FAUNA RESCUE OF SOUTH AUSTRALIA INC
ARTICLES
HOT WEATHER CARE
Now is the time of year that we must make sure any wildlife in our care is kept cool in the hot weather. Remember if we are feeling hot then so are the animals.They can over heat on a hot day very quickly. Even though we are sitting in our comfortable airconditioning remember most of the animals are outside in a hot aviary. Tin heats up and there is nowhere other than the floor for them to escape, once on the floor then the ants become a problem crawling all over them.
Here are some tips to help you keep your animals cool over summer:
** Make sure water bowls are filled up fresh every day. Some days it is a good idea to refresh them several times a day as some birds with bathe in them leaving little drinking water after splashing around.
** Build or position your aviaries permanently under the shade of trees.
** Use ceramic bowls as they keep the water cooler for longer. Metal water bowls heat up the water very quickly.
** Hose down the aviary late morning and mid afternoon. More times in heatwave if possible. Hose branches as well.
** Cover the roof of the aviary with a layer of brush fencing. This can be hosed down and keeps the aviary cooler for longer.
** Some birds love to be sprayed with water. Using a fine mist spray on the hose or a spray water bottle works well.
** Move small or patio cages from under veranda's that are made or tin. The temperature under the veranda far exceeds the outside temperature. They can be bought into the house or placed under the shade of a tree.
** Possums in nesting boxes can be bought into the house on very hot days as the possum is only going to sleep all day in the box. Make sure the possum is put back out in the aviary and the box reopened well before dark.
** Hang sheets down the sides of the aviaries for shade and soak with water.
** All kangaroo compounds should have at least one shady tree in the enclosure and a shed to shelter from the weather. Ensure large amounts of water are available as some kangaroos like to dip their paws in the water to cool themselves down.
** Give reptiles a shallow bowl of water to sit in. Especially Bearded Dragons. They tend to sit in water for several hours on a hot day.
** Remember to still keep baby or sick inside animals on heat if you have your airconditioning on in the house.
** Never transport any wildlife in a hot car on a hot day. Transportation of animals should only be undertaken if it is an emergency, e.g. Urgent vet treatment needed.
