Only 100 Florida Panthers Left

The beautiful Florida panther that resides in the southern tip of Florida, is one of the most endangered specie in the world.  As of right now, there are about only 100 panthers roaming around left.  According to the Defenders of Wildlife, panthers habitats are threatened by inbreeding, human development, territorial arguments between panthers, collision of vehicles, and diseases.


             

"Although we call them Florida panthers, these shy cats once roamed throughout the entire southeast from east Texas to the Atlantic and north to parts of Tennessee," said Friends of the Florida Panther Refuge. Right now you can see Florida panthers at Florida National Wildlife Refuge, Big Cypress National Preserve, or Fakahatchee Strand Preserve State Park.  However, panthers can also be seen crossing highways and around alligator alley in search of a new habitat.  

                           
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There are several organizations and ways that you can help save the Florida panther from becoming extinct.   Friends of the Florida Panther Refuge sells merchandise to support the Florida panther.  Such merchandise includes hats, shirts, coffee cups, and the Florida license plate.  In addition, the Big Cat Rescue, says you can always donate straight to the Florida Panther Refuge or you can adopt your own panther.. 

The beautiful birds at Butterfly World

Living in south Florida, we see a lot of birds flying around town.  However, some of the most beautiful birds are located in the aviaries at Butterfly World in Tradewinds Park.

Photo by Me

Photo By Me

Inside the Jewels of the Sky aviary, hummingbirds go by you with their wings beating 60 times a second.  The humming birds might be the smallest birds in the world, but they can reach speeds of 45 mph and fly in any direction. Butterfly World mentioned, "In proportion to their overall size, they have both the largest brain and heart of any animal, and an amazing heart rate of between 500 and 1200 beats per minute" .  Right now there are 328 known species of hummingbirds  and they can be found in North, Central, and South America.

"Don't forget to cross the Tinalandia suspension bridge to explore the Jewels of the Sky Hummingbird Aviary. Kids especially enjoy the Lorikeet Encounter, where visitors may interact with the "clowns of the bird world" and feed them by hand," advise from Parents Connect.  The lorikeets are known as the  "brush-tongued" parrot because of their long brush-like tongue that makes it easy to feed on nectar and pollen.  These parrots are very fast learners and they enjoy human interaction.  They develop new tricks each day and can also cause trouble in the park.  Lorikeets can be found in the wild or many enjoy owning them as pets.  Lorikeets are beautiful, playful energetic birds. According to Exotic Pet Birds, they love dancing to music which many owners find quite amusing.  

Photo By me

Other birds inside the Jewels of the Sky Aviary are the paradise tanager, gouldian finch, sunbird, and the red-legged honeycreeper.  Come check out these beautiful exotic birds!! 

Contact Info:

3600 W Sample Rd
Pompano Beach, Florida 33066
(954) 977-4400

A Trip to Butterfly World

Photo by me

Photo by Me

 This weekend I went down to Coconut Creek and had the pleasure of going to Butterfly World.  From the moment I entered the park, I was able to see the entire life cycle of the butterflies.  From there on I had the privilege of walking through 4 aviaries to see more butterflies then I have ever seen before.

Photo by Me

Each time I took a step, there was a different butterfly flying by me and being so close that I could see every detail on their wings.  Every time I went to take a photo of a butterfly, they became bigger and more beautiful.  This was one of the most unique experiences to be surrounded by more then 1,000 butterflies, under a beautiful aviary with a habitat unlike no other.

Butterfly World is the biggest butterfly garden in the world and the only one of its kind in the western hemisphere. In the park there is a research building and laboratory dedicated to studying the life of the butterfly.  Each butterfly is different by size, color, and wing span.  Butterflies rely on caterpillar food plants to live off of.  The female butterflies are attracted to the smell of the plants and this is where they lay their eggs.

Photo by Me

Photo by Me

Butterfly World offers classes in producing your own butterfly garden in your backyard.  The "Bring Back the Butterflies Campaign," offers plant guides for creating your own butterfly garden so you can enjoy watching these butterflies at home. The admission price to butterfly might seem a little high, but you can receive a $10 off coupon and learn more about this fantastic park.

Save the Gopher Tortoises!!

If you are heading to the beach, be sure to watch where you are walking.  The Gopher Tortoises are found all throughout south Florida walking on the sandy beaches.  They live in dry habitats such as: clay or sand hills, wire grass flatwoods or prairies.  The tortoise tends to lay under an open tree canopy for sunlight. They also enjoy being around small plants for food and digging burrows.

