Life out here in the country means dealing with occasional wildlife encounters. Thankfully, in Parker County, we don’t have lions and tigers and bears to worry about. We certainly do have our share of wildlife though. Snakes, bees, coyotes, opossums, hawks and owls are just some of the many creatures you might find here. There are a few good resources that I have found for information and possible help.
The first one is Nature’s Edge Wildlife and Reptile Rescue. While not specifically a Parker County organization, Nature’s Edge can often give advice on what or what not to do when it comes to wildlife. They also are permitted rehabbers. So, if you’ve come across injured wildlife contact Nature’s Edge. Even if they can’t personally help, they can probably point you in the direction of someone who can. One of the first things they will always advise people while waiting to get in touch with a licensed rehabber, do not give any food or water to the animal. Though most people want to help the animal, giving food or water can often have dire consequences, so be sure to wait for guidance from the experts.
This brings me to the next resource, the Facebook group, What Kind of Snake is This? North Texas. Again, while not exclusively a Parker County resource, it is of great help to our community. Join the group for a great education about snakes. Learn how to tell the difference between the various kinds of snakes that you’ll find in our area. If you encounter a snake and you’re afraid it might be venomous, you can post a picture of it to the group and get an identification from the knowledgeable admins. Most times, identifications are given in minutes. Some of the same people from Nature’s Edge are among the admins of this group.
In the unfortunate event, that you or your pet are bitten by a snake, one of the best resources available is the Facebook group, National Snakebite Support. There are experts in snake envenomation in both the human and veterinary field who can provide advice. It’s a good idea to go ahead and join the group ahead of time, both as an educational resource and so you don’t have to waste precious time to get added in an emergency.
The last resource is another Facebook group, Antman’s Hill. This is the place to go for all the creepy-crawly things, aka bugs. If you want information about spiders and insects, then Antman’s Hill is the place to ask. If you’re looking for some pest management advice or you’re wondering what is that weird looking insect you saw, go ahead and join Antman’s Hill.
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