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MAMMAL CWCS SPECIES (16 SPECIES)
CLASS MAMMALIA Allegheny Woodrat Neotoma magister Federal Heritage GRank SRank GRank SRank Status Status (Simplified) (Simplified) N N G3G4 S4 G3 S4 G-Trend Decreasing G-Trend Populations in the
northeastern U.S. have declined (NatureServe 2004). Comment Populations in New York began a precipitous
decline in the mid-1960's and apparently were
extirpated by 1987 (Hayes 1990) and only a single population along the Hudson River
Palisades remains in New Jersey (J. C. Sciascia, New Jersey Division of
Fish, Game, and Wildlife, pers. comm. in Castleberry 2000). In Indiana, Maryland, Ohio, and Pennsylvania, woodrats
have been extirpated from many sites
where they were known historically (Hall 1985, Johnson and Marmer 1995; D. Feller,
Maryland Natural Heritage Program, pers. comm. in Castleberry 2000). S-Trend Stable S-Trend Thomas (2003) found
that longer-term monitoring sites were mostly stable to Comment increasing, with the exception of Mammoth Cave
National Park, which showed a dramatic decline
one year, and then stable numbers at a depressed level the remaining years. Habitat / Rocky cliffs and
talus slopes. Makes midden mounds and stick piles among Life History rocks, but secluded nest sites generally are not
within stick houses (see Hayes and Harrison 1992). In
Kentucky, "cliffs with deep crevices, caves, or large boulders piled in
such a way as to form numerous retreats and shelters are favored" (Barbour
and Davis 1974). Key Habitat throughout Kentucky distribution: Cliffline
habitat throughout Daniel Habitat Boone National Forest is GOOD, other areas (besides
those listed below) are UNKNOWN. Key Habitat
Locations (and their condition): 1. Menifee County (Good) 2. McCreary
County (Good) 3. Mammoth Cave
National Park (Good) Guilds caves, rock shelters,
and clifflines, upland forest. Statewide AlleghenyWoodrat.pdf Map
CLASS MAMMALIA Allegheny Woodrat Neotoma magister Conservation Issues Biological/ consumptive uses 5H Isolated populations (low gene flow) 5L Parasitism and disease. raccoon roundworm (Baylisascaris procyonis) Miscellaneous Mortality Factors 6D Human disturbance (spelunking, destruction/disturbance
of nest sites) 6G Stochastic events (droughts,
unusual weather, pine beetle damage, flooding etc.). Severe winter weather Terrestrial habitat degradation 3K Surface mining.
Valley fills also 3M Timber harvest 3R Habitat and/or Population Fragmentation 3U Loss, lack and degradation of special and unique
microhabitats 3V Long-term loss of hard mast trees (American
Chestnut, poor oak regeneration) CLASS MAMMALIA American Black Bear Ursus americanus Federal Heritage GRank SRank GRank SRank Status Status (Simplified) (Simplified) PS S G5 S2 G5 S2 G-Trend Increasing G-Trend Populations have
increased recently in the northeastern U.S. (NatureServe Comment 2004) S-Trend Increasing S-Trend Kentucky Department
of Fish and Wildlife Resources data Comment Habitat / Black bears prefer
mixed deciduous-coniferous forests with a thick understory, Life History but may occur in various situations (NatureServe
2004). Key Habitat throughout
Kentucky distribution: GOOD, other areas (besides those Habitat listed below) are UNKNOWN. Key Habitat
Locations (and their condition): 1. Cumberland Gap
State Historic Park (good) 2. Kingdom Come
State Park (good) 3. Big South Fork
National River and Recreational Area (good) Guilds Cumberland highland
forest, upland forest. Statewide AmericanBlackBear.pdf Map
Conservation Issues Biological/ consumptive uses 5P Market hunting for human consumption. Actually for "black market" sale of parts Miscellaneous Mortality Factors 6D Human disturbance (spelunking, destruction/disturbance
of nest sites) 6E Illegal killing CLASS MAMMALIA Appalachian Cottontail Sylvilagus obscurus Federal Heritage GRank SRank GRank SRank Status Status (Simplified) (Simplified) N N G4 SRF G4 S2 G-Trend Decreasing G-Trend Some maintain that
the species may be facing extinction (Chapman and Morgan Comment 1973, Feldhamer et al. 1984), whereas others
believe recovery may be occurring in certain areas (Bier,
pers. comm., 1992 from NatureServe 2004).
