IV-104 



WILDLIFE 



Estuarine wildlife can be classified into four categories with 

 differing economic significance: (1) fur bearing mammals, 

 (2) game waterfowl, (3) ornamental shore birds, and (4) the 

 common wildlife that can tolerate human presence. The relative 

 abundance of some characteristic species in the biophysical 

 regions is discussed below. 



Fur Bearers 



The primary estuarine fur bearers are the fur seal in Alaska, 

 nutria in the South Atlantic and Gulf States, the common eastern 

 muskrat in New Jersey, the Virginia muskrat in the Central Atlan- 

 tic States, and the Louisiana muskrat in Alabama, Mississippi, 

 Louisiana, and Texas. Secondary in importance are the raccoon, 

 mink, and otter. Foxes, weasels, opossum, and bobcats are not 

 sought for their fur but may occasionally be trapped (Figure IV. 

 2.5). 



For economic levels of fur production, the marshes must be man- 

 aged specifically for the fur bearers. This means control of 

 undesirable plants, prevention of excessive populations and, in 

 some cases, control of predators. The primary food plants are 

 threesquare and cattails; these, however, are easily supplanted 



