St. Patrick and the snakes of Ireland

March 17th is one of my favorite times of the year. My Grandmother was born in Ireland and had beautiful red hair and green eyes. I've always considered myself quite lucky to be Irish, after all we tell the best stories, have a great sense of humor and we know how to eat and drink and be merry. So I do make the traditional corned beef, cabbage, potatoes and irish soda bread on St.Patrick's Day and Sean the naughty Leprechaun always visits our house much to the joy of our children who awake to all the mischief and chocolate he leaves behind. But one of my favorite parts of being Irish are storytelling and the wonderful legends that have come from Ireland.
One of the best known of course is the legend of St. Patrick and how he drove the snakes from Ireland. Legend has it that St. Patrick banished all snakes from Ireland and drove them into the sea where they drowned. Thus today, there are no snakes in Ireland. Snakes or serpents represented pagan beliefs and rituals that St. Patrick removed from Ireland. It even goes on to say that shamrocks were planted everywhere because snakes could not live in the shamrocks and it kept them out.
The other side of this legend is the scientific fact that there probably were never snakes in Ireland. When snakes evolved 100 million years ago, Ireland was actually under water. Then there was the ice age and once the last glacial ice fell, Ireland was an island separated from England and Europe by the North Channel ocean water. No snake could ever cross this icy and long span of ocean water and so there are no snakes in Ireland.
I love this Irish tale but I also love that we have an amazing array of these magnificent reptiles in the United States. Wildlife Ambassadors currently cares for 2 corn snakes, 1 king snake, 1 boa constrictor and 2 ball pythons. We also have lots of shamrock plants.
Whether you believe St. Patrick or you think its a bunch of blarney, it certainly is interesting and afterall don't we all need a bit o' blarney in our lives? Happy St. Patrick's Day Lads and Lassies!

Winter Bird Bingo!

The days are a little warmer, the snow is not as deep and the kids have played every game indoors and outdoors. Perhaps you are looking for some different things to play with the kids? One favorite that i have played with my three kids and during some of our wildlife camps is Bird Bingo. Winter is such an amazing time to spot lots of different types of birds especially if you have a bird feeder. Playing Bird Bingo is fun and you can play from your window if its terrible weather like our recent blizzard or better yet, bundle up and play outside!
First you need to have the kids make the bingo sheet and this is half the fun. All you need is a piece of construction paper and some crayons. Divide the sheet of paper so there are nine boxes. Pick nine birds that are commonly seen right now and easy for children to identify. Some good examples are the cardinal, the blue jay, woodpecker, black capped chickadee, crow, sparrow, hawk, house finch, tufted titmouse and the Eastern bluebird.
You might want to show the kids some of the different birds first so they are familiar with them. You can either color pictures of the different birds, one in each square or if you have nature magazines, cut them out and paste them in the boxes. Once the kids have done this, you are ready to play. Hand everyone a marker and head outside! When you or child spot the bird, call out its name and put a check mark next to it on your bingo sheet. The first one to get all nine birds says BINGO! For really young children you can have the bingo sheet show bird "actions" instead of species. For example, you can make pictures of birds singing, birds eating, birds bathing, birds flying and so on. You can be as creative as you want, have fun!

Snow Blizzard 2010!

Well we all made it through this crazy snow blizzard but not without the help of many wonderful people! We lost power for 4 days and so while our wonderful neighbors fed us and took us in, the Hamilton Fire and Rescue was kind enough to take in all of our reptiles, invertebrates and one very elderly hedgehog. We are so grateful to them for taking care of them during this time and keeping them warm and fed. Our generator was able to keep our animal building warm enough for the mammals and birds but not the heat lamps and heat pads needed for the others.
We moved some animal indoors and are so glad we did as the outdoor enclosures got heavily snowed in. We worked around the clock to keep the animals outdoors safe and dry. It sure is peaceful to watch the snow at 3 a.m. My husband was out in the middle of the blizzard shoveling off animal roofs and reattaching tarps that were being ripped off in the winds.

Thank you to everyone for your donations of blankets, dog beds and tarps- all have been used and very appreciated! Here's hoping for an early spring!!

Surviving Winter

With these low temperatures, high winds and already two feet of snow accumulation, we are having quite a start to our winter. So how do we and the animals around us survive winter?

People often joke about hibernating for the winter- eating up a lot of high calorie foods over the holidays and then staying snug indoors or napping the days away! Some people choose to migrate and head south for the winter giving them the nickname snowbirds. And then of course, there are those of us who like the winter and love to play in the snow. sled, ice skate and build snowmen despite the cold temperatures.

Animals tend to fit into these three categories as well. As far as hibernators go we all typically think first of the bear who is best known for this amazing ability to sleep soundly until spring arrives. Hibernation for bears and many other mammals has really nothing to do with the cold. Its actually an adaptation to deal with the scarcity of winter food. Most bear dens are just as cold inside as it is outside but the bear is well protected by fat and a thick coat of fur. Bears in the south might not even hibernate if they are still able to find food but in northern regions they can actually hibernate for up to 7 months. The true deep hibernators are the woodchuck or groundhog and other types of small rodents. Some, like the chipmunk go deep into their burrows where they have stored food for the winter months.

