A Non-native Iguana Snuck Into The Alligator’s Enclosure. Luckily For Him Wally Wasn’t Hungry Today!

Monkey Island: Cayo Santiago Imagine an uninhabited island originally set up as a research station. A few monkeys are released there to observe and study. Fast-forward several years and monkeys run the island—no humans allowed. Sound like a science fiction movie? A Planet of the Apes knock-off? Well….in this case, it’s not. This island exists—it’s Cayo Santiago in the Caribbean near Puerto Rico.

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This year the SNC has rescued and rehabilitated over 900 wild animals in South Florida. Help us continue our mission by donating here https://sawgrassnaturecenter.org/ this #GivingTueday. 

Our Great Blue Heron was doing some feather cleaning this morning. Look at how long that neck is! The long neck and beak of the Heron was adapted to fishing for prey. This tall birds are excellent at wading through the water and make quite an impressive sight in flight. 

“ Great Blue Herons aren’t likely to visit a typical backyard. However, they are sometimes unwelcome visitors to yards that include fish ponds. A length of drain pipe placed in the pond can provide fish with a place to hide from feeding herons. Herons, like most of our birds, are legally protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act.” -The Cornell Lab https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Great_Blue_Heron/overview

Writer Beware makes posts on which publishing houses to avoid at all costs, which words to look for and which words to watch out for in contracts, and several other things that will keep you in control and knowledgeable about the publishing process.  I’d suggest reading through the website if you want to avoid getting ripped off, cheated, or scammed.

Bees are necessary pollinators for our natural environment. Without them, majority of the plants we that produce oxygen we need to breathe wouldn’t be able to survive. A world without bees is no world indeed. 

As part of our efforts to help slow the alarming rate at which bees are dying out, the Sawgrass Nature Center is 4.5 acres of nationally certified wildlife habitat. Part of that means we host many pollinator gardens. We even have our own apiary. 

Check out how you can turn your backyard into a certified wildlife habitat here: https://www.nwf.org/garden-for-wildlife/certify

And stay updated with our social media to learn more about the SNC’s own beehives and gardens. 

His name is Bumper for a reason! Bumper is a Greek Tortoise that is native to Europe and many surrounding areas. Due to his exotic species status, Bumper will not be released by the SNC into the wild. Instead, he will remain a permanent resident. 

Greek tortoises is one of the longest living species of tortoise in existence. They can live anywhere from 20-100 years. 

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! 

Conservation: Bridge of hope for world's rarest primate

An artificial rope bridge across a divided forest could help save the ape, a type of gibbon, from extinction. from BBC News - Science & Environment https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-54557877

Check out our resident Yellow-Footed Tortoise, Carlos! Yellow-Footed Tortoises are native to the rainforests of South America.

Beautiful pictures 

butterfly