Photo Courtesy of Cooperative Conservation

The tortoises can build up to 9 burrows in their habitat.  These burrows are for protection and a way for them to hide their food.  A lot of the time there may be one tortoise to each burrow.  Another cool fact is the tortoise is not the only animal that stays in these burrows.  Animals known as commensals (mice, frogs and snakes), use these burrows to hide in and store their food as well. Unlike many other animals,  the tortoises will never hurt the commensals while they share their burrows.

The gopher tortoise is slowly being vanished from south Florida because their habitats have deteriated.  New buildings, homes, and parking lots go up everyday but that is one less place for a tortoise to live.  Also, these are not harmful tortoises and people enjoy bringing them home as pets.  But this is causing the tortoises to not be re-populated.  So I know their nice to look at, but leave them alone!!  There have been too many animals that have become extinct and we don't want them to be next.

University of Florida, Enchanted Forest

Slow down!! There is a manatee!!

Are you a boater living here in Southern Florida? Then be aware of some new boating regulations aiming to further protect the manatees. Recently the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Committee got together and overhauled the regulations that were previously in place since the early 1990's. Previously the speed limits were only imposed on the weekends during the winter, but that was changed to seven days a week.

Photo Courtesy of Palm Beach Post

The state proposed to kill the restrictions during the summer all together, as the manatees don't appear as much around that time of year. That proposal was rejected by the committee. The January 2010 state survey aiming to get the population of the Florida manatee numbered 5,067, the highest it's ever been. Things look up for the Florida manatee, but it's still a long road ahead. The past state surveys haven't always been accurate with numbers varying by up to 1,000 for different areas in the state. It's nice to see both boaters and environmentalists working together to find ways to help make sure that number keeps going up each year.

Blog Post for Shelter Dogs

Pedigree is sponsoring "Write a Post, Help a dog." I thought this was perfect to go into my blog.  Pedigree is constantly finding ways to help dogs in shelters all over the country.


This time Pedigree is reaching out to bloggers to simply write a post. Until Sunday, September 19th, every blogger who writes one post about the Pedigree Adoption Drive, Pedigree will donate a twenty pound bag of their new Health Longevity food to a shelter.

Please start blogging, there is only one day left!!


Write a Post, Help a Dog Project

A New Begininning for the Safe Harbor Animal Shelter

Trying to protect and control over 400 animals can’t be the easiest thing to do on 14,000 square feet. Luckily for the Safe Harbor Animal Sanctuary they wont have to worry about space anymore.  After 25 years, the non-profit organization is closing their doors in Jupiter and relocating to Palm City to a much bigger property. Now the animals, volunteers, and workers can enjoy 28-acres in a beautiful location.

“On the property is a large home for the offices and perhaps later for the cat area of the shelter. The property also has a guest house that will be the home of a caretaker, a small barn where wild deer used to give birth to their young, a horse barn, acres of fenced property and three ponds.”tcoasttalk

Jupiter residents don’t worry though if you can’t make it over to the new location.  The Jupiter location will still be open and have an area for dogs and cats to be adopted.  Each week, there will be new breeds of dogs and cats that will be moved around from the Palm City location.  

With the non-kill adoptive center having a bigger location, Palm Beach County Animal Care and Control will have a smaller number of dogs and cats within their shelter.  Safe Harbor takes in animals from off the streets, animals from shelters with a no non-kill policy, and owners who drop them off at the back door. This is amazing for the employees at Safe Harbor and Palm Beach County pet lovers. 

This new location is located at: 4841 SW Zarella St, Palm City, Fl.

Palm Beach Post, Safe Harbor Animal Sanctuary

Dog and Cat Adoptions This Weekend in Jupiter

Have you been looking for a new critter or a furry companion?  Then don't miss your chance this weekend to bring home a new puppy or kitten.  

Photo Courtesy of Pet Insurance

This weekend both Pet Supermarket and Petco will be having adoptions at their stores.  On Saturday, September 18th, Pet Supermarket will have dogs and cats up for adoption from 11:00am until 3:00 pm.   Located at: 6755 W. Indiantown Road.  Then on Sunday, September 19th, Petco is also holding adoptions from 11:00am until 2:00pm.  Located at: 901 W. Indiantown Road. Animal Rescue Force.

Photo courtesy of Dog Guides

Petco and Petsmart will each have dogs and cats from several local shelters and rescues in the Jupiter area.  Both of the adoptions will have dogs and cats from all ages that need to be adopted.  Come to Jupiter and check it out, these animals need to go to good homes.  

"Sponsored by Hill's Science Diet
Adopt a dog or cat September 18th-19th and receive special offers from PETCO and $10 off any bag of Hill's Science Diet dry dog or cat food*. Adopt a cat during National Adoption Weekend and receive 1 FREE 16 lb. jug of PETCO Cat Litter*. Plus, all pet parents who adopt enjoy additional savings from PETCO's Think Adoption First™ Care and Savings program. Ask a store associate for details".PETCO.

