scotland’s birds and mammals handling collection birds and mammals handling collection contains 14...

Scotland’s birds and mammals handling collection

National Museum of Scotland Teachers’ Resource Pack


Teachers notes

Welcome to the National Museum of Scotland.

Our birds and mammals handling collection contains 14 specimens from our collections and we encourage everyone to enjoy looking at and handling them to find out more.

These notes include• Backgroundinformationaboutbirdsandmammals.

• Detailsabouteachspecimen.

• Ideasforquestions,thingstothinkaboutandtodiscusswithyour group.

Good handling guideThe collection is used by lots of different groups so we’d like your help to keep the collection in good condition. The specimens are very fragile and must be handled with care. Please follow these guidelines for working with the specimens and talk them through with your group.

1. Always wear gloves when handling the specimens (provided)

2. Please do not pick up the specimens by their heads

3. Always hold specimens over a table and hold them in two hands

4. Don’ttouchorpointatspecimenswithpencils,pensorothersharp objects

5. Check the specimens at the start and the end of your session

6. Please report any missing or broken items using the enclosed form



What are Mammals?• Humansaremammals!

• Mammalsareanimalsthatnourishtheiryoungwithmilkthat they produce from special glands.

• Mammalsbreatheairandarewarm-blooded.Theymaintain a constant body temperature regardless of the environmental temperature.

• Mostmammalshavehairandteeththatarespecialisedfordifferentfunctions,likecuttingandchewing.

• Mostmammalswalkonallfouroftheirlimbsbutsome,likehumans,standuprightontheirhindlimbs.

• Aquaticmammalshavesome(dolphinsandwhales)orall(seals and sealions) of their limbs modified as flippers for swimming.

• Batshavetheirlimbsmodifiedtoformwingsforflying.

• Mammalsareakindofvertebrate,ananimalwithabackbone. Other vertebrate animals include reptiles (e.g. lizards,snakes),birds,amphibians(e.g.frogs,newts)andfish.

• Mostanimalsdonothaveabackboneandareknownasinvertebrates.Theseincludeinsects,crustaceans(likecrabs),arachnids(likespiders),wormsandmolluscs.

Mammals• Therearethought

to be about 5500 species of mammals.

• Thelargestmammalis the blue whale which can reach about 25 m in length.

• Thesmallestmammal is the bumblebeebat,which is about 3 cm long.

• Thefastestlandmammal is the cheetah,aspeciesoflarge cat.

• Only2%ofallearth’s animals are vertebrates!

Fab facts!



Types of MammalsTherearethreekindsofmammal:monotremes,marsupialsandplacental mammals.

Monotremes

• Themonotremeslayeggs,ratherthangivingbirthtomorehighly developed young.

• Theyarepartofagroupthathasbeendistinctfromothersmammals for a very long time.

• Modern-daymonotremesincludetheechidnas(spinyanteaters) and the platypus.

Marsupials

• Marsupialsareborninanextremelyimmaturestate.

• Youngmarsupialsdevelopinpouchesontheoutsideoftheirmother’s body.

• Somemarsupialsincludekangaroosandkoalas.

Placental mammals

• Placentalmammalsarehighlydevelopedwhentheyareborn.

• Beforetheyareborn,theygetoxygenandnutrientsthroughaspecialorganwhichjoinsthemtotheirmother,calledtheplacenta.

• Mostmammalsareplacentalmammalslikecats,dogs,horsesand people.

What do mammals eat? Mammals have to eat a lot to maintain their high body temperature. They can be divided into groups according to what they eat.

• Herbivoresareplanteatersandincludesuchdiversemammalsaskangaroos,beavers,cattle,horses,elephantsandhares.

• Carnivoresaremeateatersandincludecats,dogsandseals.

• Omnivoreseatbothplantsandanimals.Examplesarehumans,pigs,badgersandbears.

• Insectivoreseatinsectsandincludemanybats,shrewsandanteaters.



What are birds?• Birdsareanimalsthathavefeathersandwings,arewarm-

blooded and lay eggs.

• Birdsbreatheair,haveabeakwithnoteethandaheartwith four chambers.

• Birdshaveahighmetabolicratewhichmeanstheyuseupcaloriesfromfoodveryquickly.

