We are rapidly approaching baby animal season, which means lots of people will be rescuing creatures large and small and also whether they need rescuing or not. As nature awakens this spring, a plethora of babies will spill into the world. No doubt some of these creatures will need some help, but you might be surprised to learn, many don’t.

One of the most common critters in our own backyards is the Eastern Cottontail Rabbit. These long-eared loppers breed from March to Sept and can have up to seven (7) litters per season. Each litter has anywhere from three to six (3-6) tiny furry babies. Mother rabbits dig out a shallow form in the ground, usually in tall grass or under a shrub or other sheltered location. The nest is lined with dried grasses and fur. Here is where she gives birth to her babies. She covers the nest when she leaves and visits two to three times a day to nurse the babies.

The young cotton-tails are born blind, naked and helpless but develop very quickly and by three weeks of age they have their eyes open and are fully furred. This is the time that we first start to notice them. They start to leave the nest or the family dog digs them up and suddenly there are baby rabbits running all over the place. So here is the rule for you to use, when determining if you need to rescue these babies. No matter how small they are, if their eyes are open, they are fully furred and moving around on their own, they should be left alone. Believe it or not, they are actually out on their own at this age. Anything short of this needs to be rescued.

Gray Squirrels are another one of these animals that seems to have a lot of human contact. Often we are trimming our trees or cutting down dead trees in the spring and sometimes one of these trees is going to contain some baby squirrels. The same general rules apply. If these babies are fully furred and climbing trees they will be fine on their own. If not, you might want to gather them up and put the babies in shoe box with some nesting material to keep them warm and place the box at the base of the tree with the adults. When you leave the area the mother will come down and gather up the crying babies. Please don’t worry about human scent on the babies. I have done this many times with wonderful success. If the mother doesn’t come and get the babies after 12 or more hours, or you know the mother is dead, you will need to bring these little guys into your local wild animal rehabber.

Mallard ducklings are another species that we often encounter in the spring. Sometimes mother and ducklings get separated. You don’t always need to bring these babies into the rehab center. Sometimes you can locate the mother at a near-by lake or pond and return the babies. I have also been successful in introducing ducklings to other mothers. Once the lost ducklings see another mother with ducklings they often swim right over to them and join the family. These are precocial birds which mean they take care of themselves mainly anyhow. They just need the guidance of the mother for a short time.

Any small bird that falls from a nest, should be put back into the nest if you can do so safely. Once again you don’t need to worry about human scent on the baby bird and fear that the adults will reject it. This is simply not the case. Birds have a very reduced ability to smell and besides they are just happy to have their babies back. Any birds where the nest has been destroyed, you can often make a replacement nest out of dried grass and put the replacement nest and chicks back and the adults will take it from there.

There are many situations that require quick intervention and help. For example in a case where the parents are obviously dead and the babies have no way of caring for themselves. This require action to save the babies.

Here is one last thing to ponder this spring. Why not stop by your local wild animal rehab clinic and donate some money or perhaps your time. These places are always short on cash and volunteer hands. You will do everyone a world of good. Until next time…

Stan Tekiela is an author / naturalist and wildlife photographer who travels the world to study and photograph wildlife. He can be followed on www.facebook.com and www.twitter.com. He can also be found at www.naturesmart.com