Reptiles and amphibians could of course not survive the winter months. These animals typically go dormant or it is often called brummate, a type of hibernation for reptiles. Frogs, turtles and other more aquatic animals will bury into the soft mud beneath the pond. While the pond will probably freeze over the winter, the deepest mud still remains soft and unfrozen for these animals. Box turtles, toads, and snakes might either dig into the soft dirt underground below the freeze line or go deep into rocks and crevices until spring. Most insects overwinter in the egg or larva stage, emerging in spring. Depending on the species, some insects or spiders only live for one season, so they die before winter while others go into a type of hibernation or as you have probably found some take refuge in your house!

Some animals choose to migrate or head to warmer regions for the winter where food will be available. Animals in this category include some butterflies, many species of birds, certain whales, fish, caribou and elk. Finally there are those animals that simply adapt to the winter. Lots of our local animals fit into this category such as raccoons, foxes, opossum, hawks, owls, deer and rabbits. Many of them might den up for days during bad storms or snow but do not hibernate. Animals that you might think of as normally being nocturnal might venture out during the day in the harsh winter for a better chance at finding food. Finding food can of course be a huge challenge. Two winters ago, I opened our back door to find a fox staring at me with one of my chickens in his mouth. When I yelled at him, he dropped her and surprisingly she was unharmed. It had been a rough winter, so the chickens obviously looked quite good to this red fox.

Our animals here at Wildlife Ambassadors require special care during the winter months as well. We have several animals that live in outdoor enclosures and handle the winter months quite well. We provide lots of straw and blankets for insulation, replacing both often. We also wrap outdoor enclosures with tarps to protect from winds and snow and ice. All of our outdoor animals have dens to escape the harsh temperatures. Taking care of outdoor animals also means unfreezing waters twice a day, shoveling snow off their roofs and checking on them at least twice a day. When weather is really bad, this could mean a visit outside at any hour. This morning I pulled on my carharts, winter jacket and boots at 4:30 a.m. to make sure everyone was faring well in these wicked winds. Our porcupine, Magnolia, spends much of her time in her treehouse den and we tend to feed her in her den. In the wild, porcupines, find caves or trees in the winter and do not venture that far. Their diet often becomes pine needles and the soft bark of coniferous trees. We cut pine branches for Magnolia and also feed her a diet higher in fat during the winter months. Her super thick coat protects her well.

Mabel the opossum also has a den and stays in it much of the time during severe weather. She will venture out on milder days or nights for her food but prefers to stay nestled in her blankets. Our little screech owl has a nest box that he resides in especially during these high winds. Screech owls are cavity nesters which can protect them from predators and weather. Their layer of down keeps them warm. Our two foxes seem to be the only true winter lovers. They are out every day frolicking, playing, totally unfazed by the weather. They have a den as well although they seem to enjoy the cooler temperatures. Wild foxes in our area are similar, denning up when they need to but they are also well adapted for the winter months and can be seen on a snowy day trying to break through the snow to find some dinner.

Our reptiles and parrots are of course indoors and heated all winter. We even bring in our box turtles for the winter. So what kind of winter person are you? Do you prefer to eat up and then sleep the winter away like the bear or the groundhog? Perhaps you just don't like winter at all and would rather travel to warm sunny destinations like the Monarch butterfly. Or do you fit into our last category- a true lover of winter, frolicking in the snow like the foxes?

Talkin' Turkey

If you are like most people, the countdown has begun. Less then one week till we again celebrate one of the most favorite American traditions. Thanksgiving, of course. We all know quite a bit about the history of Thanksgiving but how much do you know about the Turkey?

Wild turkeys actually look pretty different from the domestic turkeys that people eat on Thanksgiving. The turkey that is always pictured at this time of year and modeled in children's crafts is the wild turkey. Wild turkeys are smaller than domestic turkeys and fly quite well. They are found in the woods in North America and are the largest game bird in our country. They roost in the trees at night. Wild turkeys are not only social but they are actually pretty smart. Female turkeys lay 4 to 17 eggs which hatch after a month. The hen cares for her young poults for an entire year and will roost on the ground with them until they can fly. Wild turkeys feed on acorns, berries, spring onions, insects and even reptiles.

Believe it or not, these birds are pretty accomplished athletes running at speeds of 25 mph and flying at speeds up to 55 mph! These big birds can live up to 12 years in the wild (far longer than their unlucky domestic counterparts) and have full color vision. Wild turkeys weigh between 5-18 pounds- about half of the weight of the enormous domestic turkeys raised for Thanksgiving. Domestic turkeys, as you might guess cannot fly because they are just too heavy. Wild turkeys live in every state except Alaska. By the 1930's this interesting bird was nearly extinct but thanks to wildlife conservation programs there are over 7 million roaming North America today. Happy Thanksgiving!

Wildlife Ambassadors Winter Wonderland Fundraiser

Wildlife Ambassadors is hosting our first fundraiser this December. The fundraiser will be held at the Loudoun Valley Community Center in Purcellville, VA at 320 W. School Street on Saturday December 5th from 8 a.m.-2 p.m. in their gymnasium.

