Critters of California — Get to Know the Wildside of California
Learn about 65 of California’s most important birds, mammals, reptiles, and amphibians. The Critters of California Wildlife pocket guide by Alex Troutam is informative, concise, and easy to use. Each species is showcased with a professional-quality photograph paired with neat-to-know details like habitat, range, and a “Did You Know?” set of facts.
DID YOU KNOW?
San Miguel Island, off the coast of California, is the largest rookery (gathering) of breeding California sea lions. There can be over 70,000 animals on the island. Pups have distinct whines and noises that females can recognize even from hundreds of feet away. Sea lions use a technique called rafting in order to rest and regulate body temperature; they hold their flippers above the water while their head is in the water.
The Hoary Bat is one of the most widespread bats in North and South America. They are also the only bat species found in Hawaii. They can fly 13 miles per hour and as high as 8,000 feet during their long-distance migrations.
Elephant seals get their name from the large proboscis (snout or nose) of the adult male, which looks like an elephant’s trunk. Elephant seals spend almost 80% of their lives in the ocean, and 90% of that time is spent underwater. They can dive over 4,000 feet and stay underwater for over half an hour. In California, they are the largest carnivore of all mammals. They have a migration route that is over 13,000 miles roundtrip.
Tufted puffins are amazing flyers; they can reach speeds of 40 miles per hour and can beat their wings at over 300 beats per minute. Their impressive movements are not limited to the air. Because of their dense bones, they can dive up to 200 feet at one time and catch up to 20 small fish in their bill. On land, they use their feet and bill to dig nesting burrows that can reach over 5 feet deep.
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About the author: Alex Troutman is a Fish and Wildlife Biologist and Environmental Educator with a passion for sharing and immersing the younger generation in nature. He has a Bachelor’s Degree in Biology and a Master’s Degree with a focus on Conservation Biology from Georgia Southern University. Knowing how it feels to not see anyone who looks like you in your dream career, Alex makes it a point to be that representation for young people. He is the co-organizer for several Black in X weeks, including Black Birders Week and Black Mammologists Week, and he takes part in wider movements encouraging diversity in nature, the celebration of Black individual scientists, awareness of Black nature enthusiasts, and diversity in STEAM fields.
With a passion for nature that started when he was young, Alex was always amazed by the red-tailed hawks soaring overhead when he went fishing with his family. He looked up to conservationists like Steve Irwin and Jeff Corwin. Now he has made a career out of that passion and curiosity. In his spare time, you can find him camping, exploring nature with his dog, and birding.