• Theyalsohavealightweightbutstrongskeleton.

• Allbirdsperiodicallyloseandregrowtheirfeathers;thisprocess is called ‘moult’.

• Likemammals,birdsareatypeofvertebrate.

• Birdwingsareevolvedforelimbs(likearmsorfrontlegs),and most bird species can fly.

• Asmallnumberofbirdspecies,likepenguins,cannotflybut even these had ancestors who were able to fly.

• Birdpopulationscanmoveatpredictabletimeseachyearbetweenbreedingandnon-breedingareas;thisistermed‘migration’.Birdsmaymigrateinresponsetochangesintheavailabilityoftheirfood,theweatherortheirhabitat.

Bird Behaviour• Somebirds,likeparrots,areamongthemostintelligent

animal species and have been seen making and using tools as well as sharing information with each other.

• Manyspeciesaresocial;theycommunicateusingvisualsignalsandthroughcallsandsongs,andparticipateinsocial behaviours including cooperative breeding and hunting,flocking,andmobbingofpredators.

Birds• Therearearound

10,000livingspeciesof birds

• ThelargestbirdistheOstrich;malescangrow to 2.75m tall.

• ThesmallestbirdistheBeeHummingbirdwhichis only 5cm in length.

• Thefastestflyingbird is the Peregrine Falcon.

• Currentlyabout1,200speciesofbirdsare threatened with extinctionbyhumanactivities.

Fab facts!



Types of BirdsBirdsaresplitintogroupsaccordingtotheirsimilarities.Thereare 27differentgroups,called‘orders’.ThenamesoftheordersareinLatinandareverycomplicatedbutyoumaystillhaveheardofalotofthebirds!Withinthegroups,thebirdsaredividedfurtherinto‘families’.

Thenamesinredareincludedinthishandlingcollection.Iftheorderisshowninblue,thentherearenobirdsfromthatorderthatbreedinScotland,althoughtheymayoccasionallyappearhereduringtheirmigrations.

Think about: How many of the birds do you know?

• Ducks, geese and swans are part of the group Anseriformes-birds that have 3 webbed toes (3.CommonPochard),(7.MuteSwan wing).

• Swifts and hummingbirds are part of the group Apodiformes-birdsthathaveveryrapidwingmovements.

• Nightjars an oilbirds are part of the group Caprimulgiformes-birds that are camouflaged and nocturnal.

• Waders, gulls and auks are part of the group Charadiiformes-sociable birds that live in flocks (2.Turnstone),(4.Blackheadedgull),(5.Puffin).

• Herons and storks are part of the group Ciconiiformes-mainly large birds with long legs and long bills that they use for wading in shallow water or marshes and feeding on fish.

• ThegroupColiiformes only includes mousebirds-small,fastbirds that are only found in Africa.

• Kingfishers, bee-eaters and hornbills are part of the group Coraciiformes that have brightly coloured plumage and often longtails,crests(thepartontopoftheirhead)andlargebills.

• Doves and pigeons form the group Columbiformes and have plump,compactbodieswithsmallheadsandsoft,denseplumage.

• Cuckoos and turacos are part of the group Cuculiformes-treeliving birds with short legs and rounded wings.

• Falcons, eagles, vultures and hawks are part of the group Falconiformesthathavesharp,curvedtalonsandhookedbillswithexcellentflightandsight(1. Kestrel).

• Turkeys, chickens, grouse and pheasants are part of the group Galliformesthataresometimesknownas‘game-birds’and several species have been domesticated.

• ThegroupGaviiformes only include divers-large,aquaticbirdswithstraight,sharplypointedbillsandwebbedtoes.


Scotland’s birds and mammals handling collection• Cranes and rails are part of the group Gruiformes -mainly

ground living birds that seldom or never fly.

• Perchingandsingingbirdssuchastits, crows, larks, swallows and wrens are part of the group Passeriformes that have 4 toes adaptedtoperchingbygrippingbranches,twigs,reedsandgrass and are amongst the most musical of birds (6. Great Tit).

• Pelicans, cormorants and gannets are part of the group Pelicaniformes-largefisheatingbirdswith4webbedtoes.

