Words For Wildlife
by State licensed Wildlife Rehabilitator, James Orr
DID YOU KNOW?
This week I thought I’d share a few interesting wildlife facts and answer some questions. If you have a wildlife question you would like answered send it to P.O. Box 1118, Huntsville AR 72740 and I’ll do my best to get you an answer.
Did you know that feeding a cold animal can kill it? It is very important that an animal is warm before feeding it, especially babies. Besides the fact they are unlikely to want to eat if they are below their normal body temperature, the added stress of digestion activity beginning can be the final and fatal blow to a weak and cold animal. As a rehabilitator I carry chemical and electric heating pads with me. Getting an animal up to normal body temperature is always the first step in rescue work. My rehabilitation teacher, Carol Smith use to put baby rabbits, opossums and squirrels in her shirt to warm them up on occasion. She tells of getting some funny looks sitting in the stands watching her son play soccer as the animals came around and started moving.
Did you know that giving the wrong kind of milk to a baby animal can make it very sick? Cow milk is not suited to most other animals and can cause diahera and illness. Orphanned deer need goat or deer milk. Motherless squirrels do best on puppy replacement milk. Raccoons kitten replacement milk. In addition to the milk many of these animals also need additives and vitamin suppliments added to their formula. Even though most babies will take what is offerred and may even appear to do fine on the wrong milk, bone deformaties, weakness, general health and stunted growth are all possible side effects of getting the wrong formula. Many of these problems do not manifest themselves until adulthood. It is always best to get orphans to licensed rehabilitators as soon as possible for proper care.
Did you know that trying to feed a bird water with an eye dropper can kill it? A birds wind pipe is so close to its throat it is very easy to get water in a birds lungs drowning it. Most meat eating birds, Owls, Hawks, Falcons etc. get most all their fluid intake from the prey they eat and do not even drink water except on rare occasions.
Did you know rattle snakes (and many others for that matter) can accurately strike their prey even if blindfolded? Of course you don’t see that many blindfolded snakes around here but in laboratory studies it has been proven they can locate prey using their highly developed heat and smell sensing organs. Most snakes have very poor eyesight.
Speaking of eyesight, Did you know many birds of prey have a telescopic image in the center of their field of vision and more normal sight around the perimeter? This allows them to see tiny animals from great heights while at the same time having broad vision. It is a lot like those magnifying glasses that have a super close-up lens set inside a weaker lens. You can see two different magnifications at the same time.
Speaking of blindfolding, Did you know bats can catch insects totally blindfolded? Unlike snakes that use heat and smell, bats use a type of sonar. They emit a clicking sound and as it bounces off insects the bat can tell from the echo exactly where the prey is. One of the reasons bats are so hard to catch or strike with a broom is that they have that extra sense that allows them to avoid obstacles even at a high rate of speed.
Did you know many animals including wolves are born blind and deaf? This helps to limit fear and stress while they are dependent upon a mother for nursing. It also keeps them from reacting to noises and moving which could attract the attention if a predator snooping around the area.
Did you know that a bird captured by a cat can die from the bacteria in the cat’s mouth even from a tiny scratch. Rescude birds with any kind of laceration are given antibiotics to fight off infection. Birds have much less blood in their system compared to other animals and are effected much sooner by blood loss or infection.
DONATIONS NEEDED If you would like to help any donation amount it is greatly appreciated. Donations should be made out to Witter Wildlife Refuge and can be sent to P.O. Box 1118, Huntsville AR 72740.
See web page under "HOW YOU CAN HELP" for specific ways you can help us help wildlife
