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By Melissa Wynn
All foxes are members of the dog family and how often do you see a dog up a tree? If the dog happens to be a Grey Fox it is more often than you might think. Extra long claws on their hind feet give these cunning canines a catlike grip to venture into the conifer canopy, while the front feet are used to grip the trunk like a bear. The agile Grey Fox climbs trees not only to escape predators but also to hunt small birds, lizards, eggs and other tree dwelling foods. Unlike their Red Fox cousins the Greys do not dig dens but prefer to make their homes in hollow logs, rock formations, brush piles and even (you guessed it) in the trees. Grey Fox dens are often lined with a comfortable bed of grass, leaves and/or shredded bark. There’s no place like a tree house home.
From a distance, the Grey Fox looks like a small. pointy eared dog. Adults are 35 to 44 inches long and weigh in from 5 to 14 pounds. The sides of its stocky neck, backs of its ears, and underside of its tail are a pale, rusty yellow. A vivid redhead orange band separates the white throat and belly from the salt and pepper colored upper sides and back. A black mane of long, coarse hair extends along the top of the bushy Grey Fox tail from its base to the all black tip. Handsome as can be these forest frolickers are a “foxy” sighting for the lucky few who catch a glimpse of the Grey Fox during daylight.
Nocturnal by nature, our illusive neighbor prefers the nightlife and manages to mostly keep out of sight. I have only seen one Grey Fox in my lifetime. He came for a drink across the water from where my father and I were night fishing for catfish. A bright moon let us watch him have his drink and then quietly slip back into the woods. The Grey Fox is a rare sighting so keep your eyes peeled and remember to look up. Is that a Grey Fox up a tree?
facts courtesy of blueplanetbiomes.org
dennispollardphotography.com..pic pending permission.
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Courtesy of dnr.state.wi.us
What happens to animals when the days get shorter and the snow starts to fly? Many head for warmer climates. Others get ready for winter by putting on a thick coat of fur. Some animals head underground for a long winter’s nap. This is called hibernation. These hibernators go into a deep sleep. If you saw a hibernating animal you might think it was dead.
How does an animal know when it’s time to get ready for hibernation? How does its body know to slow down during hibernation? Scientists have found a special substance in the blood of hibernating animals. It’s called HIT (Hibernation Inducement Trigger). If blood is taken from a hibernating ground squirrel in the winter and injected into an active squirrel in the spring, the active squirrel goes into hibernation. (Pretty weird, huh?)
There are different kinds of hibernation. The “true” hibernators sleep so deeply that they are almost impossible to wake up. Woodchucks, ground squirrels and bats are “true” hibernators. A woodchuck’s heart rate goes from 80 beats a minute when active to 4 or 5 beats a minute when in hibernation. Its body temperature drops from 98 degrees Fahrenheit to 38 degrees Fahrenheit. And, the woodchuck’s incisors, which grow continuously and are kept short by all the gnawing it does, quit growing during hibernation. True hibernators do get up every few weeks to nibble on food, and in the case of the woodchuck, use an underground toilet room. When bats are ready to hibernate, they must find a place that stays above freezing. They gather together in caves called hibernacula.
Bears are not “true” hibernators. They are one of the “light sleepers.” They are easily awakened from their winter slumbers. These in-between hibernators are simply taking long winter naps. Skunks, raccoons, opossums are also in this group. These animals breathe a little more slowly and lower their body temperature a few degrees while sleeping, but they wake up to forage between winter snows.
Can you think of any other animals that hibernate? How about our cold-blooded friends snakes,turtles, and frogs. Since cold-blooded animals can’t warm themselves up, they need to find a way to protect themselves from the cold. Frogs and turtles bury themselves in the mud below the frostline. They get oxygen from air trapped in the mud. In the spring when the sun warms the mud, out they’ll come. Some snakes head underground to hibernate, others gather together in sheltered places, like rotted out logs. Imagine walking in the woods on a spring day and coming across a bunch of snakes emerging from their wintering spot. What a sight that would be!
Hibernation is still somewhat of a mystery and an amazing animal adaptation. The next time you are sitting around the fireplace all snug, warming up after playing outside, think about all the animals that are sleeping, snug in the snow.
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By Melissa Wynn
The unmistakable Wild Boar is an omnivorous, gregarious mammal, characterized by large heads with tusks and a distinctive snout with a disk-shaped nose. Short necks, relatively small eyes, prominent ears, and a coat that has dense, dark bristles add to the tough guy appearance of this long hunted beast. This wild species is the ancestor of the domestic pig, which was one of the first domesticated animals.
The fur consists of stiff bristles and usually finer fur. The color usually varies from dark gray to black or brown. During winter, the fur is much denser. The stiff bristled hairs were historically used for making toothbrushes and today are still used for hairbrushes and paintbrushes. Wild boar piglets are colored differently from adults, being a soft brown with darker stripes. The stripes fade as the piglet grows, when the animal takes on the adult’s grizzled gray or brown color.
Wild boars live in groups called sounders. Sounders typically contain around twenty animals, but groups of over fifty have been seen. In a typical sounder, there are two or three sows and their many piglets; adult males are not part of the sounder, outside of breeding times, and are usually solitary. Breeding takes place two to three times per year. Birth, called farrowing, usually occurs in a secluded area away from the sounder. Piglet litters are typically 8 to 12 cute, wiggly piglets.
The term boar also is used more generally to describe an adult male of certain species—including, confusingly, domestic pigs. It also applies to the males of such species as the guinea pig,badger, skunk, raccoon , and mink. However, for the wild boar, the term applies to the whole species, including, for instance, “sow wild boar” (female wild boar) or “wild boar piglet.”
The Wild Boar is a spunky swine and won’t back down from a challenge. Never approach a wild animal. If surprised or cornered, a boar (and particularly a sow with her piglets) can and will defend itself and its young with intense ferocity . The male lowers his head, charges, and then slashes upward with its large intimidating tusks. The female charges with its head up, mouth wide, and bites. Few predators, other than wolves, dare to mess with the aggressive Wild Boar.
Facts courtesy of newworldencyclopedia.org
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What could be more frightening than bats in your belfry? Bat bugs!
The bat bug (Cimex pilosellus) is a close relative to the bed bug. Both are blood-sucking insects and prior to the recent increase of bed bugs, the bat bug was the more common representative of this group from the Cimicidae family. Bed bugs are the most difficult to deal with as they can coexist with humans. The bat bug requires a bat host, which can live behind walls and in attics. When bats migrate or are removed from the area, the potential for these bugs to migrate to human areas exists. The bugs move in search of a new bat host.
To prevent rare but potential human bites, human areas should be sealed off from bat areas after the bats leave, but the bottom line is that these bugs will not be able to sustain or reproduce without a bat host. If you think these critters may be dwelling in YOUR attic, calling a professional bat removal service is advised, one who handles the safe removal of bats with no harm to the bats.
