Watch out for young animals on the move

Summer is officially underway, and the Wisconsin DNR reminds the public that wild animals and their young will be on the move.

Remember, it is important to leave young wild animals alone to allow them to grow up in their natural environment. It’s also important to be watchful on roadways and waterways as parents and their young begin traveling around. If you see an adult this time of year, it’s good practice to slow down because babies could be close behind.

The DNR compiled information on different wildlife species and their behaviors:

Rabbits: Cottontail rabbits have litters of kits continuously from spring through fall. They open their eyes at 1 week old and begin exploring outside the nest for short periods to nibble on grasses after about 2-3 weeks. Once they are the size of a softball and have upright ears, kits are independent.

Songbirds: Young songbirds that leave the nest before their flight feathers are fully developed are called fledglings. They are still partially dependent on their parents for food; however, they will start to make short, low-level practice flights, as they build up their strength and coordination and gradually learn to forage for food.

Opossums: Opossums are the only marsupial found in Wisconsin. Females have a pouch on their abdomen in which they carry and nurse their young, called joeys. Joeys are born in March or April and spend about two months nursing within their mother’s pouch before they start to get too large and take to riding around on their mother’s back.

Raccoons: Raccoon kits are 12-14 inches long and capable of walking, climbing and exploring by 6-8 weeks of age. While raccoon kits are not weaned until at least 12 weeks old, it is completely normal to see them out and about without their mother nearby. They are very curious and vocal animals but are not as nocturnal as mom at a young age.

Squirrels: Eastern gray squirrels raise their young in leaf nests, called dreys, as well as tree cavities and man-made structures like attics. Litters typically consist of two to four young, called kits, and by seven weeks old, they will begin to explore outside the nest area. Once weaned, kits are quickly independent and on their own (approximately 11-12 weeks).

Fawns: White-tailed deer fawns are not strong enough to follow their mother for the first 2-3 weeks of life and will lay very still to reduce the chance of being found. Their spotted coat and minimal scent help them blend into their environment and keep them safe as they spend most of the day alone while mom forages nearby.

Ducks: Ducklings are covered in down feathers, and within about 24 hours of hatching, the hen will lead her brood to water. They will not return to the nest. The ducklings stick close to their mother until they can fly at around two months after hatching. It is important that ducklings learn natural behaviors and do not become imprinted on humans.

Foxes: Red fox dens can be in forests, ravines, woodlots and in urban areas such as culverts and roadsides. At 5 weeks old, kits may be seen exploring and playing outside the entrance of the den. By the time they’re 3 months old, kits start to join their parents on hunts and work on developing the skills they need to catch prey like mice and rabbits.

As young wild animals start to learn their independence, please leave them alone. In rare cases when intervention is truly needed, wildlife rehabilitation is the main option. However, wildlife rehabilitation facilities often reach capacity during the warmer months and may need to limit admissions of sick, injured and orphaned wildlife.

The public can help reserve space for wild animals truly in need by always contacting a licensed professional for advice before assuming a wild animal needs help.

Visit the DNR’s Keep Wildlife Wild webpage to learn more about the normal behaviors of Wisconsin’s wildlife and why it is important for young wild animals to grow up in their natural environment.