SCORES & OUTDOORS: Finding a dead crow on your steps; a sign of positive or negative change in your life

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A crow found dead near the stairs to our house. (photo by Roland Hallee)

Roland D. Halleeby Roland D. Hallee

A black cat crossing your path; walking under a ladder; breaking a mirror: take your pick of long-standing superstitions. Most of us have some kind of superstition, although some don’t want to admit it.

But I’m getting ahead of myself.

My wife leaves for work before I do, and one morning last week, she informed me there was a dead crow at the bottom of the stairs to the porch at our house. So, I went out to investigate. Sure enough, there he was, stiff as a board. I didn’t know whether it was frozen, or rigor mortis had already set in.

Now, all kinds of thoughts went through my head. There is another superstition about robins appearing at your window. That one goes like this: Robins are often seen as a sign of visits from our deceased family members or loved ones in the spiritual world, and many people take a visit from one as a sign that one is on its way. In addition to representing a fresh start in life, the Robin is seen by many as a lucky charm.

So, if a robin is some form of good fortune, what can a crow mean, especially a dead one.

Few birds are more misunderstood than crows. They are commonly associated with death and misfortune, but the dead crow meaning is thought to suggest the opposite – potentially bringing good news and positive change to those who see it. Though different people and belief systems hold many varying ideas, it is the crow’s connection to transformation and change – of a good or bad kind – which seems to remain a common theme.

So, to the computer I went to see what I could learn about birds in our lives. This is what I came up with.

Many of us have seen a dead crow in our lives, but what does the symbolism of this creature say about you? Dead crows are often associated with death and mourning. If you come across one during your day, it might be time to reflect on what is important to you. Dead crows also symbolize loneliness and despair.

Crows are commonly associated with death and misfortune – a black-colored bird that portends doom. However, this is the crow symbolism when alive. The dead crow meaning is thought to suggest the opposite, potentially bringing good news and positive change to those who see it.

Now, I am an optimistic person, always seeing the bright side of things. So, seeing that dead crow more than likely means something positive is about to happen. I’m not sure what that might be.

So, what remains to be seen is what is going to happen, and how long it takes. I’m sure there is an expiration date on superstitious activity.

Birds are geniuses and bird symbolism is a vast topic but it seems to be agreed that the meaning behind seeing a dead bird depends on what type of bird it is. We’ve already mentioned the fact that a crow’s death might suggest positive outcomes for those who see them, yet there is also a belief that dead blackbirds, including crows, point to an unresolved tension deep inside someone. This is because the color black represents that which we cannot see.

A white bird depicting purity, peace, and goodness – such as a dove – is tragic and ominous in death. They might forbode the loss of something special, or an approaching conflict, depending on the happenings in an individual’s life. If the bird has positive associations when alive, it makes sense that its death would have a negative meaning.

Since songbirds represent communication, their death should encourage us to ask ourselves if we’re hiding something: perhaps we’re not speaking up, or we’ve lost touch with someone in our lives.

Another factor that changes the meaning of seeing a dead bird is the location. If a dead bird falls on your doorstep or in your garden, you must expect that change is coming soon, whether you want it or not. It’s best to change your habits and not resist this change.

If the bird hits your window, this means you are confronting an obstacle that must be overcome or removed. Lastly, if it comes inside your house, you need to look inwardly since the change going on is inside yourself. The consistent theme is one of transformation and change, whether that’s in a positive or negative way. The important thing is to not resist the change that is happening but find a way to adapt.

Crows are believed to guide us towards change – to prepare us for a transition in our lives. Their adaptability is an example to us, showing that we too need to change to survive. When one appears before you, it is encouragement not to resist that change that is coming and inevitable. Since dying is perhaps the biggest change of all, their role in the process of death is unsurprising.

The crow is a bird that has been deeply entrenched in the mythology of many different cultures and religions. It’s believed to be more than just an animal, but rather some kind of spiritual messenger or omen for change. In Greek Mythology it was considered sacred, while Native American tribes have viewed them as guardians and healers. The crow has also been revered in other parts of the world for its clever nature and intelligence.

In many cultures, the crow was seen as a messenger of death. Crows have often been found near battlefields and they were once believed to be the souls of warriors who had not yet crossed over from this life into the next.

As recently as World War II, people interpreted dead or wounded crows in their own way but it is generally accepted today that they are not considered an omen of death.

An occurrence in which one sees dead crows is typically not a sign that something bad will happen, but rather an omen of change. Dead crows are often seen as messengers, specifically heralding the coming of a new era or event in one’s life. Dead crows have been known to represent death and transformation.

Dead crows are also seen as messengers, specifically heralding the coming of a new era or event in one’s life. In some cultures, they also signify being free from bondage or restriction. Seeing dead crows can be interpreted as a sign of change on the horizon.

There is a Biblical meaning of dead birds. A bird’s ability to fly puts them closer to the heavens and elevates them above the human world, giving them a special role in religion. Some types of birds came to represent parts of the Christian soul and the Saints themselves. The white dove was particularly significant, representing the Holy Spirit and indicating a blessing from God.

On the other hand, dead birds were considered to show failure – a warning to prepare someone for the challenges ahead. They might also be a sign of a loved one passing away.

