Furbearers have provided man with food and clothing since the beginning of time. Animal rights activists would have everyone believe that most of these animals are near extinction, which is a blatant lie. Most of the furbearers are found in higher numbers today (all across North America) than were here 200 years ago. They are a renewable resource. Sound wildlife management programs insure that they will always be here. Trappers who harvest the pelts of these animals are the primary group of people who help keep their numbers at a sustainable level which in turn helps prevent diseases such as mange and rabies from decimating animal populations.
All of the furbearer photos (unless otherwise noted) in this section were taken by the grand master of all wildlife photographers, Dr. Leonard Lee Rue III. We are truly grateful to him and his wife, Ursula, for allowing us to use these photographs. They are sponsors for this website and we encourage you to visit their website (www.ruewildlifephotos.com). Their photographs are beautiful when framed and hung on your wall. Information for selecting and ordering photos can be found on their website.
Many of the furbearers you see here are not just furbearers – some are classified as game animals also. Some are predators, some are not. As time permits we will provide a write up on each of the animals.
Alert adult badger at den site.
Female Black bear with 8-months old cubs.
This bear isn’t backing down.
Brown bear in Naknek River, Alaska, fishing for salmon.
Large polar bear walking in search for food.
Beaver out on snow, looking for fresh food.
Bobcat lying on rock ledge.
Cougar standing on high rock ledge, scanning its surrounding
Female coyote with her young pups close to den site.
The Fisher is the fastest tree-climbing animal in North America.
Arctic fox in winter-white fur.
Gray fox stalking prey.
Adult female (vixen) red fox trotting.
Canada Lynx “Gray Ghost” of the Northern forest.
American Martens spend most of their lifetime in trees.
The Mink hunts for its food both in the water and on land.
Muskrat, notice its webbed hind foot and vertically flattened tail.
The Nutria was imported into the USA from South America.
Opossums are the oldest living land mammal, being on the earth for about 60 million years.
Alert River Otter in water, watching for predators.
Male sea otter resting, wrapped in kelp.
Raccoon hunting for food in shallow water.
The Ringtail is also known as Miner’s Cat.
Young Northern fur seal bull.
Spotted skunk, disturbed while digging for grubs, displaying the defensive/thread posture.
Striped skunk in threat position tail raised, ready to spray.
Longtail Weasel
Short-tailed Weasel turning from summer-brown to winter-white coat.
