A Downy Woodpecker In Our Front Wetland

Paws what you’re doing: It’s the Sea Otter Cam!

This Gulf Coast Spiny Softshell turtle is native to fresh waters of the Florida panhandle. Notice his distinctive snout and the “pancake” pattern on his leathery carapace. 

This turtle is mainly carnivorous, feeding on crayfish and other small aquatic life, and occasionally plants. What he lacks in bony defense, he makes up for in speed. His lighter shell allows him to more quickly in muddy water as well as on land. 

Their very long necks and pointed snout are adapted for reaching fresh air without having to move from their hiding space. 

Pancake, our resident softshell turtle, came to us as a surrendered pet. 

A very rare Andean cat stretching out in front of wildlife cam 

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Shoutout to our volunteers who managed to catch some great pics of a few of the SNC’s permanent residents. Featured is Cory the Red Rat Snake, Leonidas the Bearded Dragon, and one of the blue jays in our aviary. 

The reptiles featured here are used as educational ambassadors for their species. That means they’re used by professionals to teach visitors about their ecological roles and niche in the environment and why it is so important to protect their species. Leonidas the Bearded Dragon is used in particular as an example of an exotic species. Both reptiles featured here were surrendered pets that the previous owner could no longer care for. Used to a domesticated life rather than hunting for and sheltering themselves, these animals would not survive in the wild on their own. 

Hey everyone, 

The Sawgrass Nature Center is halfway to our minimum goal to provide free educational and professional development resources to Title I schools. These resources will include an environmental education program, a volunteer program, and professional skill building program. The professional skill building program will teach students how to write and build their resume, how to navigate an interview, and how to use social media is changing the job market. The volunteer program will provide them with skill building, hands-on experience at the Sawgrass Nature Center as well as a resume building and networking opportunity. The environmental education program will give them the chance to interact with wildlife and wildlife rehabbers in an educational environment. 

To qualify as a Title I school, 40% of the student body must be living below the poverty level. This funding will allow us to bring resources to typically underserved communities to help bridge the gap in job opportunities and educational quality between socio-economically distinguished groups. 

Please consider sharing or donating here: https://acommunitythrives.mightycause.com/story/Elzntf

Disclaimer: The SNC is continuing to take every necessary precaution to protect our employees and volunteers from COVID-19, including virtual programming. 

The head stabilization of an American Kestrel   

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Just your friendly neighborhood shark appreciation post

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This cute craft is something we do every Summer with our campers. Getting them outside to find their perfect rock is only part of the fun. We let them have creative freedom over their designs, so they can paint their favorite little critter at the SNC. The results are cute paper weights like this!

Here's one for the reptile lovers out there. Our Bearded Dragon, Leonidas, eating his Valentines Day box of worms! Thank you to everyone who donated, we surpassed our goal!

These beautiful works of art are made from discarded flip-flops

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