After reading all of this, I think I will take the high road, and say the bird prophesized a positive change. We were recently told we will become great-grandparents for the second time.

Did I mention that I am not superstitious?

Roland’s trivia question of the week?

Name the six NFL teams that have won only one Super Bowl.

Answer can be found here.

SCORES & OUTDOORS: It looks like six more weeks of winter; but how severe?

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Woody’s new digs.

Roland D. Halleeby Roland D. Hallee

This year, the time really snuck up on me. Looking at the calendar as January faded away, I realized that February 2 was right around the corner. “I’m late this year,” I thought. It was time to go visit Woodrow Charles, the weather prognosticating groundhog buddy of mine who lives out in Center Vassalboro.

I hastily threw on a jacket, wrapped a scarf around my neck, put on my boots and headed out the door. It was a cold January morning, and I wanted to get out there before the nor’easter that was headed our way.

The walk to Woody’s “palace” wasn’t too bad with relatively little snow on the ground. As I approached his den, things didn’t seem the same. Was I lost? I looked around and for sure, I was in the right place. But his den was nowhere to be seen. Suddenly, I noticed a note pinned to a tree. I wandered over.

“To whom it may concern:

“My home has been confiscated by the owners of the property who bulldozed the stump and are preparing to put in a swimming pool. I have moved a little farther south, in an abandoned tree trunk.” Signed: Woody.

Well, what a turn of events. I took a left turn, and proceeded down a path through the woods. I would have missed the place had he not had a wood fire going, and the distinct smell guided me to his new abode.

I knocked, and after a few moments, Woody came to the opening. He didn’t even have a door.

“Oh, hi,” he said. “I was hoping you would come along. My apologies for the place, but I was rudely and unceremoniously run out of my other place. I’ve only been here a couple of week.”

“Boy, this place sure doesn’t come close to comparing with the other,” I said. “No big screen TV, no Keurig, probably no internet either,” I exclaimed.

“All in good time, my friend,” he responded. “Have you priced the rental market these days?”

“No, I guess not. I’ve lived in the same house for the past 46 years.”

“What are you going to do about the Super Bowl party with your buddies, Frank, Butch and Slim,” I asked.

“That’ll have to wait until next year,” he said. “Maybe I’ll go down to the local VFW and watch it there through the window.”

“Prediction?” I asked.

“Cincinnati 20, Los Angeles 17, in overtime. That seems to be the trend this season.”

Again, I left myself open for that one. “No, for the rest of the winter,” I blurted.

“Well, I saw my shadow. You see, I had to go back to primitive ways to predict the rest of the winter, with all my electronic equipment gone, and everything. However, it doesn’t mean that we’re not going to see any significant winter weather coming our way, at least in the northern tier of the U.S., for the next several weeks. March and April will experience a “back-and-forth” between the seasons with cold spells followed by warmups.

“March as a whole is looking to be slightly warmer than normal, helping out those who had high heating bills earlier in the winter during bitterly cold blasts of Arctic air, but this doesn’t mean that residents can pack away coats and break out shorts just yet. Cold fronts could still periodically swing through in February, March and even April, although the cold blasts may not be as intense as they were throughout January.

“These cold fronts will prevent extended spells of warm weather across the region and may also be accompanied by accumulating snow, including the chance of plowable snow along the Interstate-95 corridor.”

I said to him that this winter has already been the snowiest in years in Washington, D.C., with more than 12 inches accumulating in the city in January alone. Last winter, 5.4 inches of snow accumulated in D.C., and just 0.6 of an inch of snow fell there the year before that. With the prospects of snow remaining elevated into the first part of spring, this could finish as one of the snowiest years in the nation’s capital in nearly a decade.

However, the snow has not been as heavy farther north with Philadelphia picking up 4.6 inches and New York City measuring 7 inches in that same timeframe.

Woody responded by saying these cities could still end the year with near-average seasonal snowfall with the potential for wintry storms continuing over the Northeast as late as April.

“So, are you telling me to expect six more weeks of winter and beyond,” I remarked with astonishment.

“You could say that,” Woody replied.

I couldn’t help but think: that guy seems to know a lot about what is going to happen, just by whether or not he sees his shadow. I am not totally convinced.

With that, I bid my adieu and departed, a little exasperated, thinking we could be in this for the long haul, even though this has been a relatively mild winter through January, except for the cold snap we experienced toward the end of the month, and that nor’easter that blew its way through here.

We can only wait to see what develops, and deal with it.

Roland’s trivia question of the week:

The Cincinnati Bengals (0-2), and Los Angeles/St. Louis/Los Angeles Rams (1-3) are a combined 1-5 in Super Bowls. Who did the Rams defeat for their only win?

Answer can be found here.

SCORES & OUTDOORS: Not too early to talk about browntail moth caterpillars

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Webs can be seen high in the crown of a tree.

Roland D. Halleeby Roland D. Hallee

Last summer we experienced a season of discomfort with multiple rashes brought on by the browntail moth caterpillar. Personally, I suffered through it no fewer than six times. Yes, it is only January, but the old saying goes, “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”

It’s not too early to begin looking for signs of the pesky critters and make a strong attempt to eradicate them early, to either eliminate or, at least, limit the amount of those irritating little brown hairs.

