Archives

BACKYARD SECRET – WHERE GRAY SQUIRRELS LIVE CAN AFFECT THEIR COLOR

Oct11

       The results of a recently published study conducted in Montreal, Canada by researchers at McGill University suggest where gray squirrels live appears to have an impact on the color of their coats.

       According to the study’s senior author, Allison Roth, the amount of forest cover and other factors found in urban areas seem to affect the color of the animals’ hair.  The researchers learned that the squirrels inhabiting those neighborhoods in the city with colder winter temperatures and more trees are more likely to display black coats. In comparison, squirrels that live in the more urbanized and warmer areas of Montreal were more likely to have gray coats.

       According to the author, “People often think of cities as a single type of environment, but our findings show that conditions animals experience can vary dramatically from one neighborhood to another,” Roth went on to say, “These local differences, along with barriers such as rivers, can shape how wildlife populations evolve, which means we need to look beyond simple urban-rural comparisons to understand adaptation in cities.”

BACKYARD SECRET: ONE-WAY CHIPMUNKS WARN OTHERS WHEN A PREDATOR IS NEAR

Oct4

           Chipmunks are common residents in Georgia yards.  While they can be regularly seen during the warmer months of the year, at no time are they more often seen than from late summer throughout autumn.  This is the time when chipmunks are busy gathering and storing food for winter. 

          As you might expect, this is a time when they are more likely to cross paths with predators. When one chipmunk sees a hawk, fox or other predator they warn the other chipmunks in the area that danger is close by. Remarkably, they warn their cohorts when a predator is near using two distinct calls.  One is uttered when an aerial predator is close by.  A totally different call is vocalized when the threat comes from a ground predator.

          Now that is pretty neat!

WHAT CAN YOU DO WITH A LIVE TRAPPED ARMADILLO?

Sep13

    In reference to the previous post, where to release the animal.  This location should be at least 5-10 miles away from where it is caught. However, you cannot release it just anywhere.  According to the Georgia Wildlife Resources Division, “You should not relocate or release a live-trapped armadillo onto public lands or someone else’s property without explicit permission, and holding a live armadillo requires a permit.” The WRD goes on to say, “If released on private land, you must have the landowner’s written permission.”  They also recommend, “Armadillos should be released in suitable wooded habitat with cover and water.”

       You should not hold the mammal for any extended period of time since to do so you need a specific state permit.

       For more detailed information regarding moving live-trapped armadillos, contact the Georgia Wildlife Resources Division at 706-557-3350.

BACKYARD SECRET – PARTS OF FOX SQUIRRELS SHINE IN ULTRAVIOLET LIGHT

Jul15

      Remarkably, when viewed under ultraviolet light, the teeth, bones, and flesh of fox squirrels shine pink.  This trait is so rare that in Florida researchers use it to identify their remains at archaeological sites.

BACKYARD SECRET – CHIPMUNKS CAN RUN FASTER THAN GRAY SQUIRRELS AND HUMANS

May21

       I guess it is just human nature to wonder what is the largest, smallest, oldest, or most beautiful. With that in mind, when you see an eastern chipmunk scurry across you yard, have you ever wondered if you could out run it?  I know that I have.

       Remarkably, the eastern chipmunk can run at speeds of up to 21 miles per hour.  This might not seem like a lot until it can you realize that they can out pace most of us. 

       The average running speed for humans it 15-20 miles per hour.  In my case, it would be difficult for me to run 15 miles per hour, however, the best sprinters can race down a track at 23-25 miles per hour. 

       In comparison, the gray squirrel can keep pace with the tiny eastern chipmunk running at upwards of 20 miles per hour.

 

KEEPING CATS INDOORS HELPS SAVE BIRDS

May3

         It is estimated that 100 million free-ranging and feral cats patrol backyards and wildlands across the county. These feline predators are responsible for the deaths of 1.3 to 4 billion birds annually.  A single cat is capable of catching 48 birds per year.

       The problem of free-ranging cats capturing wild birds is just acute in all states.  In Georgia, more than 24 percent of our households share their homes with at least one of these furry friends. By keeping our cats indoors, we will literally save the lives of millions of birds. Meanwhile we will extend the length of our cats will be beloved members of our households. One study found that free-ranging cats typically live only two to five years.  In comparison, those felines that live indoors live 17 years or more.

       With that in mind, if you share your life with a cat and love birds too, consider not letting your cat(s) roam free.

BACKYARD SECRET: DEALING WITH SQUIRRELS EATING SUET AT FEEDERS

Feb22

          If you are having a problem with gray squirrels eating more than their share of suet, here is something you might want to try.  Typically, squirrels prefer eating suet laced with peanut butter and peanuts.  If this is the case in your backyard, simply replace the peanut butter suet with plain suet. While birds will eat it, it seems that bushytails are not particularly fond of plain suet.  While this solution might not work in all backyards, this simple, inexpensive approach to this problem just might work for you.

THE 5-7-9 RULE DOESN’T WORK FOR BLOGGER

Jan4

      In my last blog for 2025, I wrote about the 5-7-9 rule.  These recommendations relate to the ideal location for a bird feeder.  The rule simply states that feeders should placed 5 feet off the ground, 7 feet away from structures such as fences, shrubs and trees, and in a spot 9 feet below an overhanging limb.  In the posting, I asked for feedback from anyone that has erected a feeder following these parameters.

       To date, only one individual has been kind enough to share his experiences.  Here is what John Kelly says about what happened when he place a feeder in his yard following the rule, “I have a feeder that met all of those criteria, but squirrels didn’t have any problem dropping 10 feet from an overhanging limb and landing on the feeder.  They could easily grab onto the rough wood top.  So, I covered the top with smooth metal, painted it with slippery paint, and waxed it.  It was hilarious to watch them hit the top and slide right off.”

       I want to thank John for sharing his experiences with us.  If you have experimented with placing feeder in your yard using the 5-7-9 rule, please share your findings with us.

BACKYARD SECRET – ARMADILLOS DON’T HIBERNATE

Dec21

        Since armadillos are rarely, if ever, seen scampering around our yards when it is cold, it is easy to assume they hibernate. In truth, they do not hibernate. 

       Since they are essentially hairless, they have a rough time keeping their bodies warm during frigid weather. Consequently, the only way they can keep warm on cold winter days is to retreat to burrows dug in the ground.  Once the air temperature rises, these odd mammals leave their warm hideaways and resume searching for insects and worms.

BACKYARD SECRET – FROGS CANNOT VOMIT

Sep17

        When we eat something that does not agree with us, our bodies often cause us to vomit up the food that is causing us problems.  Once the foul food is expelled from our bodies, we are well on the way to feeling much better.  Such is not the case with frogs—they cannot vomit.

       When a frog consumes a moth, beetle or other critter that causes it to suffer from gastric they use a far more bizarre technique to alleviate its problem. Believe it or not, they actually expel their entire stomach through their mouth. This behavior is called gastric inversion.  Once the stomach is outside the frog’s body, the frog uses its forelegs to clean out whatever caused its stomach distress.  When the unwanted material is removed and the frog retracts its stomach it goes on its way.

       As much as I dislike vomiting, I am certain I prefer it to gastric inversion.