How To Test If A Wild Animal Is Consumable

Oh, await at that cute squirrel! He's coming closer...giving him a niggling snack couldn't hurt, right? Wrong. While a squirrel might await beautiful munching on our trail mix – feeding wildlife hurts them.

a small animal with soft brown fur and big dark eyes

Information technology's not only a few peanuts

You may have the best intentions when you want to share your trail mix with a critter in a park but feeding wildlife is unsafe.

Human foods are not good for you for wild animals. Animals that swallow our snacks tin can become full off the incorrect foods and stop eating the nutrients they need to survive. They tin stop hunting, foraging, or scavenging as they would naturally. They literally want to get fries or die trying.

Depending on humans for nutrient is called food workout. Nutrient workout is dangerous for animals considering it can lead to serious consequences like getting sick, starving, or even having to be killed if they become too aggressive. Animals can lose their fear of people when they get used to eating our food. They may beg, steal, or fifty-fifty rip into your haversack or tent if you don't give it to them. Because they approach you (and considering they're and then beautiful!) people might think the animals are tame like our pets at domicile, only they are still wild creatures. If the fauna feels threatened for any reason, it could bite, kick, accuse, or assault yous.

Let them stick to their natural diet. Feeding wildlife isn't safe for the animals or for you. Learn more about the risks to wild animals from people.

A card detailing why and you shouldn't feed wildlife, a detailed description can be found in the text.

Pass It On!

Did you learn something new? Pass it on! Protecting our parks and the wild animals in them is a job for united states all, but there's no manner for everyone to be an expect in everything. That'south why sharing knowledge is so important! The next time you see a swain beast lover thinking of showing their affection by sharing their snacks, you tin fill them in and assure them information technology's ok to acknowledge - "I didn't know that!"

Download or screenshot this menu to share with a friend or help you remember why non feeding wildlife is and so important. Give thanks you for helping to keep wildlife wild!

Text Description for the I Didn't Know That! Don't feed wild animals Graphic

It's non just a snack. Feeding wild fauna is unsafe for the animals and for you.
There are risks to people. Animals that rely on man foods tin become agressive.
At that place are risks to wildlife. Animals that rely on human foods can cease naturally hunting or foraging and starve.
Yous can assistance keep wild animals wild.
1. Never feed wildlife.
2. Clean up and leave no trace.
3. Keep your altitude.