According to the Maine Department of Agriculture Conservation and Forestry, follow the “Four Rs to Knockout Browntail In Our Communities and Reduce the Itch!”

In a press release, they advise that encounters with hairs from browntail moth caterpillars can cause mild to severe rashes and respiratory issues. Browntail moth caterpillars overwinter in webs that may have from a couple dozen to several hundred caterpillars each. Some people say they experience itching with fewer than 10 webs per tree or shrub; others say they have no symptoms from heavier infestations around their yards.

Webs can look like fist-sized clumps of leaves tied together tightly with silk, or like single leaves hanging onto twigs.

Winter is the best time to spot an infestation and take steps towards controlling the caterpillars and reducing the itch.
Use these Four R’s to get you started:

  1. Recognize: Learn how to tell if the trees where you live, work and play have browntail moth. Their winter webs can look like single leaves hanging onto twigs, or fist-sized clumps of leaves tied together tightly with silk. Knowing where the webs are in your yard or town can help inform your management decisions.
  2. Remove: With permission, use hand snips or extendable pole pruners to remove webs within reach from the ground and away from hazards such as powerlines. Protect your eyes and skin from hairs that might be present from past caterpillar activity. After removal, destroy webs by soaking or burning.
  3. Recruit: Hire professional help for treatment of webs out of reach or near hazards on property you own or manage. Line up help during winter. Licensed Professional Arborists can remove a limited number of webs in larger trees and shrubs in the winter. In trees where the caterpillars’ hairs cause a nuisance and where it is not practical to remove webs, Licensed Pesticide Applicators may be able to use insecticides during the growing season to manage browntail moth.
  4. Reach Out: If you find browntail moth in your neighborhood, let your neighbors and town officials know. The more that neighbors, businesses and others get together to respond to the problem, the better the results.

They invite you to join in scheduling awareness-raising events and promoting management of browntail moth this winter, with a focus in February. Use #KnockoutBrowntail on social media. Efforts could include organizing groups to map infestations on town and school properties, hosting public service web-clipping events, hosting contests for the most webs clipped or other community and knowledge building activities.

For more information, contact 211 Maine for answers to frequently asked questions on browntail moths: Call 211 or 1-877-463-6207, text your ZIP code to 898-211, or visit our website. While you are there, sign up for the new Browntail Update Bulletin.

Roland’s trivia question of the week:

What was the closest score in a Super Bowl game?

Answer can be found here.

SCORES & OUTDOORS: What is a white squirrel and where did they come from?

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Albino squirrel: Note the pink eyes.

Roland D. Halleeby Roland D. Hallee

I ran into an acquaintance at a local supermarket last week, and he commented on my articles on black squirrels, and told me he had heard that a reported albino squirrel had been spotted in the central Maine area.

We’ve talked the gamut about squirrels, grey, red, black, white-tipped tails, so let’s dive into white and albino squirrels.

First, is there a difference between an albino squirrel and white squirrel?

There is, in fact, one true squirrel for which a white coat seems to be a characteristic of the entire species, at least in parts of its range. Its an Oriental Tree Squirrel found in Thailand and other parts of South East Asia. Another belongs to a yet undescribed species recently found on Palawan Island, in the Philippines, and thought to be endangered. So if you sighted a white squirrel here in North America outside of captivity, its almost certainly a color variant of one of our native species.

But, let’s talk about local squirrels.

Squirrel coats have a wide variation in color. There is much variation in squirrel coat color both locally and regionally. The general pattern of brown/gray on top and white below (counter shading) is considered the wild type from which other variations arose.

White Squirrels are just another color variant of this variable species. The most common sightings of white squirrels are of isolated individuals with a completely white coat but dark eyes. This variant appears to spring up sporadically all over the species’ range and then dies out, only to pop up again somewhere else.

Still rarer seems to be the type of coat pattern we hear about in Brevard, North Carolina. The coat is mostly white but there is a distinctive head patch and dorsal stripe that broadens in the shoulder region. The head patch can be solid, horseshoe or doughnut shaped; it may resemble a triangle, a diamond, deer tracks or even a widow’s peak (Count Dracula). There is some evidence that this pattern is inherited. Although there is much variation in the amount of pigmentation, these white squirrels definitely can produce melanin (a brownish-black pigment found in skin and hair in animal tissues), not just in the eyes but in hair cells as well. The region of white hair, normally restricted to the abdo­men in a gray squi­rrel, is expanded at the expense of pigmented regions.
Albino squirrels can’t produce melanin.

In addition to the white coat color, another variant in the Eastern Gray Squirrel can be found.

One additional variant should probably be mentioned here. Its not uncommon to observe a tan, ochre, or “blond” Eastern Gray Squirrel. This condition is thought to occur when the black/brown color is “diluted” by a preponderance of a yellow/red color. The color coat is not a factor when squirrels mate. Mating between coat color variants is probably random or non-assortative. Coat color is not nearly as much a factor as hormonal attraction. Squirrels have two breeding seasons per year, one in winter and one in summer; within those periods, each mature female will enter estrus on a different day but only for that one day. When a female enters estrus, interested males come from hundreds of yards away and camp out at her “door step” (outside her nest) before dawn without ever seeing her coat color. Most accounts of “courtship”, itself, are brutal with little opportunity for females to be selective by any means, let alone coat color. Fortunately for her, she is only “receptive” and pursued by males for that one day during each breeding period. During that time, she may be impregnated by several different males, none of which help raise the young. That is one reason piecing together the genetics of coat color variation in squirrels is so difficult.