Ref:Wikipedia, Colorado State University Extension: Bat Bugs, Bed Bugs and Relativesby W.S. Cranshaw, M. Camper and F.B. Peairs1 (Revised 3/11)
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By Melissa Wynn
The Common Poorwill is the smallest of the “nightjars” in North America, and is considered the western counterpart of the eastern Whip-poor-will. The Hopi name for the Common Poorwill means “the sleeping one”, as they are the only bird known to hibernate. In cold weather, they enter a hibernating state, called tupor, with a lowered body temperature, heartbeat, and rate of breathing. Hummingbirds also enter into tupor but only for short periods. The heartier Poorwill can stay in tupor for weeks.
Hibernation is not the Common Poorwill’s only odd characteristic. They also have whiskers, that’s right whiskers. Like an odd mustache on either side of their tiny beak. This not quite birdlike feature adds to Poorwill’s odd look. Feet so tiny that they are rarely seen are another Common Poorwill trait that makes one cock their head and wonder.
These well-camouflaged cousins of the also whiskered Whip-poor-will are brownish gray and mottled with a white ring around the base of the neck. This coloring makes them hard to spot, but a beautiful song means they are often heard, especially near dusk and dawn.
Dry, open, grassy or shrubby areas are where our strange feathered friends call home. Lovely Autumn is when all share in the rare sightings as a few are still toughing it out in the higher elevations. Meanwhile, others are moving lower toward the Great Basin and foothills. It takes a sharp eye to get a glimpse of the Poorwill as they sing their twilight serenades.
The Common Poorwill feeds exclusively on night flying insects such as moths and nocturnal flying beetles. They preserve energy by watching from a perch and then ambushing their prey and it flies by. A quick flutter and a snap of their beak and the first course is over.
Keep yours eyes peeled and your binoculars handy so that if you hear their distinctive, high pitched, two whistle call maybe, just maybe you can get a look at the strange and interesting Common Poorwill.
photo: bigstockphoto.com
facts courtesy of sdakotabirds.com and allaboutbirds.org
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The Virginia opossum is North America’s only native marsupial. A marsupial is an animal with a pouch, like a kangaroo. Newborn opossum are hairless and the size of a navy bean. These tiny infants must make their own way up mama’s tummy and into the pouch where they stay and nurse for up to two months. Several young are born at once and a female can nurse up to thirteen babies. After leaving the pouch, babies stay with their mother, riding on her back, for just two more months before they are off to start families of their own. Females often have three litters of babies each year.
Adult opossum are grayish, pointy faced critters, about the size of a house cat and have a long hairless tail. This weird looking appendage is prehensile like many monkey tails and the opossum uses it for balancing and holding on while venturing through the trees. They can hang by their tail for short periods but do not sleep while hanging, as myths would have us believe. They are simply too heavy for the tail to support all their weight for very long.
The opossum has been around for about 70 million years making it one of Earth’s oldest surviving mammals. The crafty and ancient opossum also has opposable thumbs, called hallux on their back feet. These are used for grasping branches when climbing trees in search of eggs or insects. Opossum are omnivorous and will eat just about anything, including garbage and carrion.
Perhaps the most special talent of the truly unique opossum is their ability to fake death as a defense. Coining the phrase “playing possum” this involuntary state is brought on by extreme stress. When hissing, grunting and running away have failed to ward off danger, a frightened opossum will roll over, become stiff, drool, and its breathing will become slow and shallow. This coma-like state can last up to four hours. Nature never ceases to amaze!
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By Melissa Wynn
For generations kids in Eastern Lassen and Modoc Counties along with those in Nevada’s Washoe County have played outside and chased the Northern Desert Horned Lizard or as they are sometimes called, horny toads. These spiked, scampering, sun lovers of the sagebrush are a blast to watch as they zip around desert areas. When caught however, these flat but frisky lizards hiss and will bite. They prefer to not be handled and will use camouflage and stillness as a first line of defense. Short speedy departure is an option when necessary.
Northern Desert Horned lizards are flat-bodied with short spines on their head and have one row of pointed scales fringing the body. Belly scales are smooth. Most of these radical looking reptiles are red, tan, or dark gray, with wavy cross bands on the sides of the head and have dark blotches on the sides of the neck.
Basking in the sun is a favorite pastime of horned lizards during the cooler morning hours but, like an old car, once they are warmed up they are ready to roll. By night our desert day tripper burrows under the sand to keep warm but leaves his eyes above ground to watch for danger.
Northern Desert Horned Lizards breed April through July and the little ones begin scurrying about in the fall, as our young ones scurry back to school. The babies are called hatchlings and average 7/8 to 1 and 1/8 inches long. Sometimes they bury themselves in the sand as soon as they hatch and have a cautious look around. Mom and Dad don’t stick around so the hatchlings hunt for themselves immediately. These self sufficient beginners are adorable with their tiny horns and smooth skin, like little punk rockers.
Next time you are wandering about our Eastern desert neighborhoods don’t forget to look down and around for the lizard that looks like a dinosaur, the Northern Desert Horned Lizard.
Facts courtesy of desertusa.com and californiaherps.com
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By Melissa Wynn
Recently, while visiting a friend, I noticed the prettiest pink bird fluttering around his bird feeder. After a bit of research, I learned that it was a Purple Finch. Hmmm, why not call it a Pink Finch? Males of this small sparrow-like species have a raspberry colored head and sport a bit of a mohawk. The pinkish tinge of color lightens as it flows down the back and chest, almost like they have been dipped head first into a glass of cherry kool-aid. Female Purple Finches are, like most female birds, more plain and lack the brilliant red coloring. They are coarsely streaked below, with strong facial markings including a whitish eye stripe and a dark line down the side of the throat.
Purple Finch females are not easily impressed and their male counterparts work hard to win a mate. The boys are required to softly sing, often with a twig in their beak, while strutting their stuff in a sort of fluttering, hopping dance. As if being pretty in pink were not enough! If all goes well, the pair will build a nest among the branches of a tree or shrub and fill it with 2-7 tiny greenish blue speckled eggs that will hatch in about twelve days. Although Purple Finches make short work of entering the world, they take their time in departing. The oldest recorded Purple Finch lived to be 11 years 9 months old.
Black sunflower seeds in my friend’s feeder are a favorite for the Purple Finch, but they feed on wide variety of seeds, berries, cherries, apricots and even nectar that they harvest by biting the bases off of selected flowers. These fat little fluffs of feathers also dine on several insects including aphids, caterpillars, grasshoppers, and beetles.
