Wild Animal Wednesday! News for the New York Coast

When people think of New York they often think of the big city, but let's not forget about the New York Seascape.  It happens to be a habitat for tons of animals including migratory whales, dolphins, sea turtles, sharks, and over 300 species of fish!  Who would have thought?  The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) has launched the New York Seascape project to pretect these guys. WCS is working with New Yorkers to reconnect them with the rivers and coastline. 

So far, they have made progress!   According to WCS "A healthy sign of ecological resurgence popped up in the Bronx River this summer, in the form of a buck-toothed, paddle-tailed creature: a beaver. Justin Beaver, as WCS fans named him, is only the second wild beaver to return to New York City in more than 200 years. He joins "José," discovered in 2007 and named for Bronx Congressman José E. Serrano, a tireless advocate for the river's restoration."

To learn more about the program please visit the WCS website. 

Wild Animal Wednesday! Polar Bear Commercial

If you haven't seen the polar bear commercial for Nissan you must watch it!  It is amazing.  They did a great job with this ad and it kind of makes me want to buy a Nissan Leaf!

Wild Animal Wednesday! NWF Photo Contest Winners!

A few weeks ago I posted about the National Wildlife Federations 39th Annual Photo Contest.  Well the winners have been announced, and the photos are stunning!  The photo below was selected as the Grand Prize Winner in the Amateur category.  Congratulations to Steffen Binke who took this extraordinary photo of a dwarf minke whale.  To see the other winners visit the NWF Website. 

Wild Animal Wednesday! Coyotes Around Town

Growing up my parents always told me that coyotes were more afraid of us than we are of them.  With the recent coyote attacks in Rye, NY it reminds me that we should all be a little more cautious.  In the month of June two toddlers on separate occasions were attacked by coyotes in Westchester, not far from their homes.  Coyotes are wild animals looking out for their own survival.  While I doubt they would approach a grown man or woman, please be mindful of your small children, and also your small pets.  Don't leave your small dogs outside unattended, and be especially carfeul of your indoor/outdoor cats.  They make easy prey for coyotes.  The safest place for your cat is inside your home.  If your cat still insits on going outside, make sure that you get him/her in the house before dark.

Wild Animal Wednesday! Rare Batagur Turtles are Born!

The Rare Batagur Baska Turtle is critically endangered, with their wherabouts in the wild unknown.  They have been hunted into near extinction throughout South East Asia.  With the addition of the two baby Batagurs born at Vienna's Schoenbrunn Zoo there are a total of 20 of these terrapins now in captivity. To learn more about the Batagurs click here.  Enjoy the adorable photos of the newborns courtesy of  Daniel Zupanc and  Zoo Vienna / Norbert Potensky. 

Wild Animal Wednesday! NWF Wildlife Photo Contest!

The National Wildlife Federation is holding their 40th annual photo competition.  Over $30,000 in prizes will be awarded.  If you love taking photographs this will be right up your alley.  There are divisions for all sorts of photographers from professional, amateur and youth.  There is a $20 entry fee, but that allows you to upload 25 photos in 7 different categories (Birds, Mammals, Other Wildlife, Landscapes/Plants, Connecting People and Nature, Backyard Habitat and Global Warming).  The last day to enter is July 6th so get shooting!  Follow this link to learn more!

Wild Animal Wednesday! Baby Moose Playing in Sprinkler

This video is so adorable. Baby animals are so cute, and these baby moose are the cutest. I wish I could see them playing in the sprinkler in my backyard! Appreciate the earth and all of it's living creatures today!

Wild Animal Wednesday! Skunks and Dogs

Curiosity killed the cat... or maybe the dog?  Dogs are infamous for putting their noses up to skunks.  If your dog gets sprayed try not to let him in the house.  First grab some old towels and a pair of rubber gloves.  Skunks usually spray dogs in the face, and sometimes eyes.  Check out your dog's eyes for signs of irritation.  They will most likely be red, but if they look extra irritated you may want to try rinsing them out with water.  In some cases you may want to call the vet if the irritation looks serious, or if your dog looks uncomfortable.  Be on the lookout for cuts or scratches from the skunk as well.  Most certainly call your vet if you think your dog has been scratched by a skunk (they can carry rabies). 

