BobDorHat

Armadillos always seem to be hungry and thus rooting around for food, at least that's what we've observed over many years of seeing these guys in the nearby parks and nature preserves. This one was observed along a paved trail at the Okeeheelee Park Nature Center in Palm Beach County, Florida. Research shows they were originally native to the southwest, but were introduced into Florida about a hundred years ago and are now considered native.

This southern black racer (non-venomous) was recently observed gliding slowly through the Abacoa Upland Preserve in Jupiter, Florida. Note how he moves mostly under the low ground cover. Usually they 'race' away quickly when we approach, but we have had several stand their ground and even lunge when attempting to chase them off the road.

It's dinner time for this Florida gopher tortoise on a warm windy late-winter afternoon in the Abacoa Upland Preserve in Jupiter, Florida

Research shows that Florida gopher tortoise burrows average 15 feet long and 6.5 feet deep. This guy headed home to his burrow when he saw me, at first walking in my direction to get there. This is rare behavior...they usually head in the opposite direction or stand still and/or 'hiss' and retreat to their shell when they see people. This guy's burrow is just beyond the fence that separates the Abacoa Upland Preserve in Jupiter, Florida from a town park that contains a jogging trail and athletic fields.