Spring is Here!

Spring is a busy time, not only for people, but for animals too. Many animals are setting up territories, building nests, or finding den sites to give birth to and raise their young. What does this mean for the Wildlife Rescue Center? Spring is our busiest time too. We have been preparing for the large influx of baby rabbits, squirrels, and possums that we receive each spring.

So, what should you do if you come across an orphaned young animal? Call an authorized wildlife rehabilitator immediately. The wildlife center will help assess the situation to determine if the animal should be brought in, or give instructions about reuniting the baby with its parents. It is important to realize that the adult is probably nearby watching and will not return until the ‘intruder’ leaves. A baby’s best chance for survival is its mother.

When dealing with the animal, you should:
•Avoid direct contact;
•Keep the animal away from pets and children;
•Use heavy gloves to transfer the animal to a cardboard box or escape-proof container;
•Try to keep the animal in a warm, quiet place;
•Contact an authorized wildlife rehabilitator.

A Bit About Raptors

Raptors are birds of prey that use their powerful talons, not their beaks, to capture food. Hawks, eagles, owls, osprey, and vultures are all examples of birds of prey. Although they also eat meat, birds such as penguins and gulls are not considered birds of prey because they capture their food using their beaks rather than their feet.

Although there are variations between different species of raptors, they all share some characteristics. Their vision is excellent, their beaks are sharp and hook-shaped for tearing apart meat, and their feet are exceptionally strong, ending in sharp, curved talons capable of piercing into prey and latching onto it to carry it away. Most raptors also exhibit reverse sexual dimorphism—most females are larger than males, which allows a mated pair to hunt more prey within an area because each can capture a different variety of animals.

Birds of prey are categorized based off the differences that exist betweens species. Owls differ from other raptors because they are nocturnal and do their hunting at night, unlike other birds of prey, which are diurnal. Owls also have large eyes that face forward and facial discs that help them pick up sounds.

Eagles are typically larger birds of prey. Their hunting patterns are characterized by soaring or sprinting flight. Eagles lay one to three eggs at a time, and their eggs can be distinguished by their green inner lining.

Hawks are typically a bit smaller than eagles. They use some of the same hunting techniques that eagles do—soaring and sprinting flight—as well as other techniques, including slow flight patterns and walking along the ground. Like eagles, hawks lay eggs with a green lining, but hawks can lay six or more eggs at a time.

Falcons tend to be smaller birds of prey as well. Their typical hunting flight patterns are fast and strong. Their eggs are characterized by a reddish-yellow interior lining. Falconets are some of the smallest birds of prey; they are comparable in size to songbirds. Their eggs are plain white, unlike those of larger falcons.

Vultures are comparable in size to eagles. They differ from other birds of prey in that their diet consists largely of carrion. Compared to the immense strength of the feet of other raptors of their size, vultures have weak feet with relatively dull talons. Vultures are easily recognizable by their featherless heads, which are bald to prevent remains from getting stuck in their feathers while feeding. Vultures are also characterized by their very long and wide wings, which enable them to soar great distances while searching for food.

Only one species of osprey exists worldwide. Ospreys inhabit areas near bodies of water. Their diet is made up almost entirely of fish, and they have developed special adaptations to aid them in capturing fish. For example, they can completely seal their nostrils when plunging their heads underwater, and their feet have rough pads on the bottom to enable them to get a better grip on fish.

Cave Critters

Missouri has often been referred to as the Cave State because of the abundance of underground caverns in the state. The Missouri Speleological Society estimates there are more than 6,000 caves in the state. More than half the state—about 59 percent—rests above carbonite rock displaying karst features, which are formations such as sinkholes, springs, and caves created when groundwater dissolves soluble rocks.

Missouri’s wealth of caves can be attributed to the large amounts of limestone underground. Limestone is a soluble sedimentary rock composed of calcium carbonate. When slightly acidic water comes into contact with limestone over long periods of time, the limestone slowly dissolves, creating a cavity in the rock, and a cave is formed.

At a glance, caves may seem barren, but in reality, they are teeming with life. Missouri’s caves are no exception. Cave animals fall into three main categories: trogloxenes (cave users), troglophiles (cave lovers), and troglobites (cave dwellers). A fourth category, cave accidentals, encompasses any animals that mistakenly wander into a cave and then become trapped or disoriented. Cave accidentals, such as turtles, snakes, and most mammals that do not have underground dens, will starve quickly in a cave and cannot survive there.