PETCO, Pet Supermarket, Pet Finder, Pet Insurance

It's an Iguana Invasion!!

Photo by Me at FAU 

If you have been wandering around the south Florida area lately, you may have noticed iguanas hiding in the bushes, climbing up trees, or walking in front of your path. Iguanas have resided in south Florida and aren’t leaving anytime soon. Walking from class to class on the Boca campus at Florida Atlantic University you can see as many as fifty of them. I saw about ten the other day just walking from the Art and Letters building to the General South building.

“South and Central Florida's subtropical climate allows these large herbivorous (plant-eating) lizards to survive, reproduce, and become part of the Florida environment”  University of Central Florida. Right now there are three known species of iguanas that are populating our southern state. The three types include: the common green iguana, Mexican spiny-tailed, and the black spiny-tailed. Most of which live near the water, such as lakes and ponds and the inter-coastal

The iguana population in south Florida began by people owning them as pets. Lately these reptiles have found new ways to escape from homes and out to the streets. But watch out for these large green reptiles because they bring problems to boaters, home owners, and businesses.

If your out gardening, don’t be surprised to see half of your plants and flowers devoured. Collect your sweet fruit and vegetables off their roots or they’ll be gone tomorrow. Along with the yard take over, their droppings contain salmonella so be aware of what you touch and what you are stepping in. As to boaters, don’t be surprised when you want to take the boat out, you might have a problem getting to your boat. Iguanas getting their suntan might hold you up for a little while. Iguanas enjoy the warm climate and laying next to the water. These iguanas may look like cool creatures to keep as pets. However, they are very smart and can be very harmful to your house or garden.


Tropical Plants Library

Lions, Zebras, and Chimpanzees!! Oh My!!

Have you ever drove through a park and saw a lion out your window?  Well if you haven't, take advantage of Lion Country Safari.  I have lived in South Florida for 10 years and finally was able to visit this amazing attraction. Lion Country Safari is located in the heart of south Florida. This park is not your typical zoo, where at Lion Country Safari you can walk through or drive through the park.

Lion Country Safari

Ruaha National Park, Serengeti Plains, Hwange National Park, and other wildlife regions. Experiencing the tour is quite a unique attraction. You can have the chills coursing up your spine while a Rhino appears to run at your jeep, or turn around and witness an 18 foot giraffe merrily eating off a tree.

Feel like taking a walk on the wild side? Lion Country Safari gives you close encounters of over 10 bird species, several reptiles, and animals ranging from an Asian Potbellied Pig to a Spider Monkey. In addition to that, Lion Country Safari has several rides and attractions for kids of all ages, water slides in the summer, food, and recently added Camel rides. 

If you love South Florida and animals then this is an exciting attraction you shouldn't miss.

www.westpalmbeach.com
www.lioncountrysafari.com

Walking Into Spider Webs

Do you like taking a walk or bike ride through the park? Might want to take a look around before doing so at any of the local parks. Nothing to worry about, just a 4 inch Banana spider and a 6 foot web here and there. Calm down, they are completely harmless to us humans. If you get bit, at most you'd have mild swelling and skin irritation. They are actually incredibly good for the environment with the amount of mosquitoes they eat. They also munch on grasshoppers and other random small insects. The females get up to 4 inches in length while the males max out around a half inch. Typically they are a yellowish with whiteness on the abdomen and legs.

Photo Courtesy of the Palm Beach Post.

"Because of their size, people often assume the banana spider is dangerous. But in reality, it is shy and has a venom that is not lethal, causing some pain in the area of the bite and redness."  Palm Beach Post


The problem with them is that they are everywhere. It is peak season for them and they love open woods and swampy areas. Many parks have tried to relocate them to less busy areas, but for the most part there is nothing else we can do. Anything more than that would cause more problems than it would solve. As for now and the next several weeks though, it'll just feel like every park has become a spider zoo.

Animal News from South Florida

Hello!! My name is Jessica Slocum.  I am currently studying Multimedia Journalism at FAU.  I have always had a passion for animals and wildlife. 

Growing up, I desired becoming a vetrinarian but turns out I am horrible at science.  So when I chose my major, I still had hopes of incorporating animals into my career.  I am hoping my dream will come true and I can become a photojournalist for National Geographic or an underwater photographer.  

I currently reside in Coconut Creek, Fl with my bf and my dog Mocha.  Throughout south Florida there is a great amount of animal wildlife and a few zoos to explore.  I hope to show you what animal life in south Florida is all about.