animals in Harvest (Huntsville, Decatur, Madison: power lines, new home, neighborhoods)

[briloveswendy]

My fiance and I are moving to Harvest sometime this fall when our house is finished. The thing is is that we have 4 dogs and would like to know of any other animals in the wild that could pose a threat if they were left in our yard ( it will be fenced in!)

[ladyhawk64]

We also live in Harvest with a privacy fenced back yard. We have 2 dogs and 2 cats and so far no problems since we moved in 2 months ago. The only thing i have heard is the donkeys up the road and roosters

[briloveswendy]

Thanks! I have heard of predator-type animals that could possibly devour small dogs ( we have two chiuauas ) like hawks, snakes or armadillos!! Coming from the northeast, I guess it's easy to be a bit wary! (LOL!)

[ladyhawk64]

Originally Posted by briloveswendy

Thanks! I have heard of predator-type animals that could possibly devour small dogs ( we have two chiuauas ) like hawks, snakes or armadillos!! Coming from the northeast, I guess it's easy to be a bit wary! (LOL!)

Have seen a few hawks, my son has seen armadillos, and I have seen some pretty big snakes on the side of the roads...so I would be a little wary with such small dogs for a bit...

[Mawoods]

In addition, there are coyotes everywhere and believe it or not a few bobcats around. All this is in the NE too, so things shouldn't be much different.

[briloveswendy]

I have never seen a coyote or hawk that hasn't been in captivity - and I'm 51 years old. Of course my first 30 years of life were in New York City, but when my son was stationed at Fort Sill in Lawton Oklahoma, I have seen my share of armadillos and snakes!! But again, the Huntsville area is nothing even close to OKlahoma from what I've encountered.
So, bobcats as well? Any precautions that a newbie in the area should take?

[EquusCaballus]

*I find it humorous that I am more than likely moving to NJ soon and you are moving to Alabama.*

Well....I don't live in Harvest ...but I DO live in the country (same thing) right outside of Huntsville's sister city- Decatur. People around here call it Trinity, but I'm not in the city/town.

I have lived here 2 years and haven't seen a snake yet! Maybe a dead one. I have seen several hawks though, perched on power lines and tree branches.

The best thing to do is to become educated on the kinds of wildlife in your area. I like to know what to look out for as far as what kind of hawks, snakes, wild cats, coyotes, etc. live in my region and what time of year they are most active or common to the area, and if they are large enough to prey on my pets.

You can also set out wild animal deterrents. Plastic owls and crows and wind-kites deter many hawks. You can also look into bird deterrents that small airports use. Spray repellents around the area work against many coyotes and wild cats. Pelleted baits work against snakes. There are also several plants you can plant around the border of your property that can repel wild animals. Just make sure you look into the kind that aren't toxic. You want to repel animals here, not kill them.

Check out this page! There are many useful tips and articles.

GOOD LUCK!

(I have a Chihuahua, that uses the cat door daily. As in he goes out side on a whim and he hasn't ran into any problems. I'm thankful! But my area is well lit, with flood lamps on a motion sensor at night and I limit the range that he can roam freely. Same with my 2 cats. Wild animals that like to prey on small furry pets don't tend to like bright lights/well lit areas or come too close to the house. In my experience. But some people will beg to differ, I am sure.)

[Mawoods]

I regularly saw coyotes when we lived in the Madison/Huntsville area, as well as racoons, deer,fox, hawks and an occasional snake. I see all of those and even have had a bobcat sighting where we live now ---- in METRO ATLANTA!!!!!! The worst situation I have had is however a pack of WILD dogs that killed every small dog and cat in the area before being caught. Have seen hawks come in and make a kill in both Madison, AL and over here in GA. We also have a bald eagle living on the golf course. With Wheeler Wildlife Refuge I bet there is an eagle over there too.
Of course, the usual rabbits abound. I have become an expert on how to garden with deer resistant plants.I look forward to getting back to Huntsville! You will have wildlife everywhere.

