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Wildflower Mount Diablo Little White Flax, Smallflowered Dwarf Flax Scientific Name: Hesperolinon micranthum Family: Linaceae (Flax Family) Blooms: May-Jun Color: White Annual herb Native, endemic to Calfornia Jump to Blooming Now Blue / Purple Red / Pink White Yellow / Orange Invasive Plants

Wildflower Mount Diablo Woolly Sunflower, Common Woolly Sunflower Scientific Name: Eriophyllum lanatum Family: Asteraceae (Sunflower Family) Blooms: Mar - Jun Color: Yellow-Orange Perennial herb Native This plant is rare in Mount Diablo State Park. See full list Jump to Blooming Now Blue / Purple Red / Pink White Yellow / Orange Invasive Plants Kevin Hintsa

Mammals of Mount Diablo State Park by John Pelonio This list describes the mammals found on Mount Diablo and its foothills. It was compiled using studies conducted in the park, specimens collected by the Museum of Vertebrate Zoology of UC Berkeley and park records and sightings. Species that may occur but have not been seen Spotted skunk Ringtail Trowbridge Shrew Bush Mouse American Badger (updated June 2022) Drawing by Nathan Crawford Species probably extinct on Mount Diablo Heerman's Kangaroo Rat San Joaquin Kit Fox Species Extinct on Mount Diablo Grizzly Bear Wolf Tule Elk Pronghorn Antelope Grey Squirrel Carnivores Mountain Lion or Cougar (rare) The cougar does occur on Mount Diablo, but is rarely seen. Cougars require such a large range that there may be only one or two cats in the area. Cougars eat mainly deer, but will occasionally take smaller prey or carrion. Bobcat (occasionally seen) This shy cat is widespread on Mount Diablo, but is rarely seen by park visitors. Residents of the park often see bobcats in the early morning or evening. Bobcats eat rodents, rabbits, birds, and an occasional deer. Grey Fox (occasionally seen) The grey fox is widespread and abundant on Mount Diablo. Foxes are often seen along park roads at night by park residents. Foxes eat rodents, insects and berries. Coyote (occasionally seen) Coyotes are abundant on Mount Diablo, but are rarely seen. Campers and park residents often hear them at night. The coyote eats mainly rodents and carrion. Despite its reputation, the coyote rarely kills livestock. It will feed on any dead animal it can find. Skunks Striped Skunk (occasionally seen); Spotted Skunk (unknown, may not occur in the park); Skunks have a unique and effective defense. When threatened, skunks spray an offensive-smelling oil at the attacker. They are easily recognized by their black and white patterns. The striped skunk is often seen along roads at night. The spotted skunk may occur on Mount Diablo but has not been sighted. Skunks eat mainly insects, but will also eat rodents, birds and berries. Badger (rarely seen) The badger, thought to be extinct, has been sighted more recently on Mount Diablo. Badgers eat gophers and ground squirrels which they catch by digging them up. Raccoon (seen regularly) Raccoons are found throughout the park, especially around water and developed areas. They often steal food from park visitors and get into garbage cans. Their natural diet includes frogs, berries, insects, reptiles, eggs and small mammals. Bobcat | Brian Murphy Mountain Lion Front Rear Bobcat Gray Fox Coyote | Illustrations by Mike Nelson | Long Tailed Weasel (rarely seen) The weasel is very secretive and, therefore, rarely seen. It can go into holes after rodents and rabbits it eats. Opossum (occasionally seen) The opossum is our only marsupial or pouched animal. It was introduced into California from the eastern states around the turn of the century. It has now become established all over the state. Opossums will eat anything edible, including carrion, fruits, nuts, rodents, even garbage. Hoofed Animals Blacktailed Deer (seen regularly) Deer are often seen in the morning or evening and when there are few park visitors. They are browsers, feeding on grass, shrubs, herbs and acorns. Deer are preyed upon by mountain lions, bobcats and occasionally coyotes and feral dogs. Back Rabbits and Hares Rabbits and hares feed on grasses, herbs and shrubs. They are are an important food source for bobcats, foxes, coyotes, and eagles. Hares have longer ears and legs than true rabbits, and have young that are born fully furred and able to move around on their own. Cottontail (seen regularly); Brush Rabbit (seen Regularly) We have two true rabbits on the mountain, the cottontail and brush rabbit; they are similar in appearance. Jackrabbit (seen regularly) The jackrabbit is actually a hare. It is most common in grassland areas, but also found in brushy areas. Rodents Rodents occur in large numbers and are a major source of food for such predators as