• ThegroupPhoenicopterformes only includes flamingos-anancientgroupofbirdsthatarelargewithlongnecks,longlegs,webbedfeet,anupsidedownbillandpinkplumage.

• Woodpeckers and toucans are part of the group Piciformes that have their toes arranged in pairs (zygodactyl feet) and specialised bills.

• ThegroupPodicipediformes only include grebes-freshwaterdiving birds that are foot propelled.

• Albatrosses, shearwaters and petrels are part of the group Procellariiformesthathavedeeplygrooved,hoodedbillsandcan locate their feeding areas and breeding places by smell.

• Parrots and cockatoos are part of the group Psittaciformes thathavecurvedupperbillsandscaly,zygodactylfeet.

• ThegroupPterocliiformes only include sandgrouse-terrestrialbirds that are like pigeons in size and shape.

• ThegroupSphenisciformes only include penguins-flightlesssea birds that are only found in the Southern hemisphere and are highly adapted for marine life.

• Owls and barn owls are part of the group Strigiformes and are very distinctive with big heads and forward facing eyes surrounded by a broad facial disk.

• Ostriches, emus and kiwis are part of the group Struthioniformes-extremelylarge,flightlessbirdsthatareadapted for running.

• ThegroupTinamiformes only include the tinamou-grounddwelling birds that like to crouch to hide and are clumsy when flying.

• Trogons and quetzals are part of the group Trogoniformes-beautifullycoloured,treelivingbirds.



Contents

Birds1. Kestrel

2. Turnstone

3. Common Pochard

4. Black-headedGull

5. Puffin

6. Great Tit

7. Mute Swan wing

Mammals8. Stoat

9. Pine marten

10. Beaverpelt

11. Badgerskull

12. Foxskull

13. Sheep skull with horns

14. Red deer antler



Thesharpclawsandbill-how do you think they are used?

See

The Kestrels’ conservation status is Amber as its numbers are declining because of loss of habitat due to changes in farming practice. What do you think could be done to help preserve it?

Think

Birds1. KestrelThe Kestrel is a small bird of prey which hovers while searching for food.

Imag

e:S

teve

Gan

tlett

/ww

w.b

irdin

gwor

ld.c

o.uk

Characteristics

• Kestrelshavetaperedwings and tails.

• Theirwingspanisroughly60-65cm.

• Theyhavesharp,archedclaws,largeeyesandshort,hookedbillswitha small notch on the cutting edge.

• MaleKestrels’backsand upperwings are a black-spottedchestnutbrown and their undersides are light brown with black spot. Theyhaveablue-greyhead and tail and the tail has a single black bar at the tip.

• FemaleKestrelsaredarker than the males and have black bars on theirback,wingsandtail.

Diet

• Withtheirkeeneyesight,sharptalons and strong beak,kestrelsarewelladapted to catching small agile prey such as small mammals and birds.

• FieldVolesarethemostimportant food for kestrels,althoughtheyregularly eat other small mammals such as wood mice and shrews and smallbirds,insectsandearthworms.

• IntownsKestrelseatbirdsmorefrequentlybecause there are fewer small mammals.

Habitat

• Therearebetween7500 and 7800 breeding pairs of Kestrels in Scotland with the highest numbers in the south and east.

• Kestrelsarefoundinawide variety of habitats acrossScotland,frommoorandheath,tofarmland and urban areas.

• Theonlyplacestheydo not favour are denseforests,vasttreeless wetlands and mountains.

• Kestrelsoftendonotbuildtheirownnests,but use nests built by other species.



Theslim,pointedbill–howdo you think it is used?

See

Compare this bill to the others in the handling collection-thinkabouthoweach is adapted to suit the method of feeding.

Think

2. TurnstoneThe Turnstone is a small migratory wader bird.

Imag

e:S

teve

Gan

tlett

/ww

w.b

irdin

gwor

ld.c

o.uk

Characteristics

• Turnstonesaresmallbut powerful and have strong necks and bills well suited to their feedingtechnique.

• Turnstoneshaveamottled appearance in their breeding plumage with a chestnut brown and black back.

• Theyhaveapatternedblack/brownandwhitehead with a white belly and orange legs.

Diet

• Turnstonesusetheirshort bills to pick out insects,crustaceansand mollusks from understones,andfliesand larvae from dead seaweed.

