ABSTRACT
Mammals represent the group of terrestrial vertebrates that have most provoked and assisted humans in their daily lives. Mammals, perhaps more than any other class of terrestrial vertebrates, have been used by urban residents to achieve aesthetic, biological, commercial, educational, recreational, and social objectives. Mammals in the United States represent only 12 of the 29 taxonomic orders. Orders are distinguished by anatomical characteristics, food-eating habits, methods of reproduction, habitat requirements, methods of locomotion, and behavioral traits. The primary management tool for mammals is animal damage control (ADC). Management of urban mammals requires consideration of a variety of urban resident stakeholder groups. The magnitude of government involvement by species and number of each can be found at the Wildlife Services website. These data were used to determine the numerical impact of Wildlife Service’s ADC harvests of raccoons and coyotes.
