CRITTER CHATTER: Fox news: And I don’t mean the cable channel

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by Jayne Winters

In mid-April, I got a call from Don at the Duckpond Wildlife Rehab Center, asking if I still wanted to take pictures of a “little red.” I’m always up for a photo opportunity, especially of young critters, so I headed over expecting to see a baby red squirrel in one of the incubators. When I arrived, however, the incubators were empty and Don pointed to a plastic pet carrier in the living room. I peeked inside and looked into the sweetest face of a tiny fox kit!

Her background story was, of course, sad. She had been found by the side of the road in the Belfast area; Don suspected the mother fox had been moving her litter to a new den and, at some point in crossing the road, was startled by a car and dropped this little girl. He guessed her age to be about four weeks old. The plaintive cries coming out of the carrier were truly heartbreaking; l assumed she was missing her litter mates and scared of being in a strange place with humans. As soon as I opened the latch, she popped right out for her photo shoot and became interested in her new surroundings.

Like most red fox kits, “our” little girl has soft fuzzy fur, mostly gray, except for a white tip on her tail. When I visited last week, she was very playful and active, apparently thriving under adoptive parental care. Wild animals have higher metabolisms and different nutritional requirements than a domestic kitten or puppy, so it’s important to provide the right type of fat and protein. She’s currently being fed a mixture of canned dog food and milk replacement, four times a day. Even as an adult, she would not be fed dry food as it has too much ash, which can cause kidney stones or even death. Foxes are canines, closely related to wolves and dogs, so should not be fed pork, cat food, or anything toxic to dogs, like chocolate or grapes. As she gets older, she’ll be gradually transitioned to all canned dog food, with occasional raw chicken as a treat. Don is also treating her for mites, as she has evidence of bites under her fur, and he wants to ward off mange.

Don was hoping another kit would be admitted so the two of them could share a pen outside, once they’re a bit bigger and the weather warms up (especially overnight). Last week, a second fox kit was rescued, but he’s larger and wary (which is a good thing), not good roommate material at the moment. It’s likely there will be more kits brought to Duck Pond in the upcoming weeks, so hopefully “Little Red” [my name for her] will bond with one or more of them.

The goal of rehabbing is to not only rescue and nurture injured and/or abandoned animals, but to return them to the natural environment where they belong. I asked Don how younger kits are “trained” to hunt so they can be successfully returned to the wild. Not to my surprise, it’s a difficult task. Over time, dead mice will be put in the outside pen, hidden in hay or under brush, so the kits can “hunt” for their food. Their survival in the wild depends on their ability to fend for themselves and avoid human contact. It’s hard to maintain minimal contact with the very young animals when you have to feed them frequently (often with a bottle) and provide health care. The sooner “Little Red” can be outside the carrier, out of the house and in the natural outside elements, and with others of her kind, the better her chance for successful release.

Spring is officially here and there are signs of new life everywhere, from plants and flowers starting to bloom to birds nesting and, of course, more calls coming in to Duck Pond about orphaned or injured critters. Don, Jane, and Debbie are certainly keeping busy! Some rescues are still being transferred to other rehabbers who are helping to keep critter care at Duck Pond manageable. Please check the following web sites to see if there is a rehabber near you: https://www.mainevetmed.org/wildlife-rehabilitation or https://www.maine.gov/ifw/fish-wildlife/wildlife/living-with-wildlife/orphaned-injured-wildlife/index.html –

Donald Cote operates Duck Pond Wildlife Care Center on Rte. 3 in Vassalboro. It is a non-profit state permitted rehab facility which is supported by his own resources and outside donations. Mailing address: 1787 North Belfast Ave., Vassalboro ME 04989 TEL: (207) 445-4326. Please note the previous e-mail address is no longer monitored.