• Turnstonesarealsoopportunist feeders and,unlikemostwaders,willscavengeother food including fruit and waste from bins.

Habitat

• Turnstonescanbefound all around the Scottish coastline with the largest numbers intheOuterHebrides,Orkney and Shetland.

• Theylikerockyshoresas well as sandy and muddy ones.

• Turnstonesparticularlylike feeding on rocks coveredwithseaweed,and will feed along seawalls and jetties.



The flattened shape of the bill and the webbed feet-perfectforfeedingandswimming in the water.

See

These webbed feet are usedforswimming.Howdo you think the other birds use their feet and claws?

Think

3. PochardThePochardisamedium-sized,stockydivingduck.

Imag

e:F

reeD

igita

lPho

tos.n

et

Characteristics

• Pochardshaveadistinctive triangular head shape.

• Theyhavelong,darkgrey bills

• MalePochardsaregreywith a rusty red head andneck,andablackbreast and tail.

• FemalePochardsarebrown with a dark brown head and blotchy cheeks.

Diet

• Pochardsfeedmainlyby diving or dabbling (where they dip their bills into the water)

• Pochardseatplantsandseeds,snails,smallfishand insects.

• Theyoftenfeedatnight,andwillupend(immerse their head and top half of body in the water) for food as well as dive.

Habitat

• Pochards’breedinghabitat is marshes and lakes with a metre or more water depth.

• Theycanoftenbefound in open lakes and gravel pits in Scotland.

• Theyarefoundmorewidelyinwinter,oftenon larger lakes and even on estuaries.



4. Black-headed GullTheBlack-headedGullisasmallgull.Theyaresociable,quarrelsome,noisybirds,usuallyseeninsmallgroupsorflocks.

This is a young gull which is why it does not have a black head.

See

One of the main risks to theBlack-headedGullistheAmericanMink-anintroduced species that has been seen to kill birds in breeding colonies. What other sort of problems do you think introduced species can cause?

Think

Imag

e:M

attB

anks

/Fre

eDig

italP

hoto

s.net

Characteristics

• TheBlack-headedGullis35-39cmlongwitha86-99cmwingspan.

• Thesummeradulthasachocolate-brownhead(notblack,despitethename),whitebody,palegray wings with black tips and a red bill and legs.

• Itlosesitsdarkhoodinwinter and is left with just dark vertical streaks.

• Thisspeciestakestwoyears to reach maturity. Firstyearbirds,liketheonehere,haveablacktailband,moredarkareasinthewings,and,insummer,alessfullydeveloped dark hood.

Diet

• TheBlack-headedGull is a bold and opportunist feeder and willeatinsects,fish,seeds,worms,scrapsandcarrionintowns,or take invertebrates in ploughed fields with equalrelish.

Habitat

• Black-headedGullsbreed in colonies in largereed-bedsormarshes,oronislandsinlakes,nestingontheground.

• Theyarecommonandwidespread throughout Scotland.

• Theyarerarelyseenatsea far from coasts.



Theirshortwings-theseareadapted for swimming with aflyingtechniqueunderwater.

See

Why do you think puffins are black and white?

The black and white colouring is called ‘countershading’ and helps to protect them frompredators.Ifapuffinwere sitting in the water and apredatorflewoverit,theblack back feathers would blendinwiththewater,whichappears dark from above. Or if a shark were swimming beneathit,andlookedup,thewhite belly of the bird would blend in with t he sunlight above the water.

Think about

5. PuffinThePuffinisaspeciesofAuk-uprightbirdsthataregoodflyers,swimmers and divers but who look clumsy when walking.

Imag

e:P

hil/F

reeD

igita

lPho

tos.n

et

Characteristics

• Puffinshavedistinctiveblack and white plumage. They have a black back and head and a white belly and cheeks with an orange bill and feet.

• Theirbillsaretallandflattened and they shed the colourful outer parts of their bills after thebreedingseason,leaving a smaller and duller beak.

• Theirshortwingsareadapted for swimming withaflyingtechniqueunderwater.Intheair,they beat their wings rapidlyinswiftflight,often flying low over the ocean’s surface.

Diet

• Fish(especiallysandeels).

