I am a carnivore. I eat a mix of fish,frogs, crayfish, crabs, and otheraquatic invertebrates. Therefore myscat is full of shells and fish scales. Ilive in family groups of at least two ormore in dens that are built into theside of a river bank. I enjoy playing byrepeatedly sliding down muddy orsnowy river banks or “porpoising” as Iswim up a river or across the pond. Mytracks have 5 toe marks that havewebbing in between and often you cansee a track made by my tail.

RIVER OTTER

Front Foot(2.5” x 3.0”)Back Foot

(3.0” x 3.6”)

HabitatNorth American river otters can live in freshwater and coastal marinehabitats, including rivers, lakes, marshes, swamps, and estuaries. Theybuild dens in the burrows of other mammals, in natural hollows, suchas under a log, or in river banks. Dens have underwater entrances anda tunnel leading to a nest chamber that is lined with leaves, grass,moss, bark, and hair. Otters get their boundless energy from theirhigh metabolism which requires that they eat a great deal. They areknown as playful animals, exhibiting behaviors such as mud or snowsliding and waterplay. Many “play” activities serve a purpose. Some are

StressorsThese otters seem to be particularly sensitive to pollution anddisappear from areas with polluted waters. They are sometimes takenby bobcats, coyotes, birds of prey, alligators, and other largepredators. They mainly escape predation through their agility, theirvigilance, and their ability to fiercely defend themselves and theiryoung. Perhaps there greatest predator is humans as they have beenhunted for many years for their attractive and durable fur.

EnhancementTo enhance your wetland for the NorthAmerican River Otter test your waterquality and determine if there are anyissues that need to be addressed.

The AREC has several resources available to help you in improving water quality and habitat at your wetland. Contact us at 302-653-2882

River Otter

used to strengthen social bonds or topractice hunting techniques. Theyvocalize with whistles, growls,chuckles, and screams. Home rangesizes vary considerably and seem todepend on the richness of foodresources and habitat quality.

I am an omnivore which means Ieat both plants and meat. I munchon turtle eggs, fiddler crabs,frogs, clams, fish and a widevariety of fruits and berries. Myvaried diet is evident in my scat,which often contains seeds fromfruits like persimmons andfragments of crab shell and fishbones. I make my home in hollowtrees or logs. My tracks have 5“fingers” on the front and 5 long“toes” on the back feet.

RACCOON

Front Foot(2.5” x 2.5”)

Back Foot(4.0” x 2.3”)

HabitatRaccoons are familiar animals with masked faces and ringed tails.The raccoon prefers to live in wooded areas near water but hasadapted to suburbs and even cities. Their long, dexterous fingersenable them to open latches, untie knots, turn doorknobs, and openjars. The raccoons “hyper sensitive” front paws become pliable whenwet so you will often see them dipping their food in water to get abetter “feel” of what they are eating. They can be found swimmingand foraging in the water for hours.

StressorsOnce hunted for fur coats and coonskin hats, the raccoons primaryenemies are humans, dog packs, traps, and automobiles. Mostraccoons are born in cavity-forming trees such as maples, sycamoreor beech. As their natural habitat shrinks, they are increasinglyfound in urban areas forcing them to bear their young in places likebarn lofts, attics and chimneys.

EnhancementBy planting fruit and nut bearing trees, you canhelp the raccoons food source and also givethem a place to raise their babies. furthermore,leaving fallen trees and branches gives raccoonsa place to make dens for the winter.

The AREC has more information on wildlife enhancement, Contact us at 302-653-2882 and we can send you selected materials.

Raccoon

The raccoon is mostly nocturnal, in thewinter the raccoon may sleep in its denfor a few weeks but it does nothibernate. Raccoons can run up to 15 mphand have territories that can exceed 1square mile.

I am an omnivore. I eat a mixed dietthat may include rabbits, Norwayrats, birds, mice, muskrats, frogs,fruits, berries and insects. My scatappears twisted and folded back onitself, with obvious presence of hairand sometimes small bones andberries. I live in dens that are duginto the ground. Sometimes you cansee remains such as fur and bonesaround the soccer ball size opening tomy den. My tracks have 4 toe padswith nails that look a lot like dogtracks.

