AAAC Wildlife Removal of Texas Gulf Coast

One of the questions people ask most about raccoons, especially in those areas where raccoons aren't endemic, is "What do raccoons look like?" Well, that's a pretty good question, since there are so many different types of raccoons out there! Raccoons are known to live 16 years in the captivity, and only 2-3 years in the wild. They may differ in size, fur color, and markings, but they all have certain things in common. So, let's take a look at some of the different features that you might find in a typical raccoon.  So, What Exactly Do Raccoons Look Like? Raccoons are medium-sized animals that are usually around two to three feet long. They have bushy ringed tails and furry bodies that are usually grayish-brown in color. One of the most distinctive features of raccoons is their black "mask" of fur around their eyes. In fact, they're one of the few animals that can climb down a tree head first! They are known for their sharp claws ...

Raccoons are one of the most common animals in North America. They are found in almost every state and can be seen in both rural and urban areas. They are so common that many people do not give them a second thought. But have you ever wondered where these creatures came from? Where Did Raccoons Come From? The procyonid family, to which raccoons belong, first originated in Europe about 25 million years ago. Over the millennia, these early raccoons slowly made their way across the Bering land bridge into Central or South America. From there, ancestors of the common raccoon spread to North America where they began to evolve into the creatures we know today. The genetic diversity among raccoons found in North America today is thought to be the result of this long and complicated history. Some procyonids like the crab-eating raccoon (Procyon cancrivorus) stayed on the tropical side of the continent while others moved further north into temperate regions. Where Di...

Gophers are small burrowing animals found in North and Central America. They are often considered pests because they tunnel through yards and damage crops. These wild animals come out at night to eat your plants and dig holes in your yard. Gophers are real nuisance animals. But do these little creatures carry disease? Do Gophers Spread Disease? The answer is yes, gophers can carry a number of diseases that can be passed on to humans and other animals. They spread rabies, hantavirus, leptospirosis, and many viral-based infectious diseases. Most of the diseases are treatable, but some can be deadly. So it's important to be aware of the risks if you have a gopher problem on your property. While gophers themselves may not show any symptoms of serious illness, they can still pass them on to humans and other animals through their urine and feces. So if you come in contact with a gopher, it's important to wash your hands thoroughly afterward. Diseases T...

Foxes are a member of the canidae family, which includes wolves, jackals, and dogs. They are common in woodlands, as well as rural and urban areas, and are relatively small compared to their canine cousins. Most members of the canidae family are active at night, but what about foxes? Are these little creatures nocturnal? Are Foxes Nocturnal? The simple answer is: yes, foxes are nocturnal animals. This means that they are most active at night and sleep during the day. However, foxes are not purely nocturnal animals and can also be active during the day, especially in the early morning or late afternoon. This is because foxes are crepuscular animals, which means that they are most active at dawn and dusk. So, while foxes are technically nocturnal animals, they are not entirely active at night and can also be seen during the day. Advantages Of Being Nocturnal There are a few advantages to being nocturnal, particularly for a wild animal. For one,...

Woodpeckers are some of the most interesting birds in the world. Not only are they known for their distinctive “woodpecker” sound, but they are also known for their habit of making holes into trees. This pecking or drumming can leave behind some pretty noticeable holes in the tree bark. So, what does that hole look like and how do we know if a woodpecker made it? Woodpecker Holes A hole made by a woodpecker is usually oval or round in shape. It is also usually quite small, only about an inch or so in diameter. The hole will be smooth around the edges and will often have wood shavings or chips near it. The depth of the hole will depend on how deep the woodpecker was pecking. Some woodpeckers will only peck the surface of the tree, while others will peck all the way through to the wood beneath the bark. A pileated woodpecker, for example, will make a hole that is about 4 to 5 inches deep, while a red-bellied woodpecker will only make a shallow hole. Pileated woodp...

