Wild animals at Walt Disney World

[Warren W]

Hello, I have no idea where to properly put this thread, but I thought it was something that may not have been discussed.

WDW is a place, being in Central Florida, that has a lot of natural wildlife living in and around it. I thought it might be a good idea to have at least one thread dedicated to wild animals seen in the parks and resorts area.

The reason I was interested in this is because on a walk back from Magic Kingdom to Bay Lake Tower at night, I found a sidewalk with at least 4 or 5 red millipedes walking across it. I'm not from Florida, and I was curious if anyone who lives in the area are familiar with them, or what species they are. If I can, I'll try posting a picture. It probably is a common animal, but not being from there, I wasn't as familiar with Florida invertebrates as I would be others. Any help on the millipede species would be appreciated.

I thought others might enjoy this topic, and they could post pics or ask questions about the various wild animals seen at the parks, not counting those in captivity at Animal Kingdom or Animal Kingdom Lodge.

 

[Conan the Librarian]

Seen LOTS of wild critters. Most unusual was was Sand Hill Crane that we saw at the Hesse station across from the Boardwalk. I have seen them in other parts of Fla, but, never around WDW.

The last few years we have seen a fork-tailed bird flying around SSR. I think it may be a Cormorant or Enhenga(sp?) with a damaged tail, but, can't see it close enough to tell. Also have seen a number snakes at SSR, at least one opossum, and, I wouldn't swear to it, an Otter.

Then there was the snake in the line going up to the Tower of Terror. He was more scared than the folks in line.

 

[ZoZo]

Interesting thread! For me, with the exception of some cool birds and lots of little geckos (lizards), I've seen very few examples of true Florida wildlife. No snakes or other critters for me.

Regarding your millipedes, I Googled "Florida Millipede" and there seem to be two species that are most common in Florida" the Greenhouse Millipede and the Tropical Millipede. You might try Googling images for Florida millipedes and see if yours match. The good news is, millipedes can't bite people (just leaves). I work with Giant African Millipedes at my local zoo, and I think they're really interesting!

 

[LaurenT]

Alligator in the water in MK - just next to the wooden walkway in Frontierland. He was cute. Just hanging there looking at all the people.
I almost think he was expecting to be fed....bad idea! But I bet people feed them all the time.

 

[DizzDoll]

This is a nice thread!! I saw an armadillo on our way to the MK. It was close to the Contemporary. Saw an alligator at Hourglass Lake at Pop, and several alligators in ponds at some of the golf courses. And lots of deer. If I ever see a snake they'll have to cart me out on a stretcher!!

 

[mad_for_mickey]

Love this question, as wildlife viewing is one of my favorite parts of a Disney trip. Being from the Midwest, I enjoy all of the wading birds. Last year there was a family of otters in the water near the WL. I see lots of deer. And now that I know what to look for, I see lot of gators too.

BUT...one sighting a few years ago still eludes identification. I saw a BIG wild cat. Much bigger than the bobcats we have here. For some reason, the most distinctive thing I noticed at the time was that the last several inches of its tail were black (as opposed to the rest of it being tan). I still have no idea what that was...I really think it was almost as big as a mountain lion. Any locals who can shed light?

 

[kruegeme]

On a train ride around the Magic Kingdom, we saw several real white tail deer grazing by the tracks. Everyone on the train was excited to see something real around all the scenes.

 

[jking6]

If I ever see a snake they'll have to cart me out on a stretcher!!

I am with you on this! Oh NO ToT is my favorite ride now I have to watch out for SNAKES!

 

[BillBrasky]

Not exactly exotic, but while at World Showcase in March we watched a duck and her chicks waddle across the main promenade, into the China pavilion, and then down into the pond in the China pavilion and watched them swim around for a while. It was cool because it was crowded and they just found their way around all the people. Also saw a humungous frog in that pond.

 

[msdaisy]

Count me in for three turkeys in the Magic Kingdom parking lot. We thought that was random!

 

[TBdisneyMC]

We've seen a few interesting animals. We've seen the typical deer while driving and on the MK train, as well as turkeys, an armadillo, and we saw a snake in the water under the bridge to Adventureland. I also love all of the different kinds of birds.

