It’s horrifying to see a skunk running across a road with a container stuck over his entire head. He darts into traffic, nearly causing an accident. You want to help, but you’re afraid of getting sprayed. What to do? First, understand the source of the problem. Skunks have a keen sense of smell, and plunge their heads into discarded food containers. Unfortunately, yogurt containers (especially the Yoplait brand) are perfectly sized to entrap a … [Read more...]
Snapping Turtle Tidbits
There are two types of snapping turtles found in the United States: the common snapping turtle and the alligator snapping turtle. However, there is nothing common about either of them! Both have evolved with/from the dinosaurs and have changed little in the last 50 million years. Snapping turtle facts Common snappers are found throughout the eastern two thirds of the United States, with scattered populations (from unwisely released pets) … [Read more...]
That Bird Has Angel Wing
When you see it, you may think that the twisted wing on a goose or a duck is injured or broken. But it’s not broken, and it is not an injury; it is a deformity called “angel wing” and there is nothing angelic about it. What is angel wing? Angel wing is a debilitating condition for waterfowl and is directly caused by human feeding. When young, growing birds are fed high carbohydrate foods such as bread and popcorn (which replace the … [Read more...]
How to Help an Orphaned Baby Squirrel
When you see a baby squirrel come tumbling out of a tree you’re cutting down, what do you do? What if you discover a baby squirrel following you all around, with no sign of mom anywhere? Here are some pointers for what to do in those situations when you think a baby squirrel may be in trouble. It's not the time to hone your lumberjack skills... If you’re cutting down a tree in spring (which you should avoid whenever possible since baby wild … [Read more...]
Did You Find a Nest of Baby Bunnies?
You walk around your yard, and suddenly you almost step on a nest of baby bunnies! There they are, in a shallow nest lined with fur and grass. They’re all alone, so your first thought is that they’re orphaned. The reality, though, is that mom is nearby but is staying away from her babies because she has an odor, but they don’t. She doesn’t want to attract predators due to her scent. So she only returns twice a day to nurse her babies, when no one … [Read more...]
What to Do if You Find a
Turtle in the Road
Turtles large and small, freshwater and terrestrial sometimes need to cross roads—a risky feat for these slow-moving creatures. What compels them to cross roads? They have as many reasons as we have for building roads. Males must search for females. Females must search for places to lay eggs. In times of drought, they must search for water. In fall, they must search for places to hibernate. As roads crisscross more and more turtle … [Read more...]
Is That Baby Deer Really Orphaned?
In late spring and summer, many people are astonished to find an adorable, helpless-looking baby deer, or fawn curled up in their yard. Some assume the fawn is orphaned and in need of help, and run out to grab the animal. They don’t realize that this is the worst thing they can possibly do. Nature's camouflage... What’s happened is that the mother deer has “parked” her fawn there on purpose – in a place that seemed safe in the night. Deer … [Read more...]
Wildlife Rescue & Rehabilitation
Have you found a sick, injured, or orphaned wild animal? You may be wondering whether you can care for the animal yourself. Caring for wildlife requires specialized knowledge. And keeping wildlife, even temporarily while providing care, requires authorization from your state and/or federal wildlife agencies. If a wild animal needs medical help, finding a wildlife rehabilitator is the right thing to do. This Q&A answers common questions about … [Read more...]
Wild Animal Shelter for Orphaned or Injured Wildlife
Have you found an orphaned or injured wild animal you believe is in need of care? While your first thought may be to rush him to a wild animal shelter, or wildlife rehabilitator, unless there is no question that he’s in imminent danger, take time before intervening. Some situations can be misleading. Here are a few examples of animals who typically do not need to be rescued and brought to a rehabilitator: A bird who is feathered and … [Read more...]