The reason the spray smells so strong is because it contains compounds called "thiols" which are composed of sulfurous chemicals.  The smell is very hard to get rid off, quite a nuisance!  There is a home remedy that will help dilute the smell.

In a bucket add 1 quart of hydrogen peroxide (3% solution), 1/2 cup of baking soda and 2 tsp. of dish soap.  Don't close off the container- it can explode because of the gas it creates.  You can also try subsituting the peroxide with vinegar (if you are worried that it will dye your dogs coat!).  Next, get your dog all wet with warm water and start applying the mixture.  And its very important not to get it in your pet's eyes, nose or mouth!!  Leave the mix on your dog's coat for about 5 or 10 minutes and then rinse thoroughly with warm water. 

Once you have given your dog a bath with the homemade mix, make an appointment with one of our groomers, we have a special deskunking shampoo.  It really helps!  Give us a call at 203-849-1010 and we will squeeze you in!!!

Reference- CT Wildlife Magazine

Wild Animal Wednesday! Difference Between Frogs & Toads

Have you ever wondered what differentiates frogs from toads?  There are many similarities between frogs and toads as well as many differences.  Toads are actually in the same order as frogs, but they are in different families and are not considered true frogs. 

• Frogs have smooth, wet skin that makes them look slimy.  Toads have rough, dry bumpy skin. 
• Frogs get around by hopping or jumping.  Toads typically walk to get where they are going.
• Frogs need to live near water, toads do not (except to lay their eggs). 
• Frogs have lean bodies with long back legs for jumping, toads are short and stout. 
• When resting frogs heads are usually held high, while toads are usually close to the ground. 
• Frogs have webbed hind feet for swimming, toads do not because they live on land. 
• Frogs lay their eggs in clusters in the water, toads lay there eggs in strands or lines on plants that live in the water. 
• Frogs are part of the Ranidae family and toads are part of the Bufonidae family.

Now, can you tell the difference?  Which of these is a frog and which is a toad? 

Resources include  frog-life-cycle.com & wereyouwondering.com

Wild Animal Wednesday! The American Toad

This rainy weather reminds me again of our local amphibians.  A few weeks ago I discussed the Spring Peeper, but another common amphibian that can be seen in Fairfield County is the American Toad.  The American Toad (Bufo americanus) is not as adorable as the Peeper, but beauty is in the eye of the beholder right?  These toads help regulate the slug population, which I think is pretty cute!  They can be identified by the two kidney shaped bumps behind their head which are their parotid glands.  These glands are actually toxin filled which makes them unpalatable to many predators.  I've picked up many American Toads, so they can't hurt you, but I would advise you not to lick one (never tried it, but it dosen't sound like a good idea)!  These guys actually have one of the prettiest calls out of all of the amphibians around here.  Click on the video below to listen. 

Wild Animal Wednesday! BBC Clip from Walk on the Wild Side

The BBC has a show called Walk on the Wild Side where they take clips from animals in the wild and speak for them.  It's very amuzing, enjoy this short excerpt from the show!

Wild Animal Wednesday! LION CUBS in the BRONX!!!!!!

Everyone is a sucker for babies... especially King of the Jungle babies.  That's right!  Lion cubs at the Bronx Zoo!!  Not one, not two, but three!  They are super cute and really playful. They can be seen with their Mom Sukari, and Father, M’wasi in the African Plains exhibit between 10am-1pm daily.  They are just over three months old, and you don't want to miss these cuties!  Do you want to help name them?  Click Here! 

