![]() If you find a fox or coyote: Do not attempt to handle or feed it. They will also eat carcasses and “hand-outs” from people in the form of table scraps, pet food, and garbage. They hunt rabbits, mice, cats, birds, and other small animals, as well as young deer and sheep. Coyotes are extremely adaptable and can survive on whatever food is available. Coyotes and foxes quickly lose their natural fear of people and become bold and aggressive.Ĭoyotes resemble a small German Shepherd dog, with the exception of the long snout and bushy, black-tipped tail. Problems occur when people begin feeding coyotes and foxes, either deliberately or inadvertently. Opossums will avoid noise and disturbance.Ĭoyotes and foxes are found throughout California in a variety of habitats, including urban areas. Motion sensitive lights and sprinklers will discourage opossums from hanging around your yard. Look for any gaps or openings that it is using to get in, wait for it to leave to forage at night, and close all openings securely (hardware cloth can be very helpful). If you hear an opossum under your house during the day, it is looking for a safe place to sleep. ![]() ![]() Opossum under the house: Remove all outdoor dog and cat food before sunset otherwise, opossums will be attracted to your yard. They require special diets, so no food or water should be offered. If it is less than 8 inches or is injured, place it in a warm, dark container and bring it to the wildlife hospital as soon as possible. Orphaned young opossums: If the opossum is 8 inches from the nose to the base of the tail or larger, it is okay to leave it alone-this is the normal age for them to leave their mothers. If there are babies in the pouch, bring her to the hospital without removing the babies from the pouch-removing the babies is very dangerous. You can also call your local animal control (As of October 5, 2020, Contra Costa County is no longer responding to any sick, injured or trapped wildlife but will refer callers to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.) If you find a dead opossum, check to see if it has a pouch on the lower abdomen. Hit by car or attacked by dog: If it can be safely put into a secure container without touching the animal, it can be brought to the wildlife hospital. They very rarely bite, but when they do, watch out! If cornered, opossums gape their mouths, showing off their 50 pointy teeth, trying to look as fearsome as possible. When confronted or startled, they will run away or may “play dead”-lying motionless for up to an hour. They will also opportunistically seek out dog and cat food, as well as trash. Opossums eat a wide variety of foods, including garden snails, slugs, insects, mice, fruits, and snakes. Solitary and nocturnal, they are rarely active during daylight they look for a safe, dark place to sleep. When the babies grow bigger, they cling to the mother’s back until they are so large they fall off and start life on their own. Their babies are born very tiny, no bigger than a dime, and the mothers carry them in a pouch. You can also call our wildlife hospital hotline at (925) 659-8156 for additional resources. Other facilities may accept these animals but we recommend that you call ahead to confirm. If you find one of these animals that is sick or injured, please contact the California Department of Fish and Wildlife Bay Delta office at (707) 428-2002 as well as your local police department. Black (roof, ship, house) rats, brown (common, Norway, wharf) rats, house mice Exotic, domestic (companion), or agricultural animals European Starlings, English House Sparrows, Rock Doves (grey “park pigeons” and any pigeons with pink legs/feet) However, we cannot treat and do not accept the following animals: We also continue to accept Virginia opossums, Eastern fox squirrels and raccoons. ![]() We accept and treat all native California wildlife that is brought to our hospital.
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