For many of us the existence of a white squirrel is difficult to imagine, but it is not as uncommon as you may think! Populations of white squirrels can be found in places across the United States and sightings of these mystical creatures are becoming more common. There are over 200 species of squirrels and only one subspecies is found to have white as a primary color morph!

The easiest way to know if the white squirrel you spotted is albino or a rare morph is by its eye color. Albino squirrels are completely white with red or pink eyes. This unique eye color is found in all albino animals and is a result of a lack of melanin​ pigments that produce eye and coat color. Albinism is a genetic condition caused by a recessive gene. This means that both the mom and dad squirrel have to be carriers of this gene in order to produce albino offspring. This is what makes it so rare! It is estimated that 20-30 percent of white squirrels in North America are albino.

The rare white morph of the eastern grey squirrel has black eyes and can have a mix of white and grey coat. Similar to albino squirrels, white eastern grey squirrels owe their unique coat color to their genes. But, unlike albino squirrels who have a mutation on the gene coding for pigmentation, western grey squirrels actually have a gene that codes for a white coat! Despite having this ‘white coat’ gene, it still only occurs very rarely because being so brightly colored makes a squirrel less able to blend in amongst the trees and thus more visible to predators.
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Catching sight of these rare variations of squirrels is tough unless you know where to find them. There are five main cities that claim to be the official ‘home of the white squirrel’.

1. Olney, Illinois
2. Marionville, Missouri
3. Brevard, North Carolina
4. Exeter, Ontario, Canada
5. Kenton, Tennessee

Traveling to one of these locations will greatly increase the success of your white squirrel sighting adventure!

In a map created by researcher Rob Nelson, and Roland Kays, a zoologist at North Carolina State University, shows two sightings of white squirrels in Maine, one in central Maine and the other DownEast – both identified as the white morph variety, and not albino.

Roland’s trivia question of the week:

Of the eight remaining NFL teams in the playoffs, name the three that have never won a Super Bowl. (Tennessee, Buffalo, Kansas City, Cincinnati, Green Bay, Tampa Bay, San Francisco, Los Angeles Rams.)

Answer can be found here.

SCORES & OUTDOORS – Ferrets: Man’s other best friend

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Black-footed ferret

Roland D. Halleeby Roland D. Hallee

Don’t ask why or how, but last week, while gathered with friends, I was asked a question about ferrets. Not knowing that much about them, I decided to look into it.

What I discovered about the little furry animals was most interesting.

Although I know a few people who have had ferrets as pets, I didn’t realize they were the third most popular pet, behind only dogs and cats. They are popular, although often controversial. My wife and I had a pet, 10-year-old, Holland lop rabbit. I would have bet, if I were a gambling man, and based on conversations with a multitude of people who care for them, that rabbits were more popular than ferrets.

Ferrets have the size and shape of a zucchini, and are related to European polecats. They are not to be confused with skunks which are sometimes colloquially called polecats, but related more to wolverines, ermines, minks and weasels.

The ancient Greeks probably domesticated ferrets about 2,500 years ago to hunt vermins. The practice spread across Europe, especially with sailors who used ferrets on ships to control rats. Ferrets were introduced to America in the 1700s.

A 1490 painting by Leonardo da Vinci named Lady with an Ermine, actually shows her holding a ferret.

Ferrets are carnivores, meaning they eat only meat. According to the American Ferret Association, domesticated ferrets typically eat factory-made chow. A healthy diet for pet ferrets consist of 36 percent protein, 20 percent fats and is low in carbohydrates. A healthy ferret will sleep up to 18 hours a day.

Male ferrets are known as hobs and females are called jills. In the wild, hobs and jills mate around March and April. Following a gestation period of 35 – 45 days, a jill will give birth to one to six kits. Kits will stay with the mother for about a month and a half, leaving the mother as autumn approaches. They become sexually active at one year old. In captivity ferrets can live up to 12 years, but the actual life expectancy is 7-10 years.

Unlike dogs, ferrets have not yet been rigorously studied when it comes to social cognition. According to Hungarian researchers, their early history in service to man is obscure, but have probably been domesticated for more than 2,000 years through selective breeding. Like dogs, ferrets were originally bred for practical reasons like hunting. However, their role within human society has since shifted, as they are now predominantly pets.

Most ferrets will live happily in social groups. A group of ferrets is commonly referred to as a “business.” They are territorial, like to burrow, and prefer to sleep in an enclosed area.

Ferrets can release their anal gland secretions when startled or scared, but the smell is much less potent than a skunk’s and dissipates rapidly. Most pet ferrets in the U.S. are sold de-scented (anal glands removed).

When excited, ferrets may perform a behavior commonly called the weasel war dance, characterized by a frenzied series of sideways hops, leaps and bumping into nearby objects. Despite its common name, this is not aggressive but is a joyful invitation to play. It is often accompanied by a soft clucking noise, commonly referred to as “dooking.” Conversely, when frightened, ferrets will make a hissing noise; when upset, they will make a soft ‘squeaking’ noise.

