Emydomyces testavorans is a recently discovered fungus associated with freshwater habitats that causes shell disease in a wide variety of turtles and terrapins (Woodburn et al 2019; Woodburn et al 2021). The fungus has been found in both wild and human cared for turtles and has been identified in individuals with active lesions and those […]
Hazel, our beloved Eastern Box turtle ambassador, helps the Wildlife Medical Clinic teach our community about wildlife stewardship. Reptiles have very specific care and husbandry needs and it’s important to leave the care of wild animals to clinics and rehabilitators who can properly care for them. Learn more about Eastern Box turtles from Dr. Lewis […]
Where can we find different wildlife species? Print out this activity and place these animals in their homes! Feel free to share your fully colored masterpieces with us on Facebook by tagging us at ‘Wildlife Medical Clinic at Illinois’. Illustrations by Grey D’Andrea, Class of 2026
Snakes, an animal group that frequently causes fear in people. Whether it be due to them having scales, their quick and unique locomotion, or maybe it’s the fact that some are deadly.Unfortunately, due to this fear, most snakes get grouped as dangerous and sometimes are killed because of this misconception. I was encouraged to hear […]
One of our goals at the Wildlife Medical Clinic is to educate the public about the animals that live around us, and that sometimes involves correcting long-believed ideas. Here are four of my favorite misconceptions to discuss with people: 1) “Bald eagles sound fierce!” That majestic battle-cry you have heard in movies did NOT come […]
The Wildlife Medical Clinic gives a warm welcome to our newest Wildlife Ambassador animal,Caduceus the Brazilian rainbow boa! Caduceus has prior experience as a professional program animal, having spent the last 11 years of her life in the excellent care of the College of Veterinary Medicine’s Non-Traditional Species Club. Because of her extremely mild temperament, […]
This year, an injured, adult common snapping turtle, Chelydra serpentina, was brought to the Wildlife Medical Clinic after being spotted with a fishing hook stuck through its tongue. Snapping turtles are native primarily to Central and North America, with some species ranges extending into western Columbia. They are normally found in lakes or slow-moving streams. […]
Our nine ambassador animals have diverse nutrition needs that require a lot of planning and preparation. Each ambassador also has their favorite (and least favorite) foods. In developing their regular diets and treats, we cater to their individual preferences to optimize their health and welfare daily. Our avian ambassadors and ball python, Bucket, eat almost […]
The Wildlife Medical Clinic Ambassador Animals are a special group of individuals that do an amazing job of representing their species and creating opportunities for all of us to learn more! Our nine ambassadors live at the University, educating students on their care and the public on conservation matters that affect their species. The ambassador animals are deserving of love all the time, and we like […]
While the wintertime blues can be triggered during the shorter days and colder temperatures winter brings, we also tend to see an exciting change in the wildlife population during this time. Some birds, bats and insects migrate out of Illinois and head towards warmer weather during the winter months. Other animals prepare for winter in advance and stay in Illinois, enduring the cold in their own way. We are […]