Whether you see them around your bird feeder or catch a glimpse in the forest, the singing, dancing Purple Finch is a joy to watch.
facts courtesy of allaboutbirds.org
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Gary’s Bat Removal ~ Lakeside Construction, Inc. (530) 258-2811
Safely remove and relocate bats * Clean up hazardous guano in attics * One way bat doors installed * Bat houses sold and installed * Home Inspections * Licensed * Bonded * Insured
With over twenty eight years experience as a licensed contractor in the state of California, Gary’s Bat and Bird Removal should be your first call. As a registered bat excluder with Bat Conservation International (BCI), we only use approved exclusion methods and materials. Gary’s Bat Removal Service is a FULL SERVICE BAT EXCLUDER. Exclusion is the ONLY effective solution for permanently removing bats from buildings. Trapping and relocating alone is ineffective since bats have excellent homing instincts and simply return, even when released at great distances. The use of pesticides against bats is illegal and counterproductive. Poisoning greatly increases the likelihood of bats coming into contact with people and pets.
Ultrasonic devices, chemical repellents, and smoke are not approved by BCI as effective methods to evict bats from buildings. In addition, canned spray foam is not an approved sealant for cracks and holes in most situations. It is not only unattractive, but can result in the death of bats that come into contact with it. This product should never be used when bats are still present. Our service uses exclusion methods that ensure the safety of both bats and people.
Gary’s Bat Removal is **Recommended by Bat Conservation International as a preferred Bat Excluder **
(Click on image below to enter Gary’s Bat Removal website)
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By Melissa Wynn
Rubber Boas are a bit of an oddball in the slithering world of snakes. Unlike most snakes, they are perfectly at home in cooler, higher mountain areas. Many cold-blooded creatures prefer to bask in the sunshine, but not the Rubber Boa. These shy serpents prefer to spend the daylight hours underground or under cover beneath logs and rocks. Always cautious, these constrictors do their carousing by night. Slow and stealthy is the way of the Rubber Boa.
As far as snakes go, the Rubber Boa is among the easiest to get along with. Rubber Boas almost never bite. While most snakes will curl up, hiss and strike when cornered, Rubber Boas prefer to try to fake their way out of the situation. Using their blunt, stubby tail, they “strike” from a curled position, hiding their head. This practice is also used when hunting baby rodents. Rubber Boa tails are often scarred from the bites of mother mice attempting to rescue their young from the cunning constrictor. These docile characteristics make the Rubber Boa a very popular pet.
Rubber Boas are a small snake, rarely growing past thirty inches. Living up to fifty years in the wild, these hearty reptiles continue to breed very late in life. Rubber Boas give birth to one to nine live young in mid to late summer.Young snakes are pink or tan and can be brightly-colored. Adult snakes are light brown, dark brown, pink, tan, or olive-green above, and yellow, orange, or cream-colored below. Rubber Boas are usually uniform in color on the back, but sometimes dark spots or mottling occur, especially in northern populations. Smooth, shiny, small-scaled, loose and wrinkled skin gives the snake a rubbery feel and its name.
If I am destined to run across a snake during my hiking adventures, I hope it will be the shy, slow, docile Rubber Boa.
Facts courtesy of californiaherps.com and rubberboas.com
Photo by Nicole Tripp of theroamingnaturalist.com
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By Melissa Wynn
Everyone loves sweet sticky honey. Most of us know that we have the busy little honey bee to thank each time we indulge ourselves with this golden ancient treat. Honey Bees however give us so much more than honey. These tiny workaholics are perfectly designed to pollinate many of the fruit and vegetable crops consumed in America. Each Spring when fruits and veggies are in blossom each flower must be pollinated to bear fruit. No pollinator, no goodies.
The body of the always female worker honey bee, is a pollen moving machine. Small hairs covering the bee become charged with static electricity as she buzzes through air. Therefore, when she touches down on a flower pollen clings to her like socks cling to the towels in the dryer. As if that were not enough, our little lady often gets a crown of pollen placed upon her head as she gathers her nectar reward from the flower. She will trade this for a new hat at the next blossom. The fine hairs on the legs of the hurrying honey bee gather and drop off pollen at each flower as she walks around as well. She gathers her nectar for honey making and in the process pollinates crops for millions of hungry humans.
During the 1980s, a pear growing region of China, lost their entire population of honey bees to pesticides. High demand for the pears and orders from their government forced the human keepers of the pear orchards to pollinate every blossom in the orchard by hand. This tedious and time consuming process is completed by dusting the center of each flower on every tree with gathered and dried pollen using a piece of bamboo outfitted with a “brush” made of chicken feathers. Can you imagine hand dusting hundreds of acres of apple trees or blueberry bushes?
As the buzz about their day the happy, humble honey bee keeps the produce coming to dinner tables all around the world. Like all true workaholics, honey bees work overtime and ask nothing in return for all their hard work. Keep buzzing the blossoms little honey bee, I like both lemon and honey in my tea.
backyardbeekeepers.com
pbs.org/nature
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By Melissa Wynn
One of my fond memories of childhood is catching crawdads, or crayfish as they are sometimes called, in the streams and lakes where my daddy would take us fishing. Sometimes we would set traps at night if we were planning a crawdad boil, but mostly we just moved rocks and caught them by hand.
Crawdads normally live about two years, so reproduction is top of the list of things to do. The quickly carousing crawdad becomes sexually mature and mates during the first fall after it’s born, but fertilization and egg laying usually occur the following spring. Between ten and eight hundred fertilized eggs are attached to the female on the underside of her jointed abdomen. The egg-carrying female is said to be “in berry,” because her clutch of eggs looks something like a bubbly blackberry, dark in color at first, but becoming translucent as they mature. Females are often seen “in berry” during May or June so have a look if you can catch one. The eggs hatch in two to twenty weeks, depending on water temperature. The new baby crawdads stay attached to their mother until shortly after their second molt. Molting is the shedding of the hard outer shell which the crawdad does throughout its life to accommodate growth. The old shell splits and the bigger crawdad simply walks out of it, leaving his home behind. The new shell is a bit soft the first few days after molting and the crawdad is most vulnerable to predators during this time.
Crawdad color ranges from dull grayish brown to bright blue but all crawdads turn red when cooked like their lobster cousins. Crawdads are closely related to the lobster and look very much like a miniature version. Like the lobster crawdad heads have two pairs of antennae and the eyes are out of the head on movable stalks. The legs, or pereiopods, include four pairs of walking legs which, as well as walking, are to probe cracks and crevices between rocks looking for food. Crawdads also own one pair of claw bearing chelipeds, which it extends in front of its body while moving. These strong pincers are specialized for cutting, capturing food and fighting it out with other crawdads. They are also handy for giving curious kids a good pinch to be set free. Crawdads also has several pairs of specialized food handling “legs,” balers to cycle water over the gills, and five pairs of swimmerets on the under belly. All of these “legs” will grow back or regenerate if broken off. How cool is that?
