  The most striking fact about land mammals that live in and around The Worthys is that there are very few different species, although this is reflected in the UK as a whole.
In order to see why there are so few mammals we have to go back a long time.......
Some 9,500 years ago we were attached to continental Europe via a land bridge.
Then with the ice-sheets melting and the sea raising this ‘bridge’ slowly disappeared, forming the islands known as the British Isles today.
All of the animals that couldn’t swim or fly became cut-off – thus was the fate of land mammals!
The area that is The Worthys today would have been a very different place; part of giant ancient woodland, there would have been only a few human settlements dotted here and there.
But over the years the landscape altered quite significantly as great swaths of woodland disappeared to be turned into farmland, large areas of which were designated royal ‘forests’, and new plants and animals were introduced to the UK by human colonisers, and urban areas began to grow.
All of these factors have had an impact on the diversity of our native land mammals.
Farming has made a big impact on land mammals – this can be seen around The Worthys.
The removal of tree cover and planting of crops have allowed some species to develop, whilst restricting others.
For example, in spring have look in big open fields and you may see hare engaging in their boxing frenzy.
Normally shy creatures, hare need wide open spaces as they nest rather than burrow, the increase of open spaces means they have become more common.
If you don’t see these magnificent creatures you will definitely see their smaller relatives, rabbit.
Introduced by the Normans, originally native to Spain and Portugal, these small mammals have also thrived in the open fields, with access to plenty of fresh young crops to eat.
One of the finest species to live in the area is deer.
You only need to take an early morning walk in to Winchester along Nuns Walk and you will see small groups of these wonderful beasts.
Remnants from the royal forests, deer were controlled and developed for hunting.
Their natural predators, wolves, were hunted to extinction; subsequently the deer population increased, and with the decline of the feudal system were allowed to roam free.
Today, you will find roe, fallow and muntjac deer.
 You can tell the difference between roe and fallow deer in a number ways: roe (see sketch) are smaller than fallow, they are a reddish brown in summer and grey and pale brown in winter; fallow (see photo) are bigger, have a tan or fawn colour, and white spots in summer.
Recently I saw my first Reeves’ muntjac just on the edge of The Worthys.
Also known as Barking Deer, this strange mammal is unmistakable with its two upper canine teeth protruding, and has small antlers.
Originally from East Asia, muntjac is becoming more prevalent in our countryside, and no doubt will be seen in the area a lot more often.
Not all mammals can be seen quite so frequently as deer, as fox and badger are more furtive as they tend to move around in the evenings and at night time.
However, with the increasing urbanisation and reduction in rural habitats, fox are now appearing within our towns in search for food.
Unless you are lucky and catch a fleeting glimpse of a fox during the day, you are more likely to hear the distinctive sound of their barks at night – often like a crying baby!
Another fabulous little furry mammal in the area but very difficult to see is the hazel dormouse.
This is because they also tend to move around at night and in the tree tops, although if you find a hazel nut with a tiny hole in the top, it probably means that they are around.
What is so great about living in The Worthys is that many of the UK’s land mammals can be seen in and around our local countryside and even our gardens, whether grey squirrels running through the trees, molehills in the ground, or hedgehogs on their nocturnal ventures.
 Whilst we may never see the more unusual mammals, such as pine martin, we can often see their close relatives stoats and weasels.
Land mammals have always had a close relationship with humans, for we have farmed and hunted them, introduced new species, and altered their habitats, and all this has had a great effect on their population, diversity and behaviour.
Finally, there is plenty to see of this small but fascinating group of mammals, so next time you spot a deer in the woods, a hare in an open field, or a hedgehog in your back garden, just take a thought for nature and all the wonderful creatures that roam our countryside!
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