Wildlife in Ames

The majority of wildlife seen are healthy and exhibiting normal behavior for urban wildlife and should not be interfered with. Wildlife seen out during the daytime is not an automatic signal that there is something wrong with the animal. Depending on the time of year and the weather, many wild animals are more active in the daytime than normal. Additionally, many young wildlife that appear to be orphaned actually still have mothers caring for them and do not need rescue. Humane World for Animals (Previously known as Humane Society of the United States is an excellent resource for wildlife questions by simply utilizing their search tool on their website.

Additional wildlife resources are available at:

Iowa Department of Natural Resources
Iowa DNR Licensed Wildlife Rehabilitators
Iowa DNR Nuisance Wildlife Control Operators
Humane World for Animals
Iowa Wildlife Center
National Wildlife Federation
Iowa DNR/Iowa State University Mammals of Iowa Field Guide (Select PDF download at bottom of page)
Iowa State University Extension and Outreach - Problem Wildlife Common Questions and Issues
Humane Wildlife Conflict Resolution Guide by Humane Society of the United States (This is a great guide geared toward Animal Welfare professionals, but is also helpful for the average citizen as well!)

The Humane World for Animals is an excellent resource for what to do if you find an orphaned or injured baby animal. Many people think a baby animal has been abandoned by its mom if it is found alone - this is most often not the case. It is best to keep pets and children away from the animal and to monitor for 24 hours. Most parent animals only visit nests and babies a few times a day and are otherwise out looking for food. If no parent is seen visiting or the baby is still there after 24 hours it is then time to call a wildlife rehabilitator.

Bats are an excellent wild animal to have around for insect control. Annoyed with the mosquitos in the area? See if you can get a bat family to move into the area! Extensive information about bats can be found at Bat World Sanctuary. 

Found a bat inside or outside? Check out Bat World Sanctuary's Recommendations.

Spring and fall are the most common times that bat calls are received as these are the times of the year they are most likely to enter homes for roosting. If you find a bat flying in your home, close the room the bat is in after opening one window. If the bat doesn’t leave but can be closed in the room with a towel wedged under the door, animal control can assist with removal.

Keep in mind that bats should not be released outdoors if the day and night temperatures are not consistently above 40 degrees.

During months when the temperature is not consistently above (day and night) 40 degrees, you may contact a rehabilitator who will safely house the bat until they can be safely returned to nature.

If a person awakens & a bat is flying in the room, or if it is found in a baby’s room or the room of someone that has diminished mental or verbal ability, do not attempt to remove the bat from the home. Please contact Animal Control for assistance. These bats may need to be tested for rabies.

Check out great flow chart about What to Do If You Find a Baby Bird courtesy of our friends at the Wildlife Center of Virginia, and hosted by Howell Nature Center.

Birds of Prey Rescue (Saving Our Avian Resources) is an excellent resource for all things related to birds of prey such as hawks, falcon, eagles, etc..

All birds in Iowa are protected except for game birds in season, European starlings, and house sparrows. Minus the exceptions, it is illegal to collect bird feathers, nests, or eggs, and to kill, collect, or keep any bird without a special permit, such as a one for an educational facility or a wildlife rehabilitation center. Complaints about this should be referred to a DNR Conservation Officer at 515-725-8200 - More information is available with Iowa Department of Natural Resources.

Crows can be a unique challenge - You can learn more with Humane World for Animals

Although some coyotes may exhibit bold behavior near people, the risk of a coyote attacking a person is extremely low.

The best thing to do if a coyote is seen is to haze them - Attempt to frighten off these animals with loud noises and big movements. You can learn more about hazing coyotes with Project Coyote.

If you notice any abnormal behavior, report this to Animal Control.

Additional information can be found with Project Coyote.

Check out great flow chart about What to Do If You Find a Baby Deer courtesy of our friends at the Wildlife Center of Virginia, and hosted by Howell Nature Center. 

