ForFoxSake

Newborn Foxes Don’t Look Like Foxes

Please be aware as we head into baby season: newborn foxes don’t look much like the adults you’re more familiar with. Every year, litters of kits get harmed because of mistaken identity. This litter was rehabilitated by The Fox Project in the UK. They were initially brought to an animal shelter by someone who thoughtContinue reading “Newborn Foxes Don’t Look Like Foxes”

Gray Red Foxes and Red Gray Foxes

Yes, you read it correctly! A lot of people in our area have trouble identifying which species of fox they have found. Two fox species are native to our area, the gray fox (on the left) and the red fox (on the right). The confusion is understandable since gray foxes have an abundance of reddishContinue reading “Gray Red Foxes and Red Gray Foxes”

Our Structurally Green Wildlife

Happy Saint Patrick’s Day! We thought today could be a fun time to discuss some of our under-appreciated native animals: green anoles, rough and smooth green snakes, and green tree frogs. All of these little guys are critical parts of our ecosystem because they help control pest populations. Unfortunately, they’re all also experiencing population declinesContinue reading “Our Structurally Green Wildlife”

Should You Kill the Snake that Bit You?

You likely heard this myth growing up, especially if you had a misguided scout leader or grandpa! The idea is that, if you get bitten by a snake, you should immediately kill it so you can bring it with you to the emergency room. Supposedly, the snake’s carcass will allow doctors to know whether theContinue reading “Should You Kill the Snake that Bit You?”

Camels Kill More Tennesseans than Copperheads

We were alarmed and saddened yesterday to see the tragic news about a dromedary camel in Obion County, belonging to Shirley Petting Zoo. The animal went on a rampage and killed two men, trampling a police vehicle before finally being shot to death. This comes just a few months after a similarly bizarre and shockingContinue reading “Camels Kill More Tennesseans than Copperheads”

Heard Coyotes Kill a Dog?

“I just heard a pack of coyotes kill a small dog.” Have you seen (or made) this statement in neighborhood groups on social media? It’s one of the most common sources of panic in the suburbs. And, in almost all cases, it’s actually not true. Coyotes live in small family groups of 2-8 individuals, usuallyContinue reading “Heard Coyotes Kill a Dog?”

Protect Rhea County’s Bears

We were excited today when we received photos of bear poop and tracks from the Evensville area of Rhea County, about forty miles north of Chattanooga. It’s very common for bears to be more active this time of year as they emerge from winter inactivity and try to regain the weight they lost over theContinue reading “Protect Rhea County’s Bears”

Euthanized Pets Endanger Wildlife

If you’ve recently had to make the decision to send a beloved pet to the Rainbow Bridge, wild animals may be the last thing on your mind. But, if you’re not careful, your pet’s death could actually cause even more suffering. Sometimes, particularly among people who live in apartments and don’t have appropriate places toContinue reading “Euthanized Pets Endanger Wildlife”

Beware of Poaching for the Pet Trade

Spring is on its way, and that unfortunately means that we’re close to the time of year when our native wild animals are at the greatest risk for an under-recognized, under-reported, and under-enforced form of poaching: the illegal capture of wildlife for the pet trade. People tend to think of poaching as something from theContinue reading “Beware of Poaching for the Pet Trade”

Don’t Exterminate Your Exterminators

We’re so lucky that our ecosystem is full of animals who work behind the scenes to keep our homes, lawns, and gardens free of pests! One single owl, for example, can kill twelve mice per night, while a skunk will spend weeks digging up every rat’s nest in a neighborhood. Coyotes are probably the bestContinue reading “Don’t Exterminate Your Exterminators”