CRITTER CHATTER: Words of wisdom

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An owlet at the Duck Pond Rehab Center. (photo from the Duck Pond Wildlife Archives.)

by Jayne Winters

Even though most of us still have some patches of snow in our yards, it won’t be long before it melts and we have more constant warmer temperatures of spring. For wildlife rehabbers, spring brings an increase in phone calls from well-intentioned folks who are worried about young animals that appear to have been abandoned by their mothers. I didn’t even need to ask Don Cote, at the Duck Pond Wildlife Center, what our column this month would be about. It may seem like “old news” to repeat this reminder every year, but sharing an article written by Carleen Cote about whether to rescue or not is advice that still holds true today:

“With the return of warmer, sunny days, our feathered friends are returning from their southern hiatus and the native wildlife are beginning to move around. This is an appropriate time for a reminder about whether or not young wildlife that appear to need rescuing really do need human intervention.
White-tail fawns probably are being rescued when they should have been left where they were found. A very young fawn will not move until given a signal from its mother. The doe does not remain with her fawn at all times; she leaves to feed herself and may not return to the fawn for several hours. A young fawn also has no odor, so if it is found by a dog, coyote or other potential predator, it’s only by accident, not from a scent.

If, when out walking in the fields and woods, you should spot a fawn, do not immediately assume that it needs to be rescued. Mark the spot where the fawn was spotted and leave. Return after a few hours or the next day. If the fawn is in the exact same spot, then it is probably safe to assume that something has happened to the doe. Contact a game warden or wildlife rehabber and follow the advice given.

If you find a young bird on the ground and no nest can be found, make a substitute nest from a berry box or basket; be sure there are holes for drainage and hang it in a tree close to the spot where the bird was found. The adults will respond to the feeding calls of their youngsters.

If cats are prowling or stalking any birds, especially when there may be young birds in a nest that cannot survive without being fed, the cat should be confined rather than removing the birds. Fledglings – young birds that are feathered and out of the nest ­ – need time to master the art of flying. Though they may spend time on the ground, this is not necessarily an indication they need human intervention. Observe whether there are adult birds flying around as they could be the parents, either bringing food to the young or coaxing them to take their first flight.

There are times when rescue is necessary such as when an adult female has died, but her young survive, or when young animals have been observed for some time, but no adult arrives to care for them and lead them to safety. If you do rescue wildlife, as cute as they may seem, bring them to someone who has the necessary permits and knowledge to give them a greater chance of survival. If you are in doubt about the need to rescue any bird or animal, or have any questions about the little critters we all enjoy and for which we are concerned, please call. We’re happy to answer any questions or advise you as to where you might get an answer.”

Although Don, Jane, and Debbie are gearing up for the hectic weeks ahead, they will still transfer some rescues to other rehabbers who are helping to keep critter care at Duck Pond manageable. Please check the following web sites to see if there is a rehabber near you: https://www.mainevetmed.org/wildlife-rehabilitation or https://www.maine.gov/ifw/fish-wildlife/wildlife/living-with-wildlife/orphaned-injured-wildlife/index.html – Donald Cote operates Duck Pond Wildlife Care Center on Rte. 3 in Vassalboro. It is a non-profit state permitted rehab facility which is supported by his own resources and outside donations. Mailing address: 1787 North Belfast Ave., Vassalboro ME 04989 TEL: (207) 445-4326. Please note the previous e-mail address is no longer monitored.

CRITTER CHATTER: It’s time to spring forward

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by Jayne Winters

By the time you read this month’s column, we will have turned the clocks ahead an hour and despite any late season snow storms, we know that spring is right around the corner. In looking through some of Carleen Cote’s old articles (dating from the 1990s), I thought I’d share one that is still applicable all these years later:

“Warmer days are becoming more frequent. This winter was very kind. We only had to shovel snow from our 25 pens three or four times. The major inconvenience was the icy paths to the pens – there was much slipping and sliding, but most of the time we managed to stay upright. The supply of sand we had stored in buckets in the cellar came in handy to provide traction on the paths.

Because the pens are constructed with plastic-covered wire, we cannot wear creepers in the pens. They would cut into the plastic, defeating the purpose of the plastic – to prevent the wire from rusting and to prolong the life of the pens.

The wildlife that spent the winter at the Center include late babies that were not ready to be released last fall, who will soon be released. All the pens and equipment will be cleaned and sanitized. Necessary supplies have been ordered, the milk has been purchased and the incubators are ready for the spring babies that will soon be arriving.

Squirrels will be the first, followed by baby raccoons. We never know what will arrive or how many. Every year is different.

Most people who find baby squirrels are happy to pass them on to a rehabber. However, there are those who go on the internet to find information on how to care for a wild animal in order to keep it. Anyone can post anything on a website; not all postings are correct. Some folks tell us they just couldn’t take the animal away from their kids. There is more to raising a baby squirrel than just giving it food!”