Photo Credits: Julie Larsen Maher © Wildlife Conservation Society

Wild Animal Wednesday! New Baby at Bronx Zoo!

Spring is here and that means animal babies!!  The Bronx Zoo has a newborn Coquerel's sifaka which is a type of lemur.  It looks like a perfect weekend for a trip to the zoo so make sure you stop by and see "Ares"! 

(photo courtesy of Zooborns & the Bronx Zoo)

Wild Animal Wednesday! The Spring Peeper Has Arrived!

The Spring Peeper is a familiar amphibian friend here in the Northeast.  The Peeper starts making an appearance right around the beginning of the Spring season and can be recognized by it's high pitched "peep peep" call.  Chances are you know what I am talking about, but if not- roll down your car window next time it rains (or right after it rains) and you will hear the chorus of Peepers.  I really love these little tree frogs, their call is pretty soothing and the are absolutely adorable!  They are really small- usually no larger than a paperclip!  After a rain, especially in a wooded area or by a vernal pool, you can see them jumping in the streets (be careful)!  If their size doesn't give them away immediately, they also have a very distinct X marking on their backs. 
(photo courtesy of  http://www.sciencecenterct.org)

To listen to the sounds of the Spring Peeper click on the Youtube video below.

Wild Animal Wednesday! Run for the Wild!

April is almost upon us- so sign up for the Run for the Wild at the Bronx Zoo and support tigers.  The Run for the Wild "Make Tracks for Tigers" is a 5K run and a Family Fun Run that takes place in the Bronx Zoo on April 24th.  All participants will get to spend the day at the zoo after the race is over.  Tiki Barber who was there last year will be hosting the race and running along with everyone, don't you want to run with him?  If you haven't started training yet, what are you waiting for?  The tigers are depending on you!  If you would like to read more about why the tigers need our help click here.  To sign up for the race, visit the WCS website. 

Wild Animal Wednesday! Alpaca Learns to Surf!!!!

Wow, this is one of the coolest stories I have seen in a while.  Domingo Pianezzi, a Peruvian surfer, has trained children and even dogs to surf for years, but has recently taken on a greater challenge- training an Alpaca named Pisco to ride the waves.  Watch this video- It is pretty awesome!! 



To read more about this story visit Telegraph.co.uk

Wild Animal Wednesday! The Return of the Fisher Cat

Fisher cats have been pretty rare in Connecticut until recently.  Their presence in our state dwindled in the early 20th century as they were hunted for their fur, as well as a lack of habitat due to increasing development.  Nowadays (due to reforestation and other factors) they seem to be making a come back, and for those of us with small dogs and outdoor cats- we need to be careful. 

The Fisher cat is not a cat at all, it is in the same family as the weasel.  They resemble a cross between an otter and a weasel or fox.  They typically have a long body with dark brown or black fur, and a long thick tail.  The fisher cat is a carniverous nocturnal mammal who has been known to hunt small mammals.  It is one of the only species that hunts and kills porcupines.  And despite its name, the fisher cat barely ever eats fish!  The scariest thing about the fisher cat is it's call.  If you are woken up in the middle of the night by a blood curdelling scream (similar to a woman or baby screaming) it is probably the fisher cat.  You can hear their eerie calls on Youtube. 

The problem with these animals is that they tend to be on the aggressive side.  If you see one, the best idea is to stay away from it.  They have become a nuissance as well, attacking small pets in our area, cats especially.  If you live in a wooded area, you might want to be careful letting your cat or small dog in the yard unattended. 

To learn more about the fisher cats visit ct.gov. 
(photo: Daniel J Cox & home.mcn.net/~wtu/fisher.html)

Wild Animal Wednesday! Let's Talk Vernal Pools

Vernal pools are an essential part of Connecticut's ecosystem. They provide habitat critical to the survival of certain wildlife species like toads, frogs, salamanders, and turtles who use them for mating and breeding. 

