Look Look Look! Wildlife at McMaster - MacInsiders - Student-run McMaster University Help Forum

**lorend**

Look Look Look! Wildlife at McMaster

By DANIELLE LORENZ, MACINSIDERS

In writing this article, some of you are going to think I have a few screws loose (that may be true...but anyways...). However, in going to McMaster we are lucky enough to be out of the concrete jungle, and thus there is a variety of flora and fauna right at our doorsteps. The McMaster property borders Cootes Paradise, an 840-hectare wildlife sanctuary

that has a 250-hectare coastal wetland within it; but there is a variety of wildlife on campus as well. Even though I grew up in a rural setting, I still find it remarkable to see the animals up-close in the wild. Some of you grew up in an urban setting and haven’t had the experience of seeing animals outside of a zoo (with the exception of pigeons). Others may not have grown up in Ontario or Canada, so some of the animals here will be completely foreign to you. Regardless of your experiences, there is a lot of animal life on the McMaster campus, and it is something you should be aware of...for both your safety and your enjoyment.

Canada Geese
BE CAREFUL WITH THESE! Not only do they poop everywhere and cause a mess, but they are mean! Sometimes if you start to chase them they will hiss at you and chase you right back (this has happened to me...more than once...this month). They are also very protective of their goslings. They are also an animal protected by law, so you are not allowed to harm them (no matter how tempting it may be).

Chipmunks
Chipmunks are similar to in body shape to squirrels, but smaller (and I think are much cuter). This may be due to our association with them in popular culture, from Disney’s Chip and Dale as well as Alvin and the Chipmunk. Unlike the animated kind, these ones don’t sing, nor do they like to be around humans all that much.

Deer
If you have never been able to see a live deer outside of a zoo setting, you may be lucky enough to see one while at McMaster. My very first night here I saw a small herd of deer eating in Faculty Hollow. One of the guys I went to high school with literally ran into (i.e. crashed into) a deer on an early morning run (both were un-hurt). Deer often frequent the areas close to Cootes: Hedden, Brandon, Les Prince and Bates. If you’re lucky, you’ll be able to see them from your window. If you are also on the Back 10 fields before 8am you may see them out there as well. Although very shy animals, if you are quiet sometimes you can get close to them by accident.

Fox
Our MSU President Azim recently reported seeing one from his office window one night. Despite them being a rather bright shade of orange, fox are a tricky animal to catch. This is perhaps the reason behind the sneaky like a fox idea. If you see one of these on campus, consider yourself very lucky.

Hawks
Hawks are gorgeous birds, and ones not usually found in close proximity to people. This past year, there was a pair that lived on campus during the spring, and they were often seen in the area around Edwards. There also seems to be a particular hawk (specifically a red-tailed hawk) on campus that you can get close to while it is on the ground. In March of 2007 I walked up to (within about 15 feet, before I got told not to get any closer) to a hawk eating a rabbit. Then this June, I got within six or seven feet of a hawk in the quad near JHE and BSB by the big willow trees. It was awesome to have gotten that close. I could see how long the talons were on its feet; it was really impressive (and admittedly a little bit scary).

Rabbits
I clearly saw a dead rabbit as mentioned in the previous section about hawks. But on many occasions early in the morning and towards dusk I have seen rabbits on campus, usually eating dandelions. They are very timid creatures, and will run (like a scared rabbit ha ha) from humans if we are to get too close. But you have to admit, even though they’re found all over the world, they’re still really cute.

Raccoons
These are nature’s garbage cans. I suppose then it often makes sense to find them in garbage cans on campus. These creatures are omnivores and scavengers, so they will eat things that we would normally pass up. They are very crafty animals, and have very dexterous fingers which they can use to open and get into many things. Thus, many people really dislike them (as then have a tendency to make a mess on garbage day). Also, you should be wary if a racoon gets too close to you and shows no fear, as raccoons often carry rabies.

Skunks
These black and white animals will release a foul-smelling spray when frightened or surprised. I haven’t seen one of these on campus since my first year. A buddy of mine wanted to go after it, because he had a little bit too much “ginger ale” that night. In a cruel way I wish I had let him go after it, just because I think it would have been hilarious to see about forty cans of tomato juice in the recycling room in residence. But, I don’t think most people would have liked to deal with the rather pungent odour. However funny that may be, if you do end up seeing one I really suggest you admire it from afar.