These crazy crustaceans of the creek are most active at night when they come out of hiding to feed on snails, worms, salmon eggs, incest larvae and dead fish. Most crawdads seen during the day are young and smaller than the big ones seen after dusk. Next time you are out fishing move a few rocks, catch a crawdad and check it out. Crazy crayfish are actually quite interesting.
info from mackers.com
photo from bigstockphoto.com
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By Melissa Wynn
 Living on every continent except Antarctica, the crow is a bird that many of us see on a daily basis. I never gave them much thought (unless they were in my trash can) until I found out how smart they are. I was reading clips from the PBS program “Nature”, on the internet, when the episode title “A Murder Of Crows” at pbs.org caught my eye. Did you know that a large group of crows was called a ‘murder’ ? The more I researched, the more I was fascinated by what I learned about the seemingly common crow.
Turns out that research shows they are among the most intelligent animals on earth. The crafty crow uses tools like elephants and chimpanzees and can recognize more the 225 distinct calls. Start feeding the crows and they will be able to pick you out of a crowd up to two years later. Now that is one bright bird.
One of the reasons we often see our brainy neighbor, is crows have learned to thrive making quite a decent living by moving in next door to humans. They adapt to our schedules to optimize food sources and even memorize and follow the garbage routes. What they can’t eat they will take away for nest building supplies. They definitely know my pick up day. Using traffic to open nuts for them and dining at the roadkill cafe also feed the crows, courtesy of their gullible human neighbors.
The common crow is a very social animal that mates for life and parents its young for up to five years. These amazing aviators even learn from each others mistakes. If a single crow in the murder gets killed in a particular feeding area, that group will avoid the area or might even change their migratory pattern for the next few years. Crows are true survivors.
I never thought that I would become a bird watcher for crows, but my interest has been peaked. The more I read, the more respect I have for the intellectual crow who can solve puzzles and even learn to talk. You can watch the full episode of the amazing documentary that made me officially curious about crows online at pbs.org.
Sources: wikipedia, pbs.org, US Fish & Wildlife Service
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Contact:
Marc Kenyon, DFG Wildlife Branch, (916) 445-3515
Kirsten Macintyre, DFG Communications, (916) 322-8988
An orphaned black bear cub was safely returned to its remote northern California forest home in late February after five months at a Lake Tahoe wildlife care facility. Once near death, the male yearling cub has been deemed by experts to be fully rehabilitated, healthy and very likely able to survive on its own.
The cub was emaciated and weak when it was first spotted by a logger working in the Lassen National Forest (Tehama County) last September. Evidence at the scene indicated that the tiny bear’s mother had died before it learned to forage for food on its own. It was also suffering from severe hair loss, which would have made it unlikely to survive the approaching winter.
A warden from the Department of Fish and Game (DFG) was able to easily capture the cub with a trap. When it arrived at Lake Tahoe Wildlife Care, a licensed rehab center, the tiny bear weighed only 18 lbs. — far less than the usual weight of about 30 lbs. for a cub that age. With the assistance of charitable donations, staff at the nonprofit center treated the animal for ringworm and nursed it back to health over a five-month period.
At the end of February, DFG biologists picked up the cub – which then weighed a hearty 90 lbs. – and transported it from Tahoe back to the Lassen National Forest.
Courtesy of DFG
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A wild free-roaming horse or burro, as defined by Federal law, is an unbranded, unclaimed, free-roaming horse or burro found on Western public range lands administered by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the U.S. Forest Service (USFS). Wild horses and burros are descendants of animals released by or escaped from Spanish explorers, ranchers, miners, U.S. Cavalry, or Native Americans. The Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act of 1971 gave the Department of the Interior’s BLM and the Department of Agriculture’s USFS the authority to manage, protect, and control wild horses and burros on the nation’s public range lands to ensure healthy herds and healthy range lands.
Horses For Adoption, Burros too!
FROM OVERGROWING POPULATION OF WILD HORSES
Opportunities Still Exist to See Horses in the Wild
Over 30 years ago, I was graced with the privilege of seeing a herd of wild horses run on the plain below me in the Gerlach area. We turned off our dirt bikes and sat to watch in wonder. It was an experience I will not soon forget. Long, flowing manes bounced in the whisking of more than a dozen stout horses, big and small, in a variety of colors. It reminds me of a plaque I once saw, amended slightly and expanded upon for this vast area of beauty and adventure: “If we’re lucky enough to live where we live, we are lucky enough.” The experience, almost magical and seemingly mystical, drew me to another cliche, this time from a song, “I will ride them someday.” (Rolling Stones: Wild Horses,
During the same year that wild horses finally gained federal protection: Released June, 1971)
When I saw those horses, it had been just more than a decade since the institution of the Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act and it was not uncommon to see such a scene in the wild deserts of California and Nevada. The good news is there are places where you can still behold such a vision. One pretty sure bet for seeing wild horses is the Buckhorn Back Country Highway, according to Jeff Fontana, of the USDA Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Public Affairs. He took me on a tour through the wild horse facility in Litchfield, CA near Susanville, where hundreds of horses are available for adoption and viewing. The Buckhorn Back Country Byway is a good dirt road, accessible in good weather out in the high desert area between Ravendale and Nevada. Fontana says you have a really good chance of viewing horses there and if you stop by their Eagle Lake District office on Riverside Drive in Susanville, they can offer you a map, or you can call them at 530 257-0456 for directions.
There is also a herd which can be seen along Highway 395 just north of Ravendale. Looking off to the west with binoculars, you may find them. Binoculars are always good for viewing wild horses. according to Fontana, as they are wary animals.
Before the Wild Horse and Burro act of 1971, wild horses were gathered up commercially and sold off to glue factories. That was until one little gal got involved known as ‘Wild Horse Annie.’ Velma Johnson (her real name) was tired of seeing such a magnificent breed of animals being poorly treated and ultimately slaughtered, she worked hard for decades to see the Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act become a reality in 1971. She was recently inducted into the National Cowgirl Hall of Fame.
Adopting Horses or Burros of Your Own
Governed by the USDA Bureau of Land Management, over 230,000 horses and burros have been adopted out since 1971. The problem today is the lack of adopters as opposed to the growing population of horses they capture on public lands. According to a recent release by the GAO (Government Accountability Office) a report correctly depicts the difficult situation that the BLM finds itself in with regard to maintaining unadopted or unsold animals in holding facilities. While the GAO report notes that the BLM has made “significant progress” toward setting and meeting the appropriate management level (AML) of wild horse and burro herds that roam BLM-managed rangelands in 10 Western states, the report shows these costs are spiraling out of control, accounting for three-fourths of the Bureau’s wild horse and burro budget of $37 million. A large increase in adoptions is needed.
After the adoption process including one year of caring for the animal, complete title is issued to the adopter and animals can be sold. Fontana told me a story of a family who adopted a horse for a child who then competed with the horse for many years. The family ended up selling the animal for $10,000. The wild mustangs are excellent competitors in endurance rides. The horses are also known for being exceptionally strong and loyal. “People love these horses”, Fontana said. It is also just seems quite impressive that these mighty beasts are direct descendants of Calvary horses and other carriers through history’s wild west adventures. Perhaps you are a candidate for adopting a wild horse or burro.
