Guess who’s been cruising our property in the snow?
The opossum!
Wednesday, February 26, 2014
Monday, February 24, 2014
Spring Native Plant Sale
The Chattanooga Arboretum and Nature Center at Reflection Riding is hosting its 27th annual Native Plant Sale and Open House March 28 (9 a.m. to 5 p.m.), 29th (9 a.m. to 5 p.m.) and 30 (noon to 5 p.m.).
The sale will feature native plants that volunteers have propagated in the nursery on site for a variety of garden conditions. Native plants are a good choice for introducing into the home landscape for a number of reasons:
They are beautiful - They are sustainable
- They contribute to habitat conservation by creating biodiversity and an environment favorable to wildlife.
Bring the whole family and explore the unique landscape that is Chattanooga Arboretum and Nature Center at Reflection Riding, with over thirteen miles of trails, over one-thousand different species of flora and an incredible variety of animal life.
“We are anxious to share with our community the beauty, serenity and adventure to be found all on one site, right here, just minutes from downtown Chattanooga.” Dr. Paola Craddock, Greenhouse Manager said. “And we hope many people will take advantage of the free admission all weekend.”
Evidence of early Tennessee Valley Native Americans, Spanish explorers, pioneer settlers and Civil War soldiers is present in the natural landscape of Chattanooga Arboretum and Nature Center at Reflection Riding. Other features include the George S. Bryan Discovery Forest Treehouse and the Paddler’s Perch, both located on the banks of Lookout Creek, and the Wildlife Wanderland, with its many species of captive native animals including highly endangered Red Wolves.
For more information visit www.chattanoogaanc.org
Friday, February 21, 2014
Osprey sighting!
Also, while on Sanibel Island, we saw loads of Osprey.
There are man-made platforms everywhere on the island to encourage their nesting.
Osprey can be seen in Chattanooga on the river. Check out this link for more Fish Hawk info!
Tuesday, February 18, 2014
South Florida--Ibis city!
What an awesome facility! Did you know that the gentleman Ding Darling started the federal Duck Stamp program? His idea has generated millions of dollars!
I got to see many shore birds including these White Ibis. This group was sitting on a telephone line. The darker ones are juveniles. They have long curved orange beaks and long orange legs and feet. They move loudly through the vegetation probing the ground for yummy insects!
Wednesday, February 12, 2014
Red Wolves are active in winter!
This is Red Wolf 1390 enjoying the recent snow!
He's so handsome!
Red Wolf 1390 Male
Monday, February 10, 2014
What to do with wild baby animals
It's almost baby animal season. If you find a baby animal, check out The
Chattanooga Arboretum and Nature Center at Reflection Riding's website:
www.chattanoogaanc.org for information on the local rehabilitators
that can help you.
Remember, it's illegal to keep native wildlife, that's
why you need to call a rehabber for help!
Sunday, February 9, 2014
Beaver meat is a favorite treat!
The Red Wolves LOVE beaver meat and we are fortunate enough to receive
beaver from a local gentleman.
This is a huge favorite and we love to feed
the Red Wolves natural prey items!
Friday, February 7, 2014
Groundhog Part 3
How do woodchucks benefit nature? While an over-population can damage crops, gardens and pastures, woodchucks are beneficial in moderate numbers. Their defecation inside the burrow fertilizes the earth; their digging loosens and aerates the soil, while their eating habits can determine which plants will grow. Abandoned burrows can be homes for other animals. Woodchucks can also be an important and abundant food source for large predators like hawks, owls and coyotes.
How do woodchucks benefit humans? At Cornell University, woodchucks have been studied for 15 years and have led researchers to discoveries in the treatment and prevention of hepatitis B infection
and the liver cancer it can cause. Woodchuck hepatitis B virus has a nearly identical effect on woodchuck livers as human hepatitis B virus does on human livers except that time is compressed. Disease processes that take 30-40 years in humans occur in 3-4 years in woodchucks. The only other model for HBV studies is the chimpanzee, an endangered species.
The Chattanooga Arboretum and Nature Center’s woodchuck was most likely hit by a car and suffered a broken pelvis which did not heal well enough for him to return to the wild. He lives at CA&NC as an animal ambassador and we use him in education programs to teach folks about his kind.
While the groundhog’s weather predictions are not always dependable, you can certainly see how important and unique groundhogs are. Next time you’re visiting Reflection Riding Arboretum and Nature Center, ask to see our whistlepig – our wildlife staff will be glad to show him off!
and the liver cancer it can cause. Woodchuck hepatitis B virus has a nearly identical effect on woodchuck livers as human hepatitis B virus does on human livers except that time is compressed. Disease processes that take 30-40 years in humans occur in 3-4 years in woodchucks. The only other model for HBV studies is the chimpanzee, an endangered species.
The Chattanooga Arboretum and Nature Center’s woodchuck was most likely hit by a car and suffered a broken pelvis which did not heal well enough for him to return to the wild. He lives at CA&NC as an animal ambassador and we use him in education programs to teach folks about his kind.
While the groundhog’s weather predictions are not always dependable, you can certainly see how important and unique groundhogs are. Next time you’re visiting Reflection Riding Arboretum and Nature Center, ask to see our whistlepig – our wildlife staff will be glad to show him off!
Wednesday, February 5, 2014
Groundhog Part 2
What’s going on in that burrow? In addition to using the burrow for regular daily life and rearing young, one time each year the groundhog hibernates in its den. Besides bats, groundhogs are the only true hibernators in our area. The groundhog packs on the fat in late summer and when the temperature drops, and the groundhog’s internal clock goes off, it goes into its burrow and seals itself in a lower chamber called a hibernaculum. Its breathing and heart rate plunge to astonishingly low levels. It takes only 1 breath every 6 minutes, has 1 heart beat every 4-5 minutes, and its body temperature drops to 40’ F! About every two weeks or so, it must wake up to move around a bit and eliminate its waste.