RED FOX

Front Foot(2.0” x 1.8”)

Back Foot(1.9” x 1.7”)

HabitatRed foxes live in a variety of habitats including forests, grasslands,mountains, and deserts. They also adapt well to human environmentssuch as farms and suburban areas. Red foxes are solitary hunterswho feed on rodents, rabbits, birds, and other small game, but basedon their habitat foxes will eat fruit and vegetables, fish, frogs, andeven worms. A fox’s thick tail not only gives balance but is also usedas a warm cover in cold weather and as a signal flag to communicatewith other foxes. Ranges are occupied by an adult male and one or

StressorsMost red foxes that are taken by natural predators are young pups.The most significant predators on red foxes are humans, who huntfoxes for their fur and kill them in large numbers as pests. Red Foxescan also suffer from mange, a disease process resulting from aninfestation of mites causing the fur to fall out which can lead todeath from exposure.

EnhancementBy attracting small rodent wildlife to yourwetland with healthy water and native plants,you can increase food options for foxes.

The AREC has several resources available to help you in improving water quality and habitat at your wetland. Contact us at 302-653-2882 and we can send you selected materials.

Red Fox

two adult females and their young. Theylive in earthen dens and have a series ofpathways to other resting sites, favoredhunting grounds and food storage areas.The same den is often used over anumber of generations. Red foxes haveexcellent senses of vision, smell, touch,and hearing. They use a variety ofvocalizations, facial expressions, andscent markings to communicate.

COTTONTAIL RABBIT

I am an herbivore. I eat grasses,honeysuckle leaves and othervegetation during the warmermonths, and barks and twigs duringthe winter. I am most active duringthe early morning and eveninghours, when I can often be seenfeeding in the open. I spend mostof the days and nights hiding undera brush pile or in a nest burrow dugin the ground. My scat is found aspiles of small round pellets. Mytracks have 4 toes on the front and5 toes on the back legs which aremuch larger than my front feet.

Back Foot(3.5” x 1.0”)

Front Foot(1.25” x 1.0”)

HabitatCottontails range in color from reddish brown to gray, but all featurethe distinctive "cotton ball" tail for which they are named. Theserabbits seek out habitat on the fringes of open spaces, such as fields,meadows, and farms, but can adapt to other habitats—including thoseof humans. They browse at night on grasses and herbs and are fond ofgarden fare such as peas and, of course, lettuce. During the day,cottontails often remain hidden in vegetation. If spotted, they fleefrom predators with a zigzag pattern, sometimes reaching speeds of

StressorsYoung bunnies get snatched up by just about every meat-eatinganimal around including dogs, cats, crows, raccoons, skunks,opossums, and snakes. Hunters, lawn mowers, trucks, farm machines,and cars kill quite a few cottontails too. Only about one rabbit in tenlives until its first birthday. The cottontail populations survivethanks to their ability to multiply quickly.

Enhancement If you want to attract rabbits, make a loose pile of brush or logs, in addition to adding native plants and trees to your wetland.

The AREC has many resources available for improving your wetland habitat. Contact us at 302-653-2882 for selected materials.

Cottontail Rabbit

up to 18 mph. A mother cottontailusually has between three and fivebabies per litter and as many as SIXlitters per year. A mother cottontailwill stay away from the nest for mostof the day to avoid attractingpredators. This can lead many well-meaning people to believe that she hasabandoned her babies and they are inneed of rescue when they are actuallybeing cared for. After about threeweeks the babies are old enough tosurvive on their own.

I am an herbivore. I eat mainlywetland plants like saltmarshcordgrass and spearscale. My scatis formed into small clumpedpellets. I have a flattened tailadapted for swimming, and a coat ofdense hair that insulates me fromthe chill of cold water. My home onthe marsh looks like a big pile ofstraw and is connected to nearbystreams and guts by “leads” ortunnels I made in the mud and dirt.My tracks have 5 webbed fingersand you can see where my taildrags.

