Water is essential to life on Earth. We can’t replace the natural creeks, streams and damplands we’ve removed, but we can help wildlife return and survive in urban areas by providing some of the basics.
The Level 3 habitat value reflects the importance of reintroducing drinking water for native animals. Creating environments where native wildlife can survive is central to the ReWild purpose.
When providing water for wildlife, remember this simple saying: “Standing water is good, moving water is better, and flowing water is best”.
Placement
When choosing where to put drinking water for ground-dwelling animals, it is important to consider shade and shelter.
The shade will prevent evaporation and help you use water wisely.
It is also a good idea to place your ground-level water near small plants and clumping grasses. This will help animals feel safe and protected from predators.
What is the best option?
Honestly, it comes down to your personal taste and the overall themes you are trying to achieve in your garden design.
You don’t need to create an artificial stream to provide ReWild value to animals (but let us know if you do!) – you can easily start by leaving a water dish out and changing it daily.
You can also use solutions like drip feeds from rainwater tanks or ultra-low flow irrigation, combined with a timer.
ReWild combos
Providing water for wildlife can be very efficient when combined with a dampland. A simple drip feed into your water feature will slowly spill into the dampland, where it can be captured in the underground reservoir.
Importantly, a slow drip keeps the surface of the water moving, which will prevent mosquitoes from breeding there.
Pet Ownership
Remember that any ground-level accessible water needs to be protected from your cats and dogs in order to provide value to our native animals.
Water for Wildlife Guide
Providing wildlife water follows the same principles as installing and maintaining a bird bath. See Provide Water for Birds regarding cleanliness, safety, and depth.
Here are a few ways to provide water to other wildlife.
Mammals
Mammals in the trees
Possums and other tree dwelling mammals will visit water containers located in the high in the forks of tree branches or on a platform near the trunk of a tree. Locating water in the canopy can provide a safe place for mammals to drink without risking an incident between a possum and the family cat or dog.
Some of our possums are smaller than mice and any water container needs to contain a partially submerged rock or stick to ensure a safe avenue in case they fall in.
Ground dwelling mammals
Quendas, kangaroos, wallabies, and other ground dwelling mammals will drink from water containers located on the ground. Ideally, the water container is shallow (few centimetres deep) and located in the shade of dense shrubs.
Echidnas are avid users of garden baths. They are well known to seek out suitable water to drink and bathe during summer. Often without care of privacy or surprise of residents.
Frogs
Ground dwelling frogs
Unbelievably, ground dwelling frogs venture hundreds of meters from water in search of food and potential mates. These frogs often visit shallow water containers found in the garden during their nocturnal adventures.
Any water container left for ground dwelling frogs should be shallow and filled with rocks to ensure the frog can safely leave the water.
Lizards
Ground dwelling frogs
Don’t forget Lizards
“Flat out like a lizard drinking” is a bit of an exaggeration, because lizards gain most of their water from their diet. However, they will drink from shallow containers filled with rocks and pebbles in hot weather.
Smaller skinks will drink from water collected in cracks in stone, wood, and brick work as well.
