WildARC is bracing itself for another spring and summer of many baby birds and mammals. While this is our "business", we really would rather leave these babies with their mothers! This page will provide some important information to everyone when they encounter "orphaned" wildlife. Click on the animal you have an interest in, or read the whole page!
Squirrels
Opossums
Birds
Baby rabbits - a mother rabbit builds a shallow nest on the edges of fields or wood lines. She creates a small hollow and fills this with leaves, grasses and some of her own fur. The babies lie covered in this nest and the mother only comes to feed them early in the morning and late in the evening. She is usually somewhere in the area, but stays away from her babies to keep predators unaware of them. If you have found a nest of baby rabbits and don't know if the mother is caring for them, place yarn or string over the nest in a definite pattern. If the pattern has been moved the next morning, rest assured, the mother is there and caring for her young.
Usually babies are discovered by weed-eaters or pets. If you are preparing to work in your yard and you have "rough" edges, check them before using motorized cutting equipment. If you find a nest of baby rabbits, mark it so you don't injure them. Baby rabbits grow up very quickly and are out of the nest and on their own in about three weeks!
Spring time is rough on wildlife because they must not only defend their new families against their natural predators, but also against domestic pets. Dogs and cats are devastating to wildlife, particularly the babies and juveniles who cannot defend themselves. Domestic animals do not need to attack and kill wildlife. Help wildlife continue by keeping your pets in tow and don't let them go after wild animals of any kind!
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Baby
squirrels - squirrels
are very resourceful as I'm sure most of you know! A mother squirrel
builds several nests for her babies knowing that weather can knock the nest
and the babies down. If her babies fall down, she will pick them
up one by one and take them to another nest. Baby squirrels can make
quite a sound when they scream for their mother. That does not necessarily
mean they are hurt. If you have found one or several squirrels on
the ground check them to make sure they are not injured. Juvenile
squirrels that run from you are OK, they are big enough to be out of the
nest. Babies range from little pinkies (no fur) to eyes still closed
furred babies. If there are no injuries to the squirrels leave them
alone and go away. The mother will not rescue them if you are there.
Wait several hours and check on them. If by the end of the day they
are still there, they need help. Call a local rehabilitator.
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Baby opossums - baby opossums are probably the only true wildlife orphans. Opossums are the only marsupial in North America. The females have a pouch that babies climb into just 13 days after conception. They are the size of lima beans, and not very developed. The babies latch onto a teat in the pouch and stay attached for months. Opossums have poor eyesight and consume almost anything. They are the garbage disposers of the earth. Unfortunately because of their foraging habits and poor eyesight, they are frequent victims of automobiles as they scrounge the roadside. The mother can be killed but the babies survive for a while in the pouch. If you have found a recently killed female opossum, check her pouch. In many instances the babies can be saved. If you don't want to reach in and pull the babies out of the pouch bring the dead mother to a wildlife rehabilitator who will rescue the babies.
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Baby Birds - baby birds are our most frequent admissions. Most of the time these babies don't need to come to us, we just have to understand a little about their natural history.
 | It is normal for birds that are fledging to be on the ground and unable to fly. Juvenile birds need several days to learn how to fly and find food. We can try to put them back in their nest, but they won't stay there! What is important is that we respect this vulnerability. Keeps pets and children away from them. The parents are around still feeding them, and they will guide them to safe places for the night. |
| Baby birds without feathers or just fuzz need to be returned to the nest if they have been found on the ground. Usually they will be under the tree they came out of. Look up and see if you can find the nest. If it is too high, you can still return the baby to its parents by creating a substitute nest. Margarine tubs are great for this. Punch some holes in the bottom for drainage and put in some grass or leaves and then the baby. Attach the new nest as high as you can up the tree of the original nest. Parents will continue to feed these babies when they call for food. Human handling of baby birds does not make the parents reject their baby. Honest! |
| Both parents feed their babies. If you think you have found a dead "mother" bird the other mate will continue to care for the brood, it just has to work harder! Watch the nest from a distance and more than likely you will see a bird returning to the nest with food. |
| If all of these attempts do not work, then it is time to find a wildlife rehabilitator. If any bird you find has injuries then you need to get help. |
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