MUSKRAT

Front Foot(1.3” x 1.2”)

Back Foot(1.3” x 1.6”)

HabitatMuskrats are found in marshes, quiet streams, and ponds. Anexcellent swimmer, this aquatic rodent spends much of its time inwater. Propelled along by its slightly webbed hind feet and using itsrudder-like tail for steering, the Common Muskrat can swim backwardor forward with ease. It dislikes strong currents and avoids rockyareas. Its mouth can close behind its protruding incisors allowing it tochew underwater. They can also close off their ears to keep thewater out allowing them to remain submerged for long periods of time.A solitary dweller, it may live in a burrow in a steep bank or a reed hut

Stressors Raccoons and mink are known to open muskrat houses to capture the young while many other animals may also prey upon them when the opportunity arises. Until the decline of the fur industry, muskrat fur was considered extremely desirable because it is durable and waterproof.

Enhancement Muskrats continue to thrive in most of their native habitat and in areas where they have been introduced. While much wetland habitat has been eliminated due to human activity, new muskrat habitat has been created by the construction of canals or irrigation channels.

The AREC has many resources available for improving your wetland.Contact us at 302-653-2882 and we can send you selected materials.

Muskrat

built in marshy shallows. Muskratburrows are constructed above waterlevel and are connected to anunderwater entrance by a tunnel. Hutsare also built with an underwateropening. Muskrats normally live infamily groups consisting of a male andfemale pair and their young. During thespring you may hear the harsh soundsof muskrats fighting over territory andpotential mates.

I am an herbivore. I eat a variety of nuts,seeds, fruits, mushrooms and the softunderbark of some trees. I live in a nestof leaves and shredded bark high in thelimbs of a tree or in hollows left bywoodpeckers. You are unlikely to see myscat in all the leaves under the trees Ifavor but keep an eye out for the shellsof the nuts I’ve been feeding on. Mytracks have 4 toes on the front and 5 onthe back with visible nail marks.

EASTERN GRAY SQUIRREL

Front Foot (1” x 1.5”)

Back Foot (1.4” x 2.6”)

HabitatThe Eastern Gray Squirrel is often found in areas with nut or fruit-bearing hardwood trees and is often heard before it is seen. Listenfor rustling in the leaves or their warning "barks," scolding, teasing,and assorted playful "chucks". The gray squirrel uses two kinds of nests:

For more information on planting trees and other food sourceplants for wildlife, or for detailed instructions for building asquirrel “den”, contact the AREC at 302-653-2882.

Eastern Gray Squirrel

leaf nests and tree dens. They prefercavities in mature living trees for theirwinter dens. During the summer months adultsquirrels frequently build and occupy leafnests, which are usually built in the top forkof a tree. Leaf nests may also serve astemporary quarters near seasonal foodsupplies. There are two breeding seasons peryear, one in late January and February, andthe other in late May and June. Whether afemale produces a second litter oftendepends heavily on the availability of food.

EnhancementBy planting and maintaining fruit and nut-bearingtrees you can assist not only the squirrelpopulations but also other species such as deer,chipmunks, blue jays, flying squirrels, and turkeys(among others).

StressorsSquirrels depend on acorns, hickory and beech nuts for food andwill bury them during the summer and fall to dig up later in thewinter. This habit is valuable to the process of naturalreforestation as the squirrel overlooks several of the buried nuts.Mature squirrels can consume up to two pounds of nuts per week sofood shortages, combined with severe winter conditions, may bethe single most important stress factor affecting populations.

WHITE TAILED DEER

I am an herbivore who browses onshrubs, grasses, fruits and berries. Iam especially fond of farm crops likesoybeans and sweet corn. I live in thethick vegetation of the woods but canbe seen browsing out in the open in themorning or evening. My scat is oftenseen as a pile of pellets or pelletsclumped together. My tracks look likenarrow split hearts with the pointedend forward. Look for multiple tracksbecause I travel in a narrow line calleda trail.

Front (3.0” x 1.9”) Back (2.6” x 1.5”)

HabitatThe white-tailed deer lives in wooded areas butventure out into the open to forage in earlymorning and evening hours. The male deer iscalled a buck. Bucks are easy to identify in thesummer and fall because they grow a set ofantlers (also called a rack) each year. The rackis made of bone and has points, called tines. Abuck's antlers reach full growth in the fall andwill fall off each winter. You may see where abuck rubbed his antlers on a tree to get rid ofthe soft velvet that protected his new antlersas they grew in. When a white-tailed deer isalarmed, it may stomp its hooves and snort towarn other deer. It may also raise its tail andshow its white underside. When a mother deeris running, this white underside can help herfawns follow her. White-tailed deer are verygood runners, leapers and swimmers. They canrun at speeds up to 30 mile an hour.