Seagulls
Ah, the majestic seagull. Okay, the not so majestic and somewhat irritating seagull. As the name implies, they should be close to the sea. I don’t know what they’re doing on campus, but for some reason they are here. Be wary of them when they fly overhead...otherwise you’ll come to know their other name, which for censorship reasons I must call the asterisk hawk (asterisk being a synonym for poop).

Squirrels
SQUIRREL!!! One of the most plentiful animals you will see on campus is from taxonomic family Sciuridae. (Heh. The name means “scurries”). There are lots of squirrels on campus, most of which are black squirrels. Black squirrels I found out recently are not found in the United States, so many people from the US are fascinated by them. You may also see some red and gray squirrels frolicking around as well. They are weird animals, and do some odd things (maybe that’s my fault though?). They have gotten used to people, and are quite tame. But not so tame that they allow you to feed them. They do sometimes end up walking down stairs of the Arts Quad buildings. And some of the more bold ones will stare you down...

Of course, there are plenty of other animals you will see on campus, so I can’t go into detail about them all. But here is a list of some of other ones: robins, garter snakes, opossums, cardinals, toads, goldfinches, bats, chickadees, groundhogs, owls, many species of insect, and marauders. I’m probably missing a whole bunch from the list, especially birds. But keep your eyes peeled and your camera ready and you’ll be sure to capture some wildlife while you’re here.

**lorend** · 08-02-2008 at 01:25 PM

I feel really lame about this...but I don't have pictures of anything but squirrels or geese! *sigh* I never managed to get pictures of the rest while I was here, thus you're stuck looking at a squirrel.

MacEng · 08-02-2008 at 01:32 PM

great right up! I feel like I will be going to a zoo lol

**KaesoPublius** · 08-02-2008 at 02:32 PM

Oh Racoons... I lived in Racoonia in my second year (that's what my house called the ghetto across from Cootes drive) and I got into a knife fight with a racoon in third year.... okay... well not a real knife fight per se, but I had a knife and it still could have taken me down

So beware of them racoons kids!

DannyV · 08-02-2008 at 05:43 PM

Here's a video of a couple of baby (i think) racoons in front of the art museum. I took this last summer.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jJTGKmFO3-Q

kokosas · 08-02-2008 at 05:48 PM

I was waiting at the bus stop one night and a freaking racoon just popped out of the garbage can next to me. Scared the crap out of me! One day they're going to just take over campus.

kokosas · 08-02-2008 at 05:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DannyV

Here's a video of a couple of baby (i think) racoons in front of the art museum. I took this last summer.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jJTGKmFO3-Q

AHHH SO CUTE!!!

summer · 08-05-2008 at 03:24 PM

Quote:

Also, you should be wary if a racoon gets too close to you and shows no fear

But if it comes to you looking scared, offer to help it out....

HAHAHA, j/k, awesome article!

samantha__ · 08-05-2008 at 03:38 PM

EW Raccoons. Theyre only cute when theyre babies, but other than that, EW.

kokosas · 08-05-2008 at 03:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by summer

But if it comes to you looking scared, offer to help it out....

HAHAHA, j/k, awesome article!

Hahaha, smarty pants.

samantha__ · 08-05-2008 at 04:39 PM

They loved hanging out at the front steps of Hedden at night, going through the garbage.. especially when people throw out pizza and crap.

**lorend** · 08-06-2008 at 04:22 PM

I just saw a bunny outside of Whidden (by the sign).

I shall call him...Howard.

kokosas · 08-06-2008 at 06:22 PM

Where's Howard Whidden?

**lorend** · 08-07-2008 at 10:50 PM

You messed up.

Howard Whidden, where is he?

I don't know, I don't know...

katie_batt · 09-17-2008 at 10:44 AM

its true, there is a lot of wildlife on campus. I live in bates, so on my way to north quad I pass the patio behind bridges all the time and there are always racoons there russling through people's left overs. Awww nature....lol, also during welcome week I went randomly walking in the woods with a friend and we say a deer, and there was light shining in it's eyes so it just looked like these 2 giant green eyes in the darkness, and when my friend saw it she screamed and hid behind me!! I was like wow, good to know that you'll protect me if we ever are in a dangerous situation!! geez...