We admitted the 1st infant Eastern cottontail rabbit of the year this afternoon! Eastern cottontails are the most common infant mammal we admit, with Eastern grey squirrels coming in 2nd. The baby we admitted today weighed in at only 31 grams, and was furless with eyes closed. He/she also had remnants of fetal membranes on the skin (the white patches), which means he/she likely was born in the last 12-24 hours.

Eastern cottontails breed from March through early fall. They prefer to nest in areas of high grass for concealment, and will scratch out a shallow depression rather than burrowing. The nest is lined with fur and dry grass. The gestation period is about 28 days. There are usually 2-4 litters per year, each with 3-8 young kits. Young rabbits are born blind, naked and helpless but grow rapidly, leaving the nest after only 2-3 weeks. They are weaned and totally independent at 4-5 weeks.

If you think you have found a nest of baby bunnies in your yard or garden, please ensure that the mother has truly abandoned them before bringing them to WRC.  Learn more on our FAQs.  Be sure to check out this great WCCO news interview with our vet tech Katie from last spring regarding bunny nests.

At WRC we try to house animals of the same species together, especially the more social ones like waterfowl and certain songbirds.  Recently, a Trumpeter Swan was admitted with a broken leg.  This swan required a more confined space to limit movement so that the fracture would have a better chance of healing.  

Fortunately we are well equipped to build a smaller cage in the large swan room or just about any kind of cage that would be needed for one of the 170 different species we may see.  Now this swan will be able to have the type of cage it needs and be able to see other swans.  Hopefully this will not only make for a speedy recovery but a more pleasant stay at WRC.

Another happy release story! I released an adult male Virginia opossum last week who came to us from Shoreview. He was very weak, thin, and dehydrated upon admission. With a few weeks of TLC and supportive care, which included subcutaneous fluids, he regained his strength, as well as some body weight, and was ready to go in no time! It is always so rewarding to release them back into their natural habitat and see them thrive. In this case, the ‘possum found a tree branch right away and began climbing, looking back at us almost as if to say “thanks!” You’re welcome, and good luck!!

 This afternoon we admitted an adult, female muskrat who became trapped in a fence. Her rescuers removed her from the fence and tried to release her, but she ended up staying in the same spot for a few hours. Because she was weak and wasn’t scurrying away from people,  it was recommended that she be brought to WRC.

Upon her physical exam, all her limbs seemed to be in good working condition (she could walk just fine), and no evidence of external trauma was noted. However, she was very weak and quiet, and could have internal injuries that cannot be detected. She will receive subcutaneous fluids and anti-inflammatories for the next few days as we watch for signs of improvement!

Our first orphaned infant white-footed mice arrived today.  Weighing about 10 grams they are nearly ready to open their eyes (one has an eye almost all the way open).  They will need several feedings of formula and constant care until they are able to eat on their own. 

You can see in the photo that one has a green mark on its ear.  This is a small dot of nail polish that we use to tell help us identify orphans.  Identifying individual patients is important for monitoring their development and health.  Given the size and health of these mice they should do very well and be able to be released back into the wild in no time.

As we start to see signs of spring, snow melting away, birds on the move, and of course, our first baby squirrel admit, the WRC staff prepares for the influx of thousands of animals.  Right now, we are making improvements to our flight rooms, which are used to house hundreds of migratory and resident adult songbirds, as well as orphaned songbirds that are raised in our avian nursery. 

Flight rooms are, for most of our wild bird patients, the last stage of rehabilitation.  Once the birds recover from illness or injury, or have learned to fly, they are placed in flight cages to gain the strength and endurance needed to survive in the wild.  In these cages we provide various forms of enrichment and food sources to prepare the birds for release.  Natural perching, various types of bird feeders, as well as natural food sources, such as mealworms and fruits, encourage foraging behaviors.

After many years of use, our current flight cages need to be rebuilt.  With the help of long-time volunteer Steve K., we have found a plan that will provide us with two additional flight areas taking us from 4 flight cages to 6 flight cages.  This may seem like a small increase to most, but for us it’s huge.  A lot of little songbirds will fit into these two additional cages.  We are finalizing plans and beginning to look at the materials we will need and hope to begin construction soon.  

Support our baby or adult wild birds!

We admitted our first litter of infant eastern gray squirrels yesterday!! Spring is definitely on its way!!

Goose bumps.  I guess I just never realized what an appropriate term that is for us at WRC.  Until last night.

This winter WRC volunteer Jen Thomas, a teacher at Jackson Elementary School in St Paul’s Frogtown neighborhood, organized a special program emphasizing environmental awareness.  As part of the campaign the students decided to raise money for WRC.  Last night, at the culmination of a terrific musical performance, the students presented WRC with a check for $250!  This school is in one of St Paul’s most economically distressed neighborhoods with many of the children coming from low income families.  You wouldn’t have known it last night.  I’ve seldom been more moved and inspired than by the generosity of these young people.  My skin tingled as they presented us with an oversized check.

We’ve all experienced goose bumps.  Technically, they are bumps on your skin that form at the base of body hairs; they’re usually an involuntarily response to cold or strong emotions.  I certainly wasn’t cold, but I was filled with strong emotion – a sense of awe and gratitude.

My job is filled with special moments; leading a talented staff, working with wonderful volunteers and meeting so many people who share in the value of our mission.  While every day is special, some are just plain goose bump days.  The staff, and especially the students, at Jackson Elementary created one of those days while teaching us all about generosity and compassion.

On a cold day last November, a baby eastern garter snake was brought into WRC.

It was found hibernating in an Arden Hills basement. This tiny snake was smaller than a pencil when it was brought in.

Females do not lay eggs like a lot of snakes do, they give birth to live young. The young are small, defenseless and have many predators. This baby found what it thought was a good hibernation spot. Usually these snakes hibernate in large groups under rocks or the abandoned dens of other animals. They emerge in early spring and make useful yard-mates because they eat slugs, and other pest insects. They are not venomous but will bite if you handle them improperly. The baby garter snake at WRC is fed grubs, minnows and crickets while it is in the hospital. It is doing very well and sheds its skin as it grows. It weighed 4 grams when it arrived and now weighs 8.6 grams. It will be released early this spring into a good habitat where it can find plenty of cover. Eastern garter snakes can live to be around 10 years old. 

 Late last October, a hatchling common snapping turtle presented to WRC very weak and non alert. The turtle was found on a path heading away from the lake it had no doubt hatched near. The baby snapping turtle we have been rehabilitating may live to be near 100 years old if everything goes well for it. The common snapping turtle is a really interesting animal. The tiny quarter size hatchling’s are mostly eaten by predators.

During the summer months many large adult snapping turtles present to WRC due to being hit by cars while trying to get to their preferred breeding or hibernating spots. Many are released after a couple months of cage rest, pain medication, and anti-biotic treatment for the large wounds in their carapaces. It is important to release snapping turtles near the water where they are found because they will travel to get to a preferred location and risk crossing roads to get there. A snapping turtle will not begin to reproduce until it is around 10 years old. The death of one large, older turtle could make a sizable loss in population for that area because they are so slow to reach reproductive age.