The discrepancy may
arise from two conflicting trends--preferred habitat is restored in parts of the range, but eastern cottontails
have expanded their distribution both geographically
and in terms of habitat and continue to displace the Appalachian
cottontail. Most heritage programs
reported that population trend is unknown. (NatureServe 2004) S-Trend Unknown S-Trend Trend and abundance
are unknown, but a study by Sole (1999) documented Comment Appalachian cottontails in 20 counties scattered
throughout eastern Kentucky, and suggested they
could be found throughout the Eastern Coalfield physiographic region
and in portions of the Knobs and Outer Bluegrass physiographic
regions. Sole (1999) found the species
more widely distributed and at lower
elevations than previously thought. Habitat / In Kentucky, Sole (1999)
collected Appalachian cottontails from early Life History successional forests only, in contrast to most
other studies (e.g., Llewellyn and Handley 1945, Handley
and Patton 1947, Chapman and Morgan 1973, Chapman and Stauffer
1981). Early successional forests in
Kentucky were created by coal
mining, recently harvested forests, or abandoned farms that were reverting to
forests, most all of which were hardwood stands (Sole 1999). Many of these
habitats also had an ericaceous understory of mountain laurel, blueberries, and/or
evergreen species of greenbrier (Sole 1999).
Appalachian cottontails in
Kentucky were collected from elevations ranging from 260 m to 867 m, much lower
than the >610 m limit that Chapman et al. (1992) suggested for this species. Key Habitat throughout Kentucky distribution: FAIR Habitat Key Habitat
Locations (and their condition): 1. Letcher County (Good) 2. Pike County (Good) 3. Breathitt County (Good) CLASS MAMMALIA Appalachian Cottontail Sylvilagus obscurus Guilds Cumberland highland forest, emergent and shrub-dominated
wetlands, savanna/ shrub-scrub, upland
forest. Statewide AppalachianCottontail.pdf Map
Conservation Issues Biological/ consumptive uses 5D Competition from introduced/invasive or native
species. May compete with eastern
cottontail (Sylvilagus floridanus) 5E Hybridization with closely related species. May hybridize with eastern cottontail (Sylvilagus
floridanus) 5H Isolated populations (low gene flow) Terrestrial habitat degradation 3R Habitat and/or Population Fragmentation 3T Suppression of disturbance regimes. Forest maturation reduces habitat abundance 3W Cervid over-abundance. over-grazing or over-browsing may reduce
habitat quality CLASS MAMMALIA Cinereus Shrew Sorex cinereus Federal Heritage GRank SRank GRank SRank Status Status (Simplified) (Simplified) N S G5 S3 G5 S3 G-Trend Stable G-Trend Kentucky Department
of Fish and Wildlife Resources (J.R. MacGregor) Comment S-Trend Stable S-Trend Kentucky Department
of Fish and Wildlife Resources (J.R. MacGregor) Comment Habitat / Occupies most
terrestrial habitats excluding areas with very little or no Life History vegetation. Thick leaf litter in damp forests
may represent favored habitat, although appears
adaptable to major successional disturbances. Nest sites are typically in shallow
burrows or above ground in logs and stumps (NatureServe 2004). Key Habitat throughout Kentucky distribution: GOOD Habitat Key Habitat
Locations (and their condition): 1. Black Mountain (Good) 2. Pine Mountain (Good) 3. Nolansburg Quad (Good) 4. Smith Mills Quad (Good) Guilds Cumberland highland
forest, forested wetland. Statewide CinereusShrew.pdf Map
Conservation Issues Unknown factors/variables 7A Unknown
threats CLASS MAMMALIA Cotton Mouse Peromyscus
gossypinus Federal Heritage GRank SRank GRank SRank Status Status (Simplified) (Simplified) PS T G5 S2 G5 S2 G-Trend Stable G-Trend Kentucky Department
of Fish and Wildlife Resources (John MacGregor) Comment S-Trend Unknown S-Trend Comment Habitat / In most areas, prefers
bottomland hardwood forests, swamps, and mesic and Life History hydric hammocks but has also been found in
margins of cleared fields, old fields, edges of salt savanna, palmetto thickets
