North Texas Wildlife Center Fall 2022

North Texas

Wildlife

Center

Tree Trimming The best time to trim, how to decrease the odds of impacting wildilfe, and more.

Coexistence Corner Releasing Wildlife

Helpful tips on peaceful coexistence with wildlife in an urban setting.

Criteria for release sites.

Fall & Winter Behaviors Hibernation, torpor, and brumation.

Busy Beavers Learn about our fall projects, upcoming events, and more.

Fall 2022

North Texas Wildlife Center

Tree Trimming Squirrel nests are called dreys, and consist of clumped-together collections of leaves, twigs, bark, moss, and other materials. They are usually 20-30ft high in trees.

When is the best time to trim trees?

The best time to prune or trim trees and shrubs is during the winter months. From November through March, most trees are dormant which makes it the ideal time because trees are less susceptible to insects and diseases during this time.

This time of year is well outside of the breeding season for most species. It’s still best to inspect the tree for active nests and/or dens before you begin cutting or pruning. Inspect trees and other vegetation in the surrounding area for wildlife activity before climbing or trimming. If possible, survey the work area at dawn or dusk when birds are more active. Look at all sides of the tree, and make sure you can see the tallest branches.

North Texas Wildlife Center

Releasing Wildlife

Release is the goal with every intake Upon successful recovery, rehabilitated animals are released back into their natural environment.

These animals are in optimal condition for releasefearful of humans, healthy, wounds/injuries healed, foraging, climbing, and have received vaccines and prevententative care where applicable.

When possible, they are returned to their encounter site. Depending on the circumstances, we may make an exception and release on private property with land owner approval. For example, if the animal was injured due to pets, traffic, or other hazards, we chose a more suitable habitat.

Certain criteria must be met when releasing wildlife. This includes: Year round water source Available shelter, ground cover, trees, etc Suitable vegetation and food/prey availability Same species already present- if they aren't, this is an inidication that this area may not be suitable Minimal human activity Away from major roads Consideration of territorial species If you are interested in donating land for the release of rehabilitated wildlife, email info@ntxwildlife.org for more information.

North Texas Wildlife Center

Wildlife Behaviors during Fall & Winter As temperatures drop, the days become shorter and maybe a little snow falls, humans have a multitude of ways to stay warm.

We can layer up, wear a big coat – hats, gloves and scarves can cover areas of skin that may be more exposed to the elements – or we seek shelter in a warm building. While animals cannot seek the same methods of keeping warm and thriving in winter, they have adapted to survive through frigid temperatures.

Wildlife, depending on the species and location, can migrate, undergo hibernation, enter into torpor, or brumate to protect themselves against the harsh elements winter weather brings.

Hibernation Migration

Birds need abundant food supplies because of their high metabolic rate. In the Northern Hemisphere when the weather changes, birds move north in the spring and south for the winter. Milder regions provide more food options, but also more daylight hours to find the food they and their nestlings need. Fall migration spans a longer time range, late August into mid-November.

Around October/November, groundhogs crawl down into their burrows and begin to hibernate.

Some hibernate for only two to three months, depending on temperatures in the area. As the days shorten, temperatures drop and plants begin to die or go dormant for the winter, a groundhog's body releases a hormone that helps guide the animal into hibernation until the weather warms and the days begin to grow longer- around February/March.

Brumation Torpor

Torpor is a state of decreased physiological activity in an animal, usually marked by a reduced body temperature and metabolic rate. Torpor enables animals to survive periods of reduced food availability.

Brumation is a winter cool-down which allows the turtle to survive when food is scarce, and temperatures are lower. Turtles burrow into soft soil and enter into a period of sluggishness, inactivity and torpor. They live off stored fat and their metabolism slows but they can still move around if needed.

North Texas Wildlife Center

The Urban Coyote Coyotes are members of the Canidae family and share many traits with their relatives — wolves, dogs, foxes and jackals.

Some of greatest threats to the survival of wildlife in the US are climate change, habitat loss, pollution, and disease. As a result of habitat loss, wildlife are adpating to the available resources.

Specifically, coyotes have adapted well to living in densely populated urban environments while avoiding contact with humans. Coyotes provide benefits to both urban and rural communities by managing rabbit, rodent, and other small mammal populations.

Hazing a Coyote What is hazing? Hazing simply means scaring a coyote away from you, your yard, or your neighborhood. Coyotes are members of the dog family, and just as we train our dogs to adopt good behavior, we can reinforce a coyote’s natural instinct to avoid people without harming them.

Don’t haze if you think the coyote is sick or injured. Call your local wildlife rehabilitation center or animal control/services office Haze if a coyote approaches you in a park or in a neighborhood, or if you see a coyote who is comfortable walking your street or visiting yards. Be consistent and persistent: haze every time you see this too-close-for-comfort behavior.

How to haze: Make and keep eye contact. Wave your arms, a stick or jacket over your head; jump up and down, yell, or throw objects toward, not at, the coyote. The bigger and louder you are, the better the coyote will get the message that you are something to be afraid of! Keep at it until the coyote leaves.

Did you know?

Coyotes create an auditory illusion called the Beau Geste effect by producing a variety of sounds that distort in the environment. This can make 2 coyotes sound like a pack of 8.

North Texas Wildlife Center

Coexistence Corner Drop the Rake!

It's fall, y'all! The leaves are piling up and while it may look unkempt to you, they serve a great purpose for our wildlife friends.

Removing leaves also eliminates vital wildlife habitat. Critters ranging from turtles and toads to songbirds, mammals and invertebrates rely on leaf litter for food, shelter and nesting material

A Virginia opossum carrying leaves to insulate his winter home

Help wildlife this winter with these simple tips: Animals struggle to survive the season because there is less food, and the cold temperatures reduce their core body temperature.

Let your garden grow- this provides ground coverage and a food source that can help wildlife survive Break the ice- break up ice to make water easily accessible Check for animals before lighting your outdoor fire pit Gather fallen leaves, sticks, and natural debris away from your house for animals to scavenge from Continue to fill feeders and offer water at varying heights Install an owl house- owls nest much earlier than other species, so boxes should be put up by January to give the owls plenty of time to find their new home In a separate area, consider installing a squirrel nesting box- they should be set out in the fall, since the heaviest use is in winter

Squirrels tucked away into their nesting box

We'll be busy beavers this winter Winter projects This winter, we'll be working on reorganizing the center, inventorying kennels and cages, fundraising, and planning our spring gardening project.

Interested in joining us? Email rebecca@ntxwildlife.org for winter volunteer opportunities.

Upcoming events Follow us on Facebook for upcoming events. We are planning a few bake sales across DFW. We'll also have Wildlife Angel trees at a couple of local vet clinics. You can drop in, grab an ornament, and help us prepare for next baby season.

Make a tax-deductible donation today.

Ambas Falkor sador in tra ining

www.ntxwildlife.org

Thank you for your support this year.

MELA, JENIFFER & REBECCA

We burn this candle in remembrance of the animals that didn't make it to release.