Although most domesticated ferrets were introduced by Europeans, there is only one that is native to North America. It is the black-footed ferret, and its existence is in trouble. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is proposing to use unmanned aerial drones to rain peanut-butter laced pellets down on northeast Montana, where the ferrets reside. The pellets contain a vaccine against the plague, which is common in prairie dogs. Prairie dogs consist of 90 percent of the ferret’s diet. As Americans moved west, prairie dog eradication programs and agriculture and development removed much of the ferrets’ prey and habitat, and by 1987 only 18 of the ferrets remained.

The International Union for Conservation of Nature’s (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species categorizes black-footed ferrets as endangered. There are currently only around 206 mature adults in the wild and their population is decreasing. This is due greatly to the prairie dog population decline since prairie dogs are a major food and shelter source for wild ferrets. They will also eat small mammals such as opossums, rabbits, hedgehogs and rodents, but prairie dogs are the fare of choice.

So, by feeding the prairie dogs with the vaccine they would stay healthy, which in turn would help the black-footed ferrets.

So, domesticated ferrets don’t have it all that bad, like dogs and cats.

Roland’s trivia question of the week:

What is the lowest scoring game in Super Bowl history?

Answer can be found here.

SCORES & OUTDOORS: Fruit flies are a nuisance and can be a challenge in the home

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Fruit flies

Roland D. Halleeby Roland D. Hallee

Recently, a family member moved into a rented house in a central Maine town that will remain nameless. Within weeks after occupying the house, they encountered a severe infestation of fruit flies. They called in an exterminator who assured them they were not the cause of the infestation, but that it had been present long before the move. Treatment has alleviated some of the nuisance, but the problem remains. Additional treatments have been scheduled.

Fruit Flies, Drosophila melanogaster, are of concern both as nuisance pests and as serious contaminators of food. Large populations of these flies can very quickly buildup in restaurants, hotels, cafeterias, and similar food service establishments, as well as in private homes. The ability of the adults to appear from “nowhere” when fruits are exposed and the fact that they seem to be “everywhere” are sources of amazement for most homeowners and individuals in the food industry.

Food processing plants, including wineries, pickle plants, dehydrators, and canneries (especially tomato canneries), consider fruit flies to be a greater menace than any other insect pest. These flies cause a high percentage of the insect contamination of fruit and fruit products. Fruit flies are frequently cited as the contaminating agent in reports of food seizures made by the U. S. Food and Drug Administration.

Female fruit flies lay their eggs on the surface of rotting fruits and vegetables. Each female may lay as many as 500 eggs. These eggs hatch into larvae which molt twice before becoming fully grown. The larvae feed on the yeast organisms and fungi growing in infested material, and through their feeding efforts, they soon turn their food into a semi-liquid “mess.” When the full-grown larvae are ready to pupate, they leave the food material for dryer areas. Complete development from egg to adult under summer conditions may be completed in 8 to 10 days. Mating takes place soon after adult emergence, usually within a few hours, and egg laying begins about 24 hours later.

These flies are variously referred to as vinegar flies, pomace flies, banana flies, sour flies, vinegar gnats, and lesser fruit flies. There are several species which are similar in appearance. Adults may be dull yellowish, brownish yellow, or brownish black in color and range from 1/10 to 1/5 inch long. Most species have red eyes. Larvae are very small (ranging from 1/10 to 1/5 inch long), dirty white, and maggot-shaped. They can be recognized by the stalked posterior spiracles on the last abdominal segment.

In warm weather, screen all openings to the outdoors with fine mesh screen or netting. Do not leave cut or spoiling fruit or vegetables, fruit salads, fruit juices, jams, jellies, pickles, etc., exposed in open containers. Do not keep whole raw fruit on hand in large quantities exposed to fruit fly infestations. Check vegetables such as potatoes and onions which are frequently stored in large quantities. There could be one rotten vegetable in the bottom of the bag which would be sufficient to support a sizable infestation.

Whenever possible, keep susceptible foods in cold storage in order to retard development of larval fruit flies. Should fruit flies become abundant, a careful search for the larval breeding areas should be made by the homeowner. Removal of any overripe fruit or vegetable material should alleviate any recurrence of these insects. Any lingering adults can be destroyed via the judicious use of pesticide aerosol space sprays or a fly swatter. Breeding areas can sometimes be difficult to locate. Possible situations include a “forgotten” potato in a storage bin, an apple kicked under the shelves of a storeroom, improperly cleaned garbage cans or disposals, and endless similar examples of improper or lax sanitation practices. “Emptied” beer, soft drink, milk, or catsup bottles with small amounts remaining in the bottom have been reported as breeding media.

Uncleaned mops and cleaning rags that have been left to sour may serve as breeding sites. Accumulations of food materials, usually small and hidden, may buildup in corners, under counters, under baseboards, in the cracks of, or around drain boards, in cracks around sinks, etc. In addition, common sources of infestation in residences are “homemade” marmalade, preserves, chili sauce, mustard, pickles, etc., put up in jars. Wine, vinegar, sauerkraut, “homebrew,” and cider are also common attractants.

For more current information, contact your local county extension office.

Roland’s trivia question of the week:

Name the first NFL AFC team to win a Super Bowl.

Answer can be found here.

