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old- growth or mature forests that possess complex structural components (uneven aged stands, <br />high canopy closure, multi - storied levels, high tree density). The owl is frequently associated <br />with mature mixed- conifer (Douglas -fir (Psuedotsuga menziesii), white fir (Abies concolor), <br />limber pine (Pinus flexilis) or blue spruce (Picea pungens)), pine -oak (ponderosa pine (Pinus <br />ponderosa) and Gambel oak (Quercus gambellii)), and riparian forests (various species of <br />broadleaved deciduous trees and shrubs). <br />Canyons with riparian or conifer communities are also important components. Owls are also <br />found in canyon habitat dominated by vertical - walled rocky cliffs within complex watersheds, <br />including tributary side canyons. Rock walls with caves, ledges, and other areas provide <br />protected nest and roost sites. Canyon habitat may include small isolated patches or stringers of <br />forested vegetation including stands of mixed- conifer, ponderosa pine, pine -oak, pinyon juniper, <br />and/or riparian vegetation in which owls regularly roost and forage. Owls are usually found in <br />areas with some type of water source (i.e., perennial stream, creeks, and springs, ephemeral <br />water, small pools from runoff, reservoir emissions). Even small sources of water such as small <br />pools or puddles create humid conditions. <br />Roosting and nesting habitats exhibit certain identifiable features, including large trees (those <br />with a trunk diameter of 12 inches or more (i.e., high tree basal area)), uneven aged tree stands, <br />multi - storied canopy, a tree canopy creating shade over 40 percent or more of the ground (i.e., <br />moderate to high canopy closure), and decadence in the form of downed logs and snags (standing <br />dead trees). Canopy closure is typically greater than 40 percent. <br />Owl foraging habitat includes a wide variety of forest conditions, canyon bottoms, cliff faces, <br />tops of canyon rims, and riparian areas. The owl occupies a broad geographical area, but does <br />not occur uniformly throughout its range. Instead, the owl occurs in disjunct localities that <br />correspond to isolated mountain systems and canyons. <br />Black - footed ferret <br />The Black- footed ferret, (Mustela nigripes), is 18 to 24 inches long, including a 5 to 6 inch tail. It <br />weighs only one - and -a -half to two - and -a -half pounds, with males slightly larger than females. <br />The black- footed ferret is well adapted to its prairie environment. Its color and markings blend so <br />well with grassland soils and plants that it is hard to detect until it moves. It is a slender, wiry <br />animal with a black face mask, black feet, and a black - tipped tail. The rest of its short, sleek fur <br />is a yellow -buff color, lighter on the belly and nearly white on the forehead, muzzle, and throat. <br />It has short legs with large front paws and claws developed for digging. The ferret's large ears <br />and eyes suggest it has acute hearing and sight, but smell is probably its most important sense for <br />hunting prey underground in the dark. <br />The species occupies grassland plains in close association with prairie dog colonies at elevations <br />of less than 10,500 feet above mean sea level. The black - footed ferret preys on prairie dogs <br />primarily and uses their burrows for shelter and denning <br />Canada lynx <br />Page 7 <br />