StressorsPeople and dogs are now the deer's main predator since it has becomethe most plentiful game animal in North America. Other things thatcan weaken or kill deer include disease and parasites like lice, mitesand roundworms.

EnhancementBecause there are not many natural predators, deer populations cansometimes grow too large for their environment and deer can starveto death. Because of this monitoring your wetland and stepping in ifneeded to control the population is encouraged.

The AREC has resources available to help you in monitoring your wetland. Contact us at 302-653-2882 and we can send you materials.

White Tailed Deer

WOOD CHUCK

I am also called a groundhog. I am anherbivore feeding on grasses, lowshrubs, and the farmer’s field crops.You can often see grasses in myrounded scat. I like digging my dendeep into the ground, often leavinglarge piles of fresh earth to mark theentrance to my underground home. Ifyou find one entrance keep an eye outfor I often have several emergencyexits. My tracks have 4 toes on thefront and 5 toes on the back each withstrong claws that allow me to dig intothe earth.

Front Foot(2.2” x 1.8”)

Back Foot(2.8” x 2.0”)

HabitatThe woodchucks habitat includes farmland,grassy pastures, small woodlots, and bushyfence lines. They especially love the edge offorests. They live in underground homes calledburrows which they keep very clean. Some oftheir burrows have 45ft of tunnels with up to5 entrances. These burrows are often used byother wildlife such as cottontails, foxes,skunks, and raccoons once the woodchuckabandons them. Woodchucks hibernateNovember through February and their matingseason is in March. Even though they have lotsof fat on their body, woodchucks can swim andclimb trees. Woodchucks are usually brown orgray and their bushy tail is 1/4 the size oftheir total body length. When alarmed, awoodchuck gives a loud, shrill whistle. Teethgrinding and chattering are common when woodchucks are cornered.Woodchucks have also been heard to bark, squeal, and whistle whenfighting with other woodchuck

StressorsWoodchucks are often killed by coyotes, wolves and hawks. They arealso the #1 sport hunting target. Deforestation is also a majorstressor that ruins dens and forces eviction for woodchucks andadditional wildlife. Often seen as a nuisance by farmers and landowners, many woodchucks are killed in an attempt to eradicate themfrom farmland and rural properties.EnhancementDue to its burrowing habits and choice of foods, the woodchuck cansometimes cause enough damage for it to be considered a pest ornuisance animal. Therefore encouragement of population growth isdeterred.

The AREC has several resources available to help you in monitoring wildlife in your wetland Contact us at 302-653-2882.

Wood Chuck

I am an omnivore. I eat eggs, insects,small mammals, birds, fruits, andcarrion. I am also called a marsupial,because I carry my babies in a pouch onmy belly. I live in hollow logs orabandoned dens where I build a nest ofleaves and grass. I collect nestingmaterial with my mouth, transfer itthrough my legs to carry as a bundle in aloop made in the end of my tail. Mytracks have five toes. The back paw hasa thumb-like toe that slants outward tohelp me maintain good balance.

OPOSSUM

Front Foot(1.5” x 2.1”)

Back Foot(2.2” x 1.9”)

HabitatGood opossum habitat includes a combination of large trees and shrubthickets, abundant water and crop fields. An opossum will den nearlyanywhere that is dry, sheltered and safe. A nest of leaves and grassis usually made at the den site. An opossum will use a number of denswithin its home range. An adult male's home range is about 250 acres,while the adult female's home range is about 125 acres. An adult maleis solitary, while an adult female is with her young through most ofthe year. Its energy reserves are not extensive so it must forage on aregular basis on whatever food is available and stable from season toseason and year to year.

