Did
you know that every state in America has deer?
True.
Even Alaska and Hawaii. (While both of those states have no known
white-tailed or mule deer, they do have some black-tailed deer.)
In
part, I ask this because I’m still trying to figure out why I
don’t see moose in central New York. (The answer, to some degree,
is that I’m not really looking far enough north in New York. Even
with Syracuse and Rochester and such being able to claim a northerly
location similar to portions of Vermont or New Hampshire, the
reality is the moose are in New York but tend to hang out in the
northeast area of the state in the Adirondacks.)
But
that’s in part why I ask it. Small part. More to the point—for
deer and moose—is why some wildlife seem to be able to settle
any and everywhere in this country while others do not.
Ok,
let’s take out the obvious issues with the idea right now. Alligators
and crocodiles. That’s the example, and it works. Climate does
matter in several cases. I get that.
Instead,
what I’m considering is that you can find bald eagles everywhere
in America except Hawaii. Some wildlife spreads. Some does not.
Over
the years—decades, truth be told—I’ve been able to travel north
and south, east and west around America. I have seen deer in Rhode
Island, Connecticut and New York. Seen them in Pennsylvania, Florida
and Washington. I know there are more states I could add to that
list, I’m just including the ones that quickly and confidently
come to mind. The ones where I could probably provide photographic
evidence if you gave me a few minutes. (And I could absolutely
give you locations of these sightings right now. Anyway…)
A
quick search shows that skunks can be found pretty much everywhere
in the United States except Alaska and Hawaii. Some sources say
you’ll find raccoons in forty-nine states. (Care to guess the
exception? Nope. Alaska is the one without raccoons.)
One
of the problems in figuring out birds can best be seen in the
cardinal. Eastern half of America, they can be all over the place.
Native populations have been found in places like South Dakota
and Texas. Go further west and there are sightings, but most sources
say that the trees and shrubs they prefer to find in their forests
aren’t as available in western regions of the country.
The
information regarding cardinals and where they like to live connects
our thoughts for finding an answer better than simply saying something
like it’s not as warm or as cold. A raccoon is going to scavenge
for food wherever it can find it (including a rest area near the
Golden Gate Bridge in October of 2007, which is where Terry and
I spotted some with some friends while on vacation). If you don’t
have the vines and thick tangles of brush cardinals love to find
for getting some protection from predators for their nests, the
cardinals are likely to settle in another spot that does.
Raccoons
and cardinals and the needs for survival. Food, water and shelter
top the lists of needs. Guess where they might be headed.
The
other day I was on a walk, turned a corner on my path and in the
clearing that came into view ahead of me three deer took off.
As I continued my journey, my mind began considering many of the
times I have come across deer during my life. That was the spark
that led me to wondering about wildlife in different places, and
as I considered the crocodiles in Florida, I began thinking there
had to be more to it than simply the temperatures when it came
to climate and environment.
I’ve
heard stories about animals that have learned the boundaries of
sanctuaries and parks and other places, for instance seemingly
reacting to where hunting isn’t allowed. And not just from research,
I’ve seen places where lakes and rivers and streams and corn fields
have proven to be attractive to different animals.
Yes,
there are deer in every state. Raccoons and eagles and skunks
find their way around as well. But next time you hear about human
activities stripping lands and shrinking natural habitats, understand
that the challenges and problems are real. Very real. I’m pretty
sure you wouldn’t like to arrive at your house and see a group
of bears wearing hard hats preparing to tear it down because it
was in their way.
(I’m
going with group of bears, because apparently the proper name
for a group of bears is sleuth or sloth. Not exactly as fitting
as a crash of rhinoceros, which honestly seems perfect.)
In
New York, it isn’t uncommon at all to see birdhouses out for bluebirds.
I’m sure people put them out for all sorts of birds, in fact I
know they do, but the bluebirds are the most frequently mentioned
in these parts, and the birdhouses are scattered across fields
and meadows. Makes sense in many ways, since the birds are beautiful
and also known for providing some insect control (which is their
favorite food source).
It’s
with the bluebirds that I’ll leave you for now. The thought that
every action does indeed have a reaction. And while you may never
see an alligator in your backyard, or at least never set up an
alligator feeder and alligator house for them, there is a reality
about where we live and the wildlife around us. When you put out
the birdseed, the squirrels will know.
(Except
in Hawaii. Evidently there are no squirrels in Hawaii.)