Vincent Sorrentino thought it was a mouse. However, when he stuck his head in the dark plumbing access hole in his closet, it wasn't a mouse that stared back at him. GALVESTON , Texas - When Vincent Sorrentino found an opossum in his house, he thought it was a mouse. But when he looked closer, he realized it was an opossum hissing at him from inside a dark hole. That thing scared me, he said. I was minding my own business, just walking along, when I saw a creature that scared me. It was probably three feet from me and then it just disappeared under the beams, and I'm thinking, Oh no. What was that thing? When Sorrentino posted his animal troubles on Facebook, he received numerous responses from area residents also experiencing furry nighttime intruders. The Sorrentino family is just trying everything to get rid of the animal that has been coming around their house at night. They've tried advice from others, live traps, coyote urine - but nothing has worked ...

While some residents of Galveston Island are calmer now that a coyote has been caught, others are worried about how many more coyotes may be in the area. Some people are fearing for their small pets, while others are just hoping that the coyote population will stay under control. Animal control is doing their best to reassure people GALVESTON , Texas -- Some people living on Galveston Island feel more at ease knowing that a coyote has been captured. This animal has been blamed for a number of dead animals, including Cornelius Mock's cat. Many families in our neighborhood have young children. We were worried that the coyotes near our homes would scare them or worse, hurt them. Some of our neighbors said they could actually hear the coyotes howling at night. A coyote was caught in a trap in a park near West Dansby Drive on Wednesday morning, according to the Galveston Animal Control. A coyote has been spotted in the neighborhood, so a cage has been put up to try an...

GALVESTON – Many birds were making their way to the Texas Gulf Coast after flying over the Gulf of Mexico. However, a storm forced them lower and they crashed into the tallest building in Galveston. Hundreds of birds flew into a high-rise building in downtown Galveston during a severe storm on Wednesday night. Many were killed when they crashed into the building's mirrored or clear windows. By Thursday morning, the animal control supervisor for the Galveston police had counted 395 dead birds. The supervisor, Josh Henderson, said that this was the largest event like this he had been a part of in over 10 years. He also mentioned that it was a tough reminder for bird-friendly lighting and design. According to Houston Audubon , hundreds of dead birds were found at the scene. It is estimated that up to a billion birds die each year from collisions with glass windows. This makes it clear that there is a need for change in order to protect these animals. The bird deaths in ...

GALVESTON – Many birds were making their way to the Texas Gulf Coast after flying over the Gulf of Mexico. However, a storm forced them lower and they crashed into the tallest building in Galveston. Hundreds of birds flew into a high-rise building in downtown Galveston during a severe storm on Wednesday night. Many were killed when they crashed into the building's mirrored or clear windows. By Thursday morning, the animal control supervisor for the Galveston police had counted 395 dead birds. The supervisor, Josh Henderson, said that this was the largest event like this he had been a part of in over 10 years. He also mentioned that it was a tough reminder for bird-friendly lighting and design. According to Houston Audubon , hundreds of dead birds were found at the scene. It is estimated that up to a billion birds die each year from collisions with glass windows. This makes it clear that there is a need for change in order to protect these animals. The bird deaths in ...

Hogs are mostly docile creatures that will leave humans alone, but if you're in a situation where they charge you or attack a domestic animal, it is best to call Animal Control. SEABROOK , Texas —  Editor's note: The video above is about the feral hog problem in The Woodlands and aired on KHOU in January. The feral hogs that have been spotted at Seabrook's Wildlife Park are causing a disturbance. The park is located off Red Bluff and the Local Animal Control has received several calls from people who have seen the packs of hogs. City officials said that the activity is not unusual, but people should be observant and aware of their surroundings. They warned that the activity may cause apprehension in residents, and encouraged people to be vigilant and take precautions. If you see feral hogs, it is best to stay away from them and not feed them. It is also illegal to shoot them in most cities. If you see feral hogs in your neighborhood, please call Ani...