I was a teenager in 2004 when I spotted the tracks, in a summer-dried creekbed not far from my family’s home in small-town West Tennessee. I examined them over and over again, first by memory and then with my worn-out field guides, confirming without a doubt that they came from a puma. The puma— alsoContinue reading “The Puma: Tennessee’s Most Endangered Mammal”
Tag Archives: Tennessee
Can I Relocate a Raccoon?
Although regulations vary from state to state, Tennessee law forbids people from trapping raccoons and releasing them anywhere besides the property where they were found. This is because, even if a raccoon appears healthy, it may be carrying a disease such as rabies or canine distemper. When the raccoon is moved to another area, itContinue reading “Can I Relocate a Raccoon?”
Tennessee Rehabilitators Can’t Save Bats
In Tennessee, even wildlife rehabiliators who are permitted to handle rabies vector species can NEVER accept a bat for rehabilitation. Although the state of Tennessee will allow specially licensed rehabbers to handle foxes, skunks, and raccoons, the handling of wild bats is strictly forbidden due to their disproportionately high risk of rabies. Please do notContinue reading “Tennessee Rehabilitators Can’t Save Bats”
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”
Can I Kill a Snake on My Property in Tennessee?
Snakes— even the scary ones— are vital to the health of our ecosystem, and even to human beings. Fleas and ticks carried by rats are frequent carriers for human diseases such as Lyme disease and even plague. An ecosystem full of snakes has fewer rats, meaning fewer ticks, meaning fewer human infections. Snakes are alsoContinue reading “Can I Kill a Snake on My Property in Tennessee?”
Is a Red Wolf Just a Coywolf?
Many people have pushed to eliminate protections for red wolves— our native wolf, here in Tennessee— by positing that they are not actually an endangered species. These anti-wolf activists claim that there is no such animal as a red wolf, and that “red wolves” are simply a hybrid between coyotes and grey wolves. This, simplyContinue reading “Is a Red Wolf Just a Coywolf?”
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.
How to Coexist with Black Bears
No animal exemplifies the spirit of Tennessee’s wilderness quite like the black bear. But, as these beautiful animals’ populations increase, they may occasionally be seen in town. A black bear seen in the suburbs does not need to be killed or removed, unless it is showing signs that it has become acclimated to humans. IfContinue reading “How to Coexist with Black Bears”
Why We Only Rescue Tennessee Wildlife
Since Chattanooga sits on the state line, our local rehabbers often get calls about animals from outside the state. I can advise about wildlife first-aid, help identify unknown critters, and help find solutions for people who want to humanly repel “nuisance” animals, regardless of where the call comes from. But to actually accept an animalContinue reading “Why We Only Rescue Tennessee Wildlife”
Bobcats: Black Panthers in the South
Believe it or not, it’s possible see wild black panthers, like this one here, naturally in the Southeastern U.S. Although most commonly applied to leopards and jaguars, the term “black panther” can refer to any wild cat with the melanistic (black-colored) mutation. This beautiful fellow is a melanistic bobcat. Only thirteen have been conclusively confirmedContinue reading “Bobcats: Black Panthers in the South”
For Fox Sake Wildlife Rescue 