Providing interpretive education on wetlands and wildlife, panoramic views, water quality, weather, natural resource management, trails, bird watching, recreation, exhibits, displays and an eagles nest, Jackson Bottom Wetlands Preserve is a treasure of the Hillsboro community.
Hoofed Mammals
Black-tailed Deer
Elk (occasional visitor)
Carnivores
Bobcat
Feral House Cat
Striped Skunk
Short-tailed Weasel
American Mink
Northern River Otter
Northern Raccoon
Opossum
Coyote
Red Fox (possible, but not confirmed by sight)
Rodents
American Beaver
Common Muskrat
Nutria
Deer Mouse
House Mouse
Townsend’s Vole
Townsend’s Chipmunk
Fox Squirrel
Rabbits
Brush Rabbit
Bats
Little Brown Bat
Big Brown Bat
Hoary Bat
There could be other species here, but we do not know for sure.
Insectivores, Opossums and Mole Family
Townsend’s Mole
Shrew sp.
Virginia Opossum
NOTE: This is by no means a complete list! These are the most COMMON mammals. There could be a dozen more species living at the Preserve.
Nutria – member of the rodent family. Many people confuse them with beavers. They have a long, unfurred “rat-like” tail, the whiskers and fur around their nose and mouth are gray and they have a crescent of blond fur behind their ears. When they swim their back makes two humps above the water. They are active all hours of the day and night. Their scat is about two inches long and tapered at both ends. It is composed entirely of plant material, so often looks forest green.
Beaver – member of the rodent family. We know what their tail looks like, but what if you can’t see it? The fur on a beaver’s face is totally dark – no white around the muzzle, no gray whiskers, no blond crescents behind the ears. When they swim, they are totally flat in the water. Most beavers are almost strictly nocturnal and are seldom seen during the day. Their scat is hard to find because they defecate in the water and their scat usually falls apart. If you lucky enough to find some, it looks like a very large deer dropping composed entirely of fine sawdust!
Muskrat – another rodent. Muskrats are much smaller than either beavers or adult nutria, although they may be confused with young nutria. The tail is the key. A muskrat has a tail that is flattened laterally and when they are swimming, they look as though they are being chased through the water by a snake. They are also a uniform brown color, but in comparison to the beaver and nutria they often look lighter. Their scat is oval, usually longer than it is wide and is deposited in a sticky mass on exposed logs or stones at the water’s edge.
Mink – a member of the weasel family. They are very slender and over one foot long from nose to tail tip. Mink are dark chocolate brown in color with a small white spot on the chest. They are sleek and fast and very seldom seen. Their scat is a long, slender cord that looks very “twisty” and is tapered at both ends. It can be composed of fur and bones, feathers, or fish remains – it all depends on what was for dinner!
River Otter – another member of the weasel family. These animals are large – almost four feet long from nose to tail tip. They are a rich, dark brown color on the back of their body and a lovely silvery-brown on the underside. They surface and dive constantly as they swim – watch for the tail! An otter’s tail is completely furred and is very wide where it joins the body. Playful and curious, they are active all hours of the day and night. Their scat usually contains fish scales and crawdad shells and tends to crumble and fall apart.
2600 SW Hillsboro Hwy. Hillsboro, OR 97123|fax: 503-681-6277|phone: 503-681-6206