Orlando Wildlife Trappers Information
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RACCOON: Procyon lotor
SIZE - Average 12-20 lbs. in Florida
LIFE EXPECTANCY - Up to 12 years in the wild
BREEDING - Mating in December, 3-5 young born in April
DIET - Omnivorous - meat, berries, grains, vegetation
HABITAT - Mixed forests and especially urban areas
FACTS - 40 teeth, nimble hands, black mask, very strong
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EASTERN GRAY SQUIRREL: Sciurus carolinensis
SIZE - About 1 lb for adults
LIFE EXPECTANCY - Up to 10 years, but usually shorter
BREEDING - Two litters per year - Mating in December and June, 44 day gestation, 3-4 young born, weaned in 10 weeks
DIET - mostly nuts and seeds
HABITAT - Forests and suburban areas
FACTS - 22 teeth, bushy tail, very agile |
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OPOSSUM: Didelphis virginiana
SIZE - Adults 10-14 lbs.
LIFE EXPECTANCY - no more than 2-3 years
BREEDING - Marsupial - mates in January, young are born very tiny after only 12 days, then they stay in the pouch and grow
DIET - Omnivorous. Will eat almost anything but prefers meat.
HABITAT - Often nomadic, but will use human buildings
FACTS - 50 teeth, prehensile tail, oposable thumbs, plays dead |
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NINE BANDED ARMADILLO: Dasypus novemcinctus
SIZE - Adults 12-16 lbs.
LIFE EXPECTANCY - Up to 15 years
BREEDING - Mates in summer, delayed fertilization in November, 120 day gestation, gives birth to four identical quadruplets
DIET - Digs up worms and grubs from the ground
HABITAT - Southern fields and forests
FACTS - Has bony, leathery shell. Can carry leprosy |
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ROOF RAT: Rattus rattus
SIZE - Adults 6-10 oz. Body 8 in. tail 8 in.
LIFE EXPECTANCY - Rarely more than one year.
BREEDING - Females can mate year-round, produce up to 5 litters per year, composed of 6-10 young. Gestation is 21-28 days.
DIET - Almost anything, prefers fruits and grains
HABITAT - Lives above ground, prefers buildings
FACTS - Nocturnal, great climbers, small home range |
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EASTERN MOLE: Scalopus aquaticus
SIZE - Adults average 3 oz. and 6 inches.
LIFE EXPECTANCY - 2-3 years
BREEDING - Breeds in January, gives birth to 2-4 young after a 45 day gestation.
DIET - Almost entirely earthworms, also grubs
HABITAT - Underground- fields, loose soil
FACTS - Blind. Digs tunnels underground |
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PIGEON: Columba livia
SIZE - Average 12 inches long and 1 lb. weight
LIFE EXPECTANCY - Average 3-5 years
BREEDING - Nests any time of year. Mates for life. Young hatch in 19 days.
DIET - Mostly seeds, but will eat a varied diet
HABITAT - Mostly urban areas and architecture
FACTS - Flying rats. Gutter Birds. Feathered friends. |
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FREE-TAIL BAT: Tadarida brasiliensis
SIZE - Wingspan about 6 inches, weight 0.5 oz.
LIFE EXPECTANCY - Up to 16 years
BREEDING - Breeds in fall, delayed fertilization, female gives birth to one pup in early June.
DIET - Entirely insectivorous
HABITAT - Caves and often human buildings near water
FACTS - Not blind. Uses echolocation to help navigation. |
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FLORIDA SNAKES
SIZE - Depends on species - 6 inches to 6 feet.
LIFE EXPECTANCY - Up to 20 or more years, depending on species
BREEDING - Some give birth to live young, some lay eggs
DIET - carnivorous
HABITAT - many habitats, though undeveloped areas are better
FACTS - No eyelids. Smells with tongue. 4 venomous species in FL |
The above facts are just the basics for many of the wildlife species that I deal with in the Orlando area. It is important to understand the behavior and breeding cycles of the wildlife that I deal with. For example, many
animals enter attics only when they bear young. Then when I trap and remove the wildlife, it's important that I know if the animal does have a nest of young, and if so, I should find and remove the baby animals. Knowledge
of wildlife diet not only helps me use the best baits to catch them, but also may tell me what nearby food sources are attracting the animals to the area. The life expectancy of an animal gives me an idea of its conservation
status. I'd rather kill a rat - which can have up to 50 young per year and which has a 95% first-year mortality rate, than kill a precious bat, which has only one young per year and can live up to 16 years. Information is
often the best tool when dealing with wildlife - more valuable than a steel trap or snare pole! If you want to hire the best in Orlando trappers and animal trapping, give us a call.
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