THE BOG GUIDE

Despite difficulty for most plants to thrive at the bog, animals have adapted almost perfectly to the environment. While namesake species like the lynx, gray wolf and elk have been locally extinct, a variety of wildlife still persists here. Here is an overview of the majority of animals you will see at the bog.

Amphibians & Reptiles

Reptiles and amphibians tend to remain near vernal pools and generally moist environment. As such, you will spot these animals mostly in the fen.

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Eastern Garter Snake (Thamnophis Sirtalis Sirtalis)

A common and otherwise harmless snake, growing to be up to 2 feet in length. Varies in pattern but otherwise slender and small. Brighter underside with at least "3 conspicuous pale" stripes on the back. Hunts for small rodents in fen area.

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Eastern Red-backed Salamander (Plethodon Cinereus)

A noodley 3" salamander that lacks an aquatic larval stage. Typically favors moist environment, principally under rocks and inside logs. Readily identifiable by a red stripe on its back, though sometimes that colors can vary toward brown or tan.

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Pickerel Frog (Lithobates Palustris)

Leopard-looking pattern though spots are arranged in a parallel fashion on its back. Typically 2" in size and spends summer in an open habitat like the bog, not the fen. Further identified by yellow areas on underside, seen when jumping

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Spring Peeper (Pseudacris Crucifer)

This tiny, 1" frog is a bland, tan color and prefers vernal pools among other moist areas in the fen. It can be heard at any season. Tends to tuck its legs in on a leaf.

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Wood Turtle (Glyptemys Insculpta)

A particularly rough-looking turtle with a particularly rough shell. Typically between 6 and 7 inches long with a tapering, narrow tail. Easy to identify with bright orange markings on its lower neck and front legs. Frequents upland woods.

Birds ​

Birds are an extremely dynamic and cyclic group of animals in the sense that they migrate annually south, though some are year round residents. They are classified into these broad types: understory game, waterfowl, raptor, seabird, shorebird and songbird. A majority of the Bog's birds are songbirds and raptors.

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Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus Leucocephalus)

Typically found near water, as are its nests. Couples mate for life. Unmistakably white heat with yellow bill and dark brown body. Noticeably tall stature and typically holds its wings open when soaring. Wingspan can be upwards of 80" long and can be over 30" tall. Young are speckled grey and white.

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Barred Owl (Strix Varia)

A larger raptor of the owls, at about 21" on average in height. Speckled white and brown with a barred chest. Not entirely nocturnal and found in dense forest, like a fen. According to Kaufman's, the owl has a wide range of vocals, including cackles and "odd screams" as well as one particular sound: "who cooks for you, who cooks for you-allll?" Eyes are also particularly brown.

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Black-capped Chickadee (Poecile Atricapillus)

A stout, curious songbird with noticeable black cap on its head. Feathers typically grey with a reddish-white underbelly. Found alongside other birds in flocks. It is also the state bird of Maine and Massachusetts. Approximately 5" in size and spends a lot of its time in upper portion of trees.

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Blue Jay (Cyanocitta Cristata)

A high-energy songbird with an aggressive attitude. Frequently raids other birds' nests and eats or destroys eggs, as well as nests. Unmistakably blue head with a black ridge on back of the neck, with a blue tail with black stripes. 11" in size.

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Peregrine Falcon (Falco Peregrinus)

Fastest animal on the planet. Particularly smaller than other raptors, with a 17" wingspan. Adults are typically grey-winged with white neck and underside with black stripes down the legs and sides. Generally a migrant visitor to New England, and nests on high-up cliffs in deep wilderness, as well as city buildings.

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Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo Jamaicensis)

An adaptable raptor with a light underside and brownish-red tail and streaks on wings. Frequently seen circling skies above open areas like the bog. Particularly common, wingspan up to 50 inches. Young are speckled grey and white.

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White-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta Carolinensis)

This little songbird frequents deciduous trees. Noted for walking up and down trees rather flying. Additionally quirky acrobatic behavior. 5" in length.

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Mammals

While the true extent of the Bog's mammals are limited due to human-induced habitat fragmentation and over-hunting. However, a majority of mammals still do exist and call the Bog home. Most do reside in the fen but are rather elusive.

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Black Bear (Ursus Americanus)

Common throughout Maine. Generally lumbers through forests and is typically found along streams but as an omnivore, it can frequent frequent the bog and fen for cranberry and winterberry. Akin to brown bear but much smaller and missing the hump on the shoulder. Defensive of cubs but generally not aggressive, unless fed. It is an excellent climber of trees. Unmistakably black fur with a brown muzzle. Official mascot of the University of Maine.

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Eastern Chipmunk (Tamias Striatus)

A small, 10" squirrel-looking animal with smaller tail and noticeably redder fur with white and black stripes. Very active on forest floors, prefers soft soils to burrow and stores its caches there for winter months. 

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Eastern Coyote (Canis Latrans var)

Descendent of the western coyote and gray wolf. Big ears, long face, piercing sharp yellow eyes and, longer legs and smaller body particularly distinguishes the Eastern Coyote from the gray wolf. It is fairly common throughout New England and is generally avoidant of humans unless fed. 

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Eastern Gray Squirrel (Sciurus Carolinensis)

Larger than the chipmunk, with a more gray fur and longer tail, though a reddish-brown fur variant may occasionally persist in some. Builds globular nests in trees and prefers leaping from tree to tree rather run on the ground. 

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Moose (Alces Alces)

Quintessential icon of Northern New England. Lumbers through forests slicing smaller trees with its antlers. Frequents freshwater marshes and riparian areas. Generally avoids people but will defend itself if threatened. Up to 6 feet at shoulder with long, thick, legs and brown pelt. Females lack antlers.

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Red Fox (Vulpes Vulpes)

A small, cat-like canine with an unmistakable orange fur with a perky ears. Tail is thick, black, with a white tip. It isn't uncommon for variants of orange to display themselves across the species. Hunts small animals and dens in hillsides. 

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Snowshoe Hare (Lepus Americanus)

This large hare has an entirely white body during the winter and a brown summer coat. Giant hind feet help it stay above snow. Forages at night and generally hides during the day. Up to 18" in length.

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Virginia Opossum (Didelphis Virginiana)

North America's only marsupial is a new resident to Maine, moving in since the last decade. They have a rat-like appearance and a white face with a pink nose. They use their prehensile tail to hang from branches in trees. If threatened it "plays dead" by killing over and not moving until predator leaves.

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White-tailed Deer (Odocoileus virginianus)

Once on the brink of extinction, this species is now common across all environment. They browse forest understory for grasses, berries, twigs etc,. Males have antlers that they use to 'joust' other males to establish dominance.

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Insects

While the insects at Caribou Bog are not all unique, to the area it is still worth understanding this is mysterious and adaptable species.

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Pitcher Plant Mosquito (Wyeomyia smithii)

These mosquitos have adapted to the "gut" of the pitcher plant. While the gut's water would normally digest unsuspecting insects, this mosquito spends its larval state in this water. Little is known about this insect. 

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Dragonfly (Anisoptera)

Dragonfly larvae spend time in vernal pools in the fen. When they reach adulthood they frequent both the bog and fen. Approximately 2" long.

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Sources:

1. Kaufman, Kenn, Kimberly Kaufman, and Eric R. Eaton. Kaufman Field Guide to Nature of New England. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2012. Print.

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2. Marchand, Peter J. Nature Guide to the Northern Forest: Exploring the Ecology of the Forests of New York, New Hampshire, Vermont, and Maine. Boston, MA: Appalachian Mountain Club, 2010. Print.