With the warmer weather that springtime brings, there are more active animals in our parks, backyards, neighborhoods, and along the trail system. Spring is here, and our wildlife neighbors know it! It is our responsibility to share our spaces kindly with them and be considerate of their surroundings. Thankfully, Volusia County and Florida Fish and Wildlife shared some important tips on what we can expect:
"As spring brings warmer weather across the state, several species of wildlife become more active for migration, breeding, feeding, and nesting. This increased level of wildlife activity means that people could be more likely to encounter wildlife and should take precautions to avoid disrupting these natural behaviors and prevent conflicts with wildlife." -Florida Fish and Wildlife
Bats - Did you know it is ILLEGAL to block bats from their roosts between April 15 and August 15? This is because this timespan is bat maternity season, when mother bats start to give birth and raise their pups (that's the term for a baby bat). Before August 15, be sure to check your home for any entry points and ensure that no bats are sharing your space with you. If mother bats are excluded from their nests, where their pups are, then the flightless baby bats will die. We like to keep bats around because they help us out by eating large amounts of mosquitoes and agricultural pests!
Bears - Mother bears are very busy teaching their cubs important lessons during springtime, such as what to eat and the skills necessary to survive. Be sure that garbage, pet food, or bird seed is not part of that learning experience! Remove any food sources that a black bear might find as a good snack to discourage any future visits.
Pro Tip: If you find a sick, injured, orphaned, or dead black bear, DO NOT APPROACH. For DeBary sightings, contact the Northeast Region FWC Office at 352-732-1225. Any after-hours reports (regardless of location in Florida) can be directed to the wildlife alert toll-free hotline at 1-888-404-3922.
Gopher Tortoises - It's always exciting to spot a gopher tortoise - they are basically famous since they are Florida's ONLY native tortoise! If you see a gopher tortoise, it is best to leave them alone. They are out and about a lot during springtime as they forage for food and search for a mate. You can help a gopher tortoise cross the road by gently picking it up and placing it in a safe location in the direction it was heading. NEVER PLACE A GOPHER TORTOISE IN THE WATER.
Manatees - As we continue to enjoy recreation along the St. John's River this spring, be sure to slow down and look out below for manatees. As manatees leave their winter habitats and travel through the St. John's River, the likelihood of close encounters between manatees and boaters increases.
Snakes: There is a higher likelihood you might spot a snake during these warmer months in your backyard or along the trail system. If you happen to stumble across a snake, the best thing to do is give it space. Most snakes you'll encounter in DeBary are likely to be non-venomous. If you are curious about backyard snakes, the Florida Museum has a great resource to help us identify them. Click HERE to learn more about snake identification.
Raptors: Each spring and summer (during nesting season), the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) receives reports of raptors diving at people and pets - this usually occurs near an active nest where chicks or eggs are present. These are just mama birds being protective of their babies!
Sandhill Cranes: Sandhill cranes are native to Florida and are very eye-catching, especially with an adorable baby or two following behind them. However, when cranes lose their fear of people, they can begin acting aggressively. If a Sandhill Crane approaches you or your pet without fear, it is encouraged to scare them away - THIS IS NOT ALLOWED WHEN FLIGHTLESS BABIES ARE PRESENT. Fun Fact: Baby Sandhill cranes are called colts.
To learn more about Florida wildlife in spring, visit MyFWC.com/News and click on “Spring Wildlife News.”
If you witness someone committing a wildlife violation, please contact the FWC’s Wildlife Alert Hotline: 888-404-FWCC (3922) or text 847411 (Tip411) with the keyword “FWC” and information about the violation.
Have you spotted any backyard wildlife friends and snapped a pic?! Email it to info@debary.org to be included on our wildlife page!
Check out some photo submissions that were taken of wildlife here in DeBary:
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