Terrestrial Mammals
Badger
Meles meles
A badger cannot be mistaken fo any other creature, with a head showing distinctive black and white stripes. They are usually seen alone. It is Scotland’s largest surviving carnivore and is a confident nocturnal forager with a rolling gait and an indi...
Daubenton's bat
Myotis daubentonii
Also known at the 'water bat' owing to their preferred proximity to water, where they feed on midges, gnats and other insects. Daubenton's bats are distinguishable by large feet and hairy toes, excellent for lifting insects from the surface of streams....
Mountain hare
Lepus timidus
This is Scotland’s native hare, the brown hare having been introduced by the Romans and the rabbit by the Normans; it has been pushed out of its original lowland range by these species. They are smaller and more sociable than the brown hare. It is on...
Orkney vole
Microtus arvalis orcadensis
A vole has small ears, a tail shorter than its body length and a rounded head. An Orkney vole is twice the size of the field vole, which is found across the rest
Pine marten
Martes martes
This agile tree dwelling mammal is part of the badger and otter family. It has a dark brown coat and a bushy tail. Each pine marten has a unique bib pattern under its chin and down its chest, which can be coloured from an orange-yellow to almost white. ...
Red Deer
Cervus elaphus
Red deer are Scotland’s largest surviving native wild land mammal. They have a body size a little smaller than a domestic donkey. Males are called stags and have antlers up to a metre long. These branch-like horns drop off in the spring and are grown...
Red squirrel
Sciurus vulgaris
Scotland’s only native squirrel prefers to live in coniferous trees particularly Scots pine. A shy animal that is often heard before it is seen by the sounds of its claws on the bark of the tree as it climbs. It will often freeze when disturbed relyi...
Roe deer
Capreolus capreolus
Roe deer have a body size a little smaller than a labrador dog, but with long graceful legs. Males are called bucks and have short straight antlers. These horns drop off in the winter and are grown again by the end of the spring, ready for the August rut...
Scottish wildcat
Felis silvestris grampia
Wildcats are truly wild cats and are perhaps the most difficult animals to see in the wild in Scotland. They are experts at keeping out of the way of humans. This predominantly grey coloured cat has a distinctive bushy tail with seven black bands around ...
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