| Order Sirenia - Manatees and dugongs |
| ___ Manatee (Trichechus manatus) |
Endangered |
Manatees are fairly common in the tidal waters surrounding the island. As herbivores they take advantage of the abundant salt marsh grass, feeding at high tides. Although they regularly frequent the tidal area, they do require fresh water. They are temperature sensitive and at this latitude congregate at artificial warm water outflows in cool weather.
|
| Order Carnivores - Carnivores |
| ___ Raccoon (Procyon lotor) |
Common |
| Populations may fluctuate annually in relation to available resources, but even when numbers are low, racoons utilize most of the island ecosystems, including the salt marsh. They are omnivorous, becoming pests around campgrounds and venturing out on the open beach in search of food. |
| ___ Mink (Mustela vison) |
Occasional |
| Because of the active, inquisitive nature of the mink, it may be seen in any habitat on the island. It is generally found in proximity to a salt or fresh water marsh where it obtains its common fare of aquatic insects, frogs, fish, and even birds and rodents. |
| ___ River otter (Lutra canadensis) |
Occasional |
| Island otters seasonally change their habits. During cold months, when alligators are inactive, otters utilize most of the fresh water ponds. Generally, as the weather warms and alligators resume activity, prudence directs otters to the salt marsh where they feed mainly on fish. In fresh water ponds they feed on crayfish, insects, and some very small fish. |
| ___ Harbor seal (Phoca viulina) |
Rare |
One individual of this northern species has been found on Cumberland Island. Normal range of the harbor seal is from Canada south along the New England coast to Long Island.
|
| Order Artiodactyla - Even-toed ungulates |
| ___ Deer (Odocoileus virginianus) |
Common |
Island deer are small and exploit most habitats. They have struggled for years in competition with feral animals for resources, so status of the population cannot be meaningfully assessed. Numbes do cycle dramatically.
|
Feral Animals
- Horses, burro, swine - |
| Order Perissodactyla - Odd-toed ungulates |
| ___ Burro (Equus asinus) |
One animal |
| One fairly tame burro released by residents runs loose with feral horses and is frequently seen on the beach. |
| ___ Horse (Equus caballus) |
Common |
A train-car load of mustangs from Arizona was released on the island in the 1920s and forms the basis of the present herd. Other stock was introduced periodically. Modern horses are not native to the North American continent, compete with native wildlife for resources, and are a serious insult to the natural ecosystems. The herd is subject to regular mortality from encephalitis.
|
| Order Artiodactyla |
| ___ Swine (Sus scrofa) |
Common |
The population of feral swine fluctuates from large to moderate and their impact on the native fauna and flora is devastating. Every species on the island is likely to feel the impact of these destructive, exotic animals.
|
Introduced Species
|
| Order Marsupialia - Pouched mammals |
| ___ Opossum (Didelphis virginiana) |
Common |
Opossums are not found on most Georgia barrier islands but were introduced to Cumberland Island in 1993 and are now found throughout the island. Coastal opossums harbor many parasites, including the potentially lethal agent causing trypanosomiasis in humans.
|
| Order Rodentia |
| ___ Fox Squirrel (Sciurus niger) |
Died out |
| These large squirrels were intorduced but apparently died out. There is a museum specimum from the island. |
| ___ Black Rat (Rattus rattus) |
Died out? |
There were large island populations in buildings in the late 1970s, but they may have been eliminated.
|
| Order Carnivora |
| ___ Bobcat (Lynx rufus) |
Uncommon |
| In 1988-89 bobcats were introduced to the island. Bobcats are not members of the present fauna on most Georgia barrier islands.
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Back to main Mammal Checklist.
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