bordering beaches, dry hammocks, beach dunes, pine
flatwoods, upland timber, mixed pine-hardwood forests, pine-turkey oak, sand
pine scrub, along rocky bluffs or ledges, in caves, and in little-used
buildings (see Wolfe and Linzoy 1977 in NatureServe 2004). The species is probably
most common in areas that periodically are inundated. Large logs and
stumps are an important habitat component (McCay 2000 in NatureServe 2004). Key Habitat throughout Kentucky distribution: FAIR Habitat Key Habitat
Locations (and their condition): 1. Arlington Quad (Good) Guilds forested wetland. Statewide CottonMouse.pdf Map
Conservation Issues Unknown factors/variables 7A Unknown
threats CLASS MAMMALIA Eastern Small-footed Myotis Myotis leibii Federal Heritage GRank SRank GRank SRank Status Status (Simplified) (Simplified) N T G3 S2 G3 S2 G-Trend Stable G-Trend This bat always has
been considered to be relatively rare (Barbour and Davis Comment 1969). Numbers
are reduced in a few sites where older counts are available, and a few historic sites are apparently no longer
occupied (e.g., see Hall 1979, but compare Dunn and
Hall 1989). Many biologists believe that
this species is basically stable, having
declined little in recent times, but that it is vulnerable, especially in its
cave hibernacula (NatureServe 2004). Due
to the fact this species generally
hibernates in inconspicuous locations (e.g., under rocks, cracks in cave ceilings and floors, and deep crevices),
it is often overlooked during cave surveys and may actually be more common in
some areas than previously believed (Brown 1997). S-Trend Stable S-Trend Kentucky Department
of Fish and Wildlife Resources (J.R. MacGregor) Comment Habitat / Small-footed bats
are associated with hilly and mountainous terrain near or in Life History deciduous or evergreen forest (NatureServe 2004). They roost primarily in rocky habitat (e.g.,
rock fissures, rock crevices, under rocks).
Throughout their range they inhabit
caves and mines in the winter (NatureServe 2004). They often roost near the
entrances where temperatures can drop below freezing (Barbour and Davis 1969). During the summer, they have been observed roosting in hollow
trees and under exfoliating bark, in buildings and in expansion joints of bridges (NatureServe 2004). In Kentucky, winter records of small- footed bats in caves
and mines and even quarries exist, but it is highly likely that the bats also
are found along clifflines (B. Palmer-Ball, Kentucky State Nature Preserves
Commission, pers. comm.). Few summer
roost sites are known for the
species in Kentucky. Barbour and Davis (1969)
observed an individual using a
building and the only known maternity site in Kentucky is a bridge where the
bats were roosting between the expansion joints. This species forages along
streams and ponds (NatureServe 2004). Key Habitat throughout Kentucky distribution: GOOD Habitat Key Habitat
Locations (and their condition): 1. Ano Quad (Good) 2. Mammoth Cave
National Park (Good) CLASS MAMMALIA Eastern Small-footed Myotis Myotis leibii 3. Garfield Quad (Good) Guilds caves, rock shelters,
and clifflines, Cumberland highland forest, upland forest. Statewide EasternSmall-footedMyotis.pdf Map
Conservation Issues Terrestrial habitat degradation 3K Surface mining 3L Mine closures 3M Timber harvest 3P Pollution/toxicity (e.g., heavy metals, pesticides,
herbicides, acid rain) 3U Loss, lack and degradation of special and unique
microhabitats CLASS MAMMALIA Eastern Spotted Skunk Spilogale putorius Federal Heritage GRank SRank GRank SRank Status Status (Simplified) (Simplified) N S G5 S2S3 G5 S2 G-Trend Decreasing G-Trend Formerly abundant in
the Midwest, has undergone a large decline; still rather Comment abundant in southern and east-central Florida (Kinlaw
1995). S-Trend Stable S-Trend Kentucky Department
of Fish and Wildlife Resources (J.R. MacGregor) Comment Habitat / The species prefers
forested areas or habitats with significant cover (Dragoo Life History and Honeycutt in Wilson and Ruff 1999), as well
