alligators?

[Mickey's Sister]

Totalia, I think you need to re-read the posts. No one was surprised to discover that alligators live in Florida! The animals we were surprised to discover were armadillos, which we knew inhabited the southwestern part of the U.S. where they are widely discussed. I think we are also aware of the dangers of alligators; that was the gist of the very first post in this thread. That doesn't diminish the fact that I for one would like to see one in it's natural habitat. I feel the same way about bears, snakes, coyotes etc., all of which I have seen here in the north. Cute???


k&a&c'smom, I got quite a chuckle myself, picturing you all running to see the armadillo! When we told my sister about the one that ran under her car - she thought we were either pulling her leg or crazy! They are quite an unusual sight to run across unexpectedly.

Dreamflight99, LOVED your photos! 'Dinosaur among us' is indeed approriate! The dragonfly was awesome too! Thanks so much for sharing!!!

Have a Great weekend everyone!

Jessica

 

[dreamflight99]

So glad you all enjoyed the pics! I LOVE Dragonflies...and am a veritable shutterbug when ever we are in WDW!! (LOL).

I too...am fascinated with Armadillos. I recall first learning armadillos inhabited FLA, while in College. I was visiting the state (Spring Break), and canoeing though a state park with a group of friends. We stopped in a wild marsh island area, to investigate old Indian sites. I heard something which sounded like a massive BLACK BEAR "crashing" through the scrub/woods area adjacent to the clearing where we were standing. I stood frozen, waiting for the beast to rush & attack us!

Before I even had time to panic...the perpetrator appeared! He burst out into the clear...looked straight at all of us, and immediately turned to retreat back into the scrub. YES~!!! It was a little Armadillo! I asked the Ranger/guide how such a small fella could possibly make so much sound? He said it was a result of all the ARMOR he wears, and his peculiar "waddling Gait" (which is similar to that of a wolverine)! I was very impressed, and so intrigued. Now...I get ALL EXCITED whenever I see one of these prehistoric~looking creatures. Just one more reason to LOVE our travels to FLORIDA!

Here's a few more of my WILD LIFE Fla. Pics...~

Wonder what this Ghost Crab thought of me @ Disney's Vero Beach...

It's nice to have so many FRIENDS...all around you!

This is an endangered LAND Crab, which made himself at home on our Villa Porch @ Disney's Vero Beach this summer during a storm...

This little guy was outside our front door @ DVB...

He's a BIGGGG Jumper!

A little ocean crab @ DVB...summer 2004...

Friends?

A WILD Key West Rooster, whom awaits FOOD in front of the City Post Office!

More KEY WEST residents!

Loggerheads in VERO...

KOI in EPCOT (Japan pavillion)...very friendly!

Familiar face @ the MGM boat dock!

Soon...everyone hears about the FREE BREAD/POPCORN being tossed into the water! (LOL)

Outside the Dolphin....summer 2004~!

Found this one INSIDE our room!! (gasp) LOL....

Enjoy the weekend...and watch out for those reptiles!

TTFN...DF99

 

[Rozzie]

Originally posted by Cantw8
I think everyone knows that alligators live in Florida....Everglades. I think what amazed me was that ARMADILLOS live in Florida.

There are so many armadillos in my area (NW FLA), that I almost trip over them on my nightly runs. Maybe not that bad, but they always seem to dart out in front of me, and because I run at night, I sometimes have to jump sideways. I usually see 2-3 a night, and there are all over the place as roadkill on the back roads...
also we have a lot of possum...a lot of possum....

 

[Donalds_best_pal]

There is an Alligator who lives at the Beach Club Villas who we have seen there 3 times. He always justs hangs out in the water by the pool. Unforturnately he left after Charley and has not been seen since I heard. I was suprised when I moved to mississippi of the creatures we have here. Lots of rattlesnakes, lizards, rodents, alligators and tons of deer. So far we have only seen 2 alligators in backyard. One around 2 feet living in lake behind us and one on our drive thats was about 2.5 feet. After ivan hit us and flooded the lake I havent seen many. I guess they dont like bad weather. LOL
Matt

 

[Cantw8]

anyone have a picture of these armadillos? What are they like? Are they mean? You actually trip over them? LOL. I can't believe all the times I have been to Florida, I have never seen one!!!! Well, I can rest my head in peace tonight knowing that I have learned something new tonight. By the way, alligators in Florida? Who'da thunk?