• Puffinscanholdseveral(as many as 12 or 13) smallfishatatime,crosswise in their bill. This allows them to take longerforagingtrips,since they can come back with more food for their chicks than birds that can only carry one fish at a time.

Habitat

• Puffinsbreedinlargecolonies on coastal cliffsoroffshoreislands,nesting in crevices among rocks or in burrows in the soil.

• InScotlandPuffinsare mainly found in breeding colonies such astheIsleofMay(offtheFifecoast);andtheShetland and Orkney Islands.



The black stripe running down the centre of their breasts.

See

The Great Tit’s song sounds like‘tee-cher’-perhapsyoucan find out what other bird songs sound like.

Think

6. Great TitThe Great Tit is a woodland bird which has readily adapted to man-madehabitatstobecomeafamiliargardenvisitor.

Imag

e:S

teve

Gan

tlett

/ww

w.b

irdin

gwor

ld.c

o.uk

Characteristics • GreatTitsarethe

largest of the UK Tits at around12.5-14cmlong.

• GreatTitshaveablackheadandneck,whitecheeks,anolivebackand yellow breast.

• Theyhaveadistinctiveblack stripe running down the centre of their yellow breast.

• FemaleGreatTitshavethe same colours as the males but they are duller and generally have narrower black stripes on the breast and belly.

• GreatTitsarevocalbirds that have up to 40 types of songs and calls.

Habitat• GreatTitscanbefound

inwoodlands,parksand gardens across Scotland.

• InthewintermonthsGreatTitsjoinBlueTits and others to form roaming flocks which scour gardens and countryside for food.

• TheonlyplacesinScotland where they do not breed are the Northern and Western Isles.

Diet • GreatTitseatmainly

insects in the summer months but they will eat a wider range of food,includingseedsandnuts,inthewintermonths.

• GreatTitscanholditems such as nuts in their feet and use their bill to crack the shell of the nut. This is called ‘hold-hammering’.



The very large size of the wing-theyusetheirwingsto good effect to defend themselves and arch them behind their backs in an aggressive pose.

See

Bytradition,allMuteSwansbelongtothemonarch!

Think

7. Mute Swan wingThe Mute Swan is one of the largest members of the duck family Anatidae,andisamongstthelargestflyingbirds.Theyflywiththeirneckextendedandwithregular,slowwingbeats.

Imag

e:M

attB

anks

/Fre

eDig

italP

hoto

s.net

Appearance• MuteSwansarepure

white with orange bills tipped with black.

• TheyhavelongS-shapednecks.

• Theycanreachlengthsof up to 1.6 m and weighbetween9-11kg.

• ThewingspanofaMute Swan can be almost 3 m (10 ft).

• AdultMuteSwanshavea patch of unfeathered skin between their eye and bill.

Diet: • Swansfeedinthewater

and on land. • Inthewaterswansget

theirfoodbyup-ending(immersing their head and top half of body in the water) or dabbling (where they dip their bills into the water).

• Theirdietiscomposedmainlyoftheroots,tubers,stemsandleavesofaquaticandsubmerged plants.

• Theywilloccasionallyeatsmallaquaticanimals.

Habitat• Swanscanbefound

anywhere there is a shallowlake,orslow-flowingrivers,eveninurban areas and parks.

• Somebirdsstayintheirterritoriesallyear,while others move short distances and form winter flocks.

• Incoldweather,somebirdsarrivefromEuropeintoeasternEngland.



The white colour of the coat with the black tip. The white colour camouflages the stoat in the snow and the black tip acts as a decoy to predators.

See

The stoat is a member of the ‘Mustelidae’ family. This family also includes otherweasels,mink,otters,ferrets and badgers. Can you think how these mammals are similar?

Think

8. StoatTheStoatisasmallpredatorymammalthatisaveryquickmover.

Characteristics• Stoatsarelongand

slender and may grow up to 30cm long.

• Theyhaveshortlegs,smallears,afastmetabolism and thick fur.

• Stoatshaverich,red-brown fur with a white belly and a black tipped tail.

• Inthewinterthefurofstoats in colder areas turnswhiteexceptforthe black tip of the tail. This white fur is called ‘ermine’.

