08/18/2024
Good to know!
Let's talk about flies.
It is not always easy to tell if a baby animal is orphaned. Some babies that appear on their own have a mother nearby, or perhaps they are actually old enough to be independent. But the presence of flies is a big sign of trouble.
Flies are attracted to wounds and dying animals, but did you know they are also attracted to orphans? Young animals depend on their mothers to groom them. Mothers keep their babies very clean, so a baby that is dirty enough to attract flies very likely isn't being cared for by its mother.
This young Virginia Opossum and her siblings were trapped in a shed for a few days without their mom. When they were found, they were crusty, dirty, and stinky. But a good bath does wonders! Just check out that face from when she arrived compared to after bath time! She and her siblings have been in the care of our Mammal Nursery for the past four days, and will stay with us until they are old enough to be on their own.
If you ever see flies buzzing around an animal, that should be your sign to investigate.