As Carleen noted in her article, typically some critters will be held over the winter for release the following spring. Reasons vary, but often fall admissions aren’t strong or well enough to survive the colder temperatures and reduced food sources of the winter months. Don is always particular about his release sites, mindful of habitat and fresh water availability, both of which may not be accessible after autumn weather sets in. Last spring, the triplet bobcats, three red foxes, and ten fawns were successfully transported and released back into the wild. This year, Don has a couple opossums, three red foxes, one gray fox, and two gray squirrels to return to their rightful homes.

Admissions have slowed down during the winter, but there are still calls from folks worried about animals that appear to be injured, sick, or struggling to survive. Don continues to take them in, but transfers some rescues to other rehabbers who have graciously offered to provide assistance to help keep critter care at Duck Pond manageable. Please check the following web sites to see if there is a rehabber near you: https://www.mainevetmed.org/wildlife-rehabilitation or https://www.maine.gov/ifw/fish-wildlife/wildlife/living-with-wildlife/orphaned-injured-wildlife/index.html –

Donald Cote operates Duck Pond Wildlife Care Center on Rte. 3 in Vassalboro. It is a non-profit state permitted rehab facility supported by his own resources & outside donations. Mailing address: 1787 North Belfast Ave., Vassalboro ME 04989 TEL: (207) 445-4326. PLEASE NOTE THE PRIOR wildlifecarecenter EMAIL ADDRESS IS NOT BEING MONITORED AT THIS TIME.

CRITTER CHATTER – Flying rodents: part 2

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by Jayne Winters

Continued from last month

As a follow-up to last month’s article about the flying squirrel at Duck Pond Wildlife Care Center, I wanted to share some information I found from my on-line research. January’s column included a general overview from articles written by Carleen Cote several years ago, but I was curious about their habitat, diet, family structure, etc.

One source stated the only flying squirrel found in North America was the northern, but several other sites confirmed what Don has recently learned: there are two species of flying squirrels in Maine. Warming climate and habitat loss have caused the smaller, more aggressive southern flying squirrel to expand its territory (recent Canadian studies indicate there are already hybrids from crossbreeding).

Both species are light brown in color, with grayish or white bellies; the northern is larger by a couple of inches, reaching a length of 10-15 inches. Flying squirrels are entirely nocturnal, with oversized eyes that are adapted for low light conditions. Their diet is varied and includes tree sap, nuts, fruit, seeds, fungi, lichen, insects, carrion, bird eggs and yes, even baby birds. Rotting wood is a great spot for favorite foods, and although they’re awkward on their feet, they will scavenge on the forest floor. While flying squirrels are known to store food for winter, they’re not as active in caching, compared to chipmunks and other squirrels.

Flying squirrels generally nest in tree cavities, but will also build nests underground and leaf nests called dreys. Except when raising their young, flyers frequently shift from nest to nest and often huddle together in colonies during winter months to maintain body temperature. They don’t hibernate, but limit activity during cold periods to reserve body fat. Breeding is between March and May with the male (“buck”) pursuing multiple females (“does”). Gestation is five to six weeks, and the female is the sole parent on duty after delivering one to six pups. Their eyes open at one month and youngsters can leave the nest at six weeks of age. They’re weaned after two months and “flying” at three, but may live with mom for another four to eight weeks before moving out. In warmer climates, the southern flyer can have two litters a year.

“Flyers” don’t actually fly, but glide with large flaps of skin called patagia, that stretch between all four legs and act as a parachute when the squirrels launch, allowing them to soar up to 300 feet horizontally. They maneuver easily in the air and can make 90-degree turns around obstacles. The flat tail serves as a rudder, and just before landing, its upward movement decreases its speed, with the legs absorbing the shock. They’re also expert climbers.

Flying squirrels are reasonably common and are not listed as threatened in Maine. Other than predation by owls, hawks, bobcats, lynx, weasels, fox or coyotes, the biggest threat to flyers is probably habitat loss. Because they are nocturnal and tree nesters, they may be especially susceptible to climate change here, as they will experience highest temperatures during their daily resting phase.

Sadly, the flying squirrel at Duck Pond did not survive. Don was preparing to move him to a larger enclosure in the basement so he could get more exercise, but in relocating the cage discovered that he had died, probably from internal injuries. Don did wonder, however, if the squirrel died of loneliness, as flyers tend to overwinter in groups of 75-80 individuals.

