Sacred Texts Native American California Index Previous Next
FOR purposes of exact identification the scientific names of the mammals, birds, reptiles and a few other animals mentioned in the text are here given. Most of these were originally First People; they turned into animals at or about the time real people were created.
The Indian names of the First People who turned into these animals are given at the beginning of each story.
Antelope, Antilocapra americana
Badger, Taxidea taxus neglecta
Bear--See Black, Grizzly, and Cinnamon Bear
Black Bear, Ursus americanus (black phase)
Bobcat or Wildcat, Lynx fasciatus pallescens
Cinnamon Bear, Ursus americanus (brown or red phase)
Cougar, Felis hippolestes
Coyote, Canis ochropus
Deer, Columbia Blacktail, Odocoileus columbianus
Elk, Cervus nannodes (California Valley Elk)
Fox, See Gray Fox
Gopher, Thomomys--several species
Gray Tree Squirrel, Sciurus fossor
Grizzly Bear, Ursus horribilis californicus
Gray Fox, Urocyon californicus
Kangaroo Rat, Perodipus streatori (of the Sierra foothills)
Mountain Lion--See Cougar
Raccoon, Procyon psora
Skunk (large kind), Mephitis occidentalis
Shrew, Sorex vagrans
Timber-wolf, Canis
Weasel, Putorius xanthogenys
White-footed Mouse, Peromyscus gambeli
Woodrat, Neotoma fuscipes streatori (of the Sierra foothills)
Barn Owl, Aluco pratincola
Blackbird, Redwing, Agelaius (considered the male) and Brewer Blackbird, Euphagus (considered the female)
Bluejay, California, Aphelocoma californica
Bluejay, Mountain or Crested, Cyanocitta stelleri frontalis
Condor, Gymnogyps californianus
Crow, Corvus brachyrhynchos hesperis
Dove, Zenaidura macroura carolinensis
Eagle, Bald or White-headed, Haliæetus leucocephalus
Eagle, Golden, Aquila chrysaetos
Falcon, Peregrine or Duck-hawk, Falco peregrinus anatum
Falcon, Prairie, Falco mexicanus
Goose, Canada or Black-necked, Branta canadensis
Goose, Gray, Anser albifrons gambeli
Grebe (small) or Helldiver, Podilymbus podiceps
Heron, Great Blue, Ardea herodias
Humming-bird--several species
Mallard Duck, Anas platyrhynchos
Meadowlark, Sturnella neglecta
Nuthatch, Sitta carolinensis aculeata
Owl, Great Horned, Bubo virginianus pacificus
Quail, California, Lophortyx californicus
Raven, Corvus corax sinuatus
Red-shafted Flicker, Colaptes cafer collaris
Robin, Planesticus migratorius propinquus
Sandhill Crane, Grus mexicana
Sapsucker, Sphyrapicus ruber
Screech Owl, Otus asio bendirei
Spoonbill or Shoveler Duck, Spatula clypeata
Turkey Buzzard, Cathartes aura septentrionalis
Wren, Tule, Telmatodytes palustris paludicola
Frog, Rana draytoni
Lizard, Black, Sceloporus biseriatus (black phase)
Lizard, Blue-sided, Sceloporus occidentalis
Lizard, Fire, Crotophytus silus
Lizard, Little, Sceloporus graciosus
Rattlesnake, Crotalus lucifer
Toad, Bufo halophilus
Turtle, Clemmys marmorata
Common Fly--several species
Poison Spider, Lathrodectus mactens
Yellowjacket Wasp, Vespa (several species)
Money Clam (thick northern species), Saxidomus giganteus
Money Clam (common species), Saxidomus nuttalli
Abalone, Haliotis (several species)