Spring and early summer in Southern Maryland bring an annual surge of baby wildlife — from tiny rabbits in backyard grass to wobbly fawns hidden in tall weeds along rural roads. While the instinct to help is strong, a popular educational poster titled “Baby Season Rules” is reminding residents that the best action is often to walk away.
The clear, illustrated guide — now being shared by wildlife rehabilitators, county agencies and local nature groups — explains exactly when young animals need human help and when they are exactly where they should be. “The instinct to help is good,” the poster states. “The information to help correctly is what’s missing.”
For rabbits found in a shallow grass nest, the rule is simple: leave them alone. Mother rabbits visit the nest only once or twice a day to nurse. If the nest has not been disturbed for 12 hours and the mother has not returned, that is normal behavior. Disturbing the nest or moving the kits can actually reduce their chances of survival.
Fawns lying alone in tall grass are almost always waiting for their mother to return. Does leave their fawns hidden for hours at a time and visit three or four times a day to nurse. A fawn has no scent, which helps protect it from predators. Only call a rehabilitator if the fawn has been circling, covered in flies, crying for more than six hours, or shows obvious injury.
Birds on the ground follow a two-part rule. If the bird is fully feathered and hopping, it is a fledgling learning to fly and should be left alone. If it is naked, eyes closed, and clearly too young to leave the nest, gently place it back in the nest. Injured birds of any age need immediate help from a licensed rehabilitator.
Squirrels that approach people usually need assistance. Healthy squirrels stay high in trees or run away. Opossums longer than seven inches are independent and do not need help; those smaller than seven inches and alone should be taken to a rehabilitator. Turtles, even tiny hatchlings, are never “abandoned” — they are independent from the moment they hatch and should be left alone.
The poster’s universal rule is printed in bold at the bottom: “Before touching: CALL A REHABILITATOR. Describe what you see.”
Southern Maryland’s mix of farmland, forests, waterfront marshes and growing subdivisions creates frequent encounters between people and wildlife. Calvert, Charles and St. Mary’s counties are home to abundant populations of white-tailed deer, rabbits, songbirds, squirrels and turtles. Each spring, wildlife rehabilitators field hundreds of calls from well-meaning residents who mistakenly believe a quiet fawn or a hopping fledgling needs rescue.
Improper intervention can do more harm than good. Baby animals that are healthy and simply waiting for their parents can be stressed, chilled or injured when handled. Moving them also removes them from the exact location where their mother expects to find them.
The infographic has become a go-to resource for local animal control officers, nature centers and social media pages in the tri-county area. Residents are encouraged to take a screenshot, save it to their phones and share it with neighbors.
Wildlife experts stress that the poster is not a substitute for professional advice. If an animal is clearly injured, in immediate danger or appears orphaned after following the rules, contact a licensed rehabilitator right away.
Spring baby season in Southern Maryland typically runs from March through August. By following these simple guidelines, residents can help protect local wildlife while giving every baby animal the best possible chance to grow up wild and free.