What’s the wakeup call? The groundhog’s internal clock is believed to be affected by changes in sunlight. Hormonal responses are thought to trigger the body to hibernate and then to come out of their hibernaculum near February 2. Groundhog Day is a cross-quarter day about halfway between the winter solstice in December and the vernal equinox in March; we can refer to it as the midpoint of winter.
What’s the scoop on Groundhog Day? Thousands of years ago, folks in Germany believed the badger had the power to predict the coming of spring. They watched the badger to know when to plant their crops. By the time the first Germans settled in Pennsylvania, they most likely understood that this was not true, but the tradition continued. There were no badgers in Pennsylvania so they substituted the groundhog. Tradition says that if the groundhog sees its shadow on February 2, it will be frightened and return to its burrow for 6 more weeks of winter. If it does not see his shadow, then spring is near.
What’s for dinner? Greens! Dandelion, clover and plantain are favorites. In early spring when greens are not readily available, they may eat bark, buds and twigs of shrubs and fruit trees. The CA&NC groundhog eats rodent block, a variety of greens, fruits and veggies.
How do they communicate? In addition to the whistle used as an alarm, teeth grinding and chattering are common when they feel cornered. Groundhogs have also been seen barking and squealing. They may also rub each other’s cheeks where their scent glands are located. Our groundhog smells very earthy near his cheeks!
What’s the wakeup call? The groundhog’s internal clock is believed to be affected by changes in sunlight. Hormonal responses are thought to trigger the body to hibernate and then to come out of their hibernaculum near February 2. Groundhog Day is a cross-quarter day about halfway between the winter solstice in December and the vernal equinox in March; we can refer to it as the midpoint of winter.
What’s the scoop on Groundhog Day? Thousands of years ago, folks in Germany believed the badger had the power to predict the coming of spring. They watched the badger to know when to plant their crops. By the time the first Germans settled in Pennsylvania, they most likely understood that this was not true, but the tradition continued. There were no badgers in Pennsylvania so they substituted the groundhog. Tradition says that if the groundhog sees its shadow on February 2, it will be frightened and return to its burrow for 6 more weeks of winter. If it does not see his shadow, then spring is near.
What’s for dinner? Greens! Dandelion, clover and plantain are favorites. In early spring when greens are not readily available, they may eat bark, buds and twigs of shrubs and fruit trees. The CA&NC groundhog eats rodent block, a variety of greens, fruits and veggies.
How do they communicate? In addition to the whistle used as an alarm, teeth grinding and chattering are common when they feel cornered. Groundhogs have also been seen barking and squealing. They may also rub each other’s cheeks where their scent glands are located. Our groundhog smells very earthy near his cheeks!
Monday, February 3, 2014
Groundhog Part 1
Did you know that the groundhog has three other names? It is also known as a woodchuck, although it doesn’t chuck wood! It does however move dirt - and lots of it - with its feet, claws and teeth – up to 700 lbs of dirt and rock in a single day! The name 'woodchuck' derives from a Native American word, wuchak, that described several different animals of the same size and color. They are also nicknamed 'land beavers' since they are cousins to the beaver, but they don’t live in water. Their most descriptive name, though, is 'whistle pig' because they whistle to alert each other when alarmed.
Who are they? Groundhogs are the largest member of the squirrel family. They are covered with a dense gray undercoat and a longer coat of banded guard hairs giving them their frosted appearance.
They have short bushy tails, short legs and big incisors. Their heads are like submarine periscopes with their small ears, eyes and nose set high on their head so they can poke out of their burrows and scan their surroundings. These diurnal mammals are good climbers and swimmers and often climb trees to escape predators.
Where are they? Groundhogs are widely distributed throughout North America and common in the northeastern and central United States. They can be found as far north as Alaska, extending southeast to Alabama. They live near woodlands and prefer fields, roadsides, streams and farms. They are usually seen standing on their back legs eating greens while very close to the roadside.
Groundhogs excavate elaborate burrows up to 5 feet deep (below the frost line) and 45 feet long with one entrance and multiple exit holes for quick escapes. Groundhogs stay within 50 feet of their den. The entrance to the burrow has a built-in flood bump so water will not flow down the main tunnel. The burrows have multiple rooms including a bedroom, bathroom and living area, and the groundhogs keep them neat and orderly.
Who are they? Groundhogs are the largest member of the squirrel family. They are covered with a dense gray undercoat and a longer coat of banded guard hairs giving them their frosted appearance.They have short bushy tails, short legs and big incisors. Their heads are like submarine periscopes with their small ears, eyes and nose set high on their head so they can poke out of their burrows and scan their surroundings. These diurnal mammals are good climbers and swimmers and often climb trees to escape predators.
Where are they? Groundhogs are widely distributed throughout North America and common in the northeastern and central United States. They can be found as far north as Alaska, extending southeast to Alabama. They live near woodlands and prefer fields, roadsides, streams and farms. They are usually seen standing on their back legs eating greens while very close to the roadside.
Groundhogs excavate elaborate burrows up to 5 feet deep (below the frost line) and 45 feet long with one entrance and multiple exit holes for quick escapes. Groundhogs stay within 50 feet of their den. The entrance to the burrow has a built-in flood bump so water will not flow down the main tunnel. The burrows have multiple rooms including a bedroom, bathroom and living area, and the groundhogs keep them neat and orderly.
Come back for more info in Groundhog Part 2!
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