ForFoxSake

Wild-Domestic Goose Hybrids

You might one day see a flock of Canada geese, with one goose that looks… well, off. If you see these types of patterns and markings, it’s very likely that you’re looking at an unusual bird whose parents were star-crossed lovers! Canada geese and domestic geese don’t normally mate with each other. They instinctively tendContinue reading “Wild-Domestic Goose Hybrids”

Don’t Kidnap Fawns! Mom Will Return Soon

Babies like this are often kidnapped by well-meaning people who mistake them for orphans, but this baby doesn’t need help. Mother deer will often leave their babies alone for up to several hours a day, often hidden in underbrush, tall grass, or leaves. The fawn knows to lie down and be very still, to avoidContinue reading “Don’t Kidnap Fawns! Mom Will Return Soon”

The Booming Bobcat Fur Trade

Wild cats have always been a primary target to fur trappers seeking big money. The demand for the skin of beautiful wild cats nearly drove animals like the leopard, snow leopard, and tiger to extinction. While the sale and trade of big cat furs has declined rapidly since the 1970s thanks to tight international regulations,Continue reading “The Booming Bobcat Fur Trade”

Most American Squirrels Used to be Black

Black squirrels aren’t common anymore in the U.S., but you may still see them if you’re lucky! Believe it or not, there was a time that most squirrels in the U.S. had this interesting (and beautiful!) trait. Black coloration, or melanism, can occur in both fox squirrels and Eastern grey squirrels. Prior to European invasionContinue reading “Most American Squirrels Used to be Black”

Copperheads Aren’t Very Dangerous

Although copperheads are venomous, they aren’t nearly as dangerous as many people believe. They are incredibly shy, elusive snakes who greatly prefer to hide rather than to bite. A copperhead will only bite a human if it’s directly provoked, such as when it has been stepped upon or handled. In the unlikely event that aContinue reading “Copperheads Aren’t Very Dangerous”

Woodchucks Don’t Chuck, Chew, or Eat Wood

Centuries before any English speakers ever laid eyes on this animal, the Narragansett people of Rhode Island— an Algonquian tribe— called it a “wuchak.” This indigenous name likely shared roots with a similar Cree word meaning weasel or fisher. English speakers turned “wuchak” into “woodchuck,” leading not just to a popular tongue-twister, but a lotContinue reading “Woodchucks Don’t Chuck, Chew, or Eat Wood”

Why People Call Vultures Buzzards

A lot of people in the South use the word “buzzard” to describe our native vultures, especially the turkey vulture, but this is actually the result of a long-lasting mistake! “Buzzard” doesn’t mean vulture. Instead, it’s a British name used for any of dozens of species of hawk. As the name might suggest, the mostContinue reading “Why People Call Vultures Buzzards”

Not Snow White: Wildlife Rehab Ethics Explained

“Don’t you play with them?”“Don’t you get attached?”“Do they know any tricks or commands?”“Do they sleep in your bed with you?”“Why are they so scared of you? Are they being abused?” We hear these questions all the time in wildlife rehabilitation. While they’re coming from a good place, they’re also coming from misunderstanding. Wildlife rehabilitationContinue reading “Not Snow White: Wildlife Rehab Ethics Explained”

Raccoons Eating Birdseed: What to Do

We’ve heard people give a lot of crazy and cruel excuses for killing wild animals, but perhaps the most upsetting reason we’ve heard is, “It was eating my birdseed.” Several of our patients last year were orphans who came to us because the mothers had inconvenienced someone by nibbling some sunflower seeds. Folks, this simplyContinue reading “Raccoons Eating Birdseed: What to Do”

Bobcats Eat Venomous Snakes

Venomous snakes aren’t bad or evil. Like all other animals, they have an important role to play in our ecosystem. Among other things, snakes help to control populations of rats and mice. This in turn helps reduce the incidence of diseases these rodents might carry. Nevertheless, you probably don’t want venomous snakes living too closeContinue reading “Bobcats Eat Venomous Snakes”