hawks, owls, foxes, bobcats, weasels, coyotes, and snakes. Old World Rats and Mice Norway Rat (rarely seen), Roof Rat (rarely seen), House Mouse (rarely seen); these rodents were brought to the New World by ships from Europe. They have since spread to most developed areas of North America. Although they are common throughout most of Contra Costa County, they are not found at the higher elevations of Mount Diablo. Western Harvest Mouse (rarely seen) These tiny mice live in grassy areas where they feed mainly on grass seeds. White Footed Mice Deer Mouse (occasionally seen), Pinyon Mouse (rarely seen), California Mouse (rarely seen), Brush Mouse (unknown; may not occur in the park). These four mice are closely related. They feed on nuts, berries, seeds and herbs. The deer mouse and California mouse are widespread on Mount Diablo. The pinyon mouse is rare, but has been found on the mountain. The brush mouse may occur, but has not been found on the mountain. Woodrats Dusky Footed Woodrat (occasionally seen); Desert Woodrat (rarely seen). These rodents are sometimes called "packrats" because they tend to collect things and store them in their nests. The nest looks like a pile of sticks but contains many passages and rooms. The abandoned passages are used by a variety of other animals. Woodrats eat seeds, nuts, and berries. California Meadow Mouse (occasionally seen) The meadow mouse or vole is abundant in the grassland areas of Mount Diablo. Voles make runways through the grass. They feed on grass, seeds, roots, and bark. California Pocket Gopher (seen regularly) This gopher, seen throughout Mount Diablo, also digs up lawns and gardens. Gophers feed on roots, grasses, herbs, and seeds. Fox Squirrel (abundant; seen by most park visitors) This common red-brown colored squirrel is seen on power lines and trees throughout the bay area. The fox squirrel was introduced into California and has replaced the grey squirrel over much of its range. It was introduced into Mount Diablo State Park in 1960. Grey squirrels, which were abundant on the mountain have not been seen since shortly after the fox squirrels were released. California Ground Squirrel (abundant; seen by most park visitors) Ground squirrels are abundant in the developed areas of Mount Diablo. They are so abundant in some areas that they are creating erosion problems and damaging park roads and buildings. Ground squirrels are absent from many of the back country areas, possibly due to the extensive eradication program conducted by the county in the park up to 1974. Muskrat (unknown; may not occur in the park) The muskrat was introduced into the Sacramento / San Joaquin Delta and has spread into many of the creeks around Mount Diablo. Muskrats eat mainly cattails, and other plants, but will also eat clams and snails. Insectivores Bats (seen regularly) There are thirteen species of bat which may occur on Mount Diablo: California Myotis Big Brown Bat Small-Footed Myotis Western Pipistrelle Long-Eared Myotis Pallid Bat Yuma Myotis Lumpnosed Bat Hoary Bat Brazilian Bat Red Bat Western Mastif Bat Silverhaired Bat These bats eat insects caught in the air. Bats use echo-location to find their prey in the dark, which is similar to sonar. Contrary to popular myth, bats are not blind, do not get caught in hair and our local bats are not likely to carry rabies. However, they do have sharp teeth, so do not handle any you find roosting. Bats are sometimes eaten by owls and snakes. Shrews There are two species of shrew which may be found on Mount Diablo: Ornate Shrew (rarely seen), and Trowbridge Shrew (unknown, may not occur in the park). Shrews are our smallest mammals. Despite their size, they are aggressive predators. Shrews have such a high metabolism they must eat constantly. They eat insects, sowbugs and spiders. Broadfooted Mole (rarely seen) Moles are rarely seen, but you may find their feeding tunnels -- long ridges of dirt on the surface of the ground. Moles eat insects and worms. Feral Animals A feral animal is a domestic animal which has been released or allowed to go wild. On Mount Diablo we have feral dogs and cats. Other feral animals which are damaging some areas of California are goats, burros, pigs and horses. Feral Cats (abundant; seen by most park visitors) Feral Cat Feral cats are seen along all roads in the state park. Feral cats compete for food with native wildlife such as weasels, owls, hawks, and snakes. Feral Dogs (rarely seen) Feral dogs occur in the Wall Ridge and Mitchell Canyon areas. Pet dogs which are allowed to run loose at night will come up into the park to hunt and kill wildlife and livestock. Many of the livestock kills blamed on coyotes are actually killed by dogs, then scavenged by coyotes. Feral Dog Back Illustrations by Mike Nelson