[vakinderegg]

This is a little OT, but I know I have snakeaphobia...what kinds of snakes are around here? There are a couple of small lakes, a drainage area, and a lot of new homes being built where we are moving. We will have a big fence but I know snakes could still get in our back yard.

[EquusCaballus]

Originally Posted by vakinderegg

This is a little OT, but I know I have snakeaphobia...what kinds of snakes are around here? There are a couple of small lakes, a drainage area, and a lot of new homes being built where we are moving. We will have a big fence but I know snakes could still get in our back yard.

It's pretty much still on topic....no worries.


Well, let's see now. Check this website out for snakes.

Brief run down of what you will see mostly in North Alabama:

Nonpoisonous:
Garter snake found in most terrains.
Eastern Ribbon snake mostly wet marshy areas.
Ringneck snake found in/around forest, stream beds, grassland, and rocky wooded hillsides.
Rat snake very common! found in all most all terrains. These babies get very large. And although they aren't poisonous can swallow small pets whole. They are very good climbers and can even enter your homes through vents, etc. Sometimes mistaken for a rattlesnake, though of course they lack a rattle. The gray variety are more common in Alabama.
Racer/Black racer common in many terrains. Very fast!
Southeastern Crowned snake moist soils around pines and forests.
Northern Water snake this one can be tricky to identify. It looks like a poisonous cotton mouth or a moccasin, but isn't. They are mostly in water areas like lakes, rivers, etc, but have been known to migrate from small property streams to local public ponds in parks.
Corn snake many different terrains especially where they have access to rodent population like fields and woods. Likened to a rat snake.
Scarlet snake rarely seen any more, found in loose well drained soils and wooded areas. Can be easily mistaken for the deadly Coral snake. Both like to stay buried in the soil or in loose debris (leaves, compost) Here's a little ditty to help you remember which is which:
“Red on yellow will kill a fellow, but red on black won’t hurt Jack.”

And now for the bad guys:
Poisonous snakes ranging from most poisonous:
The Viper Family:
Eastern diamondback rattlesnake can be found in most wooded, rocky, dry soiled areas. Likes to hide under and in things. Has a distinct rattle on the tail and will rattle it under extreme agitation. And of course that beautiful distinct diamond pattern found on their backs. Sadly, these guys are becoming more and more a part of the past. They are hunted and killed may soon be close to extinction. I know they ARE poisonous and they are bad......but they are still part of what makes the South , the South.
timber rattlesnake mainly wooded areas. Not seen too often in suburbia. They resemble the diamondback but have smaller rattles and heads, and are more gray in color or have more yellow and white in their patterns.
pigmy rattlesnake (pygmy to some) also called the Dusky Pigmy rattlesnake, found mainly in wooded areas, floodplains, and marshlands. Usually a short (1-2ft long) pudgy little thing with a thick body, smaller head and tail than the other 2 rattlesnakes. Its color patterns usually resemble large spots, gray and brown with orange. Has a triangular head that is wider than the neck and body.

cottonmouth (water moccasin), eastern cottonmouth
these stick mostly to marshy, swampy, water mashes. Rivers, lakes, streams, swamps, etc. You might not run into any of these in suburbia unless you have ponds, etc nearby. Some neighborhoods have water conduits that may attrack them, but rarely. Very dirty gray in color, sometimes pretty dark to almost black. I have seen them with dark gray, silvery bellies and some with orange bellies. They can float on top of the water with ease. As in their whole body can sit coiled on top of the water as they float on down the river.
copperhead same as the cottonmouth as far as habitat goes. Probably the most encounterable snake you will run into as far as aquatic snakes go. Very vibrant coppery orangy/yellowy colors in some. Many can be a dusty organgy/yellow gold in color.

And last but not least:
The eastern coral snake are very rare to find/encounter and possibly close to being on the endagered list as well. Found in many various terrains, preferably with loose dry soils. Prefers to stay underground and mostly spotted in early morning and late afternoon.

Well I hope this helps!

I am a big fan of wild life.....can't you tell.