When Your Backyard Wildlife Turns Strange

Whether you live in a larger city or a small town, if you have a backyard, it likely becomes host to various wildlife throughout the year. From birds or snakes to squirrels, or even larger wildlife like raccoons, deer, or opossums, you can see your fair share of furry, feathered, or scaled friends in your yard. While you may welcome this wildlife into your yard and embrace your encounters with the natural world, you need to be sure to pay careful attention the the normal behavior and health of the animals that enter into your yard. So, to keep your pets and family safe and healthy, learn the signs of trouble with your backyard wildlife and know when to contact animal control for assistance. 

The Animals Show No Fear Of Humans

A telltale sign that something is off with the wild creatures that enter your backyard is that they do not exhibit any natural instincts in response to potential danger. In other words, a healthy possum, for example, would either run from you if you came across it suddenly in your yard or would play dead to attempt to avoid detection. 

However, a sick or possibly dangerous animal would not show any fear or natural survival instinct in the face of the unfamiliar or danger. If this is the case, you should proceed with extreme caution. The wildlife could be infected with any number of dangerous diseases including rabies, which can be transmitted to not only your pets but also you or your family. 

You Notice Several Dead Animals Around Your Yard

When you allow wildlife into your backyard, you will likely find your yard littered with the occasional animal remains. This can be the result of predatory wildlife hunting smaller prey in your yard, disease, or simply natural old age. 

While you may be tempted to remove the remains yourself, it is always advisable to contact animal control to assist you with disposal. In addition, if you notice a sudden rash of dead animals, particularly of one species in or around your yard, you should report this activity right away. 

You See Other Unusual Animal Behavior

In addition to keeping an eye out for dead animals, you should take note of any symptoms you may notice in live animals that seem strange or out of the ordinary. This can range from erratic behavior to apparent seizures or anything else that seems different from the normal behavior you are accustomed to seeing. 

If you report such activity to animal control, with or without the presence of deceased animals, you may help them in tracking any outbreaks of illnesses or diseases within the wildlife population in your area. They may even come trap a symptomatic live animal from your yard to both protect you and your family, and run tests to determine the cause. 

When your backyard wildlife turns strange, you need to know the signs that are cause for a call to animal control. While wildlife is a welcome addition to your backyard environment, you want to be sure that wildlife is healthy and safe to coexist with.