The DNA results are finally in!
Published on June 2, 2023 at 5:25 PM
Tory Chang was driving through the rain in a rural area when they spotted a tiny animal stuck in the mud. She was freezing and all alone, so Chang scooped her up and brought her into their car. Chang thought she looked like a baby fox and quickly contacted For Fox Sake Wildlife Rescue for help.
https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fforfoxsakewildlife%2Fposts%2Fpfbid0hf1RLmkfE8nrrvSZi1xpud5y5zJ2NzB1jmxtWqp7QbUAzEedtBtLq2ynrGhgxHaPl&show_text=false&width=500
“We asked the finder for a photo and were instantly a little puzzled because the ‘fox’ looked more like a coyote pup in the face, paws and tail in the blurry, dark picture we received but had markings more like a red fox,” For Fox Sake Wildlife Rescue wrote on Facebook. “We figured we’d get a better look at her feet, size and markings and positively identify her once she got here.”
Chang drove several hours to drop off the mystery animal, later named Yoti, and when they arrived, Yoti was met with even more confusion.
https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fphoto.php%3Ffbid%3D10229329682735889%26set%3Dp.10229329682735889%26type%3D3&show_text=false&width=500
Her new friends at the rescue thought she looked much more like a puppy than a wild animal, but couldn’t know for sure without a DNA test. Since the rescue isn’t equipped to care for puppies, she went to a foster home instead while everyone waited to find out what kind of animal the little mystery pup actually was.
https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fforfoxsakewildlife%2Fposts%2Fpfbid02fg7oALsb9eKSGy7pkVJjuPrVX2RdJjGgMLUE4oMiqcH3zf6DLCbDCY6uFyoRG17Zl&show_text=false&width=500
As Yoti grew, so did the confusion about her identity, and everyone once again changed their minds about what they thought she was.
“Yoti, a brindle and white mystery pup, is continuing to do very well as we await the results of her DNA test,” the rescue wrote. “As she’s gotten older, her temperament proved to be too much for a domestic rescue to handle.”
She eventually became too wild to stay in the care of her foster mom and ended up back at For Fox Sake Wildlife Rescue as they continued to wait for the results of her DNA test. As they got to know her, they became pretty confident about what she was.
https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fforfoxsakewildlife%2Fposts%2Fpfbid034PC5nWybHV3JPxZsHRepcLPveT6jiBhjf6XysUFRMgxuAv85xekRvn6DE8HCFmXbl&show_text=false&width=500
“Her temperament, paw pad shape and vocalizations are all exactly like a cross between a coyote and a domestic dog, but we won’t be able to confirm exactly what she is until we’ve seen her DNA test results,” the rescue wrote. “She must have at least one domestic dog ancestor since brindle markings do not naturally occur in full-blooded coyotes.”
Finally, the results came in — and Yoti’s friends at the rescue were right.
https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fforfoxsakewildlife%2Fposts%2Fpfbid0ja5HetKTNu3trTnvDnij7NnyKtmrkiqJJKnvxVku8nP6QBWh879YmVjXgMKxqMtAl&show_text=false&width=500
“Yoti does have genetic markers that are unique to domestic dogs and were introduced within the last four generations,” the rescue wrote. “Coyote-domestic dog hybrids rarely occur or survive in the wild … But life, uh … finds a way.”
Since Yoti is mostly coyote, she’ll be cared for by Walden’s Puddle, a wildlife rehabilitation facility, with another mystery pup until she’s ready to be released back into the wild. It took a while, but everyone is thrilled that now Yoti will end up back where she belongs.
You can help other animals in need by donating to For Fox Sake Wildlife Rescue.
Smart Buys From Companies That Help Save Animals
We may earn a commission if you purchase from our links.
LITTLE BEAST Peanut Butter Dog One-Piece
GROUNDS & HOUNDS Belly Rub Blend Coffee
DOG THREADS Fleece Hoodie
SMALLS Cat Food
SOLID GOLD SeaMeal Squeeze Lickable Cat Treat
PURINA Pro Plan LiveClear Probiotic Dry Cat Food
THUNDERSHIRT Classic Anxiety & Calming Vest for Dogs
ZESTY PAWS Calming Bites
ACANA Rescue Care For Adopted Dogs Dog Food
NATURAL BALANCE Gentle Balance Dry Dog Food
VANS Classic Sneakers
BISSELL Pet Hair Eraser Vacuum
Want more animals?
Get a daily dose of uplifting animal stories straight to your inbox
Subscribe
By signing up, I agree to the Terms and Privacy Policy.