as open and brushy areas, rocky canyons and
outcrops in woodlands and prairies. When
inactive or bearing young, it
occupies a den in a burrow abandoned by other mammal, under brushpile, in
hollow log or tree, in rock crevice, under building, or in similar protected
site (NatureServe 2004). Key Habitat throughout Kentucky distribution: GOOD Habitat Key Habitat
Locations (and their condition): 1. Beaver Creek
Wildlife Management Area (Good) 2. Cliffline Habitat
throughout the Daniel Boone National Forest (Good) Guilds caves, rock shelters,
and clifflines, Cumberland highland forest, upland forest. Statewide EasternSpottedSkunk.pdf Map
Conservation Issues Unknown factors/variables 7A Unknown
threats CLASS MAMMALIA Evening Bat Nycticeius humeralis Federal Heritage GRank SRank GRank SRank Status Status (Simplified) (Simplified) N S G5 S3 G5 S3 G-Trend Unknown G-Trend This species appears
to be decreasing in the northern part of its range as Comment previously known maternity sites are now defunct
(Whitaker and Hamilton 1998). S-Trend Stable S-Trend Kentucky Department
of Fish and Wildlife Resources (J.R. MacGregor) Comment Habitat / Evening bats utilize
deciduous and mixed forest interspersed with cultivated Life History areas. They
forage over clearings and farm ponds and along waterways and forest edge (Wilson
and Ruff 1999, Choate et al. 1994). Reproductive
females have been tracked to
species of white oak on Mammoth Cave National Park suggesting maternity
colonies were using them. It appeared
they were using cavities in both
dead and live trees. Most known
maternity sites are buildings. Kentucky only has a
record of one barn being used, but since states like Indiana and Illinois have
several such records (Mumford and Whitaker 1982, Barbour and Davis 1969), it
is highly probable more structures are utilized here. Whitaker and Mumford
(1982) note that the species apparently used tree hollows for roosts
in the past but have become dependent on manmade structures (because
of the scarcity of the large hollow trees).
Though the species
is not a "cave bat", it is one of many species that takes part in swarming outside
cave entrances in the fall (Barbour and Davis 1969, Whitaker and
Hamilton 1998). It has long been assumed
that evening bats migrate to the
southern part of their range for the winter but it is likely that some overwinter in
Kentucky. They have been found during
the winter in Arkansas (Baker and
Ward 1967, Sealander 1960) as well as Missouri (Lynn Robbins, Southwest
Missouri State University, pers. comm.).
In Missouri, the evening bats roosted in tree hollows
throughout the winter. An evening bat was recently
documented roosting alternatively in the cavities of two trees from October into November, indicating that the
individual would undoubtedly hibernate in
Kentucky (M. Gumbert, pers. comm.). CLASS MAMMALIA Evening Bat Nycticeius humeralis Key Habitat throughout Kentucky distribution: UNKNOWN Habitat Key Habitat
Locations (and their condition): 1. Barlow Quad (Good) 2. Mammoth Cave
National Park (Good) 3. Millport Quad (Good) Guilds emergent and shrub-dominated
wetlands, forested wetland, running water, savanna/ shrub-scrub,
upland forest. Statewide EveningBat.pdf Map
Conservation Issues Miscellaneous Mortality Factors 6D Human disturbance (spelunking, destruction/disturbance
of nest sites). Whitaker and
Hamilton 1998 Terrestrial habitat degradation 3M Timber harvest 3P Pollution/toxicity (e.g., heavy metals, pesticides,
herbicides, acid rain) CLASS MAMMALIA Gray Myotis Myotis grisescens Federal Heritage GRank SRank GRank SRank Status Status (Simplified) (Simplified) LE T G3 S2 G3 S2 G-Trend Increasing G-Trend Having suffered
declines probably since the 19th century, the gray bat Comment population was an estimated 1,575,000 in the
early 80s (Brady et al. 1982). By 1991, protection efforts at the most important
caves yielded stable to increasing
populations (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 1992). The Recovery Plan criteria for