We will have an "indoor yard sale", and a silent auction, Animal-themed Christmas ornaments for sale and some delicious goodies as well. For the kids, our very own assistant wildlife educator, Penny Hauffe will be donating her artistic talents to provide face painting for the kids. Many of the ambassadors will be there as well for you to meet up close and personal. Several will even be available for special photo opportunities with the kids or adults!

We are currently looking for and accepting items for the yard sale and the silent auction. If you have any gently used or new items for the yard sale or special items for the auction, please contact Becky at 571-252-0036.

We hope you will come out and enjoy a fun family day for a good cause. The animals look forward to meeting you!

Wild Halloween Myths and Truths

Thanks to Hollywood, animals have always been the stars of spooky movies, reality shows and of course, lots of myths. From lightening quick and ridiculously huge anacondas to great white sharks that invade a sea park, Hollywood has covered it all. One of our favorite things to do at Wildlife Ambassadors is to dispel these myths and give these animals the truth they deserve! Below are some common myths we hear all the time but we've also thrown in a few fun truths.

Myth #1. Tarantulas are very dangerous and deadly to humans. Although they are the largest species of spiders, they are not the most dangerous. Most tarantulas have venom that it is similar to a bee sting, so unless you have allergies to bee stings, they pose little threat. Some tarantulas are certainly more aggressive than others and more prone to bite but the end result is still fairly mild.

Myth #2. The Black Widow is the only venomous spider in our area. Venom is a fascinating thing and often misunderstood. ALL spiders are venomous, but not all spiders are dangerous. Venom is necessary for all spiders because it is their method of killing their food and they also must be able to liquify their food as they have no teeth. Black widows are the only spider in our area (brown recluse are not considered common inhabitants of our area) that have what is called medically significant venom meaning their venom can make a victim sick. It is actually not typical for a person to die from the bite though. Many factors do affect the severity of the affects from the venom such as age, health, etc. Black widow bites do need medical attention. Most spiders you will encounter will be the Wolf spider, House spider, Jumping Spider and Orb Weavers. All of these are not only harmless but very beneficial for their control of harmful insects.

Myth #3. Scorpions are deadly arachnids. Again, movies have made people cringe over tarantulas and scorpions for years and yet of the 1500 plus species of scorpions, around 50 actually have potentially lethal venom. The others are much like a bee sting. In the United States, the only scorpion we have that has venom of medical signifigance is the Arizona Bark Scorpion. The large black scorpions with huge pinchers are the ones often shown in movies. These are the Emperors, impressive because of their size but funny enough they are docile. Those large pinchers are very good for defense so in turn their venom is not very strong.

Myth #4 The Largest spider in the world is the size of a dinner plate. This one is true! The Goliath Bird Eating spider of the Amazon is an impressive 10 inches across and as its name suggests, it is capable of feeding on birds. Although its huge, this one is still not a threat to humans.

Myth #5 Fox, Opossum and Raccoons seen during the day are sick. While the opossum and the raccoon are mostly nocturnal, the fox is not. Foxes are often quite busy hunting for mice in fields or pastures during the day. In the winter, animals may venture out in the day to find food when the temperatures are higher. These animals might also be seen during daylight hours if their home has been destroyed. They may also be seen during the day foraging for food for young or simply because they are hungry. Unless there are other indications that the animal is sick, this is normal behavior. Sadly, in this area of large construction, constant home building, power lines going in, these animals lose much of their habitat and would definitely be spooked out during the day to find shelter.

Myth #6 Domestic Rats are intelligent animals that can make great pets. This one is also true! Parents often ask my opinion on particular pets for their kids. So many animals that come into our program were pets but they are not appropriate or good choices. Even tried and true favorites that have been around for years and are considered domestic aren't always the best choices. For example, gerbils, hamsters and mice are all cute and have been pets for well over 40 years but they tend to bite, can be very smelly and may not enjoy your attention. Rats, on the other hand become quite loyal to their owners, can be trained to come to their name, enjoy affection and attention, rarely bite and are quite clean. Most people have too much trouble getting past the rat's tail but it is his amazing tail that allows him to be such an agile climber. Also, the domestic rat is not the same animal that lives outdoors or in sewers, they actually come in a variety of colors and are quite cute.

Myth #7 We have several dangerous, venomous snakes in our area including the Cottonmouth. I can't tell you how many times i've heard someone tell me they saw a cottonmouth in their backyard or that their Dad killed a copperhead snake with a shovel. First, we do not have the Cottonmouth this far north. Second, the copperhead is so feared that many harmless snakes are killed every year because of hysteria over copperheads. Lots of our snakes in this area have markings and we even have a northern water snake who has similar coloring but is not dangerous. The copperhead really is the only venomous snake in the immediate area unless you live closer to the mountains where we also have the Timber rattlesnake. The very best rule of thumb is so simple, leave it alone. Any snake, leave it alone. You can also get a great snake identification book through Virginia Fish and Game.

Myth #8 There are no such thing as monsters. Aside from the Gila monster, a lizard from the southwest, we will leave this one up to you. Have a Happy and Safe Halloween!