According to CT.gov - "In 1995 the Connecticut General Assembly passed legislation that gives municipal inland wetlands agencies explicit regulatory authority over vernal and other intermittent watercourses as part of Connecticut’s Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Law. Further efforts to protect vernal pools will depend upon improving public awareness of these unique, fragile ecosystems."  (vernal pool photograph courtesy of ctaudubon.org)

Vernal Pools are small bodies of standing fresh water that can typically only be found in the Springtime.  The pools form due to snow melt, precipitation, and high water tables in the Spring months.  Because the pools are temporary they don't support populations of fish, which is actually crucial for the other species to thrive there.  Vernal pools are also characterized by a lack of a permanent outlet stream, and they dry out by late Summer. 

Vernal pools are a great place to see wildlife (but don't disturb them!).  Amphibians flourish here because there are less predators than there are in permanent water bodies.  Some of the species that can be found in the pools in Connecticut are Spotted Salamanders, Jefferson’s Salamaders, Marbled Salamanders, Wood Frogs, Eastern Spadefoot Toads, and Fairy Shrimp.  To read more about the different species, or to learn how you can protect our Connecticut Vernal Pools visit CT.gov. 

If you hear frog calls all night long during the Springtime, or if you see frogs, toads and salamanders crossing the road near your house in the Spring, chances are you have a Vernal Pool in your neighborhood.  Enjoy the wildlife and be lucky that you live in CT!!

Belated Wild Animal Wednesday! Wild Core Volunteer Program

Have you ever heard of Wild Core?  They are actually a great group right here in Connecticut who foucs on local environmental and conservation issues.  Here is a little information about them from their website:

"Wild Core is One of Connecticut’s largest and most respected environmental / conservation organizations. The organization works to protect and conserve Connecticut’s beautiful Wildlife and Wild Places so our future generations have a healthy place to raise their families. We operate a environmental volunteer program, we host many special events for families and offer schools, youth groups and adults premium educational programming."

If you are interested in getting involved read about their wonderful volunteer opportunities:

"Wild Core’s Environmental Volunteer Program, places individuals all over the state of Connecticut, into their local community to make a difference in the environment and for wildlife. Wild Core is virtually changing the way volunteers well…. Volunteer! Our volunteers enjoy working with Wild Core because of our flexible schedule and laidback program structure. Our volunteers are able to make most of their decisions on their own. After all volunteering is something that should be fun and rewarding, not your average 9-5 job. Volunteers in our program choose: When, Where, How and for How Long they want to volunteer. There are no minimums, and no maximums or other deciding factors; with the exception of any health and safety factors that may be the only limiting culprit to our program. Our volunteers enjoy working in a work environment that is set by their own pace/speed.

Volunteers work on many projects for the organization. Wildlife Rehabilitation, Hiking Trail Maintenance, Gardening, Administrative Work, Interpretive Work, Research Assistant for one of our affiliated Biologist/Scientists, Even Kayaking and Camping are just a few of the many ways our volunteers are making a difference.

Wild Core also has partnered with other environmentally oriented organizations that do not have the technologies or other abilities to recruit volunteers for their projects or programs. In this case volunteers are still working for Wild Heart, but are lending a helping hand to one of our affiliated partners. Becoming a volunteer is awfully easy and is a very rewarding step in the right direction.

For more information on our volunteer program, to see a list of current opportunities or to become a volunteer, click here."
(photo courtesy of wildcore.org)

Wild Animal Wednesday! Mini Nubian Goat Born in NYC!

The Central Park Zoo in Manhattan, NY has a brand new baby born to Mom "Angel" earlier this January.  The mini Nubian Goat is just the cutest, and can be adored up close in the petting zoo area of the Central Park Zoo.  The mini Nubian Goats come to be as a result of the Nigerian Dwarf Goat and the Nubian Goat breeding.  There is no time like the present- go see the new kid on the block! 

(photo courtesy of Associated Press)