It’s not a good idea to feed wild raccoons, but there are a lot of people who will do it anyway. If you absolutely insist on feeding a wild raccoon, please follow these guidelines: -Do not allow the raccoon to see you leaving food. If the raccoon starts begging humans for food, someone will believeContinue reading “How to Feed Raccoons Properly”
Category Archives: General Info
Grey Fox or Coyote?
Grey foxes are sometimes killed because of a case of mistaken identity. This shy and elusive animal may look similar to a coyote pup at first glance, but can be distinguished by its very long tail with a black tip, its orange ears, and a black stripe that runs down most of its body. TheyContinue reading “Grey Fox or Coyote?”
Leave Box Turtles Alone!
An Eastern box turtle should NEVER be relocated, or brought home as a pet. These precious animals are considered to be threatened and endangered, with the pet trade and personal “kidnapping” being among of their biggest risks. When handled, they experience extreme stress but don’t have the strength or speed to get away. Keeping aContinue reading “Leave Box Turtles Alone!”
Raccoon-Proofing Your Bird Feeders
Raccoons are very smart and agile, so you may sometimes encounter a crafty coon who has figured out how to raid bird feeders. As much of a pain as this might be, there are several solutions that don’t involve trapping or killing the trash panda. Here are some things to try: -Hang your feeders onContinue reading “Raccoon-Proofing Your Bird Feeders”
Does Feeding Birds Prevent Migration?
Some people start bringing their bird feeders inside in the fall, fearing that their backyard visitors won’t migrate if they’re fed by humans. It’s actually beneficial to have bird feeders year-round! Studies have found that birds fed by humans have much higher survival rates and more successful broods. We owe it to birds to giveContinue reading “Does Feeding Birds Prevent Migration?”
Do Raccoons Drown Dogs?
I received this question a few days ago from someone who was concerned about reports she’d heard of raccoons climbing onto swimming dogs’ heads with the intention of drowning them. In short, the answer to this question is no. A raccoon does not have a motivation to chase a large predator into water and climbContinue reading “Do Raccoons Drown Dogs?”
Eastern Spotted Skunks Declining
Many people wouldn’t even recognize this little fellow as a skunk. Over time, the population of the Eastern spotted skunk has declined so much that many people are unaware of their existence, and they have been eradicated through much of their native range. The spotted skunk’s population first took a dive when it was over-trappedContinue reading “Eastern Spotted Skunks Declining”
Tennessee’s Endangered Indiana Bat
The Indiana bat, which lives here in Tennessee, has lost 50-95% of its population over the the last 70 years. The main cause of this crash was human disturbance of the largest caves where they were nesting. These critters are now federally protected, but still face serious threats because of white nose fungus (a deadlyContinue reading “Tennessee’s Endangered Indiana Bat”
Possums or Opossums in Tennessee?
You will never see a wild possum here in Tennessee. Although our local opossums are often nicknamed “possums,” this is technically incorrect. Despite the similar names— both derived from the Powhatan word meaning “white animal”— possums and opossums are only very distantly related.
The Arctic Marble Fox Isn’t Arctic!
Despite its name, this beauty is a member of the exact same species that you might find naturally in your own neighborhood, right here in Chattanooga. “Arctic marble”’ foxes are simply a color variation of the red fox species. Although the marble pattern was popularized by the fur industry and pet trade, the mutation canContinue reading “The Arctic Marble Fox Isn’t Arctic!”
