screech owl tangled in halloween spiderweb

	Photo by Dave Stapp, Marin Humane Society
	Photo by Alison Hermance
	Photo by Alison Hermance

screech owl tangled in halloween spiderweb

For this Western Screech Owl, the Halloween decorations on a Novato home weren't just scary, they were life-threatening!

The Marin Humane Society responded to a call from homeowners saying that their artificial spider web had ensnared an accidental victim.

"He was hanging upside down right outside the front door," the homeowner said. "When we opened the door he just hung there and blinked at us!"

Upon arrival at the home, the MHS officer gently snipped away the fibers that tied the little owl to the porch, and brought him, panting with stress and still ensnared in web, to WildCare.

Screech Owls are small woodland owls that are common in our suburban neighborhoods. Despite their small stature, these owls have big personalities, and our Halloween Owl was no exception. Despite his obvious stress and fear, he clacked his beak and tried to bite through the heavy gloves his handlers wore to protect themselves as he was gently sedated to allow removal of all the fake spiderweb fibers.

After removing all the strands, he was checked completely for any remaining fibers, x-rayed to make sure he hadn't broken anything during his ordeal, and left to rest over night.

The following day we released him at the house where he was caught (now spiderweb-free) and gave the neighborhood children an amazing glimpse of a wild owl, and some food for thought when it comes to Halloween. Watch the video of his release!

At the Screech Owl's release, WildCare staff took the opportunity to talk to neighborhood children about protecting wildlife during Halloween. Photo by Alison Hermance
A Western Gull tangled in a balloon. The bird was freed and released. Photo from WildCare archives

halloween: a dangerous holiday for wildlife

At WildCare we know that wild animals will manage to get caught and tangled in anything.

Halloween and Christmas, holidays for which people decorate the exteriors of their homes, are particularly dangerous times for wildlife; anything that dangles, loops or flutters is a potential hazard (see below).

Halloween candy offers its own dangers to wildlife. The sweet taste of all that candy is a tremendous temptation to animals like raccoons and skunks, and when these animals gorge themselves on found candy they can make themselves very ill. Even more dangerous are candy wrappers which can be eaten and choked on, or swallowed leading to fatal stomach blockages.

halloween hints  to help wildlife
	Please don't use fake spiderweb or other decorations made of entangling fibers. Wild animals can easily get trapped and not be able to break the material to free themselves.
	Avoid decorations with loops or closed circles. A foraging animal can inadvertently put his head through a loop or circle and choke himself.
	Avoid decorations with small, dangling, edible-looking parts.
	Make sure all candy wrappers are disposed of  properly
	Don't leave candy out where wildlife may find it.