Mourning dove. Squirrel. Goldenrod.
What do they have in common?
Somewhere in Michigan, someone hates them.
The list of creatures that people say they despise is long and includes pileated woodpeckers, voles, raccoons, snakes, opossums, coyotes, bears….
People offer a lot of reasons: their song is annoying, they eat birdseed, they gnaw plants, they make holes in the yard.
Often, the same people will say they love wildlife. Just not “that” wildlife.
The thing is, playing favorites doesn’t work.
The animals we like, the animals we don’t like—they’re all part of the circle of life. Or as we might call it, the food chain.
It’s like a Jenga tower. Remove a block here or there and the tower may remain standing, but it becomes increasingly likely to crash.If the opossum were to disappear, coyotes and bobcats would have less food.
But critters below opossums on the food chain—no longer being eaten—would thrive. And who wants more slugs, ants and ticks?
Some people would like to remove animals at the top of the food chain, to protect a favorite bird or furry animal. But removing a top predator also ripples through the system.
This has been studied for decades on Isle Royale. When the wolf is absent, more moose survive. But the island can’t support all those moose. The herd suffers, and starvation becomes the leading cause of death. Moose and wolves in natural balance create a healthier ecosystem.
The cottontail rabbit is my nemesis. They nip off native wildflowers I’ve planted. But, I do have the pleasure of observing coyotes, bobcats and owls that come around looking for a nice plump rabbit.
Mourning dove audio attribution:
Christopher McPherson, XC638304. Accessible at www.xeno-canto.org/638304.
