Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area - Mammals

Over 50 mammal species can be found in the Santa Monica Mountains. Mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus californicus) are the largest herbivores in the Santa Monica Mountains and can be found throughout the Mountains in a variety of habitats. Lagomorphs or rabbits are represented by three species, including the brush rabbit (Sylvilagus bachmani), Audubon's cottontail (Sylvilagus audubonii) and the black-tailed jackrabbit (Lepus californicus).

Collectively these species inhabit brushy areas and especially meadows and grasslands. Rodents comprise the final segment of the herbivorous mammals of the Santa Monica Mountains. Common species include: the California ground squirrel (Spermophilus beechyi beechyi), fox squirrel (Sciurus niger), deer mouse (Peromyscus maniculatus), dusky-footed woodrat (Neotoma fuscipes), Pacific kangaroo rat (Dipodomys agilis), and the pocket mouse (Perognathus californicus). The Santa Monica Mountains still contain mountain lions (Felis concolor), although their continued ability to survive in the face of large-scale habitat fragmentation and destruction is uncertain.

It is likely that their persistence in the Mountains will depend upon their capability of dispersing to and from other habitat areas beyond the Santa Monica Mountains. Other predators include bobcats (Lynx rufus), coyotes (Canis latrans), gray foxes (Urocyon cinereoargenteus), badgers (Taxidea taxus), ringtails (Bassariscus astutus), raccoons (Procyon lotor), spotted and striped skunks (Mephitis mephitis and Spilogale putorius), and long-tailed weasels (Mustela frenata). In general, the survival of carnivores will depend on their ability to survive amid increased developments and the extent to which these species can disperse between open space areas and parklands.