SCORES & OUTDOORS: The challenges of getting a hippopotamus for Christmas

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Lu, short for Lucifer, has grown so popular, he even has his own Facebook page where pictures like this are shared. (photo courtesy of Lu’s Facebook page.)

Roland D. Halleeby Roland D. Hallee

Roland has taken an early vacation. This is reprinted from the December 24, 2015, issue.

When 10-year-old Gayla Peevey sang her 1953 Christmas song, I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas, did she really know what she was wishing for?

When the song was released nationally, it shot to the top of the charts and the Oklahoma City zoo acquired a baby hippo named Matilda. Legend has it the song was recorded as a fundraiser to bring the zoo a hippo. But, in a 2007 radio interview in Detroit, Peevey clarified that the song was not originally recorded as a fundraiser. Instead, a local promoter picked up on the popularity of the song and Peevey’s local roots, and launched a campaign to present her with an actual hippopotamus on Christmas.

The campaign succeeded, and she was presented with an actual hippopotamus, which she donated to the city zoo. It lived for nearly 50 years.

That brings us to the point. Had she decided to keep it, it wouldn’t have exactly been a house pet.

She would have had to put in a gigantic pool because the hippos spend most of their day wallowing in the water to keep their body temperature down and to keep their skin from drying out. With the exception of eating, most of hippopotamuses’ lives occur in the water.

Which brings us to another problem. Hippos leave the water at dusk and travel inland, sometimes up to five miles to graze on short grass, their main source of food. That probably wouldn’t have gone over too well with the neighbors and their lawns. Hippos can consume upwards of 150 pounds of grass each night.

The hippopotamus would probably have had problems living in an urban setting. They are among the largest living mammals, only elephants, rhinoceroses and some whales are heavier. They are also one of the most aggressive creatures in the world, and is often regarded as one of the most dangerous animals in Africa. So, you’d probably want to have it on a leash.

But, that probably wouldn’t do any good. An adult male can weigh between 3,300 and 4,000 pounds, with older males reaching 7,100 to 9,900 pounds, and would have no problems breaking a tether. Although a female hippo stops growing at around 25 years of age, the males appear to continue to grow throughout their lives.

And, if it got loose, don’t try to outrun it. Despite their bulk, hippopotamuses can run faster than a human on land. Estimates have put their running speed from 18 to 25 miles per hour. The upside? It can only maintain that speed for a few hundred yards. (Actually, that’s all it would need to run you down).

Peevey’s local public works department may have frowned on her having a hippo. Because of their size and their habit of taking the same paths to feed, hippos can have a significant impact on the land they walk across, both by keeping the land clear of vegetation and depressing the ground. But worse, over prolonged periods, hippos could divert the paths of streams and storm run off.

You’d also have to modify your will and make arrangements for its care. Their lifespan is typically 40 to 50 years, and could possibly outlive you. While some have been known to live longer. Bertie the Hippo, who resided at the Denver Zoo, was the oldest living hippo in captivity at age 58 years, but was euthanized in 2015 due to declining health and quality of life. Donna the Hippo, had been the oldest living hippo in captivity, but died on Aug. 3, 2012, at the Mesker Park Zoo, in Evansville, Indiana.

The oldest recorded lifespan was Tanga, who lived in Munich, Germany, and died in 1995 at the age of 61. But there are conflicting reports on Donna. Some say she was 61 years old, while others claim she was 62, which would have made her the longest living hippo in captivity in history. Until recently, Blackie, who resided at the Cleveland Zoo, was the longest living, at age 59, but died on January 13, 2014.

Now, visitors flock to the Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park, in Florida, to see the oldest hippo in the Americas: Lu, which is short for Lucifer. The 60-year-old bull hippopotamus has lived at the park for almost his entire life.

Born in San Diego, California, in 1960, Lu was relocated to Homo­sassa Springs to join the Ivan Tors Animal Actors. After nearly two decades of starring in movies and television specials, Lu suddenly faced eviction from his beloved home.

So, if you really want a hippopotamus for Christ­mas, you’d better do your homework.

Roland’s trivia question of the week:

Who was the first boxer to defeat Muhammad Ali in a heavyweight championship fight?

Answer can be found here.

SCORES & OUTDOORS: Black and white squirrels…and football

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Roland D. Halleeby Roland D. Hallee

My two recent columns on squirrels, black, and gray with white-tipped tails, have brought some local reaction. Over the last 30 years I have seen no more than three black squirrels, and one gray squirrel with a white-tipped tail.

A faithful reader and supporter in Vassalboro wrote: “You mentioned black squirrels – you have seen them in Vassalboro – well I live in Vassalboro and I have a small herd of them in my yard – up to 6 – and growing! Not rare here! I have two varieties of gray ones and red ones as well as the black ones. I also have a friend that lives on the lake in Palermo and they too have seen black ones. Just wanted you to know. I have not seen any with white tails – yet.”

Another reader sent this along to me: “Hi, love your column and thank you for so much information. Wanted to share this with you after reading your squirrel article in December 9, 2021, issue [of The Town Line]. Brevard, North Carolina, is the home of the rare white squirrel. My sister lived there and white squirrels ranged everywhere! Brevard even has a white squirrel festival! Thanks for your enlightening articles.”

I guess depending where you live, the subject is as plain as black and white.

