Wow I Found An Avocado Just Laying On The Ground!

Our resident Green Heron, named Goblin, is a little protective. He likes to patrol his territory any time our rehabbers get close. Like all herons, the Green Heron has a long neck. What’s unique about these guys is that they like to keep them pulled close to their chest unless they are hunting, or feel threatened. 

Heron are considered aquatic birds. That means they have special adaptations for hunting in and living near freshwater, like the Everglades. Their long necks and pointed beaks make them great fishers. 

natgeotravel

Video by @bertiegregory | A harp seal pup takes a swimming lesson with its mother in the Gulf of St Lawrence, Quebec, Canada. This species has an extraordinary breeding cycle. Females give birth to pups on moving ice floes. They suckle the pup for just 10 to 14 days. During the last few days of this short period, they encourage the pup into the water to help them learn to swim. After the swimming lessons, they abandon the pup. The females then mate with the males who have been waiting nearby before heading north to their feeding grounds. The pups at two weeks old are left alone with nothing to eat.

Rocky Mountain Golds: © gifs by riverwindphotography, September 2020

Merry Christmas from Leonidis!

Chip, the Florida Box Turtle, is aptly named due to the chip in his shell. Florida Box Turtles are known for their unique ability to fold the bottom plate of their shell up to the top part of their shell to turn their shell into a protective box from predators. This is probably what saved Chip’s life from the predator that took a chunk out of his shell. 

Chip was brought to the SNC by a Florida resident that found him injured in a park. We do not know what caused this injury, but because it prevents him from living safely out in the wild, the SNC provides him permanent sanctuary. It doesn’t hurt that he is also a total sweetie. 

LET THE LICHENS STAY

Make one of our wildlife friends your valentine this Valentines Day! For a $5 donation, we will deliver a yummy box of worms from you to them. Photos of the deliveries will be updated on Valentines Day. Donate here to get started: https://www.facebook.com/sncwild/posts/4168465543165140

Learn more about exotic and non-native animals from the Sawgrass Nature Center!