I am a big fan of the furry type of skunk, personally. As a licensed skunk rehabilitator, I transport these amazing creatures frequently in my car and have been sprayed a few times while rescuing upset animals. The resemblance between skunk musk and marijuana has, unfortunately, led to some awkward encounters. “Yes, sir, I doContinue reading “Why Do Skunks Smell Like Weed?”
Category Archives: General Info
The Silver Fox is a Red Fox
If you’re lucky, you might spot one of these beautiful creatures in the wild one day, including right here in Tennessee. Although often mistaken for an exotic pet or the distantly related grey fox, this animal is actually the exact same species as the familiar red fox. Like a black cat or panther, a silverContinue reading “The Silver Fox is a Red Fox”
The Stink-Goddess Skunk
The ancient Samnites did not know about skunks, but they did know about the balance of the natural world. It’s fitting that their goddess of foul smells was not evil, but was also a symbol of love, devotion, motherhood, and strength. Scientists made the right decision in naming the striped skunk— which was valued inContinue reading “The Stink-Goddess Skunk”
Tennessee’s White Foxes
Few are lucky enough to spot a white fox in the wild here in the Southern U.S., but it does happen! I had the privilege of seeing one of these rare beauties in Northeast Alabama in 2008. Contrary to popular belief, a white fox in the Southern U.S. is not necessarily an escaped pet orContinue reading “Tennessee’s White Foxes”
How to Feed Raccoons Properly
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”
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?”
For Fox Sake Wildlife Rescue 