Observations of Drought and Wildlife

by Ken Kuiper, State Biologist
Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)
Salina, Kansas

Records were set in Kansas making 2002 the driest, hottest year in recorded history. Drought can be devastating for many wildlife species. For game birds, a reduction in both nesting and survival success usually characterize drought years.

Kangaroo rats do well in drought conditions. They escape the heat and wind in burrows. These animals require no free water. They produce metabolic water from the food they eat.

There are a variety of other adaptations that help animals survive in dry, hot conditions. For instance, turtles and insects have shells that resist water loss. Thirteen-lined ground squirrels reduce water loss through true hibernation during the heat of the summer.

Fairy shrimp are invertebrates found in western Kansas’s playa lake pools. After rainfall and ponding in playas, these animals hatch and complete their life cycle in about 21 days. To survive drought, their eggs remain viable in the soil for 20 years or more until conditions are right for hatching.

During drought periods, coyotes and other animals will dig into the sand of a dry creek to find water. They also have the adaptive capability to travel to a water supply for survival. Pheasants can be seen drinking water from ponds and irrigation systems during a hot day.

Overgrazing of native rangeland can reduce plant vigor and forage production. Forage utilization can be managed by reducing livestock numbers and/or adjusting the length of the grazing period. Using these grazing techniques can help maintain healthy rangeland for both domestic livestock and wildlife.

Wildlife guzzlers, wildlife watering facilities and backyard birdbaths can benefit wildlife during drought conditions. Following standard designs found in the Natural Resources Conservation Service’s Field Office Technical Guide ensures that all design considerations are covered. This guide can be found online at www.ks.nrcs.usda.gov. Then click on the eFTOG logo. Watering facilities should always have an escape route for prey species, and they must provide a stable water supply to meet the needs of the animal during a critical period.

Wildlife can survive drought conditions in Kansas. Management and thoughtful planning can help species with critical habitat survival needs. Assistance for installation of practices that benefit wildlife is available through the Natural Resources Conservation Service office and conservation district office located at your local county USDA Service Center. Contact your local office for the facts.

For more information about NRCS programs, visit the Kansas NRCS web site at www.ks.nrcs.usda.gov.

This article is also available in Microsoft Word format.

Observations of Drought and Wildlife (DOC; 29 KB)

< Back to Conservation Editions - Fiscal Year 2003 Index

Last Modified: 09/08/2008