Every wild horse or burro is different. They come in all shapes and sizes, and each animal has its own personality. They are of no particular breed, although some exhibit characteristics associated with certain breeds. As far as records go, their breed will always be labeled as Mustangs. A typical wild Mustang stands about 13 to 15 hands high (52- 60 inches) and weighs about 700 to 1,000 pounds. Wild burros average 11 hands high (44 inches) and weigh about 500 pounds. Because the BLM only recently removed them from public lands, wild horses and burros put up for adoption are not accustomed to people. As an adopter, your challenge will be to develop a trusting relationship with your wild horse or burro.
It may not be as difficult as you think. There are horse trainers out there who can help adopters and horses transition, and there are volunteers across the state who act as mentors for adopters.
To adopt a wild horse or burro, you must:
* Be at least 18 years of age (Parents or guardians may adopt a wild horse or burro and allow younger family members to care for the animal.);
* Have no prior conviction for inhumane treatment of animals or for violations of the Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act;
* Demonstrate that you have adequate feed, water, and facilities to provide humane care for the number of animals requested; and,
* Show that you can provide a home for the adopted animal in the United States.
You must provide a minimum of 400 square feet (20 feet x 20 feet) for each animal adopted. Until fence broken, adult horses need to be maintained in an enclosure at least 6 feet high; burros in an enclosure at least 4.5 feet high; and horses less than 18 moths old in an enclosure at least 5 feet high. You should not release an ungentled animal into a large open area, such as a pasture, since you may not be able to recapture the animal for training or to provide veterinary care. However, once the animal is gentled, you may release it into a pasture or similar area. You will be required to meet specifications for the construction of corrals and shelters, etc.
How do I adopt a wild horse or burro?
If you meet the adoption qualifications requirements, you can complete an online Internet Adoption Application or you can fill one out and mail or take it to the nearest facility. The minimum or base adoption fee for each wild horse or burro is $125.
The cost of caring for a wild horse or burro is comparable to caring for a domestic horse or burro. Depending on local costs and conditions, this can exceed $1,000 per year. You are responsible for all costs associated with the care of your animal. If you adopt a mare, there is a very good chance that she is pregnant, so you may have the additional expense of caring for a foal. Though the adoption fee may seem minimal, you should also consider the following costs when calculating your wild horse/burro budget:
* Stall/Corral Rental Shoeing
* Veterinarian Worming
* Vaccinations Medicine
* Insecticides Salt/Supplements
* Feed Grooming Supplies
* Tack
BLM wild horse corrals on Highway 395 just North of Litchfield is about 21 miles from Susanville. They are open to the public Monday through Friday from 7:45 – 4:30. During the summer, hours are 6:30 – 3:30. For information about tours or horse adoption call (530) 254-6575 or (800) 545-4256.
For more information got to http://www.blm.gov and search wild horses.
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By Melissa Wynn
I was blessed growing up deep in the woods of the Sierra Nevada as a child. Porcupines were a very common wildlife sighting. In my late teens, I commuted on HWY 36 from Westwood out past the HWY 32 turn off for work and porcupines were every bit the road hazard at night that the deer were and continue to be. I can also remember my father many times pulling on coveralls and thick gloves to go out and pull porcupine quills from our naughty dogs that couldn’t seem to resist a chase every time they managed to sneak out of the yard for a forest run. But in the last several years I have not seen a single waddling pin cushion of the pines, dead or alive, in all my travels through this neck of woods. I have to wonder if I have just been unlucky or if others have noticed the absence of our spiky little neighbors. Things that make you say hmmm? Porcupine are quite intriguing to watch as they perch in the trees nibbling the bark, twigs or spring buds. These large rodents have front feet much smaller than the back and use them almost like hands as they feed. Like their beaver cousins, the front teeth of the wood munching porcupine never stop growing but are constantly filed down at mealtime. These amazingly strong teeth like chisels are also orange in color. Porcupines breed September through November and have only one baby after about 210 days, so the early babies will be coming in late April. I hope to catch a glimpse of at least one this year. They used to be so easy to spot in the snowy trees during the winter, but not so anymore. The woods are still full of trees to dine on, so why are we not seeing them?
 photo from bigstock photo How about you my Mountain Valley Living friends, when did you last see a porcupine? Please log on at mountainvalleyliving.com and post a comment telling us when and where you or your dogs last encountered the seemingly missing porcupine.
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By Melissa Wynn
 Although monogamy is rare in the animal kingdom there are a few species that pick a mate and stick with them at least “until death do they part.” The poster birds for fidelity, the noble bald eagles remain faithful to each other until one dies. Recent studies of DNA from the feathers of other eagle species support the idea that monogamy is the norm among raptors. Swans are also rumored to have what it takes to keep the love alive. They can be seen floating serenely along, heads together creating the very symbol of Valentines Day, the simple heart. Colorful love birds, turtle doves, often seen at weddings, and some species of parrots are just a few more of our feathered friends dedicated enough to be lovers for life. Maybe love is for the birds.
pics from bigstockphoto.com
raptor facts courtesy of livescience.com
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By Melissa Wynn
Late in November while traveling along scenic hwy 36 near Paynes Creek I was blessed to spot an eccentric Greater Roadrunner. As the name implies it was running beside the road, and boy was he speeding along. Reaching speeds up to 17 miles per hour makes the greater roadrunner content to spend most of his time on the ground. These odd members of the cuckoo family can fly in short bursts when necessary but prefer to walk or run away when threatened.
The one I saw seemed to be running just for the joy of it. He was quite a colorful fellow as are both sexes of the greater roadrunner. The head, neck, back, and wings of our feathered friend are dark brown-black and heavily streaked with white, while the breast is mostly white. The eyes are bright yellow and surrounded by a streak of bare blue and red skin. A particularly comical feature is the head crest of black feathers, like a Mohawk, which is raised or lowered at will. Overall, the body has a streamlined appearance, with a long tail that is often carried at an upward angle. The legs and beak are blue. The feet are zygodactylous, with two toes pointed forward and two toes pointed backward.
When the weather is cool greater roadrunners like to sunbathe with their back to the sun, fluffing out their back feathers to expose the black skin beneath that acts as a solar panel. Nothing typical about these silly birds. No wonder the greater roadrunner became a cartoon star. Beep Beep.
Sources, USDA animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu
photo from bigstock photo
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If seeing a spider in your home sends chills up your spine and thoughts of “KILL IT! KILL IT!” run through your head, there’s good news: most spiders that share your space do much more good than harm. I’m not saying all spiders you find in and about your home are harmless – far from it. Some can be very dangerous and steps should be taken to identify and avoid them.
Spiders tend to gravitate toward warmer surroundings as winter settles in. Most potentially dangerous species tend to find secluded, undisturbed areas to inhabit during cold weather, such as under porches, decks, under eaves and woodpiles. Most of the species that don’t mind sharing space with humans and pets tend to be harmless.