StressorsExtreme weather conditions, such as a severe drought or extendedcold, can reduce food availability and have devastating effects onopossum populations. The most important mortality factors are causedby humans, predation, parasites and disease, exposure and starvation.Human-caused mortalities include hunting, trapping and highwaycollisions. Important predators include great horned owls, dogs andcoyotes. An opossum is a host to a multitude of internal and externalparasites including intestinal worms, fleas and ticks. These generallyare debilitating and increase susceptibility to diseases andmalnutrition. An opossum is highly resistant to rabies.

EnhancementTo enhance your wetland habitat foropossum you can build some brush pileswithin a few sheltered, drier areas. Allowdead trees and logs to remain as theystand or lie and plant a variety of foodsource native plants.

More detailed directions for planting sources or creating brush piles are available through the AREC resource library Contact us at 302-653-2882 and we can send you selected materials.

Opossum

I am a carnivore. I hunt fish, frogs,snakes, and crayfish by stalking themin shallow water. I live in wetlandsfor most of the year but every springI get together with other herons andegrets, and nest in trees. My trackhas three toes pointing forward andone pointing back to spread out myweight and keep me from sinking inthe muddy marsh. Like all herons andegrets, I often spit up the bones andscales of the animals I have eaten.

GREAT EGRET

Front/Back Foot(6.5” x 5.25”)

HabitatThe great egret feeds in a variety ofwetlands, including marshes, swamps,streams, rivers, ponds, lakes, tidal flats,canals, and flooded fields. When nesting itcolonizes with other species, in shrubs andtrees over water, and on islands. The malegreat egret chooses the nesting site andbuilds a nest platform of sticks and twigsbefore he selects a mate. The great egret

StressorsThe destruction of wetlands, especiallyin the West where colonies are few andwidely scattered, poses a current threatto these majestic birds. Large numbersof Great Egrets were killed around theend of the 19th century so that theirplumes could be used to decorate hats.Numbers have since recovered as aresult of conservation measures.

EnhancementIf there are fish in your wetland you will have birds feeding there.The best way to keep your egret population up is to make sure yourwater is healthy and there are plenty of native plants for coverageand filtration.

The AREC has resources available to help you in improving water quality and habitat at your wetland. Contact us at 302-653-2882

Great Egret

is a little over three feet tall with a wingspan of almost five feet.Its feathers are entirely white. It has a long, sharp yellow bill andlong gray to black legs, with non-webbed feet with very long toes.The great egret feeds alone in shallow water. When it spots itsprey, it pulls its head and long neck back and then quickly stabs atthe prey.

I am an herbivore. I eat seeds,grains and grasses that I clip offneatly at ground level. Many of mykind migrate to Delaware everyyear in the fall and return toCanada in the spring where theyraise their babies. My scat can befound along ponds and in fields.Wherever I am there will be myscat! It is tubular shaped andtends to be green due to myvegetarian diet and white due to acalcium rich coating. My track hasthree webbed toes great forswimming.

CANADA GOOSE

Front/Back Foot(4.0” x 3.5”)

HabitatCanada geese breed in a broad range ofhabitat from low Arctic tundra to prairiesand parklands including lakes, meadows,golf courses, and city parks. Canada geesetravel in family groups to the southernparts of the United States during thewinter. If you watch a large flock of geesecome in for a landing, you can often seethe different family units peel off insmaller clusters before they alight. Canadageese are very social, being found in flocks

StressorsUnguarded nests and eggs are targets forpredators such as gulls, common ravens,American crows, skunks, domestic dogs, andmany others. Canada geese are also a commongame bird, hunted regularly by humans.

EnhancementCanada geese can become a nuisance, especially when normallymigratory birds become resident. Build-up of fecal matter can lead toreduced water quality, by fostering bacteria and increasing nitrogenand phosphorus levels. Watching for Canada geese and monitoringwater quality will help keep your wetland healthy.

The AREC has resources available to help you in improving water quality and habitat at your wetland. Contact us at 302-653-2882

Canada Goose

at all times of the year except when they are nesting. The nest is alarge mound of vegetation such as grass and cattail stems lined withdown. It is usually located within sight of water. Canada geese haveexcellent eyesight and hearing.