Dodo Shows
00:01
03:01
https://imasdk.googleapis.com/js/core/bridge3.723.0_en.html#deid=%22%22&eventfe_experiment_ids=%5B%5D&fid=%22goog_107834935%22&genotype_experiment_data=%7B%22experimentStateProto%22%3A%22%5B%5B%5B45713128%2Cnull%2Cnull%2C%5B%5D%5D%2C%5B803064088%2Cnull%2Cnull%2C%5B1%5D%5D%2C%5B45681221%2Cnull%2Cnull%2C%5B1%5D%5D%2C%5B45722344%2Cnull%2Cnull%2C%5B%5D%5D%2C%5B45706017%2Cnull%2Cnull%2C%5B%5D%5D%2C%5B45668885%2Cnull%2Cnull%2C%5B%5D%5D%2C%5B45685340%2Cnull%2Cnull%2C%5B%5D%5D%2C%5B45663239%2Cnull%2Cnull%2C%5B%5D%5D%2C%5B45715032%2Cnull%2Cnull%2C%5B1%5D%5D%2C%5B45661356%2Cnull%2Cnull%2C%5B%5D%5D%2C%5B45676441%2Cnull%2Cnull%2C%5B%5D%5D%2C%5B45675307%2Cnull%2Cnull%2C%5B1%5D%5D%2C%5B45675308%2Cnull%2Cnull%2C%5B1%5D%5D%2C%5Bnull%2C45645574%2Cnull%2C%5B%5D%5D%2C%5B45702384%2Cnull%2Cnull%2C%5B%5D%5D%2C%5B45726365%2Cnull%2Cnull%2C%5B1%5D%5D%2C%5B45692337%2Cnull%2Cnull%2C%5B1%5D%5D%2C%5B45688859%2Cnull%2Cnull%2C%5B%5D%5D%2C%5B45656766%2Cnull%2Cnull%2C%5B%5D%5D%2C%5B45710689%2Cnull%2Cnull%2C%5B%5D%5D%2C%5B45710688%2Cnull%2Cnull%2C%5B%5D%5D%2C%5B45685601%2Cnull%2Cnull%2C%5B%5D%5D%2C%5Bnull%2C45685602%2Cnull%2C%5Bnull%2C500%5D%5D%2C%5B775241416%2Cnull%2Cnull%2C%5B%5D%5D%2C%5B781107959%2Cnull%2Cnull%2C%5B%5D%5D%2C%5B781107958%2Cnull%2Cnull%2C%5B%5D%5D%2C%5B792614055%2Cnull%2Cnull%2C%5B%5D%5D%2C%5B781107957%2Cnull%2Cnull%2C%5B%5D%5D%2C%5B45658982%2Cnull%2Cnull%2C%5B%5D%5D%2C%5B45725657%2Cnull%2Cnull%2C%5B%5D%5D%5D%2C%5B%5B16%2C%5B%5B1%2C%5B%5B31089630%5D%2C%5B31089631%2C%5B%5B45668885%2Cnull%2Cnull%2C%5B1%5D%5D%5D%5D%5D%5D%2C%5B50%2C%5B%5B31092099%5D%2C%5B31092100%2C%5B%5Bnull%2C749060184%2Cnull%2C%5Bnull%2C100%5D%5D%5D%5D%5D%5D%2C%5B1%2C%5B%5B31094192%5D%2C%5B31094193%2C%5B%5B775241416%2Cnull%2Cnull%2C%5B1%5D%5D%5D%5D%5D%5D%2C%5B1000%2C%5B%5B95332046%5D%5D%5D%2C%5Bnull%2C%5B%5B95332047%5D%5D%5D%2C%5B10%2C%5B%5B95333808%5D%2C%5B95333809%2C%5B%5B635466687%2Cnull%2Cnull%2C%5B1%5D%5D%5D%5D%5D%5D%2C%5B10%2C%5B%5B95338769%2C%5B%5Bnull%2C45645574%2Cnull%2C%5Bnull%2C1%5D%5D%5D%5D%2C%5B95338770%2C%5B%5Bnull%2C45645574%2Cnull%2C%5Bnull%2C2%5D%5D%5D%5D%5D%5D%2C%5B10%2C%5B%5B95345206%5D%2C%5B95345207%2C%5B%5B45661356%2Cnull%2Cnull%2C%5B1%5D%5D%5D%5D%5D%5D%2C%5B10%2C%5B%5B95356068%5D%2C%5B95356069%2C%5B%5B45685601%2Cnull%2Cnull%2C%5B%5D%5D%2C%5Bnull%2C45685602%2Cnull%2C%5B%5D%5D%5D%5D%2C%5B95356070%2C%5B%5B45685601%2Cnull%2Cnull%2C%5B1%5D%5D%2C%5Bnull%2C45685602%2Cnull%2C%5B%5D%5D%5D%5D%2C%5B95356071%2C%5B%5B45685601%2Cnull%2Cnull%2C%5B1%5D%5D%2C%5Bnull%2C45685602%2Cnull%2C%5Bnull%2C100%5D%5D%5D%5D%5D%5D%2C%5B100%2C%5B%5B95364127%5D%2C%5B95364128%2C%5B%5B45706017%2Cnull%2Cnull%2C%5B1%5D%5D%5D%5D%5D%5D%2C%5B100%2C%5B%5B95365753%2C%5B%5B45710689%2Cnull%2Cnull%2C%5B1%5D%5D%5D%5D%2C%5B95365754%2C%5B%5B45710688%2Cnull%2Cnull%2C%5B1%5D%5D%5D%5D%5D%5D%2C%5Bnull%2C%5B%5B95366606%5D%2C%5B95366607%2C%5B%5B45713128%2Cnull%2Cnull%2C%5B1%5D%5D%5D%5D%5D%5D%2C%5Bnull%2C%5B%5B95370402%5D%2C%5B95370403%2C%5B%5B45722344%2Cnull%2Cnull%2C%5B1%5D%5D%5D%5D%5D%5D%2C%5B5%2C%5B%5B95371971%5D%2C%5B95371972%2C%5B%5B45725657%2Cnull%2Cnull%2C%5B1%5D%5D%5D%5D%5D%5D%2C%5B10%2C%5B%5B95372277%5D%2C%5B95372278%2C%5B%5Bnull%2C745150931%2Cnull%2C%5Bnull%2C1%5D%5D%5D%5D%5D%5D%2C%5B1%2C%5B%5B95373378%2C%5B%5B792614055%2Cnull%2Cnull%2C%5B1%5D%5D%5D%5D%2C%5B95373379%2C%5B%5B781107959%2Cnull%2Cnull%2C%5B1%5D%5D%2C%5B792614055%2Cnull%2Cnull%2C%5B1%5D%5D%2C%5B781107957%2Cnull%2Cnull%2C%5B1%5D%5D%5D%5D%5D%5D%5D%5D%5D%2Cnull%2Cnull%2C%5Bnull%2C1000%2C1%2C1000%5D%5D%22%7D&imalib_experiments=%5B44752996%2C95322027%2C95331589%2C95332046%2C95365753%5D&managed_js_experiment_id=0&pvsid=4539930835375978Dog And Her Mom Have The Sweetest Dinner Routine
