Tweet
As many on here know, I have a big German Sheppard lap dog that wandered into my life last year. While generally fairly genteel around company, especially if I happen to introduce her to visitors, she tends to keep up the property well and let's me know whenever visitors happen to arrive. She has gotten out of the habit of barking at the deer in the back 40, but still lets me know they are around when she happens to see or smell them. And generally let's me know of additional wild animals out and about near the property or on it.
But there are always other "guard" animals around property that normally aren't categorized as such. One is my king snake. Generally benign, it's been pretty good at keeping the mice and rat population down to almost zero levels. Not exactly sure where it nests, but overall, we have a fairly friendly relationship. It stays outside the house and is free to roam the property searching for a meal. I don't bother it. As rodents would be a potential problem in the PAW with stored food as well as carriers of contagions, the snake and I have a good relationship. It eats and I don't get bothered by rodents save the mole that likes to make mounds in my yard.
Second "other" guard animal is an armadillo. While most wouldn't tend to think of this as a "guard" animal and more of a pest, it does have the knack for eating termites and ants which can and will often become a significant problem for both stored firewood as well as structures. As Terminex won't be making house calls, it's up to nature to help keep the area clean.
And last, but certainly not least is the wonderful guard animal that prowls around at night on and near my property. While generally not being very ferocious, it does have a unique way of keeping unwanted visitors off the property. The skunk that happens to live nearby can and will be a huge visual deterrent to those that might consider coming on and doing ill will. So as long as I don't bother and have to smell said "guard" animal, we have a careful cohabitation.
Besides dogs, which are by far the most common "guard" animal on most people's property, are there other types of animals that pull double duty in your area?
But there are always other "guard" animals around property that normally aren't categorized as such. One is my king snake. Generally benign, it's been pretty good at keeping the mice and rat population down to almost zero levels. Not exactly sure where it nests, but overall, we have a fairly friendly relationship. It stays outside the house and is free to roam the property searching for a meal. I don't bother it. As rodents would be a potential problem in the PAW with stored food as well as carriers of contagions, the snake and I have a good relationship. It eats and I don't get bothered by rodents save the mole that likes to make mounds in my yard.
Second "other" guard animal is an armadillo. While most wouldn't tend to think of this as a "guard" animal and more of a pest, it does have the knack for eating termites and ants which can and will often become a significant problem for both stored firewood as well as structures. As Terminex won't be making house calls, it's up to nature to help keep the area clean.
And last, but certainly not least is the wonderful guard animal that prowls around at night on and near my property. While generally not being very ferocious, it does have a unique way of keeping unwanted visitors off the property. The skunk that happens to live nearby can and will be a huge visual deterrent to those that might consider coming on and doing ill will. So as long as I don't bother and have to smell said "guard" animal, we have a careful cohabitation.
Besides dogs, which are by far the most common "guard" animal on most people's property, are there other types of animals that pull double duty in your area?
Comment