In the lower reach of Putah Creek a narrow riparian corridor is home to a rich diversity of wildlife. Although not a Sierran ecosystem, Putah Creek has a similar mammalian fauna. The habitat is productive and supports high densities of mesocarnivores like the raccoon, otter, skunk and opossum.
The Coon, Procyon lotor, roams at night foraging for a diverse diet ranging from mollusks, fish and bird eggs to fruits, berries and nuts. They are also common nighttime visitors to trash cans and pet food containers. Raccoons are crafty mammal who thrive in a wide variety of habitats and niches.
Though Coon may be the most notorious nocturnal critter of the area, several of his cohabitors can be also seen in the evening and early hours of the morning. This family of otters, Lutra canadensis, are coming back from an early morning swim, likely with bellies full of crayfish, freshwater mussels and fish. Afterward, they head up to their burrow in the levee to spend the day. They can be seen occasionally near UC Davis with sightings in the arboretum.
Opossums, Didelphis virginiana, are another nighttime scavenger competing for a diet similar to raccoons. Native to the East coast, opossums have invaded Western ecosystems. These critters can be commonly seen in the Sierras. Much like the raccoon, these critters are frequently encountered in the backyards of suburban neighborhoods.
The Striped skunk, Mephitis mephitis, is another nocturnal scavenger. Skunks forage for roots, downed fruit, and nuts, but relish the opportunity to capture small rodents, insects, and lizards.
The Coon also shares the habitat with herbivores like the black tailed jack rabbit, Lepus californicus,
as well as rodents like the western grey squirrel, Sciurus griseus,
and the deer mouse of the Peromyscus genus.
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