 

[Mickey's Sister]

Dreamflight99, you are an amazing photographer - REALLY talented! I'm so glad you shared those photos! I'm fascinated with dragonflys too - something we DO have in PA. Have you been in Fort Wilderness? There are peacocks roaming free there - including an albino one. A peacock was sitting on our deck when we arrived. Also, on the day we arrived, I opened the drapes in the cabin's living room and right outside the window - literally inches away - was a pileated woodpecker! He sat there for quite a while - until I tried to very carefully move away for the camera,LOL. They are so impressive because they are so big. I've seen them twice in PA, but that's it!

Armadillos are incredible to those of not used to them. You couldn't dream up such an unusual looking creature. That story from your college days is priceless. How funny! To answer Cantw8 - I'm obviously not an expert, but the ones we saw seemed terrified of us & ran away as fast as their armour would permit. Cantw8 - I'm not too far from you - West Chester is only about an hour away.

Rozzie, I can't even imagine having to jump aside for armadillos! Possums on the other hand...we have plenty of them in PA too! My sister, who is also a Floridian, had an 'interesting' experience with a possum. She woke up one morning to find a baby one hanging from her headboard! Never found out how it got in.

Matt, it's a shame (though some might disagree with me, lol) about the BCV alligator! Can't blame the ones in your yard for not liking storms, huh? We also see snakes, rodents & deer (which eat my roses!) though not lizards! We live outside a small town with woods within sight so I guess that's to be expected. We also get raccoons, numerous skunks & groundhogs & the occasional bear. Lately there have been reports of some very 'unusual' animals showing up though. The town next to ours has a pack of wild boars - no, I'm not insane, the PA game commission is involved & trying to figure out where they came from. We've also had a pack of 4 coyotes. They were seen dragging away a deer carcass. I've NEVER heard of coyotes in PA. At one time there were wolves & mountain lions but I never heard of coyotes. I guess there's lots left that I haven't heard of - let's hope so!!!

Guess I've gone on & on long enough...have a great one all!

Jessica

 

[DizMom11]

And here I WAS FEELING SILLY about alligators. I will definately plan my resort ressies differently. I cannot believe how close our PC room was to a STILL body of water. I respect and appreciate all living things, and am amazed at the pictures posted. I am just not that comfortable with the idea of dealing with them on my own, nevermind with 3 kids in tow. Thank you all for your info. It will make our next trip even that much more magical. Gators....here we come!!

 

[Mickey's Sister]

DizMom11, you started a really interesting & fun thread! Sorry to have gone off on tangents about armadillos & other wildlife. Have a lovely trip!

Jessica

 

[DizMom11]

Thanks Jessica!

I would'nt mind seeing some armadillos myself!

 

[k&a&c'smom]

Great pics as always, DF!! Love those ghost crabs, we spent hours watching them build their homes on the beach and try to guard them from others before running like mad!! Very fascinating!



Mickey's Sister - LOL! Glad I gave you a laugh, it was pretty comical, with us running like crazy without success! They are pretty strange and exotic-looking for someone not used to them.

Cantw8 - I don't have a picture, but they are very unusual, with a long snout (almost like an ant-eater) and mouse-like ears, a long tail and armor-plated body. They aren't mean, they're very shy, hence the trouble seeing them. In the Missouri Conservationist, they stated that they have a very unusual habit of jumping straight up in the air when startled, which unfortunately quite often leads to their death. They go out in the road to look for food, a car startles them and they jump and hit the underside of the car!

 

[Mickey's Sister]

Oh the poor little things! Thanks for sharing the info.

Goodnight all!
Jessica

 

[dreamflight99]

Thanks for all the kind compliments about the pics posted! I'm glad you enjoyed them.

Here's some (& info) on the Florida critter known as the ARMADILLO!

Armadillo...

A PLUSH ARMADILLO...

Head is similar to a Kangaroo!

Cute little fella...

One of God's truly unique creatures...

Armadillo:

The nine-banded armadillo (Dasypus novemcinctus) is an odd-looking mammal covered with armored plates, and is about the size of a cat. Armadillos are not native to Florida, but are now common over most of the state. Armadillos like forested or semi-open habitats with loose textured soil that allows them to dig easily. They dig burrows for homes or to escape predators. They eat many undesirable insects, or other invertebrates (ie:snakes), and some nuisance plants. They most often feed at night, and have very poor eyesight.