• Stoatscommunicatebyscent (smelling).

Diet• Stoatsmainlyeat

rabbits and small rodents but they will alsoeatbirds,eggs,earthworms,largeinsects and carrion.

• Stoatsareactivepredators during both the day and night.

• Becauseoftheirslenderbuild,stoatscanfollowburrowing animals into their own homes.

• Stoatshuntalongditches,hedgerowsandwalls and in meadows and marshes. They rarely venture into open land.

Habitat• Stoatsarewidespread

throughout Scotland• Theirusualhabitats

arewoods,farmland,uplands,moorlands,marshes,sanddunesand hedgerows

• Stoatslivein‘dens’which are usually a rocky crevice or an abandoned burrow.

• Stoatsdonothibernate;they are active all through the year.



9. Pine martenThepinemartenisacarnivorous,arboreal(tree-living)memberoftheweaselfamily.ItwasoncefoundalloverBritainbutnowitis only widespread in the highlands of Scotland.

The long bushy tail that is used to help the animal balance.

See

Pine Martens are treetop hunters that can race along brancheschasingsquirrels.They have been credited with helping to reduce numbers of the invasive EasternGraySquirrel.

Think

Characteristics• Pinemartenshaveslim

bodies and a long bushy tail.

• Theyhavelongchestnut brown fur with acreamy-yellow‘bib’on the throat and chest and pale fur in their prominent and highly sensitive ears.

• Adultpinemartensaresimilar in size to a small domesticcat,andthespecies was often called the ‘marten cat’ in the past.

Diet• Pinemartensaremainly

nocturnal,huntingthrough the night and especially at dusk or dawn.

• Theyareveryagilepredators and can climb trees easily to catch theirprey,graspingthetrunkfirmly,diggingin their claws and bounding upwards with jerkymovements.Iftheyfall,theirsupplebodies twist to land safely on all four feet from as high as 20 meters!

• Pinemartenshavea varied diet and eat small mammals such as rodents,birdsandtheireggs,mammalcarrion,reptiles,amphibians,fish,crustaceans,beetles,fruit,berries,hazelnuts and fungi.

Habitat• Pinemartensprefer

coniferous woodland but can be found in mixedwoodlandtoo.

• Theysometimesliveonopen rocky moorland and hillsides.

• Pinemartensrarelyexcavatetheirowndens,preferringexistingcavitiesintreeholes,squirreldraysorrockcrevices.

• Theiryoung,calledkits,kittensorcubs,emergefrom the breeding denaroundJune,andby three months of age they resemble miniature adults.

• Thepinemartenisveryrare. A recent survey indicates that there maybeasfewas2,600to3,500animalsinScotland.



Thethickfur-beaverswerehunted for their fur so it could be made into warm clothing.

See

Howdobeavershelptheecosystem?

One way is that by cutting down trees they help change the diversity of forestsandallowsun-lovingplants to take hold.

Think

10. Beaver peltBeaversarelarge,semi-aquaticrodentsthatareknownforbuilding dams. The beaver is what is known as a ‘keystone’ species in forest and riverbank environments. There are few species which have such significant influences on ecosystem healthandfunction.BeaversbecameextinctinScotlandinthe16th Century due to hunting for their pelts and meat but in May 2009 three beaver families were successfully released in separate locations within the Knapdale Forest in Argyll.

Characteristics• Beavershavewebbed

hindfeet,andabroad,flattened,hairlesstail.

• Theyhavepooreyesight,butkeensensesofhearing,smell,and touch.

• Theyhavepowerfulfront teeth which they use for cutting wood and vegetation.

• Beaverscangrowtothesizeofamedium-sizeddog,weighingupto30kg,measuring60–90cm in body length and witha20-35cmtail.

• Theirsleekwaterproofcoats,flattenedmuscular tails and webbed hind feet to provide propulsion underwater mean they can live on land and in the water.

Diet• Beaversareherbivores.

Insummertheyfeedonaquaticplantslikepondweed and water lilies,sedges,grassesandshrubs.Inwinterthey feed on the twigs and bark of woody plantslikeaspen,willow,alder and birch.

• Theyoftenstoretheirfood underwater so it is accessible if the water freezes over.

