Spring Time in the wild!!
Spring is far more than just a changing of the season; it's a rebirth of the spirit - Toni Sorenson
Spring is here!
Are you as excited as we are? The Spring season is a time full of wildlife awakening!
Even in the wild there are animal's who adore the Spring season!
Bunnies
Tis the season for baby bunnies. Baby's may soon be born in your own backyard. You will most likely notice a nest while outside doing chores. You may not see the mother rabbit with the nest, her doing so would actually be endangering the babies by luring predators. Mom will typically come around for a few minutes during the day and again at dusk to nurse her bunnies.
If you are worried and think something may have happened to the mom, try this. Use baking flower and make a circle around the nest. If you see that the flour has been disturbed you know mom is taking care of her little ones.
Fun Fact:
Rabbits press their heads together in a way of greeting one another and showing affection
FAWNS
If you out and about and happen to stumble upon a spotted fawn sleeping, count your self lucky. This is a treat few ever see or experience. Most likely you have come upon this little fawn while mom went to go get some well deserved lunch. Do not worry if you don't see Mom, she is nearby. She chose this place carefully to ensure her little one would be safe. The fawn spots keep them well camouflaged and they have little to no sent that would alert predators.
Do not approach the fawn and instead just relish in the joy of seeing such a rare event in the wild.
Fun Fact:
When a doe licks her fawn it leaves a unique sent on the baby so mom can recognize them. The doe can then track the scent trail of the fawn by the odors left by the fawns footsteps
Caterpillars
Not so cute to some, yet springtime is the time of the caterpillar.
During March and April the eggs for this little guys will be laid in plants, trees and weeds. Most caterpillar's hatch within a few days and then eat their way into their own little caves (aka chrysalis). Unlike humans when these squiggly guys emerge from their food coma's they will be reborn into the beautiful butterfly that we all enjoy.
The emerging butterfly is beautiful but its not all about just being aesthetically pleasing. Butterflies and their night time counterparts the moth are both plant pollinators. So these beauties also help produce the foods we all need to eat!
Fun Fact:
Many butterflies can taste with their feet. This helps when it is time to find a good leaf to lay eggs on to food for their caterpillars
Kits
Skunks
Skunks are nocturnal creatures but can often be seen in the early morning and evening hours. Baby skunks are called kits and are born from April to August.
Skunks are excellent diggers but no so great when it comes to climbing. It is common during the summer months for these little fellas to get stuck when they fall into a window well. By placing a wooden plank in your window well and leaving it there will help any kit or skunk climb their way out.
A mother skunk can easily scared away from her babies, but will be retrieved later.
Kits can make their scent at birth and by 4 months can spray with accuracy, often aiming for he eyes.
Fun Fact:
Immune to snake venom, skunks are known to eat poisonous snakes like rattlesnakes
Birds
Most birds are nesting and raising young from March through August. When baby birds are still young and in the nest, you may encounter an angry parent trying to protect them.
When the young hit the fledgling status some fill fly straight from the nest while others try and fall.
It is common to find a baby or fledgling who has fallen from the nest. Do not panic if you find a baby bird. If you know where the nest is you can safely place the animal back in the nest.
Fun Fact:
While most birds live alone, there are a few that live together as mates for their whole lives. Bald eagles, swans and doves and just a few that have lifelong companions.
Spring is a wonderful season of life and renewal. The animal world is briming with new life and parenthood. Enjoy this wonderful season!
If you find a wild animal that you think has been hurt or abandoned please read our documentation here "What to do when"