* * * * * *

Let’s shift gears and talk football – New England Patriots to be exact.

Everyone who knows me knows I have been a Patriots fan since day one, in 1960. I have followed them through some really rough times. But, the last 20 years have been a wild ride. Eleven Super Bowl appearances and six victories. They have played in 15 AFC championship games, winning eleven. The Super Bowl losses have been to the Chicago Bears, Green Bay Packers, New York Giants, twice – ugh! I don’t want to talk about those. Especially since I was a Giants fan prior to 1960, when they were “New England’s team”. – and the Philadephia Eagles – losing on a trick play.

Last year was a bit of a disappointment, but then this year has been a pleasant surprise.

Let’s play “what if!”

The Patriots are currently 9-4 on the season, back home in first place in the division and the number one seed overall in the conference, holding tie breakers over Tennessee (a win in head-to-head competition) and Kansas City (because of the Patriots’ 7-1 record in the conference).

So, here we go. What if Damien Harris doesn’t fumble on the three yard line in the season opener against Miami. He was ready to score a game-winning touchdown. Patriots lose by one point.

Next, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Tom Brady. The Patriots were down two points late in the fourth quarter and driving for a go-ahead score. The Patriots were forced to attempt a field goal by a very reliable kicker in Nick Folk. In a driving rain, the ball caroms off the left upright and is no good. Patriots lose by two points.

Third, the Patriots were leading the Dallas Cowboys by three points late in the game. They had the Cowboys pinned on their own side of the field, with a third down and 25 yards to go. Should have been game over. However, Dak Prescott completes a 24-yard pass to bring up fourth down. But now they were in field goal range. The kick is good, and we go to overtime. The Cowboys score a touchdown and the Patriots lose by six points.

Now, if you’ve been following this, and doing some math, you know the Patriots were three plays, and nine total points from being 12-1.

What if?

Roland’s trivia question of the week:

Tom Brady is 6-3 in Super Bowl games with the Patriots. Who were the quarterbacks against losses to Chicago and Green Bay?

Answer can be found here.

SCORES & OUTDOORS: Seeing another rare wild animal

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Roland D. Halleeby Roland D. Hallee

This column was a long time coming. A couple of months ago, while driving to an engagement on Eustis Parkway, in Waterville, I noticed a grey squirrel cross the street in front of me. What’s so great about seeing a squirrel, you ask? Well, just a few weeks prior to this sighting, I had seen a black squirrel, in Vassalboro, which are somewhat rare. Well, this particular squirrel was even more rare. It’s tail was white on the tip. Never seen, or heard, that before.

Well, the reason it took so long to write this column is that there isn’t much information on them that I could find. My research took me to different parts of the country, but not in Maine. What does it mean when a squirrel has a white tail?

According to an article on globegazette.com, white-tailed squirrels are not albino squirrels. The color variation can come from a recessive trait that will occasionally appear in the genetic line. … If the mother has a white tail, that characteristic is carried to offspring.

I found that white-tailed antelope squirrels are found in the southwestern United States and the Baja California Peninsula of northwestern Mexico. Their range extends north to south from southwestern Oregon to New Mexico, and east to west from western Colorado to Baja California, Mexico.

So, what about here, in central Maine?

White-tailed squirrels are uncommon but locally they can become common. James H. Harding, an instructor and outreach specialist in the Department of Zoology at the Michigan State University Museum, comments: “These unusual squirrel coloration variations are not rare; they can turn up in any population and are probably related to the same types of genetic (or developmental) variants that can lead to albino (white) and melanistic (dark, black) individuals,” he said.

“Because inheritance of color involves many genes, and can be modified by environmental factors, it is more common to see these partially odd-colored variations. Presumably, these types of anomalies would be more common in suburban and urban areas, where inbreeding can occur, due to partial isolation of populations hemmed in by roads and other human activities.

“In addition, whereas wild squirrels with white tails might be more likely to be seen and killed by a predator, in the city they are more protected from these dangers.”

Of course, the fox squirrel also comes into play. In the western part of its range, it is gray above and rust colored on its undersides. In the southern part of its range, it is black and brown with a white stripe on its face and a white tip on its tail. The fox squirrel is also known as the eastern fox squirrel.

The fox squirrel’s natural range extends through most of the eastern United States, north into the southern prairie provinces of Canada, and west to the Dakotas, Colorado, and Texas. They are absent (except for vagrants) in New England, New Jersey, most of New York, northern and eastern Pennsylvania, Ontario, Québec, and the Atlantic provinces of Canada. More questions arise from this information, but not enough answers.

In Osage, Iowa, Vince Evelsizer, a wildlife biologist for the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, says the white-tailed squirrels are “unique.”

The white-tailed squirrel is also described in old folklore. What does seeing a white-tailed squirrel mean? They can be symbolic of good luck, especially because they’re so rare that you’re unlikely to find them. But when you do, they might symbolize good luck to you in the future. Peace. This type of squirrel is also symbolic of peace.

White squirrels also exist, but are far more rare than a white-tailed squirrel. Albino gray squirrels are the rarest form of white squirrel. Mammalogists estimate that the odds of a female gray squirrel giving birth to an albino offspring are 1 in 100,000.

