If you’re wondering whether you should feed the wild animals you see wandering over the crusty snow in your yard, the answer is no.<\/p>\n
If you\u2019re wondering whether you should feed the wild animals you see wandering over the icy snow in your yard, the answer is no.<\/p>\n
\u201cFolks often feel a need to do something to support the wildlife,\u201d John Burke, natural resources branch manager with the Fairfax County Park Authority, told WTOP. \u201c(But) keep in mind that all of these critters are well adapted to survive in the conditions that we\u2019re experiencing now, and sometimes much colder.\u201d<\/p>\n
Many mammals rely on fat reserves to keep themselves warm and sustain them through the winter.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe might pack on a few pounds during the holidays; mammals do the same thing ahead of time,\u201d Burke said.<\/p>\n
Deer can make do by eating some pretty boring meals.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey can survive well off of the types of plants that we find in this area that you may not consider to be particularly nourishing: twigs, bit of branches, things like that,\u201d Burke said.<\/p>\n
As for gray squirrels, they hide food in many places, not just on the ground.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey\u2019ll also huddle up, slow down, not spend a lot of time expending energy; and in some cases, gather communally in their dens or dreys to keep each other warm,\u201d Burke said.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s not necessary to put out bird feeders in the winter, but if you must, Burke said the feeders need to be well kept.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s really important that seed be kept clean, and that the bird feeders are cleaned once every couple of weeks with a 10% bleach solution,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Burke strongly discouraged anyone from feeding wild animals and pointed out that it\u2019s illegal in many places.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt can help spread diseases. It can get these animals used to being around people which can sometimes be dangerous, and generally because these animals can fend for themselves during the winter and survive quite well,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Bottom line: if you\u2019re worried about the creatures outside your window, Burke said, don\u2019t be.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s really nothing we need to be doing, just observing and enjoying their presence. We should be seeing a lot more activity here come spring,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n