Mother deer will leave their babies alone during the daytime. The babies are instructed by their mother to lay quietly in the grass until the mother returns. Baby deer do not need assistance unless they are walking up to humans and bleeting in distress. If this is the case, it is likely that baby has been orphaned.

If the deer is injured or appears to be sick please contact Animal Control.

Whitetailed deer are common throughout Iowa, and there are assorted hunting seasons for them throughout the fall and early winter. However, any particular deer that has coloring that is more than 50 percent white cannot be legally taken.

Animal Control is limited on what we can do with deer in our community due to Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD).

In general, the same information for coyotes is relevant for foxes

The same type of hazing techniques for coyotes will also work for foxes

Additional information can be found with the National Wildlife Federation.

Because woodchucks hibernate, they are unlikely to cause any damage between early November and late February. Damage done during this time is more likely to be caused by deer or rabbits. 

Where woodchuck burrows are deemed to be problems, eviction and exclusion are the recommended courses of action.

Woodchucks can be harried from burrows by harassment assaulting the animal's senses, or by disturbing the burrow system. However, there is only a small window of time in the year when this can be done humanely, so timing is crucial.

The best time to evict woodchucks from burrows is from mid- to late summer or between early July and late September in most areas.

Additional information can be found with Humane World for Animals.

Check out great flow chart about What to Do If You Find a Baby Opossum courtesy of our friends at the Wildlife Center of Virginia, and hosted by Howell Nature Center. 

Extensive information can be found at the Opossum Society of the United States

Opossums seen outside of a residence are probably passing through, as they are a common native species. They are handy animals to have around, especially for dog owners. Opossums eat many pesky bugs, including ticks!

If opossums are approached they often freeze and hiss or slowly amble away. This doesn't mean they're sick! It's just how opossums are.

Opossums in window wells and garbage cans are frequently reported to us. Garbage cans can be turned gently on their sides and ladders and boards can be place in the window wells to allow the animal to escape. These tactics are best to reduce the stress to the animal and minimalize human handling. It's important to know that they don't always run away immediately. Opossums are the origin of the term "play possum." It will often take time, sometimes hours, for them to feel safe enough to leave. However, if they do not leave on their own after a couple of hours, Animal Control can assist with removal.

Raccoon are one of the most common and prevalent wild animals in Ames

Many times when someone sees a sick raccoon and believes they have rabies, it is actually more common that they have Canine Distemper, as explained in this fact sheet by Cornell College of Veterinary Medicine.

Raccoons use the storm drains to move throughout the city, so don't be alarmed if you see them coming and going from the drains.

Additional information about raccoons can be found with National Wildlife Federation.

Check out great flow chart about What to Do If You Find a Baby Rabbit courtesy of our friends at the Wildlife Center of Virginia, and hosted by Howell Nature Center. 

Issues with rabbits? You can learn more about what to do at Humane World for Animals.

Additional information about wild rabbits can be found at Rabbit.org.

Information about skunks can be found at National Wildlife Federation.

Check out great flow chart about What to Do If You Find a Baby Squirrel courtesy of our friends at the Wildlife Center of Virginia, and hosted by Howell Nature Center.

If a squirrel enters a residence, open doors and windows and they should find their own way out.

Additional information about squirrels can be found at Humane World for Animals.

If a snake is seen in someone’s yard it is best to leave it alone and let it go on its way.

Iowa has almost 30 species of snakes, which help keep rodent and small mammal populations in check.

Iowa has only four venomous snakes, and their bites are rarely fatal if treated. The massasauga and timber rattlesnakes are rare, but found in eastern and southern Iowa. The prairie rattlesnake and copperhead are even rarer in our state.

Only garter snakes can be legally caught, collected or killed in all counties.

Timber rattlesnakes are protected in 14 of Iowa’s 99 counties, excluding within 50 yards of an actively occupied residence.

All other Iowa snakes are protected in all counties, and cannot legally be collected (without a scientific collector’s permit) or killed.

More information about Iowa’s snakes can be found at Amphibians and Reptiles of Iowa.

You can learn more about Iowa's hunting laws at the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.