Based on what I could find, the squirrel I saw that day in October could, and possibly was, a vagrant eastern fox squirrel. It all happened so fast I didn’t get a really good look at the rest of the coloration. But the white-tipped tail was very obvious.

Roland’s trivia question of the week:

Now that the Detroit Lions finally won a game, can you name the five NFL teams to go winless in a season, since 1944?

Answer can be found here.

SCORES & OUTDOORS: Was the opossum really dead, or just acting that way?

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The Virginia opossum

Roland D. Halleeby Roland D. Hallee

A friend of ours, who lives along the Kennebec River, in Fairfield, told us last weekend that she came across a “dead” opossum in her backyard. We’ll get to that later.

Opossums normally live in forested or brushy habitats, but they have adapted well to living close to people in cities and suburbs. Opossums will den nearly anywhere that is dry, sheltered and safe. This includes burrows dug by other mammals, rock crevices, hollow stumps, wood piles and spaces under buildings.

They are attracted to overflowing or odorous trash cans, uncovered compost heaps or other containers that you may have outside. They like to set up their habitat near water or moist areas. If you live near a pond, drainage ditch or sewer, you’re more likely to see opossums on your property.

When people picture a “possum,” most are actually thinking of an “opossum.” Possums are native to Australia, while opossums are native to North and South America. The Virginia opossum is the most commonly known opossum.

Opossums like to move into tree holes or dens left behind by other animals such as squirrels. Opossum nests in trees are lined with grass, hay, leaves, and cotton-like materials for insulation.

If there is an opossum in the backyard, don’t worry. They aren’t a threat, and more than likely they will be moving on in a short while. But far from being a nuisance, opossums can be beneficial for your garden, eating snails, slugs, insects and sometimes even small rodents.

Opossums, however, can cause damage to your lawns and backyards. If you notice small holes dug in the area, it may be an opossum. They want to get to grubs and other insects so they dig shallow holes in the dirt. They are not too deep but can still disturb the lawn. But, this sign doesn’t necessarily mean you have opossums around. Skunks will do the same thing.

A common question asked is if an opossum can get into your house. An open door or window may be an invitation for an opossum to enter your home. You may find an opossum in your home, especially if you have a “doggie door” for your pets. They can also move into your attic. Due to the lack of adequate tree hollows, possums move into roofs through holes and establish homes for themselves inside where it is safe and dark.

If you should find an injured opossum, contact your nearest wildlife rehabilitation unit and do not try to treat it on your own. It is also challenging to tell a dead opossum from the one that is playing dead (playin’ ‘possum), even if you poke and prod it: in that case, leave it be, and it will escape in a few hours. As I mentioned earlier, an opossum that looks dead, may not be. My friend did not say whether she saw the opossum again in the same location.

Opossums are incredibly impressive at playing dead, to the point where they can be picked up and carried away. Many opossums have been accidentally killed by well-meaning humans burying a “dead” opossum in their yard, or running over a “dead” opossum on the side of the road.

How about health issues with opossums in your area? It is extremely rare for them to get rabies so, if, you see one walking in circles it has most likely been hit or illness by ticks or brain damage.

Their territory is not always located in the same area. A possum can wander for miles, but if it finds a good hunting area, it will stay. The best place to release an opossum, raccoon, mouse or rat, etc., is in a wooded and, hopefully, wild area with access to water and food. The home range of an opossum is about 50 acres. They are not territorial to the extent that they defend their ranges from other opossums

Contrary to popular belief, opossums aren’t blind at all. They just have terrible eyesight during the day. Their pupils are always dilated, and as nocturnal animals, an opossum’s eyesight improves drastically at night.

Most opossums are around the size of a housecat. These marsupials have an elongated snout, and a large sagittal crest – a bone making their forehead look taller. They have scaly feet, and a scaly prehensile tail. A prehensile tail can be wrapped around branches to stabilize the animal while climbing.

Opossums, the only naturally occurring marsupial in North America, are incredibly interesting creatures. They have a number of distinguishing characteristics that are typically unknown to the general population. These scary-looking creatures are, unfortunately, misunderstood.

The poor opossum is generally viewed as an ugly pest of an animal. Though they will occasionally make their homes in our attics and crawl spaces, and feed from our garbage cans, opossums are only doing what they need to do to survive. They are frequently struck by cars searching for carrion and garbage on roadsides, and can be killed by domestic dogs. Opossums rarely cause injuries to humans, preferring to run and hide, or simply play dead.

Opossums have not been domesticated in any way. It is a wild animal, and should not be kept as a pet. In many states, including Maine, it is illegal to keep an opossum as a pet, and can result in a hefty fine.

Opossums are mainly solitary, but will share a living space with other animals. They will remain in a location as long as food and water are readily available, and will move on when resources run out. This behavior is called nomadic living. Opossums are nocturnal, and emerge from their dens to forage for food at night.

Opossums are marsupials, who carry their young in a pouch. They will give birth after a 12-14 day gestation period, and the young will emerge from the pouch 70-125 days later.

So, in the end, I have to ask the question: Was the opossum my friend saw really dead, or was it playin’ ‘possum?

Roland’s trivia question of the week:

The last four quarterbacks for the New England Patriots have been Mac Jones, Cam Newton, Tom Brady and Drew Bledsoe. Who was the quarterback before?

Answer can be found here.