Wildlife at OKW

[Figaro30]

I've heard different people refer to the "wildlife" at OKW. What types of wildlife could I be expected to see during my week-long stay at OKW???

 

[PamOKW]

Rabbits, ducks, egrets, ibis, lizards and maybe a Great Blue Heron are pretty much regulars. You might catch an armadillo or a deer although I've mostly seen these out on the highway toward PO. I've also seen large turtles (snapping turtles maybe?) so do not stick your hands or feet into the bushes.

 

[Figaro30]

Question, PamOKW.....What's an ibi???

 

[CRobin]

You will definitely see ducks.

Friendly, intellegent, hungry ducks.

Lots if you're close to water.

Last month at OKW, I left the patio door open and was talking on a cell phone (better reception outside). The human voice was clearly a signal to these ducks that free food could not be far away as they immediately wandered up from the pond.

I turned to walk back in the room, and the baby ducks, had to be 5 or 6 of them, climbed under the railing and proceeded to follow me into the room.

What a hoot! The railing was too close to the ground for the parents to get under, so they just watched from the patio.

They all got a cracker for their trouble.

 

[Figaro30]

Oh that is so adorable!!!! Unfortunately we won't be going during "baby" season. We're going in November. The babies usually come out in Spring, Summer time. I'll keep my fingers crossed though for some sexually active ducks in the Fall!!!! LOL

 

[PamOKW]

Ibis

Here's some pictures of the ibis birds! The scarlet ones are only at AK but the white ones will be on the golf course most mornings and sometimes during the day! When OKW was new, they would run away every time you opened the door. Now, they come running looking for treats!

 

[Figaro30]

All my neighbors will want to kill me probably. I'm going to bring extra bread and crackers just to feed the animals.

 

[Fenceman]

I am not sure about ducks but the CM's discourage feeding the birds at the resorts. They can become very aggressive.

 

[Poohjan]

Just got back from OKW a week ago, and for the first time ever, we saw otters playing in the water. We were in the new building, 64, right on the water and hole #7. There were five of them and they were having so much fun playing int he water, them coming on the back and rolling around. They were great fun to watch. That was the first time ever for otters, and we never saw them again the rest of the trip. The boat captain did say that there was a pair that likes to play around the dock early in the morning and in the evening, but we never saw them.

Jan

 

[The4OfUs]

We saw bunnies galore last time down there. Much better than the time we stayed in the Treehouse Villas at WDW. The peacocks were EVERYWHERE and they may LOOK beautiful, but they have a horrible scream/yell that really can get you going at 5 or 6am, let me tell you!

 

[Richnj]

Any Gators yet? I'm still wating for my first gator story. With all that water there must be some around.

 

[PKK/MJK]

Richnj

Your wish is my command!! LOL!! Two summers ago we stayed in 2 bedroom down in the South Point area near that quiet pool. My DH and SIL were fishing in that canal area and, sure enough, a gator popped his head out of the water and went after the fish SIL had caught and was trying to reel in. The fish was kind of splashing and jumping across the water and I guess it attracted the alligator's attention. Boy, were Dh and SIL startled!! They never really expected to see a gator but there he was-- he was fairly large too . So, there are gators around--at least sometimes--be careful.

 

[rbuzzotta]

Thanks Pam for the correct name of the "Ibis" bird. We are not too familiar with wildlife and have nicknamed the Ibis bird, "bigbeak". My DD's always say, "Hi bigbeak" and love them. My oldest always tries to catch those small lizards/chamleons and makes it a daily adventure. She is my vet in the making!!!

 

[tsacyensid]

Hey Everyone!! Okay the little lizards you see are called anols. I am not sure of the spelling my DH is a scientist so he taught me that one.

As for Gators, there was a baby gator a few weeks ago in a storm drain my DH ran to the front desk where they promptly called pest control, they said that the baby would not be hurt just relocated so that he would not harm anyone and nothing would harm him.

There are gators on Disney property. They try to have them trapped and moved to a part of "undeveloped" property. As some of you may know there is a reserve on the property.

Be careful whenever you are at one of the resorts, gator mating season is taking place and they can be aggressive!

 

[RobDoc]

Other commonly seen waterfowl at OKW are marsh hens ("common gallinule"), coot and Muscovy Ducks.

The marsh hens are the little black birds with a red beak and yellow legs, coot are a little larger with a white beak and muscovy ducks are very large and multi colored.

Lots of animals around to watch. A good spot is behind bldg 55- where the walkway begins- along the canal. The anoles (chameleons) are found all around the resort in the low foliage.

Enjoy!

 

[Galahad]

Have also seen small gators in the creek/river behind building 45/46.

In the early summer there are also a lot of mocking birds (not in November though).

We once saw the folks in the villa next to ours dump a whole box of cereal over the side of their balcony to feed the birds. This has got to be a really bad idea in the long run......

 

[jonglau]

Last October we stayed at OKW for 3 weeks and the strangest wildlife we saw was a huge rat swimming in the kiddy pool. I was talking to my son when I heard my daughter say "Mommy, there's a mouse in the pool".
Well it was not a mouse but a huge rat swimming around. I went and told someone and they came with a net and removed it. Everyone was cheering for the guy that fished it out. Has anyone else ever seen rats at OKW?

 

[The4OfUs]

Rats in the pool? Oh man.... *shudder*

Never saw that...I asked DH about this topic, him being a former CM and a former Orlando resident...he said he has seen gators in the waters there...and mentioned water moccasins (sp?) as well! Yikes!

 

[nickglover]

Whatever you do, do not feed the gators - it is against the law and it destroys their fear of humans - there is a woman recuperating in the hospital in the Tampa area right now because of this.

We are in a wetland area near Tampa and we get all kinds of wading birds, including about 18 ibis lately. Our youngest cat stalks them. We also have gators nearby, owls, a hawk, herons, deer, osprey, limpkins, turtles, woodpeckers, .....and lizards (I thought the green ones were anoles, and that there are other kinds, too, but I am no expert).

 

[tsacyensid]

Yes, Nick you are right there are a few species of lizards but the most common that people see are the anoles.

Nick you are also right about feeding the gators. Really none of the wildlife should be fed. It makes them lose their fear and disturbs their natural instincts. It is a shame but I guess everyone does it.