Trogloxenes, or cave users, are animals who utilize caves but get their food from sources outside the cave. Examples include bats, bears, raccoons, frogs, and crickets. Troglophiles, or cave lovers, are equally capable of surviving and finding food inside or outside a cave. Many have developed some adaptations for cave life, but not to such an extent that they would be incapable of surviving outside the cave under proper conditions. Examples of troglophiles include cave salamanders and springfish. Troglobites, or cave dwellers, on the other hand, have completely adapted to life inside a cave and are incapable of outside survival. Their adaptations, such as blindness, an all-white appearance, and a very slow metabolic rate, make life outside a cave virtually impossible. Examples of troglobites include millipedes, spiders, cavefish, cave crayfish, and a number of invertebrates and crustacea. Many of Missouri’s cave snails and other invertebrates are found nowhere else on Earth.

For an extensive sampling of the wildlife found in Missouri caves, complete with photographs and descriptions, please visit http://www.utexas.edu/tmm/sponsored_sites/biospeleology/mocavelife/mocavelife.htm, a biospeleology site sponsored by the University of Texas at Austin and the Missouri Department of Conservation.

A Warm Winter.

A Warm Winter

So far this winter, the weather across the Midwest has been remarkably mild. Temperatures have more closely resembled fall or early spring weather, and snowfall has been much lighter than average. The unseasonably warm weather can be attributed to a combination of atmospheric patterns, particularly La Niña, which has caused conditions to be excessively icy in Alaska but unusually warm in the lower 48 states.

La Niña is an atmospheric weather pattern that occurs when the sea surface temperatures in the central and eastern Pacific Ocean become cooler than normal, which affects weather patterns across the globe. La Niña conditions occur on average every three to five years and tend to last anywhere from nine months to a year, although they can last up to two years.

The combination of La Niña and other atmospheric conditions has added up to an unusually warm winter for the Midwest. The warmer temperatures and relatively minimal accumulation of snow and ice have had a number of effects on the region. Many areas have found an economic advantage to the mild winter. Little snow means less need for winter weather road maintenance. For example, according to a CBS news article, the Illinois Department of Transportation has spent only $5.4 million on salting and plowing this year, whereas by this point in the winter season for the past three years they had spent an average of $30.6 million. Less freezing and unfreezing of precipitation also means fewer potholes and less need for road repair.

Consumers have also found some advantages to the warmer winter. Most have been able to take advantage of lower utility bills because they have had less need to run heaters. Conversely, businesses that depend on winter weather have struggled some as consumers have found less need for their services. While consumers save money by not purchasing ice scrapers and snow shovels, hardware stores have noticed lower sales of these items than in years past. Those who make their living offering snow removal services have had to get by with less business than they had in previous years. Drugstore sales of cold remedies and flu shots have decreased across the country.

The unusually warm winter is not expected to have a large effect on wildlife. Some plants have flowered later than usual, but there is no effect anticipated on the spring display of flowers. Because there has been little snow to insulate the ground, frost may be able to reach a deeper penetration level than it normally does, which may destroy a few plants that would not normally succumb to winter weather.

Wildlife experts anticipate no effect on hibernation patterns. One creature whose winter habits may change due to the warmer weather, however, is the tick. Ticks are typically inactive during winter months, but they can become active again when temperatures rise above 40 degrees Fahrenheit. The lack of snow could potentially result in larger than normal tick populations, which could have negative effects on other animals affected by them, such as deer.

It will certainly be interesting to see what this psring season brings...

Consider Composting

As many of us struggle with keeping our New Year’s resolutions, why not consider making a resolution that’s easy, free, and helpful to the environment? Establishing and maintaining a compost pile or bin is a simple activity the whole family can participate in that has great benefits for the environment as a whole as well as for an individual family.

The Environmental Protection Agency estimates that about 27 percent of the solid waste in the United States is comprised of yard clippings and food scraps. Currently, this waste is sent to landfills. With proper composting procedures, this waste can be diverted from landfills and turned into valuable, nutrient-rich compost that enhances garden soil and improves the health and quality of the plants growing in it.

There are a number of ways to begin composting. Many composters simply begin a compost pile on a convenient patch of ground away from their houses. Others build compost bins from materials they have handy, such as plywood or recycled pallets. A variety of commercial compost bins are available for purchase as well.

Add your compost materials in layers, alternating between moist and dry items. If you begin your compost pile on the bare ground, your first layer should be a few inches of twigs or straw to help with drainage. Compost piles should be kept moist and may need to be watered occasionally, but they should not be soaking wet. Cover the pile with whatever material you have available, such as plastic sheeting or wood, to help the pile retain heat and moisture, both of which are essential to the composting process. Every few weeks the pile should be turned for aeration to speed up the process. Use a pitchfork or shovel to turn the pile and add oxygen. If you purchase a commercial bin, many can be tumbled easily by turning a crank.

