COLLEGE STATION -- Texas residents may be getting closer views of the state's wildlife population as the drought lingers. A whole host of critters are boldly venturing into backyard pet bowls for want of eat and drink, Texas Agricultural Extension Service wildlife specialists say.
"Everything is hunting for food and water, because their natural foods are not as available right now," said Dr. Don Steinbach, Extension Service wildlife specialist in College Station.
The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department estimates that the state has more than 175 million acres of habitat, homes for a "tremendous variety of plants and animals." With virtually every county in the state deemed a disaster due to drought, the shelter, food, water and living space vital for wildlife survival has all but disappeared, Steinbach explained.
Though no agency physically counts all species of wildlife in the state, those that are tallied for hunting purposes -- such as quail -- give a clear indication of what they and other species are suffering.
All animals are being impacted by the drought, Steinbach said, from the cardinal to the squirrels that frequent backyards to the usually more elusive larger animals in the country.
"In fact, for the urban dweller, many have pets (dogs and cats) that are fed and watered, but people may be noticing an increased use of the food and water left out in bowls," he said. "The wildlife species are coming in closer to find this supply.
"People should just be aware that this is going on," Steinbach said. "It's good to feed birds, but people have to be careful about feeding other wildlife like possums and raccoons. They should not try to make pets of them."
He said that because wildlife are hungry and thirsty, they may not exhibit the fear of people that they normally would, but they still are wild.
WFSC