82 AXIMAL LIFE IN THE YO SEMITE 



Occurrence. — Common resident in Lower and Upper Souoran zones, less common in 

 lower part of Transition Zone, on west side of Sierra Nevada. Eecorded from Snelling 

 and Lag:i'ange eastward to El Portal and Hazel Green. Lives chiefly in vicinity of 

 streams, foraging on ground but taking shelter in hollow trees. Solitary; nocturnal. 



The California Coon, or "raccoon" in the book terminology, is abundant 

 in the lowland and foothill districts of the Yosemite region. It is essentially 

 an inhabitant of the stream-side and seldom ventures any great distance 

 away from the banlis of rivers or creeks. Yet its requirements with regard 

 to water are rather simple and it will often be found in canon bottoms 

 where in summer there is little more than a trickle of water or a series 

 of disconnected seepage pools. 



Hand-like tracks in the mud of creek banks, in evidence of a coon's 

 presence, are much more likely to be seen than the animal itself. For 

 coons are exclusively night prowlers and spend the daytime in hollow trees 

 or other similar retreats. In the Yosemite region we found tracks in the 

 neighborhood of every camp below 4000 feet altitude, and on one occasion 

 tracks were noted along a creek near Hazel Green, altitude 5665 feet. In 

 the latter case the animal had probably wandered up the creek from some 

 lower station to the south. At Snelling the species seemed to be of 

 maximum abundance ; one trapper had 25 skins which had been obtained 

 from his headquarters at a ranch a mile west of the town. 



Throughout much of their local range coons must depend upon natural 

 food, rather than that obtainable around human habitations. This food 

 is no doubt varied, and includes both animal and vegetable materials. 

 At Smith Creek, according to Mr. Donald D. McLean, coons live, in some 

 part, on frogs. On Sweetwater Creek in late October the coons had been 

 visiting a garden where grapes and other fruits were growing. 



Sierra Pine Marten. Martes caurina sierrae Grinnell and Storer 



Field characters. — Size of small domestic cat, but form more slender (pi. 23b) ; tail 

 somewhat bushy, about one-half length of head and body. Head and body 15 to I6V2 

 inches (374-420 mm.), tail (without end hairs) 6% to 7% inches (170-194 mm.), ear 

 11^-1% inches (29-43 mm.), weight 26 to 33 ounces (746-929 grams). Coloration 

 plain broMn above; paler on under surface with an area of buff or orange on throat, 

 varying in extent in different individuals; tail bro\^^l, becoming blackish toward tip. 



Occurrence. — Common in Hudsonian Zone on Sierra Nevada, where recorded from 

 near Glen Aulin and Vogelsang Lake eastward to Lyell Caiion. Inhabits rock slides 

 chiefly. 



The Pine Marten, or American Sable as this animal is sometimes called 

 in books by reason of its relationship to the sable of the Old World, is 

 rather common in the higher parts of the Sierra Nevada. We found the 

 species only in the Hudsonian Zone, between altitudes of 8000 and 10,350 

 feet ; it seems to remain there throughout the year. 



