Our Other Residents

This is an orphaned Steller's Jay chick, so young it hasn't grown feathers or opened its eyes yet!

Two orphan Chickaree Squirrels, who both have cataracts in their right eyes -- we assume this is a genetic anomaly for the siblings. They're otherwise healthy (and hungry) little guys.

A baby Bald Eagle. Bald eagles do not develop their distinctive white head feathers until they reach maturity, usually in their fifth year.

One of the two orphaned Coyote pups at LTWC, peeking around the opening of its den (a crate).

These shots of the pups were taken  a few days after the one above, after they had been moved into a larger enclosure, full of lots of straw for them to nestle into. They're either camera-shy or really, really comfortable in there.

Two of four orphan Barn Owls at LTWC. Barn owls have been given a variety of unsettling nicknames, such as "ghost owl," "demon owl," and "death owl," likely because they make a hissing noise that sounds (to me) like a haunted snake pit. Despite these names, they are excellent mousers, and an important part of our ecosystem.

This is an orphan River Otter, getting his close-up. Thanks to LTWC board member Helen Tanner for holding him -- the little guy won't sit still for a second on his own! Baby river otters love to play -- and playing actually plays a vital role in their development.

This little guy is still small enough that he stays indoors. But he'll soon be able to enjoy LTWC's River Otter rehab cage -- the only one in California.

If you'd like to see a young River Otter in action, check out this video of another orphaned otter LTWC raised a couple of years ago.

Here, Cheryl is managing to keep the otter still long enough to get him to eat. Although he seems to be enjoying his milk, he'd actually rather be playing.

Comments

[bikeegirl]

ewwww, what sharp claws you have lil otter....

[Denise Brown]

All these new babies are so cute...I sure wish I lived in the tahoe area so I could be there to volunteer.

[Patty]

Enjoyed all the pictures so much. I don't know how you are able to provide for all these sweet little critters.

[Kat from NC]

Karen,
Smelly or not, I think I'd like to have the coyote pups and the river otter -- think they could make do in a tiny apartment lol?

Thanks again for the pics!

[Marcia-Lakeport]

Karen - thanks for all the great pics. You guys at LTWC are absolutely awesome.

[Lake Tahoe Wildlife Care, Inc.]

So glad you are all enjoying the photos!

It's been quite a full house here at LTWC so far this year -- we've also had Great Horned Owls, Chipmunks, Raccoons and a bunch of other birds already. I can inform you that the Coyote pups are absolutely adorable...but also very, VERY smelly, especially when they're kept in small quarters (they're much easier on the nose now that they're in a larger, outdoor pen).

We'll hopefully post more pics soon!

[nadji]

thanks so much for the photos!

[Linda - Sierra Foothills]

These babies are all so very cute! Thank you, Karen for getting the pictures up for us. LTWC still amazes me that they can do so much for these critters.

[sharon from sacramento]

all of the babies are just too precious,,,
but i am favoring the fox pups,,,, that eagle is beautiful....