Although admissions slow down during the winter months, Don will get calls from folks worried about young animals now on their own. Many are learning how to manage without parental care, but others may be orphaned or injured, struggling to survive. Don continues to take them in, but does transfer rescues to other rehabbers who continue to provide assistance to help keep critter care at Duck Pond manageable. Please check the following web sites to see if there is a rehabber near you: https://www.mainevetmed.org/wildlife-rehabilitation or https://www.maine.gov/ifw/fish-wildlife/wildlife/living-with-wildlife/orphaned-injured-wildlife/index.html –

Donald Cote operates Duck Pond Wildlife Care Center on Rte. 3 in Vassalboro. It is a non-profit state permitted rehab facility supported by his own resources & outside donations. Mailing address: 1787 North Belfast Ave., Vassalboro ME 04989 TEL: (207) 445-4326. PLEASE NOTE THE PRIOR wildlifecarecenter EMAIL ADDRESS IS NOT BEING MONITORED AT THIS TIME.

CRITTER CHATTER: It’s typical to have 35 – 50 flying rodents at wildlife care center – Part 1

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Flying squirrel

by Jayne Winters

When I stopped by the other day to deliver some muffins to Don Cote at the Wildlife Care Center, I was interested in a recent admission: a flying squirrel that had probably been hit by a car. I was hoping to get a close-up peek at it, but flyers are nocturnal animals, so it remained hidden under the bedding while I was there. Don said the squirrel was eating and drinking well, however, and was quite active during evening hours.

Although Duck Pond typically gets 35-50 flying squirrel admissions annually, Don stated he only had two the previous year, which he released in the spring. He suspects others may have been taken to other rehabbers or injuries aren’t being reported/treated. I wonder if climate change and/or loss of habitat is impacting their populations?

I found an article Carleen Cote had written and share some of her information: “Flying squirrels are nocturnal and seldom seen. Their eyes protrude, much like the eyes of a bat, an asset as they move about at night, gliding through the trees, from the highest limb to lowest. Although they are called flying squirrels, they actually glide by means of four covered folds of skin that extend from wrists to ankles, which provide a broad surface when the limbs are extended sideways. They have a flattened tail, are relatively lightweight and have extremely soft fur, much softer than velvet, which provides little friction resistance to air. Flyers are basically vegetarians but are not seed eaters, and they will consume insects and meat if it is available. They live in old woodpecker holes; several may occupy the same hole. Active all winter, they apparently do not store food.”

Carleen wrote a second column in 2012: “Flying squirrels are not chewers or destructive as are reds and grays. They gather together in the winter for warmth…So far this year we have 51 flyers in residence. Flying squirrels usually move into a building when cold weather arrives. If they become a problem and are trapped, they should never be released outside because they would probably freeze to death. Call the nearest rehabilitator to ask if they will hold them for the winter. We are always available to take any in need of a warm place to stay during the cold months.”

Next month, I’ll provide information from my research regarding habitat, diet, family structure, and characteristics of the flying squirrel. Did you know there are two species in Maine?

Although admissions typically slow down at this time of year, Don will get calls from folks worried about young animals now on their own, adjusting to life in the wild without their mothers’ care. Some are simply learning how to be independent, but others may indeed be orphaned or injured, struggling to survive. While Don continues to take them in, he does transfer rescues to other rehabbers who are generously providing assistance to help keep critter care at Duck Pond manageable. Please check the following web sites to see if there is a rehabber near you: https://www.mainevetmed.org/wildlife-rehabilitation or https://www.maine.gov/ifw/fish-wildlife/wildlife/living-with-wildlife/orphaned-injured-wildlife/index.html.

Donald Cote operates Duck Pond Wildlife Care Center on Rte. 3 in Vassalboro. It is a non-profit state permitted rehab facility supported by his own resources & outside donations. Mailing address: 1787 North Belfast Ave., Vassalboro ME 04989 TEL: (207) 445-4326. PLEASE NOTE THE PRIOR wildlifecarecenter EMAIL ADDRESS IS NOT BEING MONITORED AT THIS TIME.