The name armadillo is derived from the diminutive of the Spanish word "armado" one that is armed. Body armor in mammals is generally made of compressed hair, as in the plates of pangolins and the horns of the rhinoceros, but the armor of the armadillos is made up of small plates of bone, each covered by a layer of horny skin and seperated from its neighbors by soft skin from which sparse hairs grow. The back armor hangs down over the body protecting the soft underparts and limbs. It is divided into 2 shields, one covering the fore limbs and one the hind limbs, the two being linked across the middle of the back by a series of transverse bands of plates that allow the armor to be flexed. The number of transverse bands varies between species and in some they are sufficiently flexible to allow the animal to curl up. The head is also armored and in most species the tail is protected by a series of transverse bony rings. The softer underparts are covered with a dense layer of hair and scattered small bony scales.

If cornered armadillos will defend themselves with their sharp claws, but they are more likely to run away, some species moving surprisingly fast! They will also attempt to burrow into the ground if they cant find a hole. Armadillos like the pichi will draw in their feet and wedge the surrounding armor firmly into the ground. This ruse is effective against birds and some mammals, but not coyotes who can pierce their armor. The three-banded armadillo is more effectively protected by its complete rolling up but large predators like the jaguar have a large enough gape to crack its protective shell.

Armadillos prolific rooting and burrowing can severely damage lawns and flower-beds. To reduce armadillo damage to your lawn keep watering and fertilization to a minimum. Moist soil and lush vegetation bring earth worms and insect larvae (armadillo candy!) to the surface of the soil. Armadillos can sometimes be enticed to move by watering areas adjacent to the damage site. Armadillos can also be excluded from small areas of extensive damage with fencing at least 2 feet high and with bottom buried at least 18 inches deep.

It is lawful for a landowner to live-trap or humanely destroy nuisance armadillos although they are difficult to capture with live traps. Armadillos are not considered native to Florida and are, therefore, illegal to transport and release. Relocating wildlife is seldom biologically sound, as the animal often does not survive.

***Amazing Armadillo Facts...***

Armadillos can cross bodies of water in two ways.

They can:
*Inflate their stomachs and intestines with air and float across the water, or,
*Sink down and use their sharp claws to walk across the bottom.
They can hold their breath for six minutes or more!

Hope everyone enjoys the pics and info! Thanks again, DisMom...for an interesting thread. ^_^

Enjoy the weekend...DF99

 

[Mickey's Sister]

Thanks yet again DF99! Really enjoyed the photos & armadillo info. Even though they mess up lawns, sounds like they might be good to have around if they eat nasty insects. They are really amazing little things. Must be really funny to see one floating along! LOL

Jessica

 

[leanne11]

we were waiting for a bus at AKL when we saw 1 crossing the road in front of a bus and we were in ahh. being from PA, it took a couple of minutes to sink in, very tall 6ft. tall grass all over once you see 1 you see alot .so keep an eye out while waiting for the busses... the kids still talk about it...

 

[DVCconvert]

 

[dreamflight99]

Originally posted by Mickey's Sister
Must be really funny to see one floating along! LOL

I thought the SAME THING~!!

I'm glad you liked the pics and info! They are truly incredible little animals. We have seen them at different locations ALL over Fla, even at a Lobster restaurant off I-Drive!! Traffic all over, and there was one in the BUSHES near the front of the place. Folks were all staring in amazement. He just ignored everyone, and went on about his business. They apparently are VERY adaptable & tough creatures. I find them so interesting, and could watch them as many others posted...in AWE! The babies are so precious..almost PINK in color...and just treasures in your hand (tiny).

*They almost look like a giant PILLBUG!! LOL...

TTFN...DF99

 

[Danauk]

When I stayed at the BCV our room had a huge balcony overlooking the canal and quiet pool. Every morning we saw an aligator swimming with the sea turtles which was really cool. They couldn't get out though as the sides of the canal were steep and there was a tall fence around it. I saw my first armadillo in Fort Wilderness too which again I thought was cool (we don't get armadillos, aligators or sea turtles where I live in England!)

 

[Mickey's Sister]

Danauk, Cheeky & Figaro are pretty darn cute!!! That sink photo is adorable! My cat, Tigger, likes to lounge in the wet shower. I guess I should try for a photo, but she runs when I come with the camera. She's a very proper elderly lady & I guess she's afraid I'll ruin her image, LOL.

Jessica