Wildlife rehab final 2

songbird toes

3 toes grabbing forward and 3 backwards

zygodactyl

two forward, two backward

examples of zygodactyl birds

osprey, night hawk

glottis

opening of the trachea

position of esophagus

behind the glottis

choanae

in the oral cavity, opens to the nasal cavity, susceptible to drowning/choking when finders forcefeed

avian respiratory system

unidirectional airflow, two full breaths to circulate through body

avian air sacs

nine total, anterior and posterior

parabronchi

vascularized tubes in lungs

avian respiratory system: first inhale

air via trachea to posterior air sacs

avian respiratory system: first exhale

air in posterior airsacs to parabronchi (lungs)

avian respiratory system: second inhale

parabronchi to anterior air sacs

avian respiratory system: second exhale

air in anterior air sacs removed

uropygial glands

at the base of the tail, preening oil

keratin feather types

contour, plumule, chick down, filoplume, bristle

contour feathers

emerge at the calamus, rachis with barbs (from vane)

chick down

used for insulation, found everywhere on the body

avian pneumatic skeleton

more air

avian keeled skeleton

more surface area for muscle attachment

furcula

formed by fused clavicles

synsacrum

fused vertabrae and pelvis

avian sight

large eye sockets

how do raptors eat their prey

they consume in pieces, no chewing

proventriculus

glandular stomach: enzymes, acid, mucus

why do raptors produce a regurgitated pellet

they retain indigestible pieces (bones, teeth, fur, feathers)

ventriculus

gizzard, muscular stomach

crop

near esophagus that expands when raptors eat a lot

raptor small intestines

enzymes from liver, pancreas; absorption of nutrients

paired ceca

cellulose breakdown

raptor large intestines

water/electrolyte absorption

scientific name of North American beaver

Castor canadenis

average weight of NA beaver

35

what is the beaver's flat tail used for

construction, swimming, communication

NA beaver diet

bark, cambium (cellulose), aquatic herbs

NA beaver natural history

co

NA beaver baby season

march to june

why do NA beavers create a dam

pond for protection from land predators

benefits of a dam

slow/filtering water, adding moisture to surrounding soil, increasing diversity in landscape, dams, canals, lodges, bank dens

what caused near extinction to the NA beavers in the 1700s

trapping for pelts and the creation of wetlands

NA beaver conflicts

tree damage, flooding

how to resolve tree damage due to NA beavers

woven wire 6ft high around the trees

how to resolve flooding due to NA beavers

pond leveler, beaver deceiver

pond leveler

corrugated flexible black pipe to funnel water from upstream through the dam to downstream, pipe covered by cage, pipe entrance is far upstream (15

beaver deceiver

trapezoid shaped barrier to block entrance of culver

how long is NA beaver rehab

2 years

what kind of space do NA beavers in rehab require

clean water constantly, chew proof enclosure

NA beaver diet

fresh sticks daily

NA beaver release

stream with no other beavers

scientific name for coyotes

Canis latrans

coyote social structure

established pair will mate for life and both raise young

coyote litter size

increases when population of foxes increases

coyote social pack size

4

coyote population interactions

depressed by wolf population, depresses fox population

coyote conflicts

selective pressure, enmity from rural livestock interest transferred to suburbs, killing doesn't work, need to "control" vs. tolerance, aversion conditioning (hazing)

how to control coyote population

only targetting offending individuals, removing attractants (pet food, garbage outside, cats), coyote rollers on fences

coyote rehab in TN

illegal

scientific name for skunks

Mustelidae, Mephitidae

skunk diet

insectivore, along with plant and animal matter

skunk breeding season

February, can delay implantation

skunk baby season

April

skunks are vectors for what diseases

rabies and leptospirosis

evidence of skunks nearby

scent may linger for days, ripe garden crops, shallow digging

aposematic

warning markings

warning signs for skunks

stomping feet, handstands, twisting back end towards threat

skunk attractants

garage, pet food, denning under outbuildings/porches

aversive conditioning for skunks

capsacin, light/sound, repacking entrance

eviction methods for skunks

flour, one

scientific name for American black bear

Ursus americanus

American black bear range

range follows woodlands

American black bear diet

omnivores

American black bear baby season

Jan

American black bear denning spots

under porches, brush piles, rock ledges, unused buildings/vehicles

American black bear dormancy

short when food is available

American black bear attractants

gardens, trash containers, bird feeders, grills, bee hives

nuisance bears

habituation due to lack of negative consequences

resolution to nuisance bear

euthanasia

American black bear exclusion methods

electric fencing, "bear

American black bear aversion conditioning

throw objects, make noise, never run

errant bears

often young males, often climb trees and telephone poles to avoid danger/people, often ends in euthanasia

American black bear rehab

disturbed dens, foster sows, rehab cubs

other common names for groundhogs

woodchucks, whistle pigs

scientific name for groundhogs

Marmota monex

what type of hibernators are groundhogs

true hibernators

how long is groundhog hibernation

5

what is the breathing rate for groundhogs in hibernation

one breath every 6 minutes

groundhog natural range

extends from east coast to the Rocky Mountains

groundhog diet

herbivores

groundhog habitat

open fields, edge habitat, new suburban neighborhoods, grassy meadows

groundhog burrow design

main entrance covered by piles of dirt, side entrances called bolt holes

hibernaculum

location of hibernation, smaller so less drafty, different from burrow

groundhog reproductive age

1

groundhog breeding season

march to april

groundhog gestation length

1 month

groundhog role in ecosystem

habitat for smaller animals, prey

groundhog conflicts

burrow spill mounds, garden damage

groundhog eviction requirements

in early July

groundhog aversion conditioning/harassment

clear vegetation away from opening, strong smelling ammonia (?) entrance, cover loosely to trap odor in burrow

groundhog aversion: wire

fencing

groundhog aversion: examples of scare devices

mylar balloons, radios, beachballs

groundhog rehab reasons

HBC adults, orphaned chucklings