Gray squirrelĪt birth, gray squirrels are about the size of a human thumb. After you have determined the kits are not orphaned, do not keep visiting the nest as your scent could lead predators right to the nest. If the pattern has been disturbed, then you know the mother has been there to feed the kits. To determine if the nest is abandoned, you can place several grass stems or very fine twigs in a crisscross pattern over the nest and check it the following morning. Tip: If a nest is disturbed by a pet, or child or because of lawn work, the nest can be rebuilt, the kits replaced in the nest and the mother will likely return. Cottontails can have multiple litters each year so kits may be encountered any time from spring through fall. A cottontail rabbit that is about the size of a softball (4-5 inches long) with eyes open and the ability to hold its ears upright should be capable of being on its own and should be left alone. The young cottontails, called kits, open their eyes at 1 week old and begin exploring outside of the nest for short periods to nibble on the grass at about 2-to 3 weeks. To avoid attracting the attention of predators to her nest, a mother rabbit does not stay with her young but only visits the nest briefly at dawn and dusk for quick feedings. In human residential areas, these nests are often in unusual locations, such as the middle of a lawn, by a sidewalk, on a playground or in a garden. Cottontail rabbitĪ cottontail's nest is typically a shallow cup scraped into the soil, lined with some of the mother rabbit's fur and some dried grasses. To help you determine if a young wild animal is truly orphaned, refer to the bird, mammal or fawn keys for guidance on evaluating wildlife situations and choosing an appropriate course of action. For the protection of all young wildlife, please do not revisit a nest site and do not let dogs and cats near the area. The following are tips for determining whether these common animals are truly orphaned. This is one of several timely articles in this month's Badger Birder newsletter don't miss out on the latest birding and conservation news.Remember: A young wild animal's best chance for survival is with its mother! How to tell if a wild animal is truly orphaned REGI founder Marge Gibson cradles the recovering Greater Prairie-Chicken. “Thanks to everyone that helped, including a birder that found her on the road and got her to a DNR wildlife technician who called REGI and Kathy was on the way to transport her to us within 30 minutes,” Gibson added. It includes the Leola Marsh Wildlife Area, Buena Vista Marsh Wildlife Area, Paul J. The Central Wisconsin Grassland Conservation Area stretches in an "S" shape from southeastern Taylor County through parts of Clark, Wood, Marathon and Portage counties south to northeastern Adams County. The Wisconsin DNR and students at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point College of Natural Resources play major roles in maintaining the population. They are still a threatened species in our state and are highly managed to maintain their population. The Greater Prairie-Chicken was brought back from near extinction in Wisconsin starting in 1954. “The great news is she is now recovering and we are optimistic she will be able to rejoin her flock in the Central Wisconsin Grassland Conservation Area in time for breeding,” said REGI founder Marge Gibson. She was in extremely critical condition when REGI volunteer Kathy Esqueda transported her to the Antigo wildlife rehabilitation center and remained on the edge of life for 10 days. The bird was hit by a vehicle and suffered serious injuries including internal bleeding. Prairie Chicken Hit by Car: REGI to the Rescue!įor the first time ever the Raptor Education Group, Inc., in Antigo has been called on to care for a Greater Prairie-Chicken, a state of Wisconsin threatened species.
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