While out on a Midnight Mushing run August 5, 2016 the WooFDriver captured these Porcupines. Porcupines are mammals who know how to protect themselves, with a coat covered in sharp quills for any predator that dares to harass them! Did you know they are the third largest rodent? They only ones bigger are the Capybara and the Beaver.
Wikipedia’s Webpage to learn more about these nocturnal creatures!
See the video below!!
On June 4, 2016, while out Mushing the WooFPAK on the Lower Trail, the WooFDriver spotted this Cottontail Rabbit hanging out with a bird on the trail! The average life expectancy for the Cottontail Rabbit is only 2 years, this is because almost every carnivore that is larger or quicker is their potential predator. Even squirrels with hunt them if they show signs of illness!!
Wikipedia’s Webpage to learn more
On June 10, 2016, while out Midnight Mushing on the C&O Canal Towpath in the area of Antietam, the WooFDriver and his crew made a rare sighting of a Long Tailed Weasel! They are small mammals but measuring from 11 to 17 inches long, they are actually the largest of the weasel family. You can find the Long Tailed Weasel throughout most of the United States living in various habitats from marshland, woodlands, open prairies to rocky outcrops.
Maryland Department of Natural Resources Website to learn more!
Enjoy the video from the sighting!
While watching for wildlife WooFDriver captured this Eastern Grey Squirrel(Sciurus Carolinensis)! They are a tree squirrel that are native to Eastern North America but have been introduced to Europe over the years. They are one of a few mammals that can descend a tree head first. This is due to their hind paws having claws that point backwards for better grip. To protect their food supply, if they feel like they are being watched they will pretend to hide their food and take it elsewhere.
Wikipedia Webpage to learn more about this squirrel
On December 27, 2015 the WooFDriver took the WooFPAK to the Greenbrier River Trail in West Virginia to do a Mushing adventure. On the trail they came across what appears to be a Red Squirrel(Tamiasciurus hudsonicus)! Red Squirrels live in a wide range of forest area across North America, hardwood forests to the east and pine forests to the west and north. They eat a wide variety of foods including spruce cones, seeds, berries, buds, mushrooms and sometimes even insects and bird eggs.
Alaska’s Department of Fish and Game Website to learn more about this squirrel
While traveling to Spruce Mountain West Virginia for a Mushing Tour, the WooFDriver captured these peaceful Sheep(Ovis aries) grazing in the valley. Sheep are flock animals, it is natural for them to follow the dominate sheep to new pastures. Flock behavior however is only exhibited with groups of four or more sheep and in regions where they have natural predators.
Wikipedia’s Webpage to learn more about Sheep
Please enjoy this photo album of Sheep the WooFDriver has captured throughout his adventures!
On a Midnight Mushing tour with the WooFDriver, the WooFPAK caught the scent of this Opossum! They are famous for “playing possum” when threatened by dogs, foxes, and other predators. This one however felt it was at a safe enough distance being up in the tree! They are excellent tree climbers and nest in tree holes or dens made by other animals.
National Geographic Website to learn more about Opossums
Enjoy this photo album from an Opossum encounter the WooFPAK had on Spruce Mountain in West Virginia on November 15, 2015!
The WooFPAK was first to alert on this sighting! While mushing WooFDriver noticed the PAK acting up and knew they were heading for something unusual ahead. This gorgeous and thankfully shy Black Bear(Ursus americanus)!!
The Black Bear is the smallest of the three bear species found in North America and they are only in North America. Their short, non-retractable claws give them their excellent tree climbing skills.
Defenders Website to learn more about Black Bears
While on a mushing tour with the WooFPAK, WooFDriver was able to get a glimpse of a beautiful Coyote! Coyotes are a relatively new addition to local ecosystems here in the east coast and first documented in Maryland in 1972. Average weight is approximately 30 to 40 pounds, with some individuals approaching close to 60 pounds.
Maryland’s Department of Natural Resources Website to learn more about Coyotes in Maryland
This is a picture of a Raccoon sleeping. One of the WooFDriver’s crew members rescued and released back into the wild.
Raccoons live deciduous and mixed forests, but are very adaptable extending their range to mountainous areas, coastal marshes and urban areas. In urban areas they often get into trouble by vehicles, making dens in attics and confrontations with domesticated pets.
Wikipedia’s Webpage to learn more about Raccoons