downlisting (i.e., permanent protection of 90% of Priority 1 hibernacula and
stable or increasing populations at 75% of Priority 1 maternity caves during a
period of five years) appears to have been met (Southeastern Bat Diversity Network). The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is
currently evaluating whether the gray bat should be downlisted. S-Trend Stable S-Trend The summer
population shows an increasing trend while the winter population Comment has shown some fluctuations in size since it
started using an additional hibernacula in 1999
(Wethington 2001; Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources
data). Habitat / Will use streams (as
corridor), rivers, lakes; riparian areas and caves. Must have Life History forested corridors (i.e., gray bats would not
want to use stream without trees because maternity
caves are normally found within 1 km. of river or reservoir). Wetlands may be
classified as suitable if they are within an undetermined buffer of suitable vegetation. Wetlands may be classified as suitable if
they are within an undetermined buffer of suitable vegetation. Key Habitat throughout Kentucky distribution: FAIR
to GOOD Habitat Key Habitat
Locations (and their condition): 1. Barren County (Good) 2. Taylor County (Good) 3. Upton Quad (Good) Guilds caves, rock shelters,
and clifflines, forested wetland, running water. Statewide GrayMyotis.pdf Map
CLASS MAMMALIA Gray Myotis Myotis grisescens Conservation Issues Aquatic habitat degradation 2C Construction/Operation of impoundments (migration
barrier). Destroys/changes
aquatic invertebrate community Miscellaneous Mortality Factors 6D Human disturbance (spelunking, destruction/disturbance
of nest sites) Terrestrial habitat degradation 3K Surface mining 3M Timber harvest 3P Pollution/toxicity (e.g., heavy metals, pesticides,
herbicides, acid rain) 3U Loss, lack and degradation of special and unique
microhabitats CLASS MAMMALIA Indiana Bat Myotis sodalis Federal Heritage GRank SRank GRank SRank Status Status (Simplified) (Simplified) LE E G2 S1S2 G2 S1 G-Trend Decreasing G-Trend Census data from 1995-1997
indicate an abundance decline of about 60 percent Comment since population surveys began in the 1960s; the
most severe declines have occurred in Kentucky
and Missouri, where the decline totals 430,000 individuals over the
past few decades (Federal Register, 9 April 1999). (NatureServe 2004) S-Trend Decreasing S-Trend Kentucky Department
of Fish and Wildlife Resources data Comment Habitat / Special features
Indiana bats tend to use include standing snag/hollow tree and Life History trees with a high percentage of exfoliating bark
(e.g., Shagbark hickory). Wetlands may be
classified as suitable if they are within an undetermined buffer of suitable vegetation. Hibernates in caves; maternity sites are in
trees (NatureServe 2004). Key Habitat throughout Kentucky distribution: Breeding:
UNKNOWN Wintering: Habitat GOOD Key Habitat
Locations (and their condition): 1. Grahn Quad and
Wesleyville Quad (Good) 2. Mammoth Cave
National Park (Good) 3. Lee County (Good) 4. Ballard County (Good) 5. Derby Quad (Good) 6. Hart County (Good) Guilds caves, rock shelters, and clifflines, Cumberland
highland forest, emergent and shrub-dominated
wetlands, forested wetland, running water, savanna/ shrub- scrub, upland forest. Statewide IndianaBat.pdf Map
CLASS MAMMALIA Indiana Bat Myotis sodalis Conservation Issues Miscellaneous Mortality Factors 6D Human disturbance (spelunking, destruction/disturbance
of nest sites). Winter caves (Twente
1955, Mohr 1972, Engel et al. 1976) 6E Illegal killing.
Winter caves Terrestrial habitat degradation 3A Row-crop agriculture (conversion to, annual
reuse of fields, etc). Herkert 1992, Refsnider, pers.
comm., 1992; Currie, pers. comm., 1992, all from NatureServe 2004 3F Urban/residential development 3H Habitat loss outside of Kentucky 3K Surface mining.
Herkert 1992, Refsnider, pers. comm., 1992; Currie, pers. comm., 1992, all
from NatureServe 2004 3M Timber harvest.
