river otter (Lontra canadensis)
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Bobcat (Lynx rufus)
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Mountain Lion (Puma concolor)
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American black bear (Ursus americanus)
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Coyote (Canis latrans)
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California Gray Fox (Urocyon cinereoargenteus californicus)
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Common Raccoon (Procyon lotor)
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Striped Skunk (Mephitis mephitis)
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Western gray squirrel (Sciurus griseus)
Fish
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Chinook Salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha)
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Steelhead Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss irideus)
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Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)
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Pacific Lamprey (Entosphenus tridentatus)
Insects
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Western Honey Bee (Apis mellifera)
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California Carpenter Bee (Xylocopa californica)
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Yellow-faced Bumble Bee (Bombus vosnesenskii)
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California Pipevine Swallowtail (Battus philenor hirsuta)
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Cabbage White Butterfly (Pieris rapae)
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Western Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio rutulus)
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Painted Lady Butterfly (Vanessa cardui)
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California Sister Butterfly (Adelpha californica)
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Argentine Ant (Linepithema humile)
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Western Carpenter Ant (Camponotus modoc)
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Convergent Lady Beetle (Hippodamia convergens)
Crustaceans
Signal crayfish (Pacifastacus leniusculus)
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