CRITTER CHATTER: Where it all started…with no regrets

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Don Cote, of Duck Pond Wildlife Care Center, in Vassalboro, caring for some fawns. (photo from Duck Pond Wildlife Care Center archives)

by Jayne Winters

When visiting Don Cote at the Wildlife Care Center last week, I was curious about his “growing up years” and if he’d always had an interest in animals. As “they” say, it is indeed a small world: it turns out Don grew up on the same street in Augusta that I did, about 15 years earlier and his neighbor was Ken Barden, who owned and operated a local grocery store for many years. Don was friends with the two Barden boys and said Ken was like a second father to him.

While a student at Cony High School, Don also worked part-time in a grain store. His family always had cats and dogs, but also chickens, so his interest in animals
did begin at a young age. He had two younger brothers, one of whom passed away in his 50s of emphysema; his remaining brother lives in the area and they’ve continued with their Sunday evening calls to this day. Like many during that time, their dad worked at a mill, but later at a furniture store.

Don met his future wife at the Dairy Joy, in Augusta. Carleen’s family had a large farm in Summer Haven and she later claimed he visited often just so he could ride their horse! The Cotes were married until Carleen’s unexpected passing in April 2018, long after the horse was gone, so I suspect something else attracted him to her.

I asked Don if he ever wished he’d been a veterinarian. “I thought about it, but you can’t be everything, there isn’t enough time. You have to be fairly good at what you do, to do it right. I originally wanted to be a warden and even though I was working for Coca Cola at the time, seriously planned to attend warden school for the required two years. I love fishing and had bought a boat, motor, and trailer that needed to be paid off (Ken Barden loaned him the money). I did send in an application for warden school, but all the first assignments were up north, which would have required a move and Carleen, who had a good job with the state, would’ve had to look for another job. So, I backed out due to moving and financial concerns. To this day, sometimes I wonder…”

After Coca Cola closed, Don went to worth for North Center, but retired at 59½ to devote himself to rescue and rehab fulltime. Carleen had retired at 50 and was handling phone calls, coordinating rescues, and caring for wildlife, but word had gotten around since they started in 1964 and it became a 24/7 commitment for both of them. When asked if he had any regrets? “Nope” was his immediate answer.

Avian Haven, a rescue/rehab facility in Freedom, was established as a nonprofit in 1999 and has relieved Duck Pond of its bird admissions, but there are plenty of wild critters that need attention. Don recognizes times are hard for everyone these days, but says he’s “staying afloat.” He greatly appreciates donations of any size, as well as the handful of volunteers who help with care, transfers, yardwork, and snow removal.

Although admissions typically slow down at this time of year, Don will get calls from folks worried about young animals now on their own, adjusting to life in the wild without their mothers’ care. Some are simply learning how to be independent, but others may indeed be orphaned or injured, struggling to survive. While Don continues to take them in, he does transfer rescues to other rehabbers who are generously providing assistance to help keep critter care at Duck Pond manageable. Please check the following web sites to see if there is a rehabber near you: https://www.mainevetmed.org/wildlife-rehabilitation or https://www.maine.gov/ifw/fish-wildlife/wildlife/living-with-wildlife/orphaned-injured-wildlife/index.html –

Donald Cote operates Duck Pond Wildlife Care Center on Rte. 3 in Vassalboro. It is a non-profit state permitted rehab facility supported by his own resources & outside donations. Mailing address: 1787 North Belfast Ave., Vassalboro ME 04989 TEL: (207) 445-4326. PLEASE NOTE THE PRIOR wildlifecarecenter EMAIL ADDRESS IS NOT BEING MONITORED AT THIS TIME.

CRITTER CHATTER: Follow up on deer with three legs

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One antler and three-legged deer.

by Jayne Winters

As a follow-up to last month’s article about the whitetail buck with three legs and only one horn, I’d be remiss not to write about the other permanent resident buck at the Wildlife Center. Rather than simply missing an antler, this deer has two, but they’re both deformed and remain in velvet. He’s the oldest deer at Duck Pond Care Center, at about ten years old (the average age in the wild is four to six years).

Don couldn’t recall the specifics of where this buck had come from or under what circumstances, except that he had been living in captivity since he was a fawn. Most of his life had been spent under the care of a well-meaning individual who could no longer provide the upkeep and attention required, so he came to Duck Pond. Don always contacts local zoos or game farms in an attempt to place older animals, but these facilities typically want young critters. Because this adolescent buck had been around humans all his life, releasing him would likely have resulted in an untimely death sentence, so he has remained with Don as part of the small, non-releasable herd.

