Wildlife Superlatives
Wildlife Superlatives: Anna Earl, Conservation Intern
Alligator
Best Smile
Did you know: Alligator hearts have 4 chambers just like humans. This allows for more efficient breathing, lung, and blood pressure processes.
Deer
Always Doe-ing the Most
Did you know: 1/10,000 female deer have a high enough testosterone level to grow a pair of spongy antlers, however they are still capable of rearing fawns.
Sea Turtle
Red Carpet Ready
Did you know: Sea turtles are more sensitive to colors at a shorter wavelength frequency such as blue and green. Our turtle team uses red light because it appears much dimmer to the turtles because of its longer wavelength. Even though it is much less visible, you still should not approach a sea turtle without a member of BHIC staff nearby, as it can still disorient mothers and hatchlings. Additionally, please never use white light while on the beach as it is very disorienting for all sea turtles.
Wilson’s Plovers
Best Actor
Did you know: When adult plovers feel their nest is being threatened they put on an act called the “broken wing display.” This tricks predators into thinking they are an easy target, distracting them from the nest.
Painted Bunting
Best Dressed
Did you know: The Painted Bunting goes by many names to describe its beautiful appearance. Nonpareil is the French name, which translates to “without equal.” In Spanish, azulillo sietecolores translates to the “seven colored bluebird”.
Green Anole
Most likely to be a fitness influencer
Did you know: Male anoles can often be spotted doing what appears to be a push up. They do this for many reasons. To establish dominance, when warding off a rival male, you can spot them doing pushups while flaring their pink throat. They also use this behavior to attract a mate.
Opossom
Most Misunderstood
Did you know: Opossums have more teeth than any other North American land mammal – they have 50 teeth total. Opossums are misunderstood, and sometimes viewed as pests, but they are very important to the ecosystem. They eat a variety of insects, including ticks, and they are unable to carry diseases such as rabies.
Education intern Kate Graber assisting with a wildlife repose call. Never handle wildlife unless permission is given by BHIC staff.
Anna Earl, Conservation Intern
Sources:
Flordia Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (Aligators)
Iowa DNR (Deer)
Smithsonian National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute (Painted Bunting)