GREAT BLUE HERON

I am a carnivore. I mostly eat fish,but will also eat aquatic insects,snakes, mice and frogs. I stalk myprey by slowly walking throughshallow water then piercing themwith my sharp beak. I am usuallyfound on the banks of rivers andmarshes. My track has three toespointing forward and one pointingback, this allows me to stand for along time on one foot and not sinkinto the mud. I will sometimessquawk especially when protectingmy nest.

Front/Back Foot(6.5” x 5.25”)

HabitatThe familiar Great Blue Heron is a large bird, with a slate-graybody, chestnut and black accents, and very long legs and neck. Inflight, it looks enormous, with a six-foot wingspan. Great BlueHerons can be found in a range of habitats such as fresh andsaltwater marshes, mangrove swamps, flooded meadows, lake edges,and shorelines, but they always live near bodies of water. Greatblue herons are mainly active in the mornings and at dusk whenfishing is best. They are solitary predators, preferring to huntalone but may breed in colonies of over

StressorsEagles, raccoons, bears, turkey vultures, and hawks prey on the youngbirds, eggs, and sometimes even the adults. Birds will abandon acolony where they have been living after a predator has killed anadult or chick in the area.

EnhancementHerons require a “no-mow” buffer of tallnative plants at the waters edge ascamouflage both for hunting and protection.A good supply of fish and other aquatic foodsources will also depend on water quality.

The AREC has resources available to help you in improving waterquality and habitat at your wetland. Contact us at 302-653-2882

Great Blue Heron

100 herons. Great blue herons areextremely territorial and willaggressively defend their nestswhich are built in the tops of treesout of twigs and broken branches.

I am an herbivore. I eat soft plants such as grasses, cattailsand the stems, leaves and roots of water lilies. I also eat thebark, twigs and buds of a variety of trees, my favoritesinclude willow, maple, poplar, beech, birch, alder, and aspen–especially during the winter months when other food is notavailable. I live in colonies of up to a dozen of my relatives. Iuse my large strong teeth to chomp through trees and createwetland areas by damming small streams to flood thesurrounding land. My large back feet have 5 toes withwebbing in between that help me with swimming. My frontfeet have 5 toes and my large tail often leaves tracks too.

AMERICAN BEAVER

Front Foot(3.0” x 2.75”)

Back Foot(5.0” x 5.5”)

HabitatBeavers live in lodges which can be built as isolated islands or on thebanks of ponds. The lodge itself is constructed of sticks, grass, andmoss, woven together and plastered with mud. The one central room

StressorsThough adult beavers face no major predators in our area, riverotters, bobcats, and mink are very real threats to young, vulnerablebeaver. Man remains the most significant threat, though hunting forfur trade is well regulated now. Pollution and habitat loss are two keystressors for beaver population. Many people view beaver as pests astheir dams can flood the surrounding areas and they can dosignificant damage to trees and saplings.

EnhancementIt is important to keep in mind that the beavers’ industriousness,though at times inconvenient, leads to the creation of beneficialhabitats for waterfowl and other aquatic animals. Relocating beaverto areas where they will not impact the local human population is amuch more positive approach to “eliminating” such a problem.

Contact the AREC at 302-653-2882 should you become aware ofany beaver/human competition and should you like to learn more aboutplanting beneficial trees or other vegetation with beaver in mind.

American Beaver

inside can be as large as 8 feetwide and 3 feet high. The floor isusually blanketed with bark,grass, and wood chips. To ensureadequate water depthsurrounding the lodge, beaversdam streams with logs, branches,mud, and stones. If they find agood source of food they mayalso build canals to the foodsource as a way to float the foodback to their lodges..

I am an omnivore. I eat insectsand grubs, fruit and berries, smallmammals, the eggs of ground-nesting birds and turtles, andamphibians. Because of this youmay find seeds and small bones inmy scat. I live in dens abandonedby other animals or in hollow logsor trees. I am a nocturnal animalbut you know I have been aroundwhen I leave my strong scentwhich I spray when threatened bya predator. My front track hasfive toes with visible nail marksand my back track looks like asmall human footprint with novisible nail marks.