• Beavershelptostimulate new growth in woodlands by gnawing on trees.

Habitat• Beaversareterritorial

and live in family groups near freshwater lochs or slow flowing rivers.

• Beaversusuallyliveinriverbankburrows,butsometimes build dams from logs and even lodges (homes) in the ponds created by the dams.

• Theyareknownfortheir alarm signal: when startledorfrightened,a swimming beaver will rapidly dive while forcefully slapping the water with its broad tail,audibleovergreatdistances above and below water.

• Beaversarecrepuscular,ratherthannocturnal,meaning they are most active at dawn and dusk. They are active throughout the year and do not hibernate.



Thesharp,pointedteethat the front for tearing meat and the flat teeth at the back for crushing vegetation.

See

Why do you think badgers are so rarely seen?

Think

11. Badger skullTheBadgerisashort-legged,thicksetomnivorewhichisfoundthroughout Scotland and is one of the most popular but rarely seen animals.

Imag

e:C

hris

Parfi

tt

Characteristics• Badgershaveblackand

white hair and their bodies look grey from a distance. They have black chests and forepaws with a prominent black and white striped head with white ears.

• Badgershavepooreyesightbutexcellenthearingandanextremelystrong sense of smell that is 700 to 800 times better thanours!

• Badgersarequitelarge,heavyset animals with powerful legs and jaws.

• Theycangrowupto75cm from head to tail and weigh up to 12 kg.

• Badgershavethelong,pointed canine teeth andjaggedpre-molarsof carnivores but also thebroad,flatmolarsofherbivores.

• Adultbadgersgrowlorbark as a warning and purr with pleasure.

• Badgersusuallywalkortrot,buttheycanrunwhen they need to. They arealsogoodatclimbing,and they can swim too.

Diet• Badgersareopportunistic

omnivores and will eat awidevarietyoffood,usually whatever is available.

• Theirmainfoodisearthworms but they alsoeatinsects,smallmammals,birdsandamphibians as well as fruit,fungiandroots.

• Badgersfindmostoftheirfood by digging.

Habitat• Badgersliveinstructured

groups called clans that usually include about 6adults,togetherwithyounger animals.

• Theyliveincomplexburrows called “setts” that are dug into banks of earth. The setts can be verylarge,dependingon

thesizeoftheclan,witha main sett that is used all year and smaller setts surrounding it that are used at certain times in the year.

• Badgersusuallybuildtheirsetts in sloping ground inwoodlands,especiallywhere the drainage is good and the soil is not too heavy to dig. They like sandy soil and avoid heavy,claysoil.

• Badgersarenocturnaland spend most of the daytime underground.

• InScotlandtheirfrequencyvariesgreatlyand although they are common in some parts of southern and central Scotland,theyarescarcein the north.



12. Fox SkullTheredfoxhasovertakenthegreywolfasthemostwidespreadandabundantland-dwellingcarnivoreintheworld.Untilrecentlyfoxescouldbehuntedwithdogs,butthislong-establishedpractice was outlawed recently.

Likethebadger,althoughitismainlycarnivorous,thefoxalsohassharppointedteeth for tearing meat and flat ones for crushing vegetation.

See

Whydoyouthinkfoxesare now common in urban areas?

One reason is that there is a wide variety of available foodforthemtoeat-including food in bins.

Think

Imag

e:F

reeD

igita

lPho

tos.n

et

Characteristics• Foxesaresimilartoa

small and slender dog with pointed ears and a long bushy tail.

• Theyhaveauburncoloured fur and are light grey underneath. The back of their ears and the front of their legs are black and their tail has a white tip.

• Foxesusuallyweighfrom 4 to 7 kg and measure about 70 cm from their head to the end of their body. Their tails are about 40 cm long.

• Theyhaveexcellentvision,smellandhearing.

• Inthewild,foxescanliveforupto10years,butmostfoxesonlylivefor 2 to 3 years due to hunting,roadaccidentsand diseases.

Diet• Foxesaremainly

carnivorous but they are opportunistic feeders that eat a wide variety of food when it is available.

• Theirdietincludesrodents,rabbitsandothersmallmammals,reptiles,(suchassnakes),amphibians,grasses,berries,fruit,fish,birds,eggs,insectsand other kinds of small animals.

