Wednesday, February 1, 2012

Mammals of Korea (just a few)

Mystery bat (Far Eastern Myotis Myotis bombinus?) + two crickets - Jeju Island, October 2009
Roe Deer Capreolus capreolus - Jeju Island, March 2011
Siberian Weasel Mustela sibirica (almost) - Jeju Island, April 2011
Short-beaked Common Dolphin Delphinus delphis (surfing) - Jeju Island, March 2011
Short-beaked Common Dolphin Delphinus delphis - Jeju Island, May 2011
Short-beaked Common Dolphin Delphinus delphis - Jeju Island, May 2011
Manchurian Sika Deer Cervus nippon mantchuricus  (note the anger) - Ilsan, February 2008
Siberian Chipmunk Eutamias sibiricus - Ilsan, April 2008
Red Squirrel Sciurus vulgaris - Geoje Island, January 2012
Roe Deer Capreolus capreolus - Jeju Island, May 2011
Temminck's Mole Mogera wogura - Ilsan, April 2008
Norway Rat Rattus norvegicus - Jeju Island, September 2010
  Here are a few of the mammals I've come across during my Korean bird-ventures over the years - still waiting to see a Raccoon Dog! I'd also like to see a Water Deer, in all its fanginess.
  The Manchurian Sika Deer was notable for two reasons. Firstly, they're supposed to have been extirpated in the wild in that part of Korea, so perhaps this one escaped from a deer farm. Secondly, this big boy mock charged me, and wouldn't let me pass for a good five minutes, in spite of my frantic arm-waving and whooping. A close shave, and I'm not too proud to admit that I was scared like a small child during that particular episode.
  The Norway Rat was notable because it made a Korean woman scream like a maniac and stand on a chair. I didn't think things like that actually happened in real life.

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