Wildflower Mount Diablo Slender Madia Scientific Name: Madia gracilis Family: Asteraceae (Sunflower Family) Blooms: Apr-Jul Color: Yellow-Orange Annual herb Native Jump to Blooming Now Blue / Purple Red / Pink White Yellow / Orange Invasive Plants

Wildflower Mount Diablo Bull thistle Invasive Scientific Name: Cirsium vulgare Family: Asteraceae (Sunflower Family) Blooms: Jun - Sep Color: Red-Pink Perennial herb Introduced Introduced from Europe. Jump to Blooming Now Blue / Purple Red / Pink White Yellow / Orange Invasive Plants Ken-ichi Ueda, iNaturalist

Wildflower Mount Diablo Tree Clover Scientific Name: Trifolium ciliolatum Family: Fabaceae (Legume Family) Blooms: Apr-May Color: Red-Pink Annual herb Native Jump to Blooming Now Blue / Purple Red / Pink White Yellow / Orange Invasive Plants Steven Beatty

Additional Resources Browse the resources available from our community partners. 1 California State Parks- PORTS Learning materials from the State Parks https://ports.parks.ca.gov 2 California Environmental Literacy Initiative Parent Portal http:// https://partnerportal.ca-eli.org/site/contra-costa-county-office-of-education/browse/community-based-partners 3 East Bay Parks Educator resources including Ohlone 3rd Grader Program, animals and field trips https://www.ebparks.org/programs/educators 4 Lawrence Hall of Science Programs including Stem Day, Otto Initiative, workshops on matter, circuits, life science, engineering, science kits, and resources for teachers including GEM kits. https://lawrencehallofscience.org/educators/ 5 Lindsay Wildlife Museum Discovery Kits, Hikes and Programs https://lindsaywildlife.org/teachers-and-schools/ 6 Mount Diablo State Park Interpreter-Led Programs Please contact Park Interpreter Sharon Peterson via email (Sharon.Peterson@parks.ca.gov ) for information regarding School Group Programs and/or Education Tours. Presented by California State Parks. https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=517 7 Save Mount Diablo About the Mangini Ranch Educational Preserve and how to reserve a field trip. https://savemountdiablo.org/what-we-do/educating-and-inspiring-people/mangini-ranch-educational-preserve/ Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) Back to Learn Download the NGSS Fact Sheet

Mount Diablo State Park Weather and Air Quality Weather Mount Diablo Summit Weather The information is available courtesy of San Jose State University and the talented staff in their Department of Meteorology and Climate Science . Mount Diablo Summit Rainfall (CA.gov) Summit Webcam (CalFire) Rock City Weather (Wunderground) Mitchell Canyon Weather (Wunderground) Junction Weather (Wunderground) Air Quality Mount Diablo Summit AQI Junction Ranger Station AQI Mitchell Canyon Visitor Center AQI

Wildflower Mount Diablo Tuberous Sanicle, Turkey Pea Scientific Name: Sanicula tuberosa Family: Apiaceae (Parsley-Carrot Family) Blooms: Mar - May Color: Yellow-Orange Perennial herb Native Jump to Blooming Now Blue / Purple Red / Pink White Yellow / Orange Invasive Plants Mike Woodring

Wildflower Mount Diablo Mock Parsley Scientific Name: Apiastrum angustifolium Family: Apiaceae (Parsley-Carrot Family) Blooms: March Color: White Annual herb Native Jump to Blooming Now Blue / Purple Red / Pink White Yellow / Orange Invasive Plants Steven Beatty Steven Beatty Detail

Wildflower Mount Diablo Rose Clover Invasive Scientific Name: Trifolium hirtum Family: Fabaceae (Legume Family) Blooms: Feb - Mar Color: Red-Pink Annual herb Introduced Naturalized from Eurasia and north Africa, per Errter & Bowerman Jump to Blooming Now Blue / Purple Red / Pink White Yellow / Orange Invasive Plants Mike Woodring Flower detail Mike Woodring Leaf detail

Wildflower Mount Diablo Southern Honeysuckle Scientific Name: Lonicera subspicata Family: Caprifoliaceae Blooms: May Color: Yellow-Orange Shrub Native Jump to Blooming Now Blue / Purple Red / Pink White Yellow / Orange Invasive Plants Daniel Fitzgerald Flower detail