The need to instinctively squish is based in fear. Learning to identify spiders that tend to infiltrate even the best-insulated homes is essential to overcoming the urge to squish.
Biggest Threats:
Brown recluse spider – The famed ‘violin shape’ (it starts from the head and points down toward the abdomen), the “telltale” sign for this species is sadly not confined to brown recluses, nor do all brown recluses possess it. The best way to identify this spider. It’s true! While most spiders have 8 eyes, the brown recluse is unique in that it has only 6. In addition, the abdomen of the recluse spider is devoid of markings, and their legs are smooth with no thick hairs.
Brown recluses have a smaller range than most people think, not straying further west than the Rocky Mountains and rarely venturing north of Nebraska.
Hobo spider – The hobo spider is definitely a spider that people need to be more aware of. They are the true cause for countless numbers of reports of spider bites in which the brown recluse was wrongfully blamed, because both species look fairly similar at a glance and their bite patterns and symptoms are nearly identical. Hobo spiders, unlike the brown recluse, are more mottled in coloration and have distinctive ‘herringbone’ patterns on their abdomen. Their legs are also hairier than those of the brown recluse.
The easiest way to differentiate brown recluses from hobo spiders is to gauge the geographic location they are found in. The hobo spider was introduced from Europe to the Port of Seattle in the late 1920s and they have since spread throughout the Northwestern United States and Western Canada, making them the leading cause of serious spider bites in the Northwest. Brown recluses do not live in the Northwest or Canada.
Harmless Helpers:
Jumping spider – If you ever see one of these little guys hopping around on your furniture, don’t be alarmed, these curious spiders are one of your greatest friends in the pest-ridding business. They are easy to identify because of their unique eye pattern, and inquisitive behavior. If approached, instead of scurrying away like other spiders would, the jumping spider will jump and turn to face the advancer, sometimes even looking up and studying them. Jumping spiders are regarded by many as being ‘cute’ because of their antics and large eyes.
Daddy Long Legs spider – Several species of spiders have this name given to them, and arguments ensue when trying to identify a specific type of Daddy Long Legs spider. In our area, the most common is the long bodied type, usually light brown or gray, with exceptionally long legs. These spiders are excellent hunters, yet often find a quiet corner to hang out and wait for flying insects to pay a visit. Another kind has a round, full body with no discernible divisions, though these spiders prefer being outside, away from humans or pets.
Ok! So now you know a few of the spiders in your home which are dangerous and which are your friends. Have fun getting to know your spiders!
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By Melissa Wynn
North American Mink are soft and slinky members of the weasel family. Similar in smell, size and shape to the common ferret, mink are extremely agile and fast as can be. Having partially-webbed feet gives the North American Mink a great advantage in the lakes, rivers and streams where they fish for their favorite aquatic prey. Although fish, crayfish and other freshwater creatures make up the majority of the mink diet, they also hunt birds, rodents and insects on land. North American Mink also love eggs and have been known to raid the occasional chicken coop. Unlike most carnivores, mink will kill merely for sport as well as for food. How can something so cute be so viscious? North American Mink have long been trapped for their dense and luxurious coat. Most commercial mink fur now come from mink farms around the world. With the exception of an occasional natural-born albino, all wild North American Mink are dark brown. Farm-raised mink have been scientifically bred to a variety of mutation mink colors that include blue, gun metal, pale brown and beige. North American Mink are primarily nocturnal so it is the lucky and few dedicated evening hikers of the Sierra that encounter the musky and illusive mink in the wild. Break out the snowshoes and you just may be one of those lucky few.
Facts from Funk and Wagnall Encyclopedia, US Fish and Wildlife Service
photo by Robert Barber/Painet Inc. from dnr.state.il.us
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By Melissa Wynn
Even if you have never seen one close up, everyone can recognize a skunk. Skunks are mammals of the weasel family, characterized by their conspicuous black and white markings and use of a strong, highly offensive odor for defense. The scent glands of skunks produce an oily, yellowish liquid, which the animal squirts with great force from vents under the tail; this produces a fine mist which, in addition to stinking, causes choking and tearing of the eyes. Skunks don’t usually make use of this weapon unless severely provoked and then only after raising the tail in a warning display. Most animals quickly learn to avoid skunks, which are consequently quite fearless and move about openly.
The two common skunks of the United States, the striped skunk and the spotted skunk, are nocturnal animals but are often spotted in late evening and early morning. The little stinkers’ diet include rodents, insects, eggs, carrion, and vegetable matter. They live, often several individuals or families together, in dens made in abandoned burrows, buildings or in rock piles. In northern parts of their range the sassy skunks sleep through much of the winter, but they do not truly hibernate and may emerge during warm spells to feed.
Skunks are adorable in appearance only. It is NEVER a good idea to approach any wild animal but always stay far away from the sassy, stinky skunk. In this case, the dynamite is truly in a small but cute package.
facts courtesy of encyclopedia.com
photo by Dave Herr
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General Information:
Walking sticks belong to the family Phasmatidae which includes walking sticks and leaf insects. They are also known as Phasmids (stick insects). As the Greek word “Phasma” suggests, they are apparitions, masters of camouflage and disguise, blending in with the surrounding foliage. They are “folivores” subsisting on plant and tree leaves.
Description:
Similar to twigs in appearance, the adult walking stick is approximately 6 to 8 inches (15 to 20 centimeters) in length. Walking sticks have 6 long legs (3 spaced far apart on each side of the elongated thorax) and can regenerate their limbs.
Habits:
Walking sticks are nocturnal, active at night and lying dormant on leaves, branches or in trees during the day, blending in so well that most predators are not aware that they are there. Females drop their eggs individually on the ground. When the seed-like eggs hatch the nymphs crawl back into the foliage. In addition to their foliage imitating defensive strategy, they may also emit a foul smelling substance from a gland in the thorax. They have also been observed gently swaying as if in a breeze. If the predator’s attack is more direct, they are also capable of losing and regenerating leg appendages, or dropping to the ground and drawing their legs together to form a single elongated stick. Stick insects are capable of “parthenogenesis”; if no males are available to fertilize eggs, viable female offspring will be produced. Males are known to stay coupled with females for considerable duration to ensure their own genes are responsible for egg fertilization. Walking sticks are capable of color alteration, appearing lighter green during the day and switching to a darker shade during the active nighttime hours.
Habitat:
Walking sticks are found on plant and tree leaves and branches in lowland and upper montane areas.
