This Week at Liberty

The intake total for the year is now up to 10,230.

My oh my, we made it! We’re in the home stretch; Thanksgiving has come and gone and now we’re on to more glorious holidays. Lights are popping up on houses all over the valley, those cool winter mornings have me using my heater to drive in, and of course, the AC in the afternoon with that beautiful sun still shining down on us. I’m grateful for a lot of things this year, but mostly, I’m grateful to everyone here at Liberty Wildlife. Sometimes it feels like a whirlwind, but honestly, I wouldn’t have it any other way.

PS We got a new look! We’re totally loving it, hope you all do too!

Gopher snakes (or bull snakes, as some of you may know them) are one of the most common snakes you’ll see here in Arizona. They also happen to be one of the largest, too. Growing up to six feet long, these constrictors (they’re non-venomous) are often times mistaken for a rattlesnake. In fact, when in danger, they mimic a rattlesnake by flattening their head and hitting their tail hard and fast on the ground to simulate a rattle, which in turn, hopefully, warns of potential danger. They’re great snakes to have in your neighborhood, as they eat lots of small rodents, young rabbits, lizards, other snakes, and even eggs.

That last one is what put this gopher snake into a bit of a predicament. You see, golf balls (to a snake), look suspiciously like eggs. The difference obviously being that a golf ball doesn’t digest quite the same way. What’s even more amazing is that someone spotted this, knew exactly what it was, and was able to safely capture the snake and bring it to Liberty Wildlife.

And to this gopher snakes rescue came Midwestern veterinarians and students. They were able to sedate the snake, cut through his skin and voila! Out popped the egg aka the golf ball.

Now stitched up and hanging in ISO to get so much needed rest, we will continue to monitor this constrictor until he’s ready to get back out into the wild (and I have to say, he’s doing quite wonderful in his down time!).

I can’t say I have favorites, that would be horrible…but, if I did have a favorite, Irwin the American kestrel might be high on that list. He came to Liberty Wildlife in 2022 as a fledgling, and it quickly became very clear he was pretty comfortable with humans. Alongside a minor case of avian trichomoniasis (canker), he had no other apparent injury. After being placed with other kestrels and showing no interest in interacting with them, or hunting live prey, he was deemed non-releasable and joined our animal ambassador team.

There’s a lot of really cool stuff about these birds. Their the smallest north American falcon (weighing about as much as a stick of butter as an adult), and are able to hover (quite literally) whereas hawks and other raptors will kite. Their considered one of the most colorful raptors in the entire world, and one of the only birds of prey you can tell the difference between the male and female by their plumage. They even have one of the highest survival rates for fledglings at a whopping 90% (now what happens afterward is up to the bird).

Either way, these “Chihuahuas” of the sky have rightly earned their nickname.

I am floored that it’s December! I just cannot believe how fast this year went. We’re still on for public hours on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays from 10am-1pm, and our intake window is open rain or shine from 8am-6pm for animal emergencies.

Without further ado, here are this week’s notable mentions:

Sometimes Frankie the wild turkey wants to say hello right as you’re walking in the door (2 pictures)

An injured red-tailed hawk is assessed by medical volunteers (2 pictures)

Volunteer Tim hangs with Cochise the bald eagle for a private event here on-site (1 picture)

As always, thanks so much for taking the time to be here and read! We wouldn’t be here without all you taking the time to keep an eye out for our native Arizona wildlife; thanks for all you do!

Until next time!