Animal Pests

Black Bear (Ursus americanus)
Black Bears are omnivores, though 85% of their diet is plant-based. During the fall, they go through a period called hyperphagia; their appetites go into hyper drive.  Key Characteristics: Black Bears are not always black! They can be dark brown or sometimes even cinnamon in color.
Learn about Black Bears: NDOW Learn ABout Black Bears: Nevada Today Learn about Black Bears: Bearwise

Bobcat (Lynx rufus) 
Bobcats typically choose rocky areas with  plenty of coverage but Nevada residents may spot a Bobcat in their neighborhood. Key Characteristics: Fur is often a tan to gray-brown color and spotted and striped, bobcats have a short tail.
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE Bobcat

Canada Goose (Branta canadensis)
Canada Geese primarily feed on vegetation such as algae, leaves, grass, seeds, but occasionally consume lawns and crops. Key Characteristics: One of the largest of the geese family, with a black neck and head, white chin, brown body.
Learn about the Canada Goose NDOW Learn about Geese Management

Coyote (Canis latrans)
Coyotes are found in about any type of habitat and they thrive in both wild areas and urban settings. Key Characteristics: About the size of a medium-sized dog, they often have buff colored fur and a bushy tail but their size and coloration vary. 
Learn more about Coyotes Learn about Coyote Management

Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos) 
American Crows have a wide-ranging diet, taking advantage of any available food source. They can be damaging to gardens or food crops. Key Characteristics: Large, black birds often found in groups, crows are highly social birds.
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE American Crow

Desert Cottontails (Sylvilagus audubonii)
Cttontails are common and widespread throughout Nevada. They are active in the early morning, late afternoon and at night and eat a wide variety of plants. Key Characteristics: Small bodied rabbit, their round tail is dark on top with a white underside, resembling a cotton ball.
Learn more about Desert Cottontails

Gray Fox (Urocyon cinereoargenteus)
Gray Foxes forage for food mostly at night and can climb trees. Key Characteristics: Small body size and bushy, black-tipped tail. They can be gray or reddish.
Learn more about the Gray Fox 

Great Basin Rattlesnake (Crotalus oreganus lutosus)
These snakes are found throughout all of Northern Nevada, and into parts of Southern Nevada. They are found in a variety of habitats. Key Characteristics: The Great Basin Rattlesnake is a light brown snake with darker spots running down the middle of it’s back. They can come in shades of brown, gray, olive, and yellow. Like most other rattlesnakes found in Norther America, they have a thick body, the characteristic arrow shaped head, and a rattle on the end of its tail. Note: The Great Basin Rattlesnake is a pit viper and is venomous.
Learn more about Great Basin Rattlesnake Learn about Living with Rattlesnakes

Jack Rabbit (Lepus californicus)
Jackrabbits are mostly nocturnal, spending their time foraging from sunset to sunrise and resting in shallow depressions they dig under bushes during the day. They can eat a wide variety of vegetation even cactci. Key Characteristics:  They have big feet, long hind legs, and ears. They can be distinguished from cottontails by the black tips on their ears and black stripe running down their back.
Learn more about Jack Rabbit

Magpie (Pica hudsonia)
Black-billed Magpies are year-round residents in much of the western and central United States and are found everywhere in Nevada but the far south. The are sometimes a problem at birdfeeders and food crops. Key Characteristics: A black and white jay-like bird with blue-green iridescence on its wings and tail
Learn more about Magpies

Marmots (Marmota flaviventris)
The Yellow-Bellied Marmot is the most frequently occuring in Nevada. They make burrows and eat a variety of plants. They can be somewhat destructive to vegetation. Key Characteristics: Plump mammals brown fur, a yellowish belly, and a white spot between eyes. Common mammal in both urban areas and high-altitude mountains.
Learn more about Marmots

Mice and Rats (Pocket rats, kangaroo rats, pack rats, black rats, roof rats, deer mice, house mice and more.)
Nevada has a variety of mouse and rat species, both native and non-native. Pest prevention steps are similar for many types. Key Characteristics: Most mice and rats in Nevada have pale brown to gray fur on their upper body with lighter fur on their undersides.
Learn about rodent prevention

Mountain Lion (Puma concolor) 
Mountain Lions have many different names including puma, cougar, and more. They are substantially larger than bobcats. They are found all over Nevada but are generally shy and keep to themselves. Key Characteristics: Mountain lions color varies but they are typically yellow-brown to gray-brown fur with a buff colored belly with a distinctive long tail. 
Learn more about Mountain Lions

Mule Deer (Odocoileus hemionus)
Mule deer are found across the state of Nevada and while they are a welcome sight to wildlife viewers and hunters, they can be a problem for home gardens.  Key Characteristics: Mule deer are varied shades of brown with a white rump and black tipped tail.
Learn more about mule deer Learn about Managing deer

Pigeons(Columbia livia))
Pigeons are highly dependent on humans for food as well as for sites for roosting and nesting; this can make them problematic for homes and businesses. Key Characteristics: Pigeons (Columbia livia) typically have a gray body with a whitish rump and red feet but colors vary.
Learn more about Pigeons