In general, most kitchen scraps and yard waste are good additions to a compost pile. Items that can be composted include coffee grounds and filters, eggshells, fireplace ashes, shredded newspaper, fruits and vegetables (including peels), grass clippings, leaves, nut shells, sawdust, tea bags, wood chips, and yard trimmings.

Not all items can be placed into a compost pile. Avoid adding wood products that have been chemically treated, pet waste, meat, bones, dairy products, plants that are diseased or have been treated with chemical pesticides, fats, and grease.

Composting requires heat and works best when the inside of the pile reaches 120-150 degrees Fahrenheit, so piles are easiest to start in summer months. However, composting can be done year-round. Piles will become inactive during winter months and will activate themselves when the temperature increases.

Winter Safety Tips

Winter can be a beautiful time in Missouri, with blankets of glimmering white snow and brisk but mild temperatures. Sometimes, however, winter weather can take a turn for the worse. Winter storms can be severe and at times dangerous. The best way to ensure you and your family can get through a storm easily is to prepare for one in advance.

Have an emergency plan in place, and make sure everyone in your family knows it. This should include creating an emergency kit. One of the most dangerous aspects of severe winter storms is the possibility of a power outage. Your kit should include water, nonperishable food that does not require cooking, flashlights with spare batteries, a weather radio, blankets, and first aid supplies. Having an extra supply of prescription medications around during winter months is a good idea because severe weather may make travel difficult.

Stock up on alternative fuel sources for heating in case regular fuel sources become cut off or unusable. For example, have dry, seasoned wood on hand for use in a fireplace or wood-burning stove. Take necessary safety precautions when lighting any fires, and have a fire extinguisher on hand in case of emergencies.

Your home isn’t the only place where you should take extra precautions in the winter. A winter car kit can be a life saver in case of a breakdown during very cold or icy conditions. A kit should include an ice scraper, jumper cables, a flashlight, a weather radio, extra batteries, a first aid kit, a distress flag, and sand for traction. Like a home emergency kit, you will want some nonperishable food and water. Temperatures can drop dangerously quickly in a car, especially at night, so have lots of things to help keep yourself warm, such as blankets, hats, mittens, and extra socks.

As you take precautions to keep yourself and your family safe this winter, take time to consider pets and wildlife. Make sure pets have adequate shelter. Even outside pets with well-built doghouses will need to be brought inside if the temperature drops too low or drops for multiple nights in a row. Wild animals have adapted and are able to take care of themselves and keep warm during the winter. However, they may try to take shelter in unusual places when temperatures get very low. Bang on a car’s hood before starting it during cold weather to scare away any cats or small wild animals that may have curled up under it for warmth. Also, antifreeze has a sweet taste to it, so clean up spills to prevent your pets or any wildlife from lapping up the puddles, which are poisonous and deadly.

A Bit About Trumpeter Swans.

Winter is upon us, and with the return of colder weather comes the return of a local favorite: the hundreds of trumpeter swans that migrate to West Alton every winter. About ten years ago, a small flock of trumpeter swans made its way to the Riverlands Migratory Bird Sanctuary, and the number of trumpeter swans who have chosen to make the area their winter home has increased greatly over the years. The Trumpeter Swan Society has named the flock in West Alton as the largest in the lower 48 states.

Current estimates indicate about 16,000 trumpeter swans exist in North America, but the birds were once hunted nearly to extinction in the early 1900s. In the 1930s, fewer than 70 trumpeter swans were believed to exist worldwide, most of them in Yellowstone National Park. In the 1950s, a previously undiscovered population of trumpeter swans was found in Alaska, and the population has since grown, partially due to stricter hunting regulations.

Trumpeter swans have a wingspan of eight feet, making them North America’s largest waterfowl. They are the world’s largest swans and are about twice the size of North America’s other native swan, the tundra swan. Trumpeter swans average about 24 pounds, with males typically weighing more than females.

Trumpeter swans mate for life, choosing a mate at about three years of age. Male trumpeter swans are called cobs, and females are called pens. Sometime around April, cobs begin bringing materials such as cattails to the pens to build a nest. Assembling the nest takes about two weeks, and finished nests can be up to twelve feet in diameter.

Trumpeter swans lay three to nine eggs, which are incubated by the pen for about 35 days as the cob stands guard near the nest. Upon hatching, the babies, which are called cygnets, weigh about half a pound, are covered in grey, downy feathers, and can swim almost immediately. They will reach the fledgling stage in three to four months.