By Amber Prinkey
Falling leaves, pumpkin-flavored treats, cooler temperatures…. Uhhh sort of. While we don’t enjoy ALL that Fall has to offer here in the south, we do see some changes with our local wildlife.
Reptiles
Since reptiles are cold-blooded, they rely on the sun’s heat to give them energy. On cooler days you may not see many reptiles darting about because they are conserving their energy by bedding down in mulch, bushes, tree bark, under houses, or underground.
Mammals
Most mammals carry on during our cooler times, they just might have to work a little harder to find food. Some may put on a little extra weight or stash food for these situations, including our native fuzzy terrors, squirrels! Recent data shows that squirrels find their hidden stash of food (perhaps even organized by type of nut, some evidence shows) by memory, not just smell. They can remember where our bird feeders are, that’s for sure!
Our state marine mammal and resident floaty potato, the Manatee, may move toward warmer rivers and springs when the water temperature drops to about 68 degrees. Some, however, may stick around in man-made warm spots such as power plants and water treatment outfalls. In fact, a two-story observation tower is scheduled to open next month at Secret Woods Nature Center in Dania Beach.
Birds
Many birds are here in Florida year-round, but others visit us just during migration, which is the seasonal movement from one area to another. For birds, their supply of bugs, seeds, and plants isn’t as plentiful when the weather turns colder so they move south. Before they begin their journey, they need to fatten up, with some birds doubling their body weight! Equally important is leaving at the right time so that there are still enough resources during rest periods to get the bird to their destination. It can be a long and arduous journey for birds, but you can help! Download the eBird app and input your bird sightings which help scientists learn more about bird migration patterns. Once we know more, we are better able to protect the birds visiting our area.
Whatever our animals decide to do as our temperatures drop… by a few degrees, anyway, we can help by planting native plants, putting stickers on our windows so birds don’t fly into them, and by calling upon your friends at Sawgrass Nature Center and Wildlife Hospital if you happen to find an animal in need of help.