As noted in last month’s column, missing antlers or deformities are not that uncommon. In fact, research demonstrates that more than half of wild bucks have a genetic potential for abnormalities. There are a variety of reasons: 1) skull trauma (often due to fighting), 2) antler or nerve damage during growth, 3) healed leg fracture/injury, 4) insufficient testosterone, 5) disease or infection, 6) systemic problems, 7) age, and 8) genetics. The abnormality usually recurs throughout the deer’s life, unless it’s due to a skeletal injury, in which case it may gradually disappear with each annual antler cycle.

Antlers are comprised of fast-growing tissue, capable of growing up to an inch or more per day during peak development in spring/summer. The increased daylight hours of spring and over the summer prompt the pituitary gland to produce hormones which in turn release an “insulin-like growth factor” that stimulates antler growth. “Velvet” is the thin layer of hairy skin that covers growing antlers in early spring. Normally, in preparation for fall breeding season, blood supply to the velvet stops, causing it to dry and fall away from the calcified cartilage of the hardened antler. Damage to an antler during the velvet stage can result in antlers growing in weird shapes or strange directions, but more often they’re the result of reduced hormones.

As I wrapped up my note-taking from talking with Don, I left him to safely trap a chipmunk that had slipped past him as he moved the little guy from the incubator to a small cage. There’s never a dull moment at Duck Pond Care Center!

Although admissions usually slow down at this time of year, Don will get calls from folks worried about young animals now on their own, adjusting to life in the wild without their mothers’ care. Some are simply learning how to be independent, but others may indeed be orphaned or injured, struggling to survive. While Don continues to take them in, he does transfer rescues to other rehabbers who are generously providing assistance to help keep critter care at Duck Pond manageable.

Please check the following web sites to see if there is a rehabber near you: https://www.mainevetmed.org/wildlife-rehabilitation or https://www.maine.gov/ifw/fish-wildlife/wildlife/living-with-wildlife/orphaned-injured-wildlife/index.html – Donald Cote operates Duck Pond Wildlife Care Center on Rte. 3 in Vassalboro. It is a non-profit state permitted rehab facility supported by his own resources & outside donations. Mailing address: 1787 North Belfast Ave., Vassalboro ME 04989 TEL: (207) 445-4326. PLEASE NOTE THE PRIOR wildlifecarecenter EMAIL ADDRESS IS NOT BEING MONITORED AT THIS TIME.

CRITTER CHATTER: Oh, deer! What’s up with that? – Part 1

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One antler and three-legged deer.

by Jayne Winters

While visiting Don at the Wildlife Center the other day, awaiting the arrival of a family of six baby opossums whose mother had likely been the victim of a car accident, we got to talking about one of the whitetail bucks that is a permanent resident at Duck Pond. I’d only seen him from a distance and was curious about his antler. Yes, you read that correctly. One. Antler.

About four years ago, Don got a call from a farmer who had found a fawn that had been injured by a hay mower, resulting in a badly damaged rear leg. He had been caring for the fawn in his barn and as the lower leg was literally hanging on by only its skin, had amputated it at the hock. Of course, Don took the fawn and assumed its care, knowing full well it likely wouldn’t be able to be released into the wild.

Although animals can adapt to getting around with only three legs, this little guy required additional attention and while not tame, has grown up in captivity. Its chance of survival in the wild, especially during the winter, would be slim to none. He would undoubtedly fall prey to a predator and certainly wouldn’t be able to “hold his own” against any other buck trying to establish its territory or compete for does.

I always learn something from Don and this week was no different. He told me that when a deer loses a leg, the antler on the opposite side doesn’t grow normally (if at all), which explains why this buck doesn’t have an antler on its left side: his right rear leg was the one amputated. Of course, I had to research this later and was disappointed to find the cause is unknown; several articles mentioned it may be related to nerve damage and changes in hormones, but there doesn’t seem to be any confirmed evidence of either.

Apparently, it’s very common for a serious injury to a back leg to impact subsequent antler development on the opposite side. It can be abnormal and/or stunted and will persist even after the leg heals. Odd antler growth on the opposite side is called “contralateral asymmetry” and if the velvet never sheds, the condition is called a “cactus buck.” The buck at Duck Pond has only the one antler and I noticed it’s still in velvet, even at this time of year.

