Paws 'N Claws

What's in this issue:

To Fly or Not to Fly
We ♥ The Little Stinkers
The Tragedy of Wedding Doves
Volunteers

To Fly or Not to Fly
(That is the question.)


A juvenile crested caracara came into rehabilitation unable to fly. (Photo Sue Puetz)
 

Would it come as a surprise that the big black and white bird who hangs out with the vultures is a large tropical falcon?  The common name is crested caracara, but the bird is also known in Texas as a Mexican eagle.  This magnificent bird can only be found in the northern hemisphere in Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and Florida, while the species’ range extends into the southern hemisphere to Argentina. 
 
Crested Caracaras often hang out with vultures eating carrion but are also capable of catching live prey, sometimes by running down the prey.  In fact, they have to get a running start in order to take flight.  Crested caracaras build sturdy nests, are monogamous, and can live for up to 20 years.  
 
In early June, a juvenile crested caracara was brought to All Things Wild.  It appeared the bird had been struck by a car.  He could flap his wings, and there was no breakage; however, he couldn’t fly.  He was very dehydrated and emaciated from being stranded on the ground.  A blow to the head causing brain damage would explain his inability to fly.  Only time will tell if the damage is permanent.
 

Very emaciated at intake, Oreo has plenty to eat now. (Photo Sue Puetz)
 

For more information on crested caracaras, click here.
6/16 Update:  Oreo is beginning to fly!  Yay!

We ♥ The Little Stinkers
 

Orphaned striped skunks nurse on formula several times a day.
 

Contrary to public opinion, skunks don’t spray all the time.  In wildlife rehabilitation, when we raise them from orphaned babies, it is extremely rare to get sprayed.  Of course, there is always the occasional spray monster, but then, skunks have different personalities too.  Usually skunks will spray only as a last resort, like when a dog is charging toward them.  Skunks have enough chemical in a gland located in their anus for four or five sprays.  When depleted, it can take the skunk up to 10 days to regenerate more chemical.  Babies can’t spray but can dribble the chemical if stressed.  3-4-month-old skunks can spray; however, it takes skunks many months before they can aim the spray.  Striped skunks always stomp their front feet as a warning before spraying.

Most animals will leave skunks alone.  Skunks’ biggest predator is the great-horned owl.  Since most birds, including owls, have an extremely poor sense of smell, the skunk’s spray doesn’t deter the owl from preying on skunks.  Dogs will witlessly charge a skunk only to get sprayed and return home stinking with their tails between their legs.  A good recipe to neutralize the spray is:  1-2 teaspoons of liquid dish soap, ¼ cup baking soda, and 4 cups hydrogen peroxide.  Mix well. Pour over the smelly dog, work well into the fur, and rinse with warm water.

Skunks are predominately nocturnal.  Mom skunks keep their kits in a den during the day.  If you see young skunks out during the day, there’s a good chance something has happened to the mother, and you need to contact us.  If you encounter an adult skunk, just back away slowly.  Skunks are very near-sighted.
 

Anyone who has rehabilitated baby skunks knows they are adorable.  As they grow, they become more playful, wrestling with each other and running about their enclosure with glee.  They will play with cat toys, love soft-scrambled eggs, and use a litter box.  Skunks are legal as pets in many states, but not Texas. Over the years, ATW has had some memorable skunks, one of whom was Basil who refused to be released and stayed with us for several months as an ambassador.  He participated in Wildfest 2017, an autumn event we held in a park, meeting and being touched by almost 400 people, and never once hinting that he was capable of stinking things up.  Finally, the following spring, when his hormones were raging and love was in the air, Basil decided to depart for the wild to find himself a girlfriend.
 

Basil takes a break in his crate during Wildlife 2017.

The Tragedy of Wedding Doves
 

Releasing white doves leads to a sad fate for the birds.  (Photo Google Images)

The lovely ceremony is over, and the happy bride and groom release a pair of white doves to celebrate their union.  Everyone lives happily ever after.  Wrong!
 
The doves are actually king pigeons, a species developed for domestic purposes.  They have been raised in a cage and have never lived in the wild.  They have no idea how to find food.  White and readily seen at night, they are easy prey for predators.  Touted as homing pigeons, they often don’t return to their coup.  They try to survive until they are taken by predators or become so emaciated and hungry that they approach a human.  On occasion, they are brought to All Things Wild where they can never be released, and we work to find good forever homes for them. 
 

White wedding doves are actually pigeons that have been bred for domestic purposes.
 

Our newest wedding dove was so happy to arrive at ATW.  She drank and ate seeds nonstop until satiated after several days of starvation.  Now she is living in a large flight cage with young white-winged doves, who will eventually be released.  The little doves love her.  She lets then snuggle underneath her ample body and preens them with her beak.  Other than actually allowing them to eat out of her mouth, as all doves and pigeons feed their young, she is a wonderful surrogate.
 

The orphaned white-winged doves snuggle up to the rescued wedding dove.
 

Volunteers


These young raccoons would like to volunteer to get into mischief. (Photo Amber Ringwood)
 

After the first of the year, a large group of people volunteered at All Things Wild only to be told not to come during the corona virus shutdown.  Currently, we are recalling all of those previous volunteers.  We are planning to open up volunteer opportunities for everyone else at our website on July 1.  Please remember that the minimum age is 14 accompanied by a responsible adult.

You can volunteer at ATW and stay safe from the virus by wearing a mask and social distancing from other people.  Our volunteers are vital in helping us rescue and rehabilitate wild animals. 
 

Young raccoons are weaned on a mixture of rice cereal and formula.  (Photo Sue Puetz)


Young raccoons make a huge mess when they eat that has to be cleaned up.  (Photo Sue Puetz)