Herkert 1992, Refsnider, pers. comm., 1992; Currie, pers. comm., 1992, all
from NatureServe 2004 3N Removal of dead trees 3U Loss, lack and degradation of special and unique
microhabitats. Commercialization (Mohr
1972), altering microclimate (Matthews and Moseley 1990), and
bat-unfriendly structures as formerly at Long's Cave in Mammoth Cave National Park, Kentucky CLASS MAMMALIA Kentucky Red-backed Vole Clethrionomys
gapperi maurus Federal Heritage GRank SRank GRank SRank Status Status (Simplified) (Simplified) N S G5T3 S3 G3 S3 T4 G-Trend Unknown G-Trend Comment S-Trend Stable S-Trend Kentucky Department
of Fish and Wildlife Resources (J.R. MacGregor) Comment Habitat / Prefers cool, mesic
deciduous, coniferous, or mixed forests, especially areas Life History with large amount of ground cover, but also uses
second-growth areas. Mossy logs and tree roots
in coniferous forests are optimal. In
the northern part of its range also found in
muskegs, sedge marshes, shrubby habitats, and treed peatlands (Merritt
in Wilson and Ruff 1999). Often on rock
outcrops in some areas (e.g., Virginia). Often associated with abandoned stone walls (fences)
in the northeastern U.S. In Pennsylvania, abundance increased with
forest fragmentation (Yahner
1992). Nests under logs, stumps and
roots. Unlike Microtus sp., Kentucky
red-backed voles do not dig tunnels, but use burrows of moles and other
small mammals (NatureServe 2004). Key Habitat throughout Kentucky distribution: GOOD Habitat Key Habitat
Locations (and their condition): 1) Benham and Appalachia Quads (Good) 2) Bledsoe Quad (Good) 3) Nolansburg Quad (Good) 4) Whitesburg Quad (Good) 5) Kayjay Quad (Good) Guilds Cumberland highland
forest, emergent and shrub-dominated wetlands, savanna/ shrub-scrub. Statewide KentuckyRed-backedVole.pdf Map
CLASS MAMMALIA Kentucky Red-backed Vole Clethrionomys
gapperi maurus Conservation Issues Unknown factors/variables 7A Unknown
threats. Mostly unknown, but maybe
mountain top removal mining. CLASS MAMMALIA Long-tailed Or Rock Shrew Sorex dispar blitchi Federal Heritage GRank SRank GRank SRank Status Status (Simplified) (Simplified) N E G4T3 S1 G3 S1 G-Trend Unknown G-Trend Comment S-Trend Unknown S-Trend Comment Habitat / This species uses
mountainous, forested areas (deciduous or evergreen) with Life History loose talus. Rocky damp areas with deep crevices
covered by leaf mold and roots are preferred. It may occur along small mountain streams and
will use artificial talus
created by road construction and pit mines. "Sorex dispar is probably the most
stenotopic mammal in eastern North America..." (Webster 1987). Nest sites are usually associated with
natural subterranean tunnels among boulder
crevices (NatureServe 2004). Key Habitat throughout Kentucky distribution: GOOD Habitat Key Habitat
Locations (and their condition): 1. Bledsoe Quad (Good) 2. Nolansburg Quad (Good) 3. Whitesburg Quad (Good) 4. Benham Quad (Good) Guilds caves, rock shelters,
and clifflines, Cumberland highland forest. Statewide Long-tailedOrRockShrew.pdf Map
CLASS MAMMALIA Long-tailed Or Rock Shrew Sorex dispar blitchi Conservation Issues Biological/ consumptive uses 5F Low population densities. Kirtland 1986 5H Isolated populations (low gene flow). Kirtland 1986 Miscellaneous Mortality Factors 6G Stochastic events (droughts,
unusual weather, pine beetle damage, flooding etc.). Kirtland 1986 Terrestrial habitat degradation 3P Pollution/toxicity (e.g., heavy metals, pesticides,
herbicides, acid rain). Dimond and Sherburne
1969; Churchfield 1992 3R Habitat and/or Population Fragmentation 3W Cervid over-abundance. Brooks and Healy 1988 Unknown factors/variables 7A Unknown
threats CLASS MAMMALIA Rafinesque's Big-eared Bat Corynorhinus
rafinesquii Federal Heritage GRank SRank GRank SRank Status Status (Simplified) (Simplified) N S G3G4 S3 G3 S3 G-Trend Decreasing G-Trend In summary, the
species is known or suspected to be declining in more than half Comment (10 out of 18) of the states within its range (NatureServe
2004). S-Trend Stable S-Trend In most other states,
data are unavailable to determine trends.
