Animals normally survive on their woodland environmental resources, but when they run out, they may come looking in residential areas for food and water.

LONGVIEW, Texas (KLTV) – The ruthless East Texas heat not only affects people, but East Texas wildlife can experience behavioral changes as well, putting them in contact with humans.

Animals normally survive on their woodland environmental resources, but when they run out, they may come looking in residential areas for food and water. The 100-plus degree heat parches the land and dries up waterholes and streams, resources wildlife need for survival.

“We always encourage people to be careful during this time of year, so they don’t put themselves in a position to have an encounter with something they’re not expecting to have an encounter with,” said Longview Animal Care and Adoption Center Director Chris Kemper.

The heat changes animals’ behavior as they look elsewhere for relief, and that could bring them into your backyard.

“Animals that are typically nocturnal coming out in the daytime — they’re coming out when they need to, to find the resources that are required. They’re coming out, and they’re in areas they wouldn’t normally be,” Kemper said.

In drought and heat, animals such as coyotes, raccoons, possums and snakes can come looking for food and, more important, water.

“This could put people at risk; this could put pets at risk,” Kemper said.

The most common mistake that most make, which will practically guarantee an animal encounter, is leaving food and water out for their pets at night.

“Once you feed your pets, pull that food up; don’t store it in outside areas; don’t store it in garages; don’t store it where those animals can come into it,” said Kemper.

A longtime animal control officer, Kemper said wildlife can carry diseases, so interaction is not advised.

“Just leave them alone. Don’t try to approach them; don’t try to pet them; certainly don’t try to make a pet out of them,” he said.

Kemper said if you have wildlife that is frequenting your property, you should call your local animal control or game warden to have it removed and relocated.