In Alberta, there are mountain cottontail rabbits, snowshoe hares, white-tailed jackrabbits (a type of hare) and a variety of domestic rabbit breeds.
Wild rabbits are grey to brown all year and hares are grey to brown in summer and white in winter.
Domestic rabbits can be differentiated from wild rabbits by the variety of colours and sizes and are not protected by any of Alberta’s wildlife laws.
Hare populations tend to peak every 10 years.
Rabbits normally live only 12 to 15 months and in that time have approximately three litters of up to six young. In the city, rabbit and hare populations are kept in check by vehicles, weather, predators and other mortality factors.
In summer, rabbits and hares normally consume a diet of grasses and forbs and in the winter eat the buds, twigs and bark of shrubs and trees.
Hares can consume up to 1 kilogram (2.2 pounds) of green vegetation in one day.
Skunks is commonly found in a variety of habitats including woodlands, forests, wooded ravines and grassy plains. Over time, however, they have become more prominent in areas of extreme cultivation as well as in suburban neighborhoods. Other habitats may include scrubland, riparian areas and urban environments. They are nocturnal and spend little time out and about during their day likely underground in their very well dug dens.
Skunks do not hibernate, although in northern regions, they may spend several weeks being inactive in their underground dens.
Diet
Skunks are Omnivores and eat many things humans do not want around their homes. Ants, mice, spiders. They have poor vision and can see only about 3m in front of them and therefore have excellent sense of smell.
Physical Description
Striped skunks are easily distinguishable by their coloration pattern. With overall black pelage, they have a thin, white stripe along the center-top of their snout and forehead as well as a prominent white marking on their nape. While pattern varies greatly across individuals, the white marking on their nape typically runs along the dorsum, splitting into a thick, V-shape as it approaches their rump. Additionally, there are frequently white hairs on the edges of their bushy, black tail. With their small, triangular-shaped heads, striped skunks have short ears and black eyes. Their maw holds 34 total teeth. Their legs are stout, with five-toed plantigrade feet and long foreclaws for digging.
Most animals learn to recognize a skunk’s striped pattern and avoid it, although occasionally coyotes, foxes and bobcats prey on them.
They display minor sexual dimorphism, the males are slightly larger than the females. While most sources agree that skunks about the size of domestic cats.
Measurements of body mass show a large range, between 0.7 to 6.3 kg. However, during periods of wintering, a reduction in body mass can result in losses of up to 47.7% in males and 50.1% in females, mostly due to fat metabolism.
Skunks are not deft climbers and, if they fall into window wells or other holes on your property, may need assistance in getting out. To do this, lay a 2 x 6 or other wide plank into the window well or hole and wait for the skunk to climb out.
If a skunk has found its way into your house or garage, leave the door open and allow the skunk to depart on its own time. Don’t prod or agitate the skunk.
A skunk can spray their offensive odour up to 4.5 m (15 ft) which can be smelled 1.6 km (1 mile) away. It is their last line of defense since it takes up to 2 weeks to refresh their supply. Despite tales, tomato juice is not effective if sprayed because the skunk spray is an acid and oily in composition and so a base is more effective (watch the video for a recipe). Although clothing usually cannot be saved.
Reproduction
Under normal circumstances, female striped skunks only reproduce once a year, although males will reproduce with multiple females. After mating, females no longer associate with males and will become aggressive towards them through vocalizing, stamping their feet and fighting if necessary.
Breeding usually occurs sometime between February and April. However, a secondary period can take place in May if the first litter is lost or in other cases. Gestation lasts about 59 to 77 days, beginning with a period of delayed implantation that can last up to 19 days. Skunks can produce a litter that ranges from 2 to 10 individuals. Baby Skuks are called Kits. Babys are born blind and deaf and mother skunks stay within 1km. Kits spend their first winter with their mother and leave to find their own territory at 1 year old.
Trapping Female Skunks to move them off your property is not recommended if they are with a litter given the reliance of their Kits on their mothers.
– Credit to Alberta Institute for Wildlife Conservation (AIWC)
Many of you have seen the garden plots arrive and now we are ready to start our gardening season. We encourage the community to walk through this area and admire. Many of you have noticed our Plots! We have 15 Garden Plots and we have 2 Community plots and 13 Private plots. We only have a few left as of this date!
In the Community Garden (2 plots) closest to the Community League front doors. We have tomatoes and onions, cucumbers, strawberry plants and more!
Some Rules
Gardeners still need to follow Covid 19 Rules which are
Capacity
No more than 50 people are allowed in the garden at any one time. Please respect the limit and wait your turn if the garden is at capacity.
Distancing
Minimum 2 metre distance between individuals at all times.
Purpose
Time spent in the gardens is for growing edible plants only. Please do not hold large gatherings or social events.
Hand Washing
Wash or sanitize your hands before entering and after exiting the garden site.
Equipment/Tools
Gardeners must bring their own equipment/tools, gardening gloves, and disinfecting products. Please take these items with you when you leave.
Garbage Disposal
If garbage receptacles are not located within the garden, gardeners must take their garbage with them.
Service Animals Only
Service animals must be leashed, wearing service vest/identification, and must not be in direct contact with edibles. Please wash your hands before and after interacting with pets.
Plots Available
Most our private plots have been assigned and gardening has begun, the city will start watering this week and it is supposed to rain this weekend so it is perfect timing.
We have a facebook group for our garden, if your on social media please join us there.
SO SIGN UP if you are still wanting to garden with us.
Although, Spruce Avenue is not next to our diverse river park systems, or dense woods or forest; our neighbourhood design and layout is still inviting to outdoor wildlife. Likely you would not see a moose or bear you may occasionally see larger animals like coyotes and skunks although they may not ‘live’ or den here they may transit for food. You would still benefit from knowing those who traverse our neighbourhoods and in the Edmonton area. We likely have cottages and frequent the trails that wildlife actually lives nearby too. A lot of our information is aimed at coexisting with wildlife! Starting with Healthy backyards lead to healthy communities! No matter what our views on urban wildlife are, we need to challenge ourselves to find new and innovative ways to minimize negative interactions with the wildlife that call our cities home. Education is the first step.
What is informing the information we are sharing?
We are blessed in Alberta to have many Alberta wildlife rehabilitation groups who may be able to help. Specifically, the Alberta Institute for Wildlife Conservation (403-946-2361) near Calgary and importantly WILDNorth (780-914-4118) for the Edmonton and Spruce Grove area’s websites. We also are taking from the Government agencies like Alberta Fish and Wildlife and locally the City of Edmonton Animal Care and Control.
Other Wildlife rehabilitation groups
Alberta Birds of Prey Centre (Coaldale) – 403-345-4262
Alberta Society for Injured Birds of Prey (Sherwood Park) – 780-922-3024
Calgary Wildlife Rehabilitation Society (Calgary) – 403-266-2282