STRIPED SKUNK

Front Foot(1.5” x 1.25”)

Back Foot(1.9” x 1.4”)

Striped SkunkHabitatSkunks live in relatively open areas such as farmland, woodlandedges, and brushy areas along stream banks and ditches. They canalmost always be found within two miles of water. The skunk isnocturnal, sleeping in its burrow throughout the day. It usuallydoesn’t dig its own burrow, preferring to use an abandoned burrow,rock/wood pile, hollow stump or log, or a naturally occurring hollowunder a tree or building. They do not hibernate, but stay in theirdens during most of the winter. A characteristic sign that a skunk isaround are diggings, 1 or 2 inches deep and 3-4 inches across madeby the claws and nose of the animal as it forages for food such asinsect grubs or turtle eggs. The striped skunk can spray foul-smelling musk at predators as far as 15 feet away. The smell cancarry for a mile! The musk can also burn eyes and cause a temporaryloss of vision. Only the great horned owl and barred owl seemunruffled by the skunk's chemical warfare.

For more information on how to create wildlife friendly brush pilesContact the AREC at 302-653-2882.

StressorsAs skunks are not exactly the most agile of our wildlife species andare out at night when visibility is decreased, they are frequentlykilled on roadways by cars.

EnhancementYou can assist the skunks in your wetland habitat by placing warningsigns on nearby roadways and constructing brush piles.

Skunk Diggings

I am a carnivore. I eat insects,crayfish, small minnows, and otherfrogs. If I am big enough, I can eveneat small snakes and birds. I am mostoften nocturnal, but can sometimes beseen during the daytime hiding invegetation. My babies are calledtadpoles. They take almost two yearsto become adults. You can often hearme calling in the summer. I make a‘jug-o-rum’ sound. My front track hasfour toes and my back track has fivetoes.

AMERICAN BULLFROG

Front Foot(1.5” x 1.0”)

Back Foot(1.8” x 0.9”)

American BullfrogHabitatBullfrogs are highly aquatic and inhabit warm, open, permanentponds. Bullfrog tadpoles prefer non-vegetated areas and mediumdepths in the early stages of development, and deeper water in thelater stages.

Further information on bullfrog impacts and control is availablethrough the AREC resource library. Contact us at 302-653-2882and we can send you selected materials.

StressorsThe population growth rate of bullfrogs is strongly influenced bysurvival rate of metamorphs and juveniles. One of the factors thatmay determine survival of metamorphs is the presence of migrationcorridors and nearness of suitable ponds during the fall migration.Bullfrogs have several factors that give them a strong competitiveedge for survival. The tadpoles can feed on algae species nottypically forageable by other aquatic species while the adult frogshave a voracious appetite and will feed on any creature that theycan over-power and swallow whole. This includes birds, snakes, youngturtles, small mammals, and other amphibians.

EnhancementTheir competitive edge can lead to anundermining of an eco-system withbullfrog predation wiping out a varietyof other species from a particularwetland or area. For this reason it isstrongly advised NOT to try andpromote an expansion in bullfrogpopulation within a wetland but ratherto monitor the population closely and,when necessary, step in to help maintainthe population at a manageable level byremoving egg masses or harvestingadults.

I am an omnivore. I eatinvertebrates, carrion, aquaticplants, fish, birds, and smallmammals. I am highly aquatic andlike to rest in the mud with onlymy eyes and nostrils exposed. InApril I emerge from my winteryden from beneath a muddy bank,under vegetation, or from inside amuskrat lodge. I can not retreatinto my shell like other turtles, butI have very powerful jaws and willsnap and hiss if threatened. Mytracks include four feet withvisible nail marks and a line leftfrom dragging my long tail in themud.

SNAPPING TURTLE

Front Foot (1.6” x 2.0”)Back Foot (3.2” x 2.6”)

Snapping Turtle

HabitatSnapping turtles only live in fresh or brackish water. They preferwater bodies such as lakes, ponds, marshes, rivers, and streams withmuddy bottoms and abundant vegetation because they prefer toconceal themselves to hunt. Snapping turtles sometimes burythemselves in mud with only their nostrils and eyes exposed. Thisburying behavior is used as a means of ambushing prey. Eggs aredeposited or buried on land.

