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?”
Category Archives: General Info
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!”
A Raccoon’s Sense of Touch
Think of a bloodhound’s sense of smell. Think of a hawk’s sense of sight. That’s what touch is, for a raccoon. This is part of why the work For Fox Sake does is so important. It’s been my experience, seeing raccoons in their weakest moments, that they appear to feel pain severely and acutely. WhatContinue reading “A Raccoon’s Sense of Touch”
Are Bobcats Dangerous?
A stray house cat or free-roaming dog is an astronomically larger threat to your family than a wild bobcat. Bobcats are naturally shy animals and do not naturally prey on humans, and a typical bobcat is the size of a very large house cat (about 18 pounds). Bobcat attacks on cats and dogs are rare,Continue reading “Are Bobcats Dangerous?”
Scary Opossums!
Opossums have more teeth than any other land mammal, and when they’re scared, they like to use those scary-looking jaws to make themselves look intimidating. But don’t let this face fool you: opossums are actually very gentle, timid creatures who almost never bite or attack. They’re also naturally resistant (though not 100% immune) to rabies.Continue reading “Scary Opossums!”
Trapping for Fur Isn’t a Job
For the amount of time involved in trapping, killing, skinning, and selling a fox, the $10-15 value of its pelt doesn’t even pay close to minimum wage. A 2015 study of American fur trappers, determined that essentially no one in the United States actually makes their primary living trapping fur animals. It is not aContinue reading “Trapping for Fur Isn’t a Job”
The Sensitivity of Raccoons
It’s easy for people to forget that wild animals, like raccoons, have feelings and families just like our pets. I would like to share with you, an example of the sensitivity I’ve seen from wild raccoons. Last April, I unfortunately witnessed the death of a raccoon kit who had been attacked by a dog. IContinue reading “The Sensitivity of Raccoons”