Source: US Forest Service |
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By Melissa Wynn
Early in September, while visiting Don Sabin in his remote log cabin home, I was treated to a few hours of watching a pair of flying squirrels stuff their cheeks with sunflower seeds from Mr. Sabin’s bird feeder. It was just after dark and we had to take turns holding the flashlight on them to get a good look. I knew that flying squirrels were native to our area but I had never seen one in the wild before and I was instantly smitten. These speedy little seed eaters scampered down the tree trunk and then leaped and glided like tiny kites to the hanging feeder grasping the edge with all four clawed feet. Moving as if on fast forward, the first smaller squirrel used his front feet like hands to stuff the pockets of his furry brown cheeks with seeds before “flying” back to the trunk to deliver the booty to his stash spot in a hollowed out cavity up the tree. The larger of the acrobatic pair crept down the tree at a much more cautious pace giving me a chance to look right into her big enchanting eyes. Unfortunately, looking back into mine gave her a fright and she launched herself over to the next tree and zipped out of sight. It was amazing to see her spread out flat, showing the skirt of skin that attaches the front and back ankle areas, turning the fuzzy white underbelly into a parachute of sorts. They returned for seed over and over but were easily startled away. It was a fascinating experience that reminded me to take a look at my own bird feeder at night as well. I am even considering lighting it up. It was a rare joy to observe a nocturnal creature for a long period of time since so often a glimpse is soon robbed by the darkness. Thank you, Mr. Sabin, for sharing your little piece of paradise and the flying squirrels that dwell there with me.
photo courtesy of photobucket.com
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We recently told you all about the Sierra Nevada Red Fox. Since then an amazing discovery was made on August 11, 2010 by Forest Service wildlife biologists, Sherri Lisius, and Adam Rich in the area where the Humboldt-Toiyabe and Stanislaus National Forests and Yosemite National Park come together.
This summer the Forest Service has been conducting monitoring activities with motion sensitive cameras to detect the presence of fisher and martin, two forest carnivores known to frequent the High Sierra. While Checking photographs in August, they identified a photo believed to be that of a red fox. The last known sighting of a Sierra Nevada red fox in the Sonora Pass area was sometime in the 1920′s. The only known population of Sierra Nevada red fox occurs here in our Lassen Peak Region, approximately 150 miles north of this find.
Analysis of saliva found on the bait bag allowed UC Davis veterinary geneticists to identify it as originating from a Sierra Nevada red fox, distinct from the Lassen Peak population.
Wildlife biologists from the Forest Service, CDFG, and the University of California, Davis, will set-up additional monitoring stations to gather more information on the presence of Sierra Nevada red fox in the area of Sonora Pass. Learn more about this release by contacting Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest Public Affairs Officer, Christie Kalkowski, at 775-355-5311. Learn more about the red fox at mountainvalleyliving.com. Search Sierra Nevada Red Fox by Melissa Wynn.
source: US Forest Service, Sparks, NV
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Biologists are working with the Yurok tribe, which has lived along the Klamath River for centuries. They are studying ways to reintroduce the California Condor to Northern California, where they haven’t been seen for decades. According to US Fish & Wildlife Service, in March of 2008 a grant was awarded to the Yurok Tribe of the Klamath River Reserve in northern California for $200,000 to study the feasibility of reintroducing California condors to the Yurok Ancestral Territory.
According to an article published August 20, 2010 at SFGate.com, the tribe continues to pursue their plans to reintroduce California condors to an area near the Klammath River, where they once played a major role in the tribe’s traditions. The tribe still honors the giant bird in ceremonies.
The condor is listed as an endangered species by both Federal and State agencies. California condors are known as the largest flying bird in North America and are scavengers. They that primarily feed on large dead mammals such as deer, cattle, bighorn sheep and horses. Wingspans are huge, as large as 9-1/2 feet. A
CA condor, courtesy US Fish & Wildlife Service by David Clendenen dult birds can weigh in at up to 25 pounds.
Sources: US Fish & Wildlife Service, SFGate.com/San Fransisco Chronicle August 20, 2010|By Peter Fimrite, Chronicle Staff Writer, Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2010/08/20/MNLK1ETQA6.DTL#ixzz0zXeFluIl
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By Melissa Wynn
A visit to the Sierra is sure to find you near a sparkling lake, bubbling brook or peaceful forest pond. Where there is crystal clean water there is sure to be the playful North American River Otter. North American River Otters are semi-aquatic mammals, with long, streamlined bodies, thick tapered tails, and short legs. They have wide, rounded heads, small ears, and nostrils that can be closed underwater. The fur is dark brown to almost black above and a lighter color below on the belly. Their throat and chubby little cheeks are usually a golden brown. River Otter fur is dense and soft, effectively insulating these slinky swimmers in our cool mountain waters. The feet have claws and are completely webbed. These wiggling weasels build dens in the burrows of other mammals, in natural hollows, such as under a log, or in river banks. Dens have underwater entrances and a tunnel leading to a nest chamber that is lined with leaves, grass, moss, bark, and hair. North American River Otters prefer the solitary life except during the late winter to early spring mating season. Births occur from November to May, with a peak in March and April. Females give birth to 1 – 6 young called kits, with an average of 2 to 3. They are born with fur, but are otherwise helpless. They open their eyes at one month of age and are weaned at about 3 months old. These comical critters are known as playful animals, exhibiting behaviors such as mud/snow sliding, burrowing through the snow, and waterplay. Many “play” activities actually serve a purpose. Some are used to strengthen social bonds, to practice hunting techniques, and to scent mark. North American River Otters get their boundless energy from their very high metabolism, which also requires them to eat a great deal during the day. Fishing is their specialty, so the easy pickings of a stocked fishing pond nearby often find them to be quite a naughty neighbor. These otters normally hunt at night, but can be seen at all times of day. River Otters enjoy an extensive diet including amphibians, fish, turtles, crayfish, crabs, and other invertebrates. Birds, their eggs, and small terrestrial mammals are also eaten on occasion. North American River Otters perceive their environment through vision, touch, smell, and hearing. Their large and abundant whiskers are very sensitive and are important in tactile sensation. These whiskers are used extensively in hunting, as smell, vision, and hearing are diminished in the water. Few creatures are as entertaining to watch as our forest friend the frisky, funny faced North American River Otter.
facts courtesy of animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu
photo by: BigStockPhoto.com
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By Melissa Wynn
Several years ago I watched a program on TV about a big cat called a liger. I was intrigued that science could create a new species from a father lion and tiger mother. When I learned that The Sierra Safari Zoo at 10200 North Virginia St., just North of Reno, NV had one of these amazing hybrids I just had to go see for myself. Her name is Kalika and she is a beautiful example of her kind. A deep golden coat tells of her lion heritage while the faint stripes on her back and the darker stripes on the legs and tail resemble that of her tiger relatives. Although she is still just a cub she is nearly the size of the lioness that also calls the Sierra Safari Zoo home. Kalika will continue to grow until she is about 6 years old as all ligers do making them the largest of all big cat species. Just as people are a bit like both of our parents, so it is with the liger. These ferocious felines enjoy the water like the tiger but also enjoy the company of others akin to the prides of lions. Kalika is a true curiosity you have to see up close to appreciate. Sierra Safari Zoo is a small zoo but that is all the better for a more intimate visit with the wide variety of animals found here. There is a large open area where Fallow and Sika Deer wander free and sunny employee Jessica Lloyd gives out ice cream cones full of feed so visitors can pet and feed these small deer while wandering among them. Several species of birds and reptiles add color and creepy to the mix on your tour of Sierra Safari Zoo at your own pace. The huge silver male Hamadryas Baboon is definitely king of his cage and is in quite a fence-shaking mood since his two newest children were born. I must say that there are few faces more adorable than that of the baby baboon. Perhaps the Vervet monkey that is due soon will give them a run for the money. I had a great time meandering among the peacocks and sitting next to the turtle pond. Camels and zebras, lemurs and coatimundi are just a few more of the captivating critters to be enjoyed the at the charming Sierra Safari Zoo. Visitors and groups are welcome 10 am to 5 pm daily April 1st thru October 31st. Birthday parties are welcome by reservation. For more information visit their website at www.sierrasafarizoo.org or call 775-677-1104.
