Small Mammals
Small mammals other than bats include native and recently introduced squirrels (Sciuridae) and native shrews. Kwiaht relies on schoolchildren and landowners for cat-killed and road-kill specimens for study and education. Northern flying squirrels have been found only on San Juan Island, and Townsend’s chipmunks only on Lopez Island, while the same species of shrews (Sorex cinereus) seems to be distributed throughout the islands. Genotyping may discover even greater differentiation and isolation of island mammals. Kwiaht has also been studying the role of Townsend’s voles in recycling nutrients and dispersing seeds, corms and bulbs in the islands’ meadows—and investigating claims that island voles comprise a distinct sub-species (Microtus townsendii pugetii).
Mammal Distribution
White Footed Mouse