Colonies of this Comment bat in Kentucky seem to remain stable in size (John
MacGregor). Habitat / This species
sometimes uses suburban/orchard type habitat, and the buildings it Life History uses are usually abandoned and dilapidated. Special features it uses includes cliffline habitat
and even some bridge use. Wetlands may
be classified as suitable if they are
within an undetermined buffer of suitable vegetation. It also inhabits forested
regions. Hibernation in the north and in
mountainous regions most often occurs in
caves or similar sites; small caves are selected, and the bats stay near the entrance (often within 30 m) and
are thought to move about in winter (Handley 1959,
Barbour and Davis 1969). In Kentucky, shallow
caves or rock shelters in
sandstone formations of the Cumberland Plateau often are used (J.R. MacGregor). Key Habitat Condition for Kentucky distribution: Good Habitat Key Habitat
Locations (and their condition): 1. Mammoth Cave Quad
and Rhoda Quad (Good) 2. Rowan County (Good) 3. Hail Quad (Good) 4. Pulaski County Guilds caves, rock shelters,
and clifflines, emergent and shrub-dominated wetlands, forested wetland, savanna/
shrub-scrub, upland forest. Statewide Rafinesque'sBig-earedBat.pdf Map
CLASS MAMMALIA Rafinesque's Big-eared Bat Corynorhinus
rafinesquii Conservation Issues Miscellaneous Mortality Factors 6D Human disturbance (spelunking, destruction/disturbance
of nest sites) Terrestrial habitat degradation 3L Mine closures 3M Timber harvest 3N Removal of dead trees 3P Pollution/toxicity (e.g., heavy metals, pesticides,
herbicides, acid rain) 3U Loss, lack and degradation of special and unique
microhabitats CLASS MAMMALIA Southeastern Myotis Myotis
austroriparius Federal Heritage GRank SRank GRank SRank Status Status (Simplified) (Simplified) N E G3G4 S1S2 G3 S1 G-Trend Decreasing G-Trend NatureServe 2004 Comment S-Trend Unknown S-Trend Comment Habitat / Special habitat
features this species uses are snags and hollow trees. Wetlands Life History may be classified as suitable if they are within
an undetermined buffer of suitable vegetation. Kentucky populations winter in caves, but are
rare in most caves in the summer (J.R.
MacGregor). One large maternity colony
in a Kentucky cave has
been reported (J.R. MacGregor). Key Habitat throughout Kentucky distribution: UNKNOWN Habitat Key Habitat
Locations (and their condition): 1. Smithland Quad (Poor) 2. Caledonia Quad (Poor) 3. Boatwright
Wildlife Management Area, Ballard Wildlife Management Area, and West Kentucky
Wildlife Management Area (Good) Guilds caves, rock shelters,
and clifflines, forested wetland, running water, savanna/ shrub-scrub. Statewide SoutheasternMyotis.pdf Map
CLASS MAMMALIA Southeastern Myotis Myotis
austroriparius Conservation Issues Biological/ consumptive uses 5C Biological collection (overharvest). Collecting and banding can cause bats to vacate (Mumford and Whitaker 1982) Miscellaneous Mortality Factors 6D Human disturbance (spelunking, destruction/disturbance
of nest sites). Gore and Hovis 1992 6G Stochastic events (droughts,
unusual weather, pine beetle damage, flooding etc.). Flooding of caves; Gore and Hovis 1992 Terrestrial habitat degradation 3M Timber harvest.
