Why Do New York Rescue Animals Have Dots On Their Heads?

I know I'm not the only New Yorker who follows closely when baby animals are rescued by wildlife organizations. Recently, however, I noticed something strange.

It started when I saw a video of the smallest opossum I had ever seen. At first it looked like it had an injury (below)... Luckily, it turned out not to be a wound but something else all together: a painted dot on its head. It's an interesting trend that happens with nearly every baby rescue animal across the country.

Painted Dots on Baby Rescue Animals

While the baby opossum (above) wasn't rescued in New York, the dot on its head is common in nearly every state, and for good reason. The Woodlands Wildlife Sanctuary, who also paints the heads of their baby animals, explains below.

Why Rescue Animal Babies Have Dots Painted On Their Heads

It seems like a tactic that all parents with twins (mine included) would love to do with their own babies. As the wildlife sanctuary explains, the painted dots are for a very simple reason: to be able to identify the individual babies.

The non-toxic paint helps rehabilitation sanctuaries know how each individual is progressing, and also make sure that animals aren't fed (or medicated) more than they should be. Of course in the case of singularly rescued babies, like the adorable New York turkey vulture chick (below), no paint is needed.

Thanks to the wildlife rehabilitation centers across the United States, wild animals like these tiny opossum joeys and falcon chicks are getting a second lease on life. From tangled deer to trapped birds, local heroes are caring for those that can't care for themselves.