Washington NatureMapping Program

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Definition of "Developed" - General Code 200: Significant human influence. Surface development includes buildings, pavement, etc. Excludes agricultural land and clear cuts.

Developed: Medium Residential Density (221)

Descriptive Habitat Code: This developed (2) habitat has 50% development (2) in a residential area (1).
Photo: KMD


Long-toed salamander
Ambystoma macrodactylum
Code: AMMA
Photo: WDFW
Distribution and Habitat:
It is found in semi-dry sagebrush areas, rocky shores of lakes, alpine meadows, and even developed areas, in rotting wood and under rocks near lakes, ponds, wetlands and other areas of standing water.

Diet:
It feeds on spiders, crickets, earthworms, snails, slugs, beetle larvae, and small invertebrates.

Interesting fact:
The long-toed salamander is found in habitats occurring from sea level to elevations of over 10,000 feet.



Eastern gray squirrel
Sciurus carolinensis
Code: SCCA
Photo: KMD
Distribution and Habitat:
It is found throughout deciduous woodland areas of North America as well as being a common inhabitant of developed areas of towns, cities, residential and even industrial areas.

Diet:
It feeds on seeds, nuts, fruits, insects, and fungi.

Interesting fact:
The Eastern gray squirrel is responsible for causing extensive damage to certain species of trees by stripping off large sections of bark, chewing holes in bird nest boxes, and damaging flower beds.



House sparrow
Passer domesticus
Code: PADO
Photo: RA
Distribution and Habitat:
It is native to Europe and was introduced into the United States in 1850 where it has become a permanent fixture in developed areas.

Diet:
It is an omnivore and it feeds largely upon seeds, although it eats other food including insects and their larvae.

Interesting fact:
The house sparrow is a cavity nester and will out-compete the native birds for nest boxes.



House finch
Carpodacus mexicanus
Code: CARME
Photo: RA
Distribution and Habitat:
It is found in developed (urban) areas.

Diet:
It feeds primarily on seeds and fruit.

Interesting fact:
The house finch usually nests near water in trees, shrubs, vines, and hay stacks. It is similar looking to a purple finch that nests in conifer forests.



Dark-eyed junco
Junco hyemalis
Code: JUHY
Photo: RA
Distribution and Habitat:
It is found in low to medium developed (urban) areas.

Diet:
It feeds on insects and the seeds of weeds, not on commercially important grains.

Interesting fact:
The dark-eyed junco is also known as the Oregon junco. Some tail feathers will be all white and some dark brown.



Rock dove
Columba livia
Code: COLI
Photo: RA
Distribution and Habitat:
It is found in most medium-sized and large cities of the United States and in the Columbia Basin.

Diet:
It feeds primarily on seeds, and is especially common in areas where grain is cultivated, processed, transported or stored.

Interesting fact:
The rock dove is sometimes a problem in cities where they nest in the cornices of public buildings. They can breed any time of the year and provide milk in their crop (throat sac) for the nestlings to drink.



Virginia oposum
Didelphis virginiana
Code: DIVI
Photo: RA
Distribution and Habitat:
It is found in a wide variety of habitats, including temperate and tropical forests, mountains, grasslands and urban (developed) settings.

Diet:
It feeds upon insects, carrion, garbage, other small mammals, fruit, worms, etc.

Interesting fact:
They are the only marsupial in North America. Oposums have apposable first digits on the hind feet that assist with climbing trees. A female can carry fertilized eggs and have young in her pouch at the same time.


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