Mammal Archives - Lewis & Clark Research Database https://research.lewisandclarktrust.org/species-type/mammal/ A digital archive of treaties, documents, artwork, and 360° trail panoramas from the Corps of Discovery Wed, 18 Feb 2026 18:45:25 +0000 en-US hourly 1 Mountain Lion https://research.lewisandclarktrust.org/wildlife/mountain-lion/ Tue, 10 Feb 2026 23:17:35 +0000 https://research.lewisandclarktrust.org/wildlife/mountain-lion/ Lewis noted the "Panther" was found throughout the western territories, and its skins were prized by Native peoples for war garments.

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]]> “Large panther” killed by Fields. DNA studies invalidate subspecies distinction. Status difficult due to secretive life.

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]]> Raccoon https://research.lewisandclarktrust.org/wildlife/raccoon/ Tue, 10 Feb 2026 23:17:35 +0000 https://research.lewisandclarktrust.org/wildlife/raccoon/ Lewis noted that Pacific Northwest tribes used deadfalls and snares to trap raccoons, whose skins were fashioned into robes.

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]]> Lewis mentioned the raccoon in his January 1806 descriptions of Pacific Northwest trapping methods, noting that “deadfalls and snares are employed in taking the wolf the raccoon and fox.” He also referenced raccoon skins in the context of Native clothing, where “two of those of the Raccoon or tiger catt forms the pattern of the robe.” The raccoon was a familiar animal to the expedition members from the eastern states.

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]]> Long-tailed Weasel https://research.lewisandclarktrust.org/wildlife/long-tailed-weasel/ Tue, 10 Feb 2026 23:17:34 +0000 https://research.lewisandclarktrust.org/wildlife/long-tailed-weasel/ Lewis identified the weasel as the "genuine ermine" prized in the fur trade, and its white winter pelts decorated Shoshone garments.

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]]> As secretive predators, weasels were not much noted by Lewis. Skin obtained by trade sent to Jefferson from Fort Mandan.

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]]> American Mink https://research.lewisandclarktrust.org/wildlife/american-mink/ Tue, 10 Feb 2026 23:17:34 +0000 https://research.lewisandclarktrust.org/wildlife/american-mink/ Lewis and Clark described the mink at Fort Clatsop, noting it was identical to eastern mink and that Native women used its pelt as clothing.

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]]> Both Lewis and Clark described the mink in their February 1806 Fort Clatsop natural history notes, writing that “the mink is found in the woody country on this coast, and does not differ in any particular from those of the Atlantic states.” Lewis also observed that Native women used mink or polecat skins as clothing, confining a small skin between the body and waist garment. The mink’s dark lead-brown color was carefully noted.

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]]> Fox Squirrel https://research.lewisandclarktrust.org/wildlife/fox-squirrel/ Tue, 10 Feb 2026 23:17:34 +0000 https://research.lewisandclarktrust.org/wildlife/fox-squirrel/ Seaman the Newfoundland caught squirrels swimming across the Ohio River in a mass migration - one of the first notable wildlife encounters of the expedition.

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]]> One of the earliest wildlife encounters of the expedition occurred when Lewis’s dog Seaman caught squirrels swimming across the Ohio River in September 1803 – a remarkable mass migration event. Lewis later noted various squirrel species throughout the journey, including the “whistleing squirrel” (prairie dogs or ground squirrels) of the plains and a squirrel “of the speceis common to the Rocky Mountains.” The squirrel swimming migration was one of the most vivid early journal entries.

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]]> American Badger https://research.lewisandclarktrust.org/wildlife/american-badger/ Tue, 10 Feb 2026 23:17:34 +0000 https://research.lewisandclarktrust.org/wildlife/american-badger/ Lewis and Clark described the badger as "an animal of the Civit genus" inhabiting the open plains of both the Columbia and Missouri River regions.

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]]> A plains animal, the badger was unknown in the East. Collections on Missouri and Columbia (T.t. jeffersoni) were noted.

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]]> North American Porcupine https://research.lewisandclarktrust.org/wildlife/north-american-porcupine/ Tue, 10 Feb 2026 23:17:34 +0000 https://research.lewisandclarktrust.org/wildlife/north-american-porcupine/ Porcupines were encountered in the northern forests, and their quills were prized by Native tribes for decorating garments and ceremonial items.

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]]> Subspecies largely defined by range. Lewis noted many near “Porcupine [now Poplar] Creek.” A specimen was not collected.

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]]> Gray Wolf https://research.lewisandclarktrust.org/wildlife/gray-wolf/ Tue, 10 Feb 2026 23:17:33 +0000 https://research.lewisandclarktrust.org/wildlife/gray-wolf/ The gray wolf followed bison herds across the Great Plains and was a constant presence throughout the expedition, heard howling at camps nearly every night.

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]]> The gray wolf was one of the most commonly encountered predators throughout the expedition. Lewis and Clark noted wolves following bison herds across the Great Plains, and the animals were so abundant that the Corps often heard them howling at night. Wolf skins were an important trade commodity among the Plains tribes, exchanged for guns, powder, lead, and blankets.

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]]> Mountain Goat https://research.lewisandclarktrust.org/wildlife/mountain-goat/ Tue, 10 Feb 2026 17:52:32 +0000 https://research.lewisandclarktrust.org/wildlife/mountain-goat/ Lewis and Clark never saw a live mountain goat during their expedition, despite hearing numerous accounts from Native peoples about "white buffaloe or mountain sheep of the snowey hights" in the Bitterroot Mountains. They did...

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]]> Known only from skins and native reports until Clark “saw one at a distance.” Lewis described while at Fort Clatsop.

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]]> Elk https://research.lewisandclarktrust.org/wildlife/elk/ Tue, 10 Feb 2026 17:52:32 +0000 https://research.lewisandclarktrust.org/wildlife/elk/ While elk were known to Eastern Americans, Lewis and Clark encountered the Rocky Mountain subspecies in prodigious numbers and provided detailed descriptions that distinguished it from the eastern variety. Elk were a critical food source...

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]]> While elk were known to Eastern Americans, Lewis and Clark encountered the Rocky Mountain subspecies in prodigious numbers and provided detailed descriptions that distinguished it from the eastern variety. Elk were a critical food source for the expedition, particularly during the winter at Fort Clatsop where they subsisted almost entirely on elk meat. Lewis recorded killing 131 elk during their Pacific coast winter, documenting the species’ behavior, antler growth, and seasonal movements.

Journal Excerpt

Lewis, March 12, 1806: "The Elk is a much more eligible animal for the voyager than either the deer or the Antilope. it is more easily approached and in this country is much more abundant. the flesh is more nutritious, and a far greater quantity obtained from each animal."

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