Texas Wildlife Myths As True As The Cowboys Winning The Superbowl

I'm sure that many of us have heard many things from our parents when it comes to interacting with wildlife. "Don't touch wild animals or you'll get sick," or, "Vultures circle animals who are close to dying." While some may have a modicum of truth to it, the real truth is that these are just myths that have flirted with the truth after being passed down through generations.

Thanks to Texas Heritage, we finally have the truth when it comes to some common wildlife myths out there. So, buckle up and get your myth-busting pants on, we're about to go in.

Myth: It's Encouraged That You Feed Wild Ducks

I grew up right next to Lake Michigan, so feeding ducks was something we did nearly every weekend. It turns out that that's not a good idea at all. You see, when ducks are fed bread (a common treat for these birds from humans), they fill up on carbs and lack the proper nutrients in algae and other grasses that ducks eat in nature.

This can cause ducks to get too fat, removing their ability to fly properly. Feeding wild ducks can also offset the ecosystem by causing an overpopulation of hungry ducks who have grown dependent on human food.

Myth: Bird Feeders Aren't Actually Good for Birds

There has been concern that bird feeders in Texas actually impact migration patterns as some would stay in people's yards to eat while their little bird families left them to head south.

This really isn't true. Birds are smart, when migration season hits, they'll do the right thing. The only risk you have when owning a bird feeder in Texas is spreading diseases if you fail to regularly clean it.

Myth: Hearing a Rattlesnake Means It's About to Strike

You may have been told that a rattlesnake is about to lunge out and bite you if you hear the familiar rattling noise from their tails. This isn't necessarily the case as these snakes will shake their tails for a variety of reasons, typically when they sense danger or are in distress.

So, it's not assumed that you're about to be bit when a rattlesnake starts shaking, but it IS a good idea to safely remove yourself from the area in case it does decide to retaliate.

Myth: Vultures Circle Dying Animals

This is a common occurrence in western films where vultures begin circling overhead when characters are moments away from death in the barren wasteland. Vultures in Texas are only attracted to dead animals, meaning that you have nothing to fear as long as you're still breathing.

Due to the sulfurous emissions from decaying bodies, vultures will circle the carcass before landing for some tasty morsels.

Myth: Touching a Toad Gives You Warts

Texas frogs and toads do NOT have the ability to magically give you warts in any way. Even if you pick one up and they pee on your hand, there is no way you can get warts from frogs, toads, or any amphibian in general.

Myth: You Should Help a Hurt Baby Animal

I've actually always heard the opposite, which happens to the truth. Unless in extreme circumstances like the baby animal is dying or the mother is long dead, you should never handle young wild animals.

A common occurrence is if you find a baby bird that has fallen from its nest. If a human walks up and touches the bird to help it back into the nest, you risk the mother rejecting it since you rubbed your human smell all over her baby.

Your best course of action is to give it a few hours or even a day. If the situation is only getting worse, only then can you intervene.