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~. <br /> , <br />~' rodents. This section <br />summarizes the pertinent biological <br />~, information of the mammals of the Hayden Gulch site. <br /> Table H-2 lists these species. <br />' <br />~ Seven species of bats are known to range into the <br />. Williams Fork Mountains but the natural history of these <br /> <br />~; species is poorly known. These bats are insectivorous, <br /> migratory, and roost in caves, abandoned tunnels or old <br />~-+ buildings. Their use of the site is probably limited to <br />. aerial foraging. <br />~ <br />~ Two species of hares (white-tailed jackrabbit and <br />' snowshoe hare) and one rabbit species (Nuttall's cottontail) <br /> occur on the study site. Because of the low altitude and <br />~~ shrub dominance, the area is marcinal habitat for snowshoe <br /> hares. The dense shrub cover of the site also reduces the <br />_ value of the habitat for white-tailed jackrabbits, which <br /> prefer more open shrubland and grassland. The study site <br />~_ provides goad habitat for the cottontail species. <br />,- The Order Rodentia is a diverse group of generally <br />~ <br />I small, burrowing mammals with highly variable food pre- <br />~ ferances and habitat reouiremeats. Their abundance and <br /> intermediate position in the food web make them extremely <br />~ important to terrestrial ecosystems. Conmon species <br />_ <br />. include least chinmsnk, northern pocket gopher, deer mouse, <br /> and three voles - red-backed, montane, and long tailed. <br />.T' ~ Porcupine, yellow-bellied maraot, and Richa~dson's ground <br />~~~~ squirrel are also found at the site. <br /> Several species of the Order Carnivora are found in <br />~~ the Williams Fork Mountains but most of these species <br />''' probably use the study site only for foraging. The vege- <br />- tation of the study site is gcod habitat for long-tailed <br />„ <br />~ weasels and bobcats; both species may breed on the site. <br />r Coyote, red fox and badger may range onto the site for <br /> food; as might raccoons and skunks; these latter species . <br />~~ are typically restricted to moist, riparian areas however. <br /> Large carnivores (black bear and mountain lion) are rare <br /> in the Williams Fork Mountains. DTo recent mountain lion <br />_ sightings have been reported and occurrence of the species <br />~t at the site is doubtful. An occasional bear, wandering <br />~~ away from more suitable bear habitat to'the south in the , <br /> Flat Tops area, may visit the study site. <br />•i <br />~' Two large herbivorous game ma.^anals - elk and deer - <br /> <br />• utilize the Hayden Gulch site during the course of a yea-. <br />i These species aze important members of Williams Pork <br /> Mountains biotic communities as well as significant to <br /> recreational and sport hunting interests is Colorado. <br />,- <br /> . Elk occurring in the Williams For'c Mountains are <br /> part of the large White River elk her3 (present population <br /> <br />~ <br />~; totals anpro;cimately 23,000). The summer range of t_he <br />_ <br />J <br />- <br />-9- <br />