During my research, I also learned that if antler growth tissue is surgically removed and grafted to another part of the deer’s body, an antler will grow there! So, it’s possible to surgically produce a unicorn deer or even a deer with 10 antlers growing out of its skull or any other part of the body. Mother Nature is absolutely amazing!

Although admissions tend to decrease at this time of year, Don continues to limit long-term residents by transferring many rescued critters to other rehabbers who have graciously provided assistance in their care. Please check these websites to see if there is a rehabber closer to you to help keep critter care at Duck Pond more manageable: https://www.mainevetmed.org/wildlife-rehabilitation or https://www.maine.gov/ifw/fish-wildlife/wildlife/living-with-wildlife/orphaned-injured-wildlife/index.html – Donald Cote operates Duck Pond Wildlife Care Center on Rte. 3 in Vassalboro. It is a non-profit state permitted rehab facility supported by his own resources & outside donations. Mailing address: 1787 North Belfast Ave., Vassalboro ME 04989 TEL: (207) 445-4326. PLEASE NOTE THE PRIOR wildlifecarecenter EMAIL ADDRESS IS NOT BEING MONITORED AT THIS TIME.

CRITTER CHATTER: Fall preparations at the Duck Pond Rehab center

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Raccoon release at The Center. (photo from Duck Pond Archives)

by Jayne Winters

I stopped in to see Don at the Duck Pond Wildlife Rehab Center recently and was surprised to find only one critter in the house: a young gray squirrel which likely had been injured by a cat. It was able to move and use its front paws for eating from the food dish, so Don doesn’t think there’s been a spinal injury, but he’ll keep it for a day or two for observation and assessment before transfer to a rehabber in Bowdoin, who has more volunteers to help with wildlife care.

All releasable critters are gone from Duck Pond, with only nine foxes (one gray, eight red), four raccoons, ten deer, the gray squirrel mentioned above, and Don’s own geese and ducks on site for over-wintering. He usually gets opossums in the fall, which will be kept in the house or basement until warm weather returns next spring. There will likely be a few injured animals admitted during the upcoming months, but most will be transferred as Don is trying to cut back on winter patient maintenance. Although he has two part-time volunteers to help with feeding critters and cleaning cages, Don recently celebrated his 84th birthday and admits he’s slowing down a bit!

Now the preparations for fall begin, a little earlier this year while the nice weather holds. Don usually gets 50 bales of second crop cutting, i.e., green grass with clover, for feeding the deer that can’t be released until spring. He told me deer don’t typically eat hay, they eat what they like from the bales, then use the rest for bedding. He will use grain and corn as a winter supplement, which is kept in the “doe house.” Before the snow flies, the deer will be moved to their winter pen. This requires extra hands to set up barriers and walk them from one area to another, carefully and calmly, to avoid spooking them which could result in their jumping over the barrier.

The pens that previously housed the three bobcat kittens need to be cleared of tall grass so the remaining foxes can be relocated from their smaller cages. In addition, any torn tarps on the coon cages must be replaced and secured, fencing repaired if necessary, and any other type of winterization completed. All the dishes, cages, empty pens and dog houses that have been used to shelter animals need to be cleaned or power washed, repaired, and painted for winter storage. The mobile pens are moved to one central area where they will be securely covered with tarps to protect them from snow and ice.

Not only the grounds need to be readied for cold weather. A couple of tires on the small trailer used for hauling brush and cases of food were recently replaced. The snow plow will need to be attached to the truck. Shovels and ice chippers will come out of storage and sand for icy paths purchased. Think about all you do to get your family’s home ready for a Maine winter and multiply it to meet the needs of various species of wildlife spending the next seven or eight months with you! I’m tired just thinking about it…

Don continues to limit admissions and long-term residents by transferring many rescued critters to other rehabbers who have graciously provided assistance in their care. Please check these websites to see if there is a rehabber closer to you to help keep critter care at Duck Pond more manageable: https://www.mainevetmed.org/wildlife-rehabilitation or https://www.maine.gov/ifw/fish-wildlife/wildlife/living-with-wildlife/orphaned-injured-wildlife/index.html – Donald Cote operates Duck Pond Wildlife Care Center on Rte. 3 in Vassalboro. It is a non-profit state permitted rehab facility supported by his own resources & outside donations. Mailing address: 1787 North Belfast Ave., Vassalboro ME 04989 TEL: (207) 445-4326. PLEASE NOTE THE PRIOR wildlifecarecenter EMAIL ADDRESS IS NOT BEING MONITORED AT THIS TIME.