Read Full Article
One-Of-A-Kind Orange Snowy Owl Leaves Scientists Scratching Their Heads
Why do you think she’s orange?
If snowy owls are known for one thing, it’s their white plumage. Their coloring helps them blend in with the frost-covered environments they call home.
https://www.instagram.com/p/DFslI6mJxus/embed/?cr=1&v=14&wp=810&rd=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.thedodo.com&rp=%2Fdaily-dodo%2Fone-of-a-kind-orange-snowy-owl-leaves-scientists-scratching-their-heads#%7B%22ci%22%3A0%2C%22os%22%3A15901.700000047684%2C%22ls%22%3A15685.899999976158%2C%22le%22%3A15689.700000047684%7D
Wildlife photographer Julie Maggert has been taking pictures of snowy owls for years. So when she heard that a strange, orange-colored snowy owl had been spotted flying around Michigan’s Thumb area, she knew she had to see the bird for herself.
Maggert drove two hours out to where the owl had been observed. Before long, she spotted her in the middle of a field. She couldn’t believe her eyes — she really was orange.
Maggert stayed in one spot all day, waiting for the owl to fly onto a pole so she could get a clear photo. But when it was almost dusk, the owl flew away into a tree, out of Maggert’s sight, and stayed there until it was totally dark.
All of Maggert’s photos from that day ended up being unusable. But she didn’t let that stop her; she returned shortly after, determined to photograph the elusive, mysterious animal.
The second time she returned to the owl’s home turf, the same thing happened: Maggert arrived at first light, only for the owl to fly out of view when it started getting dark. The third time Maggert visited the owl, she managed to capture some photos of the owl in flight.
Some people would have given up at that point. But not Maggert. She really wanted some photos of the owl sitting still that clearly showed off her distinctive orange feathers.
On the fourth day, as Maggert was driving around, following the owl, the bird finally perched on top of a utility pole, and the photographer was able to capture the pictures she’d been dreaming of.
“I went home feeling on cloud nine because I worked so hard and put so many hours into this owl,” Maggert told The Dodo.
In her quest to photograph the orange owl, whom she nicknamed Creamsicle, Maggert ended up logging 900 miles of driving and nearly 30 hours of sitting in her car. It was all worth it, though, because no one has ever seen an owl like Creamsicle before.
Many animal species have rare but documented genetic color variants, like blue lobsters and white orcas. But for the orange owl, not only is it the first time one has been photographed, but no one knows exactly why she’s orange. Kevin McGraw, biology professor at Michigan State University, suspects the owl or her mother got exposed to something in the environment that disrupted her genetic code.
As for Maggert, she’s not sure which theory she believes: “I just really don’t know if anybody’s ever going to find out,” Maggert said.
Since Creamsicle may very well be the only owl of her kind, Maggert is honored to not only have gotten to observe her firsthand, but also to have shared her with the world.
“It may be a once in a lifetime opportunity,” Maggert said.
If you’re interested in seeing more of Maggert’s work, you can check out her photography pages on Instagram and Facebook.
Related
Woman Locks Eyes With Freezing Puppy Living In Soggy Cardboard Box
“He felt like in the box, he was safe.”
Want more animals?
Get a daily dose of uplifting animal stories straight to your inbox
Subscribe
By signing up, I agree to the Terms and Privacy Policy.