• Usingapouncingtechniquepracticedfromanearlyage,foxesare usually able to kill theirpreyquickly.

Habitat• Foxesareabletoadapt

quicklytonewhabitatsand can be found in a huge variety of places fromlow-lyingmarshesto mountains. They are now common in urban areas.

• Foxesliveindensor‘earths’ that are dug by themselves or other animals.Inurbanareas,their earths may be under garden sheds or even under the floorboards of occupied houses.

• Foxesareterritorialandlive in family groups.

• Foxesaremainlynocturnal but can also be seen during the day. They are active all year.



The spiral shape of the hornsandtherough,ridgedtexture-sheephornsusuallycurl and spiral like this but goat horns grow straight. Sheep’s horns are hollow and will grow throughout their lifetime.

See

Hornsareusefultowildsheep but sheep farmers don’t like them as much. Why do you think this is?

They can make the sheep dangerous to handle and canalsogetstuckinfences,feedersandequipment.

Think

13. Sheep skull – Ram with hornsSheep are usually kept by farmers and were among the first animalstobedomesticatedbyhumankindfortheirwool,meatand milk.

Characteristics• Maledomesticsheep,

calledrams,canoftenbe distinguished from females,orewes,bytheir larger horns. When establishing territory anddominance,ramswill battle with a series of“ramming”head-butts.

• Domesticsheephavecrimped hair called wool. Wool was one ofthefirsttextilesandis obtained from the sheep by shearing.

• Domesticsheepcanrange from white to dark brown and some are even spotted. White sheep wool can be dyed various colours.

• Sheephaveanexcellentsense of smell and good hearing which makes them sensitive to noise when being handled.

Diet• Sheepareherbivores

that only eat vegetation (grass etc).

• Sheepare‘ruminants’which means that they chewtheirfoodtwice-once before swallowing it and then again after they have regurgitated it.

• Sheephaveacomplexdigestive system composed of four chambers,allowingthem to break down cellulosefromstems,leaves,andseedhulls into simpler carbohydrates.

• Sheephaveanarrowmouth and can crop plants very close to the ground,sotheywillovergraze pasture much faster than cattle.

• Maturesheephave32teeth. As with other

ruminants,thefrontteeth in the lower jaw biteagainstahard,toothless pad in the upper jaw. These are used to pick off vegetation,andthenthe rear teeth grind it before it is swallowed.

Habitat• Domesticsheepare

found throughout Scotland where there aretwomaintypes-upland and lowland sheep.

• Sheeptendtocongregate together in a flock and where the leadergoes,theotherswill follow.



Can you count how many branches there are on this antler?

See

Can you think of any other animals that have antlers?

Someexamplesarereindeer,moose and caribiou.

Think

14. Red deer antlerThe red deer is Scotland’s largest land mammal and is an iconic symbol of the country.Appearance

• Inthesummerreddeerhave reddish brown fur and in the winter it is grayish brown.

• Malereddeer(stags)growantlerseachyear,but the female deer (hinds) do not. Antlers arecomplexbonyappendages that are attached to the top of their heads.

• Thenumberofbranches in a deer’s antlers increases with age and can reach 16 points.

• Duringthematingseason,maturestagsuse their antlers to defend groups of hinds and prevent them from mating with other stags. Thestagsroar,walkparallel to each other and may lock their antlers together.

• Theantlersareshedeach year and fall to the ground. They are sometimes collected by craftsmen and have long been used to make decorativeitems,tools,toys and games.

• Deerareexcellentjumpers and swimmers.

• Reddeercanlivetoabout 16 years old.

Diet• Deeraregrazersof

grasses and dwarf shrubs such as heather and bilberry. They will eat tree shoots in the winter when their other food is limited.

• Theteethofdeerareadapted to feeding on vegetation,andlikeotherruminants,theylackupperincisors,instead having a tough pad at the front of their upper jaw.

Habitat • Therearehundredsof

thousands of red deer inScotland,withveryhigh numbers in some partsoftheHighlands.

• InsouthernScotlanddeer tend to be found in woodlands and forests but they have also adapted to open moors and hills.

scotland’s birds and mammals handling collection birds and mammals handling collection contains 14...

Documents