CRITTER CHATTER: Chipmunks continue to be charming

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Photo by Jayne Winters

by Jayne Winters

As I sat on our back deck the other day, watching one of “my” chippies fill his cheeks with peanuts, it dawned on me that I had only seen one or two chipmunks at Duck Pond Wildlife Center since I started writing this column about three years ago. Don confirmed they’ve had a few over the years, but more often deal with squirrels that have been injured by predators or cars or dislodged from their nests, usually needing bottle feeding until they transition to a diet of sunflower seeds, nuts, and fruit.

I went through some of Carleen Cote’s earlier Critter Chatter columns and found one from August 2009 entitled, The Charming Chipmunk, in which she wrote they had cared for very few chipmunks over their then 45 years of rehab. She noted that “because they are born underground, they are rarely found at an age when they are dependent on humans for care.”

The name “chipmunk” comes from an Abenaki word meaning “one who descends trees headlong.” First described in a 1743 book, it was later classified as Sciurus striatus, or “striped squirrel” in Latin. A small member of the squirrel family, it has reddish brown fur with a single stripe down the middle of its back and a white stripe between two black stripes down each side of its body. They are 8-10 inches long, including the tail, and weigh 2 – 5 ounces.

Interestingly, the Eastern has two fewer teeth than other chipmunks and four toes each on the front legs, five on the hind legs. It typically lives in mature woodland areas in the eastern U.S. and southern Canada, preferring rocky areas, brush or log piles, and shrubs to provide cover; they are also found around suburban and rural homes. While they do climb trees, most of their time is spent foraging on the ground, being most active during the early morning and late afternoon.

Chipmunks build underground nests with extensive tunnel systems, often with several entrances. They line their burrows with leaves, rocks, sticks, and other material, making the burrows hard to see. They live a solitary life, except during mating season and the six to eight weeks the young spend with their mother. Females usually produce one or two litters of three to five babies; breeding seasons are February to April and again in June to August. During the winter, chipmunks may enter long periods of hibernation, but wake up to eat stored food; sometimes they can be seen out of their burrow during mild winter weather. Their diet consists primarily of nuts, berries, seeds, and mushrooms; I was surprised to learn they occasionally eat insects, salamanders, young birds, and bird eggs. They hoard food for the winter by carrying it in special cheek pouches.

Chipmunks are considered valuable forest inhabitants as they move seeds around resulting in tree and plant regeneration and are an important food source for birds and other mammals. Predators include hawks, owls, foxes, coyotes, raccoons, snakes, weasels, bobcats, lynx, and domestic cats and dogs. They usually live three or more years in the wild, but in captivity may live as long as eight years. Although they don’t cause serious agricultural damage, they can be a nuisance where they eat flower bulbs, fruits, seeds, and seedlings. They may cause structural damage by digging under patios, stairs, walls, or foundations.

In my research, I found it interesting that Eastern chipmunks are known to be a host for the parasitic larvae of botflies. A couple summers ago, my husband and I had a fairly tame chipmunk at camp that had a furless, open sore on its cheek which likely was the result of a botfly rather than a tussle injury.

On a happier note (pun intended), I also learned chipmunks have about five vocal sounds: chips, chucks, trills, whistles or squeals, and chatter. Its trill has been measured at a rate of 130 vibrations per minute!

Don continues to limit admissions and long-term residents by transferring many rescued critters to other rehabbers who have graciously provided assistance in their care. Please check these websites to see if there is a rehabber closer to you to help keep critter care at Duck Pond more manageable: https://www.mainevetmed.org/wildlife-rehabilitation or https://www.maine.gov/ifw/fish-wildlife/wildlife/living-with-wildlife/orphaned-injured-wildlife/index.html –

Donald Cote operates Duck Pond Wildlife Care Center on Rte. 3 in Vassalboro. It is a nonprofit state permitted rehab facility supported by his own resources & outside donations. Mailing address: 1787 North Belfast Ave., Vassalboro ME 04989 TEL: (207) 445-4326. PLEASE NOTE THE PRIOR wildlifecarecenter EMAIL ADDRESS IS NOT BEING MONITORED AT THIS TIME.