Around cave entrance; Gore and Hovis 1992 3U Loss, lack and degradation of special and unique
microhabitats. Gore and Hovis 1992 CLASS MAMMALIA Swamp Rabbit Sylvilagus aquaticus Federal Heritage GRank SRank GRank SRank Status Status (Simplified) (Simplified) N N G5 S3S4 G5 S3 G-Trend Decreasing G-Trend Range diminishing
rapidly in Oklahoma due primarily to destruction of habitat Comment (draining of swampy areas, clearing of
floodplains, damming of rivers; Caire et al. 1989). Has declined in Missouri due to deforestation;
apparently locally abundant in some
locations (Figg 1991). S-Trend Decreasing S-Trend Sole (1994) studied
distribution of species, but noted rate of habitat loss for Comment this species through recent decades. Species still widely distributed throughout its historic range, but
habitat loss has severely isolated the species and extirpated it from
some areas (Sole 1994). Habitat / Cane brake community
(Arundinaria gigantica) should be added as "other" Life History habitat type, should be mapped if possible. This species is
usually restricted to floodplains, bottomlands, riparian areas. Prefers mature
forests but is associated with dense, brushy thickets in wooded floodplains along
borders of lakes, river, and swamps (NatureServe 2004). In Kentucky, swamp
rabbits are often found in giant cane (Arundinaria gigantica) thickets along the
edges of mature forests and wetlands. Key Habitat throughout Kentucky distribution: Overall
POOR, but GOOD in some Habitat sites. Key Habitat
Locations (and their condition): 1. Fulton and
Hickman Counties (FAIR to GOOD) 2. Ballard, Carlisle,
McCracken, and Graves Counties (FAIR) 3. Ohio and
Mississippi River bottoms in Fulton, Hickman, Carlisle, and Ballard Counties (FAIR
to GOOD) 4. Marshall County (GOOD) 5. Caldwell and
Hopkins county line (FAIR) 6. Hopkins/Muhlenberg/McLean
county lines (FAIR) Guilds Emergent and shrub-dominated wetlands, forested
wetland, savanna/ shrub- Statewide SwampRabbit.pdf Map
CLASS MAMMALIA Swamp Rabbit Sylvilagus aquaticus Conservation Issues Aquatic habitat degradation 2E Stream channelization/ditching 2F Riparian zone removal (Agriculture/development) 2H Wetland loss/drainage/alteration Biological/ consumptive uses 5H Isolated populations (low gene flow) Terrestrial habitat degradation 3A Row-crop agriculture (conversion to, annual
reuse of fields, etc) 3E Livestock grazing. Of riparian zones 3R Habitat and/or Population Fragmentation CLASS MAMMALIA Virginia Big-eared Bat Corynorhinus
townsendii virginianus Federal Heritage GRank SRank GRank SRank Status Status (Simplified) (Simplified) LE E G4T2 S1 G2 S1 G-Trend Increasing G-Trend U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service (1990) categorized the status as "improving," Comment with the population "stable overall" (NatureServe
2004). Kentucky Department of Fish
and Wildlife Resources (J.R. MacGregor and T.A. Hemberger) believes
the population is slowly increasing. S-Trend Stable S-Trend Kentucky Department
of Fish and Wildlife Resources data Comment Habitat / This species uses
caves, sandstone rock shelters, and cliffline habitat. Wetlands Life History may be classified as suitable if they are
within an undetermined buffer of suitable vegetation. Caves are typically in limestone karst
regions dominated by mature hardwood
forests of hickory, beech, maple, and hemlock (Matthews and Moseley 1990). The species prefers cool, well-ventilated
caves for hibernation (Matthews
and Moseley 1990). In eastern Kentucky, feeding
roosts were in
cliffs adjacent to two maternity roosts and one bachelor roost (Burford and Lacki 1998). Key Habitat throughout Kentucky distribution: FAIR Habitat Key Habitat
Locations (and their condition): 1. Lee County (Good) 2. Jackson County (Good) 3. Rockcastle County
(Good) Guilds caves, rock shelters,
and clifflines, emergent and shrub-dominated wetlands, grassland/agricultural,
savanna/ shrub-scrub, upland forest. Statewide VirginiaBig-earedBat.pdf Map
CLASS MAMMALIA Virginia Big-eared Bat Corynorhinus
townsendii virginianus Conservation Issues Biological/ consumptive uses 5D Competition from introduced/invasive or native
species. potentially gypsy moth (Sample and Whitmore 1993) Miscellaneous Mortality Factors 6D Human disturbance (spelunking, destruction/disturbance
of nest sites)
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Common name Scientific name Allegheny Woodrat Neotoma magister American Black Bear Ursus americanus Appalachian Cottontail Sylvilagus obscurus Cinereus Shrew Sorex cinereus Cotton Mouse Peromyscus gossypinus Eastern Small-footed Myotis Myotis leibii Eastern Spotted Skunk Spilogale putorius Evening Bat Nycticeius humeralis Gray Myotis Myotis grisescens Indiana Bat Myotis sodalis Kentucky Red-backed Vole Clethrionomys gapperi maurus Long-tailed or Rock Shrew Sorex dispar blitchi Rafinesque's Big-eared Bat Corynorhinus rafinesquii Southeastern Myotis Myotis austroriparius Swamp Rabbit Sylvilagus aquaticus Virginia Big-eared Bat Corynorhinus townsendii virginianus
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