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kalika
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African Sulcata Tortoise
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Fallow & Sika Deer
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Baby Baboon
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By Melissa Wynn
Nothing whispers of the Wild West quite like wild mustangs, and a great place to get a close-up look is at the Bureau of Land Management’s Litchfield Corral. Established in the fall of 1976, the Litchfield Corral was the first Wild Horse and Burro Facility opened in California. Today the Litchfield Corral serves as the regional preparation center for wild horses and burros gathered from public lands in northern California and northwestern Nevada. At maximum capacity, the facility can hold over 1,000 horses and burros. Supporting 14 of California’s 22 Herd Management Areas keeps the professional wranglers at this facility busy all year ’round. Captured animals are prepared for adoption at the Litchfield Corral by receiving vaccinations, worming, blood tests and freeze branding. The average stay for horses and burros is 30 to 45 days which gives the animal time to become acclimated to domestic-grown hay. Some of the wild horses of this region trace their ancestry to horses of the true Wild West that were used as mounts for the U.S. Calvary. They are truly a majestic sight to behold.
- Adoptions by appointment only, call (530) 254-6575.
- Open Monday through Friday, 7:00 am to 4:00 pm and closed on federal holidays.
- Information is available 24 hours a day by calling 1-800-545-4256.
- Located 21 miles east of Susanville, CA on US Highway 395.
Facts courtesy of www.blm.gov
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By Melissa Wynn
The Sierra Nevada Red Fox is so named because it lives only in the higher elevations of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. We have our own fox right here in on the mountain range. How cool is that? These cunning canines of the conifers stay with us in the mountains year ’round although they do make seasonal elevation changes. Summertime may find them at over 6,000 feet elevation, hunting above the timberline while autumn may find them nibbling berries at 4,500 feet or slightly lower.
Although it is called a “red” fox, this species has three phases of color. As the name indicates, the red color phase consists of red fur on the head and back with a white lower jaw, throat and underbelly. The black and silver phase does away with the white, having a black base coat with silver tipped guard hairs. The cross phase is as it suggests, a mixture of the other two phases. All three phases maintain the white tip on the always bushy tail and black legs. It is a spectacular golden-eyed creature, regardless of the color of its fur..
When it comes to food, the Sierra Nevada Red Fox isn’t picky. Scavenging for berries and carrion (the decaying flesh of dead animals) works just as well for this sly predator as hunting does. Small birds, chipmunks, ground squirrels and pocket gophers are some of their preferred prey. Insects and eggs are also common on the diverse fox menu. If it is edible, these frisky forest drifters are all over it.
Sierra Nevada Red Fox babies are called kits. They are fuzzy and fat and look similar to domestic puppies. Litters of 2 or 3 are born in early April and by mid-June are romping around outside the den. Both parents bring solid food throughout the summer and fall. The family then disperses to become solitary hunters until the next mating cycle begins in December.
Listed as threatened under the California Endangered Species Act in 1980, the Sierra Nevada Red Fox continues to be protected in hopes that the small population will thrive. The fur trading of yesteryear nearly drove them to extinction. Few are lucky enough to see one in the wild although occasional sightings are reported. Should you come upon a den or spot one of these rare forest friends, please do not disturb them. Report the sighting to the nearest forest service agency. I consider it quite a privilege to call the rare and beautiful Sierra Nevada Red Fox my neighbor, yet another awesome benefit of Mountain Valley Living.
Facts courtesy CA Dept. Of Fish and Game
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By Melissa Wynn
Here in the Sierra we have only one venomous serpent, the Western Rattlesnake. Many unaware hikers are surprised when they encounter these slithering reptiles in the cooler climate of the higher elevations. But Western Rattlesnakes are quite common here. We don’t see them too often since we do most of our wandering by day and as the old songs tell us “the snakes crawl at night”. Like all reptiles, Western Rattlesnakes are cold blooded creatures that cool themselves by finding shade above or below ground, and warm themselves by basking in the sun or lying on sun heated asphalt,concrete or rocks. In the cold winter months they hibernate in large groups in crevices on rocky ledges. In the spring the group awakes and each goes its own way for the summer. While many snakes simply lay eggs, rattlesnakes carry their 4-25 eggs inside until they hatch and then give birth to an average of 9 or 10 live, self sufficient young, about 10 inches long. These tiny pit vipers come equipped with fangs and powerful venom along with the instinct to curl and then strike.
The baby snakes are born with a horny barb on the tip of the tail but do not get their first rattle until they shed their skin or molt for the first time. The number of rattles on a snake is not an accurate way to calculate the age of an individual because a young snake may molt up to three times in a single year, adding three rattles, and older snakes lose rattles to accidents and predation. The average adult Western Rattlesnake is 3 to 4 feet in length with a chubby body. All species of rattlesnakes found in California have rattles, a triangular head and vertical cat like pupils. Western Rattlesnakes “hear” by feeling vibrations that travel through body muscles to the jawbone and then to internal ear parts. There is no outer ear
Western Rattlesnake are carnivores that feed on mice, rats, small rabbits and occasionally a fallen baby bird or eggs. Digestion takes a lot of energy and leaves the snake in a vulnerable position since prey is swallowed whole leaving a big lump in the middle of the snake. Most rattlers lay low and out of sight for several days after eating. Although I find Western Rattlesnakes unsettling when surprised by one, they are actually fascinating creatures.
One should NEVER attempt to handle a rattlesnake of any species. All are POISONOUS and extremely dangerous to people and their pets. Always be aware of rattling sounds when hiking or camping. The best defense is to keep distance between yourself and a rattlesnake. Chances are the snake wants to get away from you, too. Never corner a rattlesnake. Give a way of escape for the snake and yourself. As a last resort, a stick, longer than the snake, can be used to toss it out of the path. We share our mountain home with many dangerous wild animals, so remember to be aware of your surroundings when playing in the great outdoors. Be safe out there.
facts courtesy of US Forest Service, desertusa.com
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