Mammals of Richmond
The following checklist of mammals has been compiled from several data sources, including the Lulu Island Bog Inventory and Evaluation report, photo records, observations from the Richmond Nature Park, and personal observations. It is not a comprehensive checklist, and further research is needed, but it does document the majority of species found in the municipality. Nomenclature in the checklist follows Nagorsen's checklist for the Mammals of British Columbia, found on E-Fauna BC.
Visit the E-Fauna BC mammal atlas pages for more details on these species in BC.
Bats
Eptesicus fuscus (Big Brown Bat)
Minchkin 2006, Richmond Nature Park
Carnivores
Canis latrans (Coyote)
Coyotes are regularly observed in Richmond, hunting in agricultural fields, crossing roadways at night, or even raiding garbage cans.
Mephitis mephitis (Striped Skunk)
Frequently observed throughout Richmond
Mustela erminea (Short-tailed Weasel)
Unconfirmed observation of tracks in the RNP in 1999/2000/2001 (Griffith, pers comm.)
Mustela vison (Mink)
Unconfirmed sighting, Bauder 2005, Richmond Nature Park boardwalk (Bauder, personal communication to Neil Davis)
Procyon lotor (Raccoon)
Frequent throughout Lulu Island
Ursus americanus (Black Bear)
Black Bears have periodically been observed on Lulu Islad. The most recent sighting was on Sea Island in 2011.
Vulpes vulpes (Red Fox)
Historical records from the Richmond Nature Park, RNP files. Photos.
Hoofed Mammals
Odocoileus hemionus (Black-tailed Deer)
Once frequent on Lulu Island, development has reduced the numbers of this species.
Lagomorphs
Lepus americanus (Snowshoe Hare (washingtonii subspecies)
This species requires confirmation in Richmond. Possible sightings in the Richmond Nature Park (pers. comm., Hugh Griffith, Richmond Nature Park Assistant Naturalist). Roadkill of possible young Snowshoe Hare 2006 (photo).
Oryctolagus cuniculus (European Rabbit)
This introduced species is found throughout Lulu Island, probably a result of abandoned pets or 'Easter bunnies'.
Sylvilagus floridanus (Eastern Cottontail)
The Eastern Cottontail first arrived in British Columbia in 1952, presumably from an introduced population in Washington State (McTaggart-Cowan and Guiguet 1965). Readily observed in Richmond, observed by Richmond Nature Park staff.
Marine Mammals
Phoca vitulina (Harbour Seal)
Frequently observed in the Fraser River
Histriophoca fasciata (Ribbon Seal) (Accidental)
The Ribbon Seal is an Arctic and Sub-Arctic species that is an accidental species in British Columbia. It has been reported only once from Richmond, British Columbia (June 2012). Its native range is "the Arctic and Subarctic regions of the North Pacific Ocean, notably in the Bering Sea and Sea of Okhotsk" (Wikipedia 2012).
Zalophus californianus (California Sea Lion)
Frequently observed around Steveston; Sea lion tours can be taken from Steveston harbour.
Moles and Shrews
Scapanus townsendii (Coast Mole)
Found throughout Lulu Island.
Sorex vagrans (Dusky/Vagrant Shrew)
Frequently collected during the Lulu Island Bog inventory
Rodents
Castor canadensis (Beaver)
Numerous colonies are found throughout Richmond, including Green Slough and Scotch Pond.
Glaucomys sabrinus (Northern Flying Squirrel)
Specimen records from Richmond have been reported (Gonzales, 2000, pers. com.).
Microtus monticolus (Townsnd's Vole)
Collected in the Richmond Nature Park, Macueen 2004 (trapped)
Ondatra zebethicus (Muskrat)
Frequently observed in ditches throughout Lulu Island.
Peromyscus maniculatus artemisiae (Deer Mouse)
Collected in the Richmond Nature Park, and elsewhere is frequently observed.
Rattus norvegicus (Norway Rat)
Introduced and abundant
Rattus rattus (Black Rat)
Abundant throughout.
Sciurus carolinensis (Eastern Grey Squirrel)
Introduced and abundant in urban areas
Tamiasciurus douglasii (Douglas Squirrel)
A native forest species of squirrel, frequently observed in the Richmond Nature Park.