StressorsSnapping turtles are mostvulnerable as hatchlings. Oncethey reach a certain size thereare few natural predators ofsnapping turtles, other thanhumans that enjoy a heartyturtle soup. They are often hitby cars when searching for newponds or nesting sites. In time,habitat destruction could poseanother danger to snappingturtle populations.

Enhancement

To enhance your wetland habitat for snapping turtles you may wantto prepare a nesting beach that is somewhat sheltered frompredators, plant some native emergent plants within the wetland ifthey seem a bit sparse, and post “turtle crossing” signs if there areany road hazards nearby.

For additional information on establishing a nesting beach or nativeplantings contact the AREC at 302-653-2882 and we can send youmaterials from our resource library.

FIDDLER CRAB

I am always found near the water in the sand or mud. IfI am a male I will wave my big claw to attract a mate. IfI am a female I have two small claws great for feeding ondetritus. I am usually found in groups with other crabssearching for food or sun during low tide. I dig a burrowin the mud or sand that can be two feet deep, I hidethere from predators and during high tide.

malefemale

Fiddler CrabHabitatFiddler crabs live in salt marshesalong the Mid-Atlantic coast. Marshfiddler crabs construct burrows thatare utilized for mating, rest, andhibernation during the winter. Theburrows also serve as refuge frompredators, heat, and incoming tides.Burrows are approximately ½ inchwide and are between 1 and 3 feetdeep and may end in a small room orbe connected with other burrows.

StressorsMain predators that rely on a healthy fiddler crab population includeherons and other wading birds, raccoons, blue crabs, channel bassand a few other select fishes. However human stressors such ashabitat destruction, runoff pollution (containing petroleum products,industrial wastes, pesticides, and fertilizers) and water flowchanges brought on by ditching (for mosquito control) and canals(for flood protection) remain the primary stressors impactingfiddler crab populations.

EnhancementAssessing the population density of fiddler crabs can help assess theoverall condition of a salt marsh.

If you are interested in evaluating the fiddler crab population of yourlocal salt marsh contact the AREC at 302-653-2882 and we cansend you materials from our resource library.

Commonly located in sandy and muddy substrates, burrows are oftenfound near hard structural elements or grass roots and stems. Duringhigh tide, fiddler crabs plug the entrance of their burrows with mudtrapping in an air pocket until the water recedes. The fiddler crabsthen emerge from their burrows at low tides to feed by scooping mudinto their mouths and filtering out the detritus.

DIAMONDBACK TERRAPIN

I am an omnivore. I am one ofthe only turtles that lives inbrackish water. I enjoy spendingthe day sun bathing on rocks andlogs in the marsh. I usually eatclams, snails, crabs and wormsbut I will also eat some plantmatter. My tracks usually have atail drag between them, but if Iam big enough the underside ofmy shell will drag making a widermark. You may find my smallleather like eggs dug up bypredators during the summer andfall months.

HabitatTerrapins live in estuarine habitats such as coastal marshes,estuarine bays, lagoons and creeks. They nest on land and requireaccess to dry soft sand/soil to deposit their eggs. They also seem tobe very dedicated to a very defined territory or site and exhibitvery low dispersal among tidal creeks. If a population wereextirpated from a tidal creek, recruitment from other creeks torepopulate the area would be very slow.

Information on enhancing your wetland for terrapins is available through the AREC resource library. Contact us at 302-653-2882

Diamondback Terrapin

EnhancementTo assist the terrapins that may exist in yourwetland you can inspect for abandoned crab potsand remove them. You can also create a beachnesting site that is sheltered from predators.Another valuable service is to place signs andmarkers to protect nesting sites from mowing andother human disturbances and mark roadways thatterrapins might cross during breeding season.

StressorsThe species experienced nearextinction in the early 1920’s becauseof commercial overharvest thatdecreased by the late 1920’s. Majorproblems faced by terrapins todayinclude loss or degradation of nestinghabitat, destruction of nests bypredators and erosion or storm events.

Vehicle inflicted mortality of females during the nesting season iscommon where a highway separates nesting sites from tidal creeks.Mortality is also associated with mowing of causeway shoulders.Mortalities also occur when terrapins find themselves trappedwithin abandoned/ghost crab pots.