Sawgrassnaturecenter - Sawgrass Nature Center

Riddles + an Event = Fun!

https://sawgrassnaturecenter.org/2021/09/28/world-animal-day/

Raccoons are a familiar sight for many environments because they eat just about anything. The raccoon’s scientific name, Procyon lotor translates to “before-dog washer.” 

Raccoons are one of the many wild animals the SNC takes in regularly. If you find abandoned baby raccoons in the wild, please contact your local nature center or wildlife rehabber. We do not encourage keeping them as there is a lot that can go wrong in early development and they do NOT make good pets.

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: WILDLIFE REHABBERS ROCK! This nestling hawk was found on the ground at my work, we scooped him/her up, and got him to a rehabber in about an hour. The dedication to wild critters is remarkable, and it’s pretty impressive how people make themselves immediately available for the sake of animals.

While cute and small now, adult American Alligators can grow up to fifteen feet long! Their massive size is not only a deterrent to predators, but also helps them accomplish a very important role in the environment. 

American Alligators are known as Keystone Species. That fun vocab term means they are a species capable of establishing a new ecosystem for a bunch of other animals in addition to themselves. They dig for water to create Gator Holes. These gator holes become homes for fish, amphibians, and water birds. Without gators, the Florida Everglades would be a much drier place. 

This red-tailed hawk was brought to the SNC after colliding with a car. While rehabbers were able to save his life, he permanently lost an eye. This means he will not be able to survive on his own in the wild. Instead, he will remain a permanent resident at the SNC. 

The red-tailed hawk has a trilling, raspy scream. This is the cry used by Hollywood directors almost any time a bird of prey is on screen. 

Caterpillars are juvenile butterflies and they are awfully hungry. These little guys are going to one day turn into Monarch Butterflies. Until then, they'll be in the SNC's caterpillar home before being released into our butterfly gardens.

We hope your Thanksgiving was as great as Nelly’s, our resident Turkey Vulture!

A baby pika! Listen to his little cry. Someday it will be much louder.

Ever wanted to know more about an animal? Curious about the nature that's all around you? The SNC's environmental experts have conversations with researchers from all over the field of environmental science to bring you fun facts and topics about the science that is happening around you every day!

Listen to our newest episode an interview on Beekeeping with Dr. Leo Gosser here: 

https://anchor.fm/snc-wild/episodes/Beekeeping-with-Dr--Gosser-e1080m1

This juvenile red tailed hawk was brought to the SNC a few weeks ago after being found injured on a golf course. On Sep. 27 the hawk was successfully released back into the wild!

Red tailed hawks are native to Florida and, like all hawks, considered a bird of prey. Their large talons and sharp beaks are perfect for ripping and tearing their prey. It also makes them difficult patients. Luckily, our experienced rehabber was able to get the hawk all patched up and back into the wild in record time!