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For
Wisconsin wild turkeys, the wingspan differs between the males and
females. The male wingspan can get up to an average of forty-two to
forty-eight inches in length. The female wingspan can get up to an
average of thirty-four to thirty-nine inches in length. This wingspan
helps them fly well. You will generally find Wisconsin wild turkeys
from the central portion of the state all the way down to the southern
border. They tend to stay in this general area.
The wild turkey’s feathers have many features
to them that help the turkey survive out in the wild. They not only
help to keep the turkey warm during the cold seasons, but they also
help them in flight and are shown off during mating rituals to
encourage the opposite sex. Wisconsin wild turkeys prefer open areas
to live in and for areas to mate in. Opposite of the open area, they
like to use greatly forested areas to take cover from lurking
predators and they like to roost in the trees at nighttime.
Wisconsin wild turkeys generally find their
food in these open areas. They like to eat plants and small animals
wherever they are able to find them. Consisting of this diet is also:
insects, acorns, seeds, and a delicious variety of fruits. Their main
diet focuses on the plants. Wild turkeys enjoy being active every
chance that they get. They share this activeness with other turkeys
that travel with them in their flock. Those turkeys feed twice a day;
once in the morning and again in the afternoon.
Wisconsin wild turkeys will have their mating
season from February to April. During this period of time, they will
mate and then the females will lay their ten to twelve eggs. This
happens within a two week period of time. The new babies are ready to
leave and feed after at least twelve to twenty-four hours after
birth. That is pretty quick! A wonderful benefit to wild turkeys is
that there are now many wildlife restoration centers that are helping
to stay abundant and thrive in their homeland.
The female Wisconsin wild turkeys especially
have a benefit that helps them survive. Their lighter color helps
them blend into their surroundings when hiding from predators.
Although, these are wonderful benefits for the wild turkey; they do
have their unfortunate downfalls. Wild turkeys do not see well at
night so they have a disadvantage to the predators lurking nearby.
Wild turkeys have many predators not just for them, but also for their
eggs. Humans tend to hunt them for their meat; which many love.
One downfall for humans is that the Wisconsin
wild turkeys have a tendency to eat crops of vegetables and other
plants. That is one of the reasons leading to humans being one of the
turkey’s top predators. Skunks seem to be the main predator for wild
turkey eggs. The predators for the actual wild turkeys include:
humans, opossums, raccoons, snakes, crows, coyotes, some rodents,
foxes, bobcats, great horned owls, and red-tailed hawks. The wild
turkey has a lot to watch out for.
Unfortunately, the life expectancy for
Wisconsin wild turkeys is not very high at all. Males live up to two
years of age and the female turkeys usually live up to about three
years. The wild turkey is a very interesting creature. Did you know
that the wild turkey has between five and six thousand feathers
covering their body? If you are traveling through the state and
happen to see some wild turkeys, treasure the moment!
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