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Squirrel shares cookie with deer at Witter Wildlife Refuge.
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Timber wolf cares for fawn
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Words For Wildlife
by State licensed Wildlife Rehabilitator, James Orr
ANIMAL FRIENDSHIPS
It never ceases to amaze me how animals know friend from foe. It is not uncommon to look out at my deer feeder and see squirrels, deer, birds and rabbits all sharing the wealth together.
There are birds that walk into the open mouth of a live alligator and clean the gator’s teeth picking out meat scraps that might otherwise cause decay. The alligator apparently appreciates the dental work as he or she holds it’s mouth open during the cleaning and allows the dental hygienist to leave the hall of teeth without consequence.
Animals are not only taught behavior by their parents but are actually born with some behavior preprogrammed. Almost all baby animals know not to mess in their nest and to wait for mother to clean them. Animal babies know to stay put until told otherwise by a parent.
Studies at the University of Houston documented that learning can be transferred chemically. The study utilized mice which are naturally nocturnal (awake and active only at night). The test mice were trained to behave in the opposite manner of other mice as day workers (diurnal). Chemical fluid from their brain was then injected into unborn embryo brains and the baby mice were born diurnal. This study posed the possibility that behavior learned by one generation of animals can be past to their young chemically.
As far as teaching behavior I recently watched a video of a black bear rehabilitator that would mimic bear parent behavior with orphaned bear cubs. He would crawl in the forest with the cubs, chew up food for them and then pass it from his mouth to theirs. This taught the cubs what was proper bear food as well as showing them how and where to find it. Incidentally bears eat leaves, bugs, grubs, raw fish, worms along with the more palatable berries. Anyone want to be a bear rehabilitator?
Many animals will adopt babies that are not their own, even some that are not their species. Most birds will raise a bird found in its nest and cow birds for one will often lay their egg(s) in another's nest to avoid the obligation of parenting themselves.
I am sure you have all heard of dogs raising kittens and vice versa. We have an English/German Pointer mix here at the refuge “Jenny” that will mother any baby. She guards and protects the baby cages and nurtures or washes any baby she is offered.
All the wolves in a pack all help to raise wolf cubs even though only one is the mother. It is not uncommon for “non mothers” to actually start lactating (producing milk) to help with the nursing. All of the wolves in a pack will catch, chew and then regurgitate food for the babies (Makes Gerber baby food suddenly sound more appetizing)
I have noticed in my work that animals that might otherwise be natural enemies in the wild are often buddy buddy in captivity. It would seem to me that as long as an animal is well fed and content the desire to prey on another is often a moot point . I have had a wolf that cares for a fawn, a deer that shares cookies with a squirrel and a raccoon and a beaver with dog buddies.
Unfortunately one of the things I have to do as a rehabilitator is make sure these loving animals do not return to the wild with these friendships in tact. A deer that was fond of wolves and other canines would not last long in the cruel real world. We have to “wild up” the animals before release making sure their trusting behavior does not get them in trouble.
I find myself frustrated sometimes when analogies are used to describe people such as, “He is snake” or “He wolfs his food”, or “crazy like a fox”. Generally speaking it has been my experience people are capable of far worse behavior than most animals.
To bad all people cannot be as willing to share their world as these animals are theirs.
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
