Frequently Asked Questions

 

 

What should I do with a baby bird/bunny?

As difficult as it may be, oftentimes the best thing you can do is leave a baby bird or bunny alone.  A baby bird or bunny may seem helpless and vulnerable, but many do survive even in the most urban of locations.  While it may feel safer, removing these young from the wild usually reduces their chances for survival.

 

I found a baby bird that fell from its nest. What can I do?

It is not unusual to find an egg or a baby bird that appears to have fallen from the nest. The majority of the time, this is not the case. Parent birds build their nest for protection, for themselves, their eggs and their young. It is unlikely for a hatchling to fall from its nest. It is more likely, however, for a hatchling to be pushed from the nest either by stronger siblings or by the parent birds. It is not uncommon in nature for a parent or sibling to sacrifice a small, weak family member to ensure all the babies are strong and healthy. Baby birds are also pushed from the nest if they are ill or diseased. The best thing you can do, although it is very hard to do, is leave the hatchling where it lies.

 

Why shouldn't I ride my bike on the trails?

One of Wildcat Bluff's goals is to manage the acreage as a living museum and outdoor classroom through the use of ecologically appropriate land management practices.  Bicycles wear down the trails and cause erosion more quickly than foot traffic.

 

Can I bring my dog on the trails?  Why?

No, we do not allow pets on the trails because it would be harmful to the native plants and animals that are protected at Wildcat Bluff.

 

Are the trails open after business hours?

Yes.  The trails are always open, but the buildings are not.  We do appreciate any donations you can give to maintain our trails when the buildings are closed.

 

What should I do if I encounter a potential rattlesnake?

The smartest thing to do is leave a rattlesnake or any other snake alone.  Most bites from rattlesnakes occur when someone tries to handle the snake or hurt the snake.  If it does become a nuisance, do not try to handle the situation yourself.  Call animal control.

 

Why are rattlesnakes important to the prairie ecosystem?

Rattlesnakes primarily eat mice and other small rodents.  Without rattlesnakes, homes would become more easily infested with mice.  Rattlesnakes are better at controlling mice populations in an ecologically friendly way than any exterminator.

 

Can I tell the age of a rattlesnake by how many buttons it has on its tail?

No. A new button forms on the end of the rattlesnake's tail each time it sheds. A snake that eats weekly will shed about every 3 months. Adult snakes may also lose buttons from the end of its tail from time to time, but a new one will appear after it sheds.

 

Do you adopt injured or found animals? 

Generally we do not.  Injured animals need to be taken to a rehabilitation center.  You should call the South Plains Wildlife Rehabilitation Center in Lubbock at 806-799-2142.

 

Is the Nature Center stroller and handicap accessible? 

Yes, both of our buildings and our Libb's Trail area are handicap and stroller accessible.  The main trail system, however, is not.

 

Where can I bring things to recycle?

Plastics (#1 & #2), paper, aluminum cans: most Uniteds and Walmarts have bins outside; the boy scouts also take aluminum cans

Batteries (rechargeable and non-rechargeable): Batteries Plus

For more things to recycle in Amarillo, check out:  recycle.amarillo.gov

 

Are you the place with the tigers?

No, we only have animals native to our area in our exhibits.

 

What should I do with a nuisance animal?

If you live in city limits, animal control will come take care of it.  If you live out of city limits and live in the Amarillo/Canyon area, call Rick at 651-2880 (he does animal damage control and his office is on the WT campus).

 

I have problems with raccoons and opossums in my yard.  What should I do?

More than likely, there is a food source for them.  This can include cat or dog food for your pets or trash that is easily accessible to them.  Removing a problem raccoon or opossum will just be a temporary fix.  The way to fix the problem is removing their food source, and they will move on to another food source.