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About Dana Krempels, Ph.D.
Expertise
I'm an evolutionary biologist with a passion for animals. Ask about natural history, behavior, ecology, evolution. PLEASE NOTE:

If you have found an "orphaned" wild animal or bird:
Please don't waste time asking questions on the internet, as the answers may come too late. DO NOT FEED THE ANIMAL, and DO NOT HANDLE IT unless it is in imminent danger. (Many wild "orphans" are not orphans at all!) If you are absolutely sure it is orphaned, keep it warm and quiet, and find a LICENSED WILDLIFE REHABILITATOR HERE. Don't try to raise the baby yourself. Many a well-intentioned rescuer will do more harm than good, especially with baby birds and baby rabbits.

I.D. OF MYSTERY ANIMALS
Without geographic location, time of day and habitat, I can't help. A clear picture is always best.

I.D. OF MYSTERY ANIMAL SOUNDS
It's impossible for me to I.D. an animal call without hearing it myself.

COMPARATIVE STRENGTHS
I'm not an expert on comparative strengths of different animals (more complicated than you might think!) nor bite forces.

FIGHTING ANIMALS
I refuse to answer "Which of these two animals--X or X--would win in a fight?".

These hypothetical matchups range from impossible (Grizzly Bears and Gorillas don't even occupy the same continent.) to ridiculous (Someone asked me "Who would win a fight between a Great White Shark and a tiger?").

The vast majority of animals--even the fierce and powerful--are not as warlike as Homo sapiens, and it's childish to project our aggressiveness onto them.

Experience
I have been the fortunate caregiver to a group of Black-tailed Jackrabbits rescued from the Miami International Airport, and not releasable in this area because they are not native. I also have rehabbed and released Eastern Cottontails, and am in contact with many very experienced wildlife rescuers who regularly handle injured or orphaned rabbits and hares.

Organizations
House Rabbit Society

Publications
Exotic DVM journal

Education/Credentials
I have a Ph.D. in Biology, with main areas of expertise in evolutionary biology, genetics, botany, and ecology.

 
   

You are here:  Experts > Animals/Pets > Veterinary Medicine > Wild Animals > Another snouted animal in Massachusetss

Wild Animals - Another snouted animal in Massachusetss


Expert: Dana Krempels, Ph.D. - 7/1/2009

Question
I am asking this question only because I saw two similar questions that asked about a 15-20 pound grayish-black mammal that actually appeared to have a snout or small trunk in New England. I am in Southeastern, Mass. My wife and 13 yr old son told me they saw this animal stopped, and then moving steadily across my yard, the neighbor's yard and into the woods.  It had a short haired coat, and the tail was not really pronounced.  The time of day was early dusk and still light out. I searched a mammals list in Mass. and found nothing close.  The picture of an anteater was the closest thing to what they saw, but the one they saw didn't have as long of a tail. Not sure what to think.

Answer
Dear Greg,

The only thing that sounds even remotely similar (but is rarely that big; they usually don't exceed 12 lbs.) is our old buddy the Virginia Opossum:

http://www.pbase.com/downywp/image/60412101

Check the picture and see if that might be who you saw.  There's a long, scaly tail, but it's not noticeable because of its lack of fur.

Maybe?

Dana  

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