The coolest thing we saw was an otter near the little boats next to Jungle Cruise in MK. It was swimming around the boats within the enclosed area, then swam away before I could get a nice picture of it!

As for the wild cat mad_for_mickey saw, could it have been a Florida Panther? I think they're rare but they are tan with a black tipped tail. I would have loved to see one of them!

 

[Alesia]

BUT...one sighting a few years ago still eludes identification. I saw a BIG wild cat. Much bigger than the bobcats we have here. For some reason, the most distinctive thing I noticed at the time was that the last several inches of its tail were black (as opposed to the rest of it being tan). I still have no idea what that was...I really think it was almost as big as a mountain lion. Any locals who can shed light?

Sounds like a florida panther. Seeing one is extremely rare -- they're on the verge of extinction.

 

[Raenstoirm]

I love the wildlife! I snapped quite a few pics last week.

This guy knows he's pretty!

A very fast moving toad almost landed on my dh foot.

A family of vultures or hawks

A hundred lb snapper and his mate at AK (she never surfaced as nicely)

Of course the ducks! There was a family with babies at MK, but it was too dark for a pic

And tons of rabbits!

 

[pwdebbie]

I watched several otters play one morning along the Sassagoula (POFQ). Very entertaining. One day I'd like to visit the Disney Wilderness Preserve (http://www.nature.org/ourinitiative...sweprotect/the-disney-wilderness-preserve.xml).

Also saw an alligator while eating on one of the decks at Flame Tree Barbecue.

 

[polymerpig]

Well, first there were the ducks the kids lured into our ground floor room at Pop. Then the 4" long grasshopper that rode from the hotel to the park like a hood ornament. Same trip a few dozen tiny frogs were stuck all over the car. And our dear friend "Greeter Toad" who was waiting in the stairwell for us every night when we returned from the parks.

 

[rznhal]

Wow a panther?!?!? That's absolutely amazing!!!!!! What a neat experience!!!!!!

I love seeing animals when you least expect it....we've seen deer and the lizards

 

[rznhal]

BUT...one sighting a few years ago still eludes identification. I saw a BIG wild cat. Much bigger than the bobcats we have here. For some reason, the most distinctive thing I noticed at the time was that the last several inches of its tail were black (as opposed to the rest of it being tan). I still have no idea what that was...I really think it was almost as big as a mountain lion. Any locals who can shed light?

Where were you? Were you scared?

 

[bprolltide14]

Bus driver told us one time that there are areas Disney can't expand into because of the Florida Panther - protected areas.

 

[TiggerTrigger]

BUT...one sighting a few years ago still eludes identification. I saw a BIG wild cat. Much bigger than the bobcats we have here. For some reason, the most distinctive thing I noticed at the time was that the last several inches of its tail were black (as opposed to the rest of it being tan). I still have no idea what that was...I really think it was almost as big as a mountain lion. Any locals who can shed light?

How awesome would that be if you spotted a FL Panther. As the pp noted... super rare!!! I normally don't even bother looking for them unless we're in the areas near the Everglades or other natural inland areas in south FL. They have black tips on their ears and tail. They are also known as pumas, mountain lions, cougars, and catamounts in other areas...not sure though if there are any distinctive aspects beyond locale that would make it a FL panther vs. any of these other common names. I think FL even still offers a "save the panther" license plate...although I had the "save the manatee" plate when I lived in FL.

The wildlife normally seen at WDW is pretty comparable to the things I saw a lot when living in FL and now where I live in TX. i.e. we see a lot of the same birds, snakes, deer, lizards, rabbits, insects, etc. I will say this though...it's much more scenic to see the deer around places like WL than it is say on my way home from work just in random areas on the fringe of suburbia. I'm also glad people have noted the gators. I mean, I know they're there but I really need to remember to keep my guard up...just not a big fan of gators. I have this fear that DD3 will decide to surprise a bull gator.

 

[k3chantal]

We saw an opossum riding the surrey bike we renting at VWL. We couldn't believe our eyes. It walked right across the path.