Notes

Reindeer

Food.
Summer food is grass, sedges, green leaves of shrubs and new growth of larch, willow, and birch; mushrooms are sought in late summer. In winter, metabolism slows, and reindeer rely on high-carbohydrate lichens called reindeer moss, which they reach by digging craters in the snow. The calf follows its mother and shares this food.

Once winter sets in and snow covers the tundra, the reindeer diet narrows down to one food: lichen. Lichen survives the cold winters because of its unique biological combination of algae and fungus. Thanks to the algae, lichen doesn't require much sunlight to produce chlorophyll; the spongy material of the fungus also holds up well against the harsh temperatures.

Predators.
Humans are the main predators of adult Reindeer but calves are also preyed upon by bears and wolves.

Habitat: None


Raccoons.

Diet.
The raccoon is an omnivorous and opportunistic eater, with its diet determined heavily by its environment. Common foods include fruits, plants, nuts, berries, insects, rodents, frogs, eggs, and crayfish. In urban environments, the animal often sifts through garbage for food. The majority of its diet consists of invertebrates and plant foods.

Predators.

Coyotes.
While coyotes are largely eaters of carrion, they are also skilled predators. They will often eat raccoons, both adults and juveniles. Coyotes do hunt in packs, but one coyote is capable of killing a lone raccoon. The raccoon's natural aversion to coyotes makes it possible to use coyote urine as a raccoon repellent.
According to the Michigan Natural History website, great horned owls are large birds that are between 18 and 25 inches long and feature wingspans between 48 and 60 inches. Though their prey typically consists of small rats and mice, they will eat larger animals, including raccoons, opossums and skunks. While they will usually content themselves with juvenile raccoons, they have been known to kill and eat adults.


Foxes.
Though foxes share the same ecological niche as raccoons—both are predators and scavengers—foxes will also devour small, young raccoons if given the chance. Foxes are high-level predators that hunt a wide variety of animals, including raccoons, rabbits and snakes. Fox urine can even be used as raccoon repellent.

Wolves
Wolves are carnivores, and though they do a fair amount of scavenging, they are also excellent hunters. Wolves will hunt in packs to bring down a large prey animal, but a lone wolf can easily dispatch a raccoon. Not only do wolves prey upon raccoons, they will also devour shrews, hares, beavers, voles and fish.

Large Cats
Bobcats, mountain lions and pumas will all hunt raccoons if they are given the chance. These large predators help keep the raccoon population in check, and they can eat both juvenile raccoons and adult raccoons.

Humans
People will hunt raccoons for their pelts and also because they are considered pests. Raccoons will prey on chickens and they can carry rabies, which can be deadly to dogs and humans. People will use dogs to tree raccoons, and they will also shoot raccoons, trap them or poison them. While some people hunt raccoons for necessity, other people will hunt them for sport, in competitions.

Habitat: Dens

Walking sticks.

Predators.
primates, spiders, rodents, reptiles and birds. Bats are also a prominent and serious predation threat for these insects.

Diet
The walking stick will require a plant diet suitable for its species. The Indian walking stick, for instance, will feed on the leaves of various roses, ivies, pyracantha or even lettuce. The walking stick can be fed with fresh leafy stems from its preferred plants.

Habitat:None

Snakes.

Diet.
snakes eat one big high-fat, protein-packed meal a day, and then don’t eat for around 22 hours. The snake diet is meant to follow this.

Predators.
Mongoose
This small but very brave animal is not afraid of snakes. Why? We’ll there are several reasons for that. First, a mongoose is immune to the snakes’ poison. Second, its fur serves as a great protection mechanism. Third, is that mongoose has a very quick reaction. This predator of snakes is capable of biting off a snake’s head in the blink of an eye. Honey badger
This fearless animal manages to come as a winner out of any fight. Its diet is more than diverse and one of the most dangerous snakes on this planet are part of it. The worst that may happen in case of a snake’s bite is falling in a coma for several hours. However, the animal will survive. Is it really possible? Yes, it is. Honey badgers have a very thick and calloused skin. Hedgehog
This predator of snakes is skillful at biting through the spinal bones of a snake’s skeleton. When fighting with a snake, hedgehogs follow a special strategy called “bite and hide”. Their efforts are soon paid off. Snake continues attacking and hurting itself. (You do remember that one of the peculiarities of a hedgehog is its spines, don’t you?) Even though hedgehogs are immune to the majority of snakes’ poison, they have no chances to win in a fight against King cobra. Birds
Owls and hawks do not need to be immune to a snake’s poison in order to survive its attack and kill it. They attack a snake while still being in a flight. Their sharp pounces don’t leave a snake even the smallest chance for a survival. Actually, that’s one of the reasons why snakes prefer hiding in places where they won’t be noticed by these birds. Pets
Next predators are snakes are suprisingly dogs and cats, which may attack a snake if they feel that the reptile may harm them or their owner. Dogs turn out to be exceptionally protective. For them their owner is their best friend. It shouldn’t be surprising that a dog will do anything possible to protect the owner from the danger that snakes pose.

Habitat: None

Mountain lions.

Predators.
None other than humans

Diet.
Like most cats, cougars are obligate carnivores. This means that they must eat meat to survive, and the vast majority of their diet consists of meat. To capture enough prey to survive, these cats must be opportunistic. They prey on anything from insects and rabbits, to 1,500 lb. bull moose. Some commonly targeted species include deer, elk, moose, bighorn sheep, horse, pronghorn, mountain goat, and caribou.

Habitat: Dens.


Birds.

Diet.
Frugivores are most diverse in the tropics where fruit is available year-round. Many polygynous birds are fruit eaters. Males of these species have bright colors to augment their courtship displays, so many brightly colored birds rely heavily on fruit for their diet. Not all of the photos here depict frugivores many omnivorous birds incorporate fruit into their diets. Nectar provides a rich source of energy for many small birds, though these birds must supplement their diet with other foods. Hummingbirds constitute the largest family of nectivores, with approximately 350 species, all in the New World.
insect-eating birds
The majority of birds rely on insects for at least part of their diets. Insectivorous birds can get most of their water needs from their prey.
worm-eating birds
A few species of birds specialize in eating worms, while many other species eat worms occasionally.
fish-eating birds
Birds have evolved a wide variety of adaptations for feeding on fish. Some behavioral adaptations include plunge diving, surface diving, skimming the surface, spearing, and stealing. Beak shapes are highly varied correlating with the different behavioral adaptations. Fish-eating birds tend to have rear facing hooks on their tongues and a well developed proventriculus, the anterior chamber of the stomach.

Predators.
Domestic and Feral Cats. While they are playful and cute in your home, domestic cats are considered one of the most dangerous wild bird predators.
Snakes. Many of us would be startled if we came across a snake slithering around our backyard bird habitats.

Squirrels have both frustrated and fascinated bird watchers for years. They are a delight to watch, of course, but they also eagerly raid bird feeders. Beyond that, there have been accounts of squirrels eating injured birds and their young. It also is not uncommon for Gray Squirrels to ransack a wild bird nest to feed on eggs.

For squirrels, it’s all about a good opportunity. They are experienced foragers that scale tree trunks and limbs, so it’s easy to find bird nests.

Habitat. Trees