Here we are in the last days of February. A walk in the woods or across the prairie might give us the impression that there is not much activity this time of year. It may not be conspicuous the casual observer, but many of the mammals have been quite active for some time already. And there is not much leisure time in their future.
We often think of spring and summer in terms of leisure and recreational activities. But for many of our resident mammals it is time consumed with starting families and getting the young ones in a position to be able to make it through their first winter. So, there is no leisure time, particularly for the females! As for the males? Well, that is variable.
Most of the young of the year will be born, of course in spring and early summer. The rut, or breeding season of our big game such as deer, was last fall. Mating seasons are timed so the young are born in late spring or early summer when it is warmer, food is abundant, and there is time for the young to fully develop and be ready for the onset of winter. The gestation for smaller animals is short compared to that of deer, so many of our small mammals are already into their breeding season or will be soon.
The breeding season for coyotes, for example runs roughly from January to March. With about a two-month gestation period, that means the young could start to be born in early March. Then of course, the work of feeding them commences.
Things are similar for the red fox, with breeding in January and February and the young being born in March and April. It is not much different for skunks and raccoons. Several species, such as mink, prairie dogs, and cottontail rabbits will begin their mating season shortly.
If you have noticed the fox and gray squirrels chasing each other around recently, it is an indication that the breeding season is coming on. With squirrels, mating often occurs in January with the young being born in March.
So even though things seem quiet on the landscape this time of year, much is going on already, and the activity will only increase. And of course, it is all to help ensure another successful generation.
