Now that it is October and fall is coming, we have new concerns regarding our wildlife . It is a similar one we all face come High School graduation time…NEW TEEN DRIVERS! However, in the animal world it is getting ready for winter… solo!
Many animal mothers keep their young through the winter to insure their survival during the long cold months. Many do not! This time of year we tend to find so many dead, “teen wildlife” on the side of the road. Some mammals, like the deer, raccoon or opossum, keep their children with them for a year but come late spring, when new litters are born, shoo their kids away. Others, like the squirrel or fox, shoo their kids in the fall when they have to fight for food. Either case, this makes for some silly, nutty, newly independent, teen animals loose on the roads!
Most don’t know how to cross a road….they don’t remember that their mother showed them to “stop look and listen”. They might have vague recollections of their mothers asking them to please “be home and safe before dark”…they eat too much , or the wrong things...they hang out with the wrong crowd and on the wrong property...they , like all teens, get in trouble.
So just remember when you are taking that lovely drive during autumn this season...there might be rouge deer crossing, confused squirrels stopping in the middle of the road or an ensnared fox in your fence. You might even see a raccoon out mid-day looking drunk. He is most likely just drunk from rancid berries or garbage, not rabid. Though, always proceed with caution.
Just remember your teen days and honk your horn if you see an animal in the street, especially the groundhogs, grazing too close to the edge of the road. Try clapping your hands prior to venturing out at dusk and early morning to alert the skunk or opossum still foraging so they are not startled but taught the proper behavior. This way we can all enjoy a beautiful fall season!
By Kim Bjorge, Photographer, Potter, Wildlife Rehabilitator and Croton Mom
