02-01-2008, 06:10 PM
A Haven for Many Species
The Canton WMA is located northwest of Canton, Oklahoma and encompasses almost 15,000 acres around Canton Lake. The habitat in the WMA is quite diverse ranging from oak cross timbers to sandsage grassland with sandplum thickets. Many species can be seen on the WMA including white-tailed deer, painted bunting, northern bobwhite, osprey, and the bald eagle. The wetland portions of the WMA provide the opportunity to view pelicans, wading birds and waterfowl as well.
Black-tailed prairie dogs are considered an important species because they maintain habitats for other animals of the short and mixed-grass prairie.
Adjacent to the WMA on Corps of Engineers property is a refuge for the black-tailed prairie dog, a species of special concern in Oklahoma. The black-tailed prairie dog is interesting in that it is diurnal and does not hibernate like some other prairie dog species. The prairie dog is important in the short and mixed-grass prairies because it provides habitat for many other animals found only there. Being such an important species, it aerates the soil and maintains the prairie (mostly shortgrass), providing food and shelter for more than 170 different animals.
Also a destination on Loop 9 of the Great Plains Trail of Oklahoma, birders have the opportunity to observe several eastern and western bird species as well as bald eagles, American white pelicans, and several waterfowl species during the winter.
The Canton WMA is located northwest of Canton, Oklahoma and encompasses almost 15,000 acres around Canton Lake. The habitat in the WMA is quite diverse ranging from oak cross timbers to sandsage grassland with sandplum thickets. Many species can be seen on the WMA including white-tailed deer, painted bunting, northern bobwhite, osprey, and the bald eagle. The wetland portions of the WMA provide the opportunity to view pelicans, wading birds and waterfowl as well.
Black-tailed prairie dogs are considered an important species because they maintain habitats for other animals of the short and mixed-grass prairie.
Adjacent to the WMA on Corps of Engineers property is a refuge for the black-tailed prairie dog, a species of special concern in Oklahoma. The black-tailed prairie dog is interesting in that it is diurnal and does not hibernate like some other prairie dog species. The prairie dog is important in the short and mixed-grass prairies because it provides habitat for many other animals found only there. Being such an important species, it aerates the soil and maintains the prairie (mostly shortgrass), providing food and shelter for more than 170 different animals.
Also a destination on Loop 9 of the Great Plains Trail of Oklahoma, birders have the opportunity to observe several eastern and western bird species as well as bald eagles, American white pelicans, and several waterfowl species during the winter.