KKLATION OF MAMMAT.S TO ENVIRONMENT, 



425 



Classified on the basis of habitat, the sixty-six species of mam- 

 niaLs recorded from Indiana may be roughly divided into four 

 groups: (1) Those that live chiefly in the woods; (2) those that 

 live chiefly in the grassy fields and prairies; (3) those with a gen- 

 eral range including forest and field; (4) those whose habitat is 

 not closely related with either grass or trees, but whose presence is 

 due to some special reason. 



The following 14 species belong to the first group : Five species 

 of tree squirrels (including the flying squirrel), porcupine, rac- 

 coon, bear, two species of wildcat or lynx, panther, gray fox, fisher 

 and wolverene. Since much of the forest that once covered more 

 than half of the State has been cleared away, we should expect to 

 find that many of these species are either reduced in number or 

 exterminated. The facts are that seven of the 14 species — porcupine, 

 two lynxes, panther, bear, pine marten and wolverene, are exter- 

 minated or nearly so. Of the remaining seven, the flying squirrel 

 and the red squirrel have undoubtedly held their own in point of 

 numbers and may have even increased because they are too small to 

 be much sought after by man, and their natural enemies have de- 

 creased. The other three species of squirrel, the raccoon and the 

 gray fox have greatly diminished in numbers, because they have 

 been killed by man and at the same time their available food and 

 habitat have diminished. 



The 13 species that live chiefly in grassy regions are as follows : 

 Jumping mouse, pouched gopher, three species of voles or meadow 

 mice, prairie white-footed mouse, two species of spermophiles or 

 ground squirrels, small shrew, star-nosed mole, coyote, badger and 

 bison. Not deducting for pasture and meadow, the total area cov- 

 (^red by grass has probably increased rather than decreased, since 

 the first settlement of the State. This would enable these animals 

 to increase in number if food were the only factor affecting them. 



However, the bison was the first species to become extinct. A 

 number of factors combined to bring about its extermination. The 

 great size and strength of the individuals and their association in 

 immense herds had made the bison practically immune from dan- 

 ger of its natural enemies; therefore, cunning had been of no 

 value and timidity was at a discount. 



Of the other grass-dwelling species, the badger appears to be 

 almost extinct in our State. It is carnivorous and not directly de- 

 pendent on grass for -food, but is a true inhabitant of the prairie. 

 Badgers were never numerous in this State, and their extermination 

 is of little consequence to the fauna. 



