Taking Care of Wildlife in Summer

You may think Aussie critters are perfectly adapted to sizzling summers, but while we’re sweating and struggling through heat waves, our fauna may be feeling the same. To keep our furry, feathery and scaly friends safe, there are a few key things we can do to help.

Cohabitation

Over Summer, as reptiles become more active, we often receive more calls from concerned residents looking for snake relocations.

In reality, a snake may live for years in your garden without ever being noticed or causing problems. But, during the holidays, they may get a shock to find that you’re home instead of at work when they come out for their daily bask.

It’s important to realise that snakes are not aggressive and there is no need to have them removed from your garden. Simply keep children and pets inside until the snake has slithered away.

For injured snakes, or snakes that have found their way inside your home, however, you can call Sydney Wildlife on 9413 4300, or a professional catcher such as Sydney Snake Catcher on 1300 599 938.

Shade & Shelter

Leaf-blown, “perfect” gardens make pretty poor habitat for creatures, so you can feel good about leaving behind some logs and leaf litter for lizards, or encouraging natural regeneration over exotics that are inedible and inhospitable to our Aussie fauna.

If you’re looking to plant, check out iNaturalist and the Trees Near Me app for ideas about which plants are specific to your area, instead of coming back from the nursery with “natives” from three thousand kilometres away in WA.

Nest boxes can be hung in trees to shelter birds, and possibly even coax that possum out of your roof into a treetop cabin closer to its food – foliage. Be careful not to disturb any dense balls of twigs about the size of a soccer ball, as these are ringtail possum nests called “dreys.” If you poke one accidentally, you’ll likely be shocked by a furry body dashing off in a panic.

Provide Water

While it’s not a good idea to feed wildlife, it is helpful to give water through dry periods. Plant pot dishes make great water bowls as they are shallow, making it easy for ground-dwelling species like our beloved blue-tongue lizards to lap at them.

Simply tuck them in a shaded area and refill regularly; you may also want to prop a stick at the edge, so if any small creature falls in, it can climb out. Providing a similar climbing apparatus out of pools can also be a great help for any clumsy critters.

Bird baths, sprinklers, and a variety of water sources can help to cover all bases, making sure water is accessible to all.

So, this summer, let’s work together to look after each other. Remember to never handle snakes or bats yourself, and if you need help with a wildlife case, call Sydney Wildlife on (02) 9413 4300.

Hotline : (02) 9413 4300
www.sydneywildlife.org.au
@sydneywildliferescue