Walker Nature Center
A LOOK INSIDE • Calendar of Events 4 • Kids’ Corner 6 • Halloween House 8
Nature Notes By Sharon Gurtz
SEPTEMBER • • • •
Northern Water Snake and Copperhead young are born. Goldenrods bloom. Hummingbirds migrate to Central America. Young Red Fox begin dispersing.
OCTOBER • • • •
Tree nuts are ripe. Black-throated Blue and other warblers are migrating. Asters bloom. Snakes seek winter dens.
NOVEMBER •
Raccoon and Red Fox grow winter coats. • Juncos and sparrows arrive from the north. • Native Witch Hazel blooms. • Deer rut peaks.
BRANCHING OUT Possum PR By Idalina Walker
The first time I held a baby opossum, it looked up at me with those dark eyes, wrapped its tail around my finger, and my heart melted. It is one thing to learn facts about an opossum’s adaptations, opposable thumbs and impressive family lineage, but quite another to hold a palm-sized ball of marsupial in your hand and realize that in two months this sweet joey (baby opossum) will be nearly full grown. As an adult, you rarely hear opossums referred to in kind ways. They are often maligned as being “the ugliest cat in the world” or a “beady eyed, rat tailed rodent.” Yes, opossums do have quite the toothy grin but show some respect for a mammal with 50 teeth. Challenge yourself to look beyond reflexive reaction and get to know the best groundskeeper in your neighborhood… the Virginia Opossum (Didelphis virginiana).
Winning the cool adaptations lottery
Opossums are the only marsupials (pouched mammals) found in North America and the only known mammals to have lived alongside the dinosaurs. In the last 70 million years, they have adapted successfully to changing ecosystems. These nocturnal animals have taken the ability to eat just about anything to the extreme—venomous snakes, sure no problem. They can even dine on a rabid animal without contracting the disease. Their low body temperature helps to make them resistant to common animal diseases like rabies and distemper. While they may pose an occasional threat to garden fruits and vegetables, they generally prefer decaying plant matter. So chances are they will help clean up, rather than clean out, your garden. They will also devour any pet food left outdoors, as they are not one to turn down an easy meal. Continued on page 2
Fall 16 Volume Eighteen