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Taxonomy

Taxonomy is the system of classification we use as scientists to identify all creatures. This system starts in very broad classifications and works its way down to more specific classifications. The order of classifications is as follows: Domain, Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus, and Species. A common way of remembering the order of these classifications is by remembering the phrase Dear King Phillip Came Over For Good Spaghetti. 

There are only three domains that are commonly recognized: Eukarya, Bacteria, and Archaea. Domain bacteria houses, as its name implies, bacteria. Archaea is full of single celled organisms that lack a nucleus. The most important one for the purposes of this blog, is Eukarya. This where more complex, living organisms– like humans– are classified into. 

Kingdom

The kingdom that humans and other animals are classified under is Kingdom Animalia. To be classified in this kingdom we all need to have the following shared traits. 

• Multicellular (we are more than a single, free floating cell), eukaryotic (our domain) organisms
• Lack chlorophyll (something found in plants) and a cell wall

Animals are then broken further down into more specific groups. The importance of this is as we go down the levels, the animals in each group share more and more characteristics. There are plenty of animals that may not look like what the mainstream definition of animal is, but still fit into this category because they have the above traits. Things, for example, like sponges and corals. 

Morphological Classification

Once upon a time, humans used to classify things into groups based on their appearance. This was known as morphological classification. This fell out of favor with modern day taxonomists because with modern day DNA analysis technology, we found that just because something likes alike, doesn’t mean it is related. 

For example, a shark and a dolphin live in the same habitat (the ocean) and for all intents and purposes look pretty similar. We know now though, that one is a mammal and one is a fish. This means that a dolphin is warm blooded, has mammary glands, and breathes air. Sharks lay eggs (sometimes internally, sometimes externally), have gills to absorb oxygen through the water, and are cold blooded. 

Animal Science

There is so much more that goes into how we classify animals, but this is a good general introduction to why things are the way they are. If you are interested in this subject, consider diving into animal science with our education department by booking an educational program for you and your family today. Simply send over an email to education@sawgrassnaturecenter.org to get started. 

Leonidas the Bearded Dragon has a permanent residence inside the education building of the Sawgrass Nature Center and Wildlife Hospital. This spunky species gets its name for the beard-like rows of spikes that can puff up under its chin. The bearded dragon is an exotic species to Florida and can mostly be found in places like zoos, nature centers, and pet stores. 

Where does the bearded dragon come from?

All nine species of the bearded dragon family come from Australia. It has been illegal since the 1960s to export bearded dragons from Australia. This means most of the bearded dragons found outside of Australia today were bred in captivity for the pet trade from ancestors that were brought over a long time ago. 

Bearded dragons can be found in a variety of ecosystems in Australia, but their tan colored skin is excellent for blending in with sand. Their skin color can change to darker colors when they are not getting enough warmth to absorb more heat from the sun. 

Reptiles

This is because bearded dragons, like all reptiles, are cold blooded. That means they rely on their environment to regulate their body temperatures. When they are too cold, they seek out warm objects or bask in the sun. When they are too hot, they might submerge themselves in water, or seek out some nice shade. 

Why is Leonidas with the SNC?

Like many of our other wildlife friends, Leonidas was a surrendered pet. When making a choice in a pet, most people are not prepared for the special level of care that comes with many reptiles. Reptile vet costs can get pretty expensive because they are not as common as a dog or cat. Their diet is also considered uncommon. They need a healthy diversity of vegetables and protein. 

Want to meet Leonidas?

Leonidas is commonly used in our educational wildlife program. Contact our education department at education@sawgrassnaturecenter.org to inquire about how to set up a private program for you and your family today! 

Havarti the Opossum 

This year, the SNC rescued Havarti, the white opossum. Due to the state at which he was brought into the SNC, he was unable to be “wilded out.” Meaning, he was too used to domesticated life to adjust back into a state of independence. Havarti now lives in our opossum exhibit in our outdoor exhibit area where guests can come and learn all about the importance of opossums to our Florida environment. 

Opossum Importance

Opossums have an essential role or niche in our environment. They are responsible for a natural source of pest control. Any Florida resident with a vested interest in their garden should be delighted to see wild opossums giving their garden a visit. They are helping you protect the plants you have invested in. 

That being said, please do not feed wild opossums. It is important to not feed any wild animals. This is because it may become dependent on humans as a food source and lose their fear of them. Wild animals should have a healthy fear of humans to discourage them from walking into traffic, or being reported as a nuisance animal by someone who is not as fond of wildlife coming up to them. It is also important to know that feeding wild animals may bring stray cats into the area which also prey on the babies of these important wild animals. 

Opossum Fun Facts

Opossums are the only native marsupial to North America. A marsupial is a mammal that carries its babies in a pouch. The pouch on an opossum may not be as visible as the pouch on, say, a kangaroo. However, it is just as protective. The SNC has received many calls about a mother opossum that was hit by a car with a ton of babies that survived because the pouch absorbed the damage. 

Want to meet Havarti?

Havarti is a very shy opossum that likes to hang out in the cubby where his bed is. If you are interested in getting an up close look at our cute opossum, stop by the Sawgrass Nature Center and Wildlife Hospital located in Coral Springs, Florida on Coral Ridge Drive and Sample Road. He is usually out and about during feeding time Tuesdays through Sundays from 12:00pm-1:00pm. 

Because we are so creative with the naming process here at the SNC, Big Red is the name for our beloved red rat snake. Red rat snakes are a native species to Florida and can be identified by their gorgeous patterning. But if Big Red is a native species to Florida, why is he with the Sawgrass Nature Center and Wildlife Hospital? 

Surrendered Pet

The SNC’s mission with any animal we receive is to rehabilitate it (nurse it back to health or independence) and release it back into the wild. In 2020, the United Nations released a report claiming one million species may be pushed to extinction in the next few years. This means every animal life is extremely important and releasing it back into the wild to re-enter the breeding population and increase species numbers is a vital goal to have. 

That being said, the Sawgrass Nature Center and Wildlife Hospital cannot release an animal back into the wild if it is incapable of surviving on its own. This is the case of Big Red the red rat snake. 

When an animal becomes a pet, it loses the need and ability to fend for itself. It becomes dependent on its human caretakers for food, shelter, and water. This is the responsibility we sign up for when we take an animal into our home. However, certain animals (like snakes) are more commonly abandoned than others. This is because sometimes we do not realize all of the responsibilities that go into caring for that animal. 

Pets like snakes, tortoises, bearded dragons, and other things that are not as common as cats and dogs can rack up pretty expensive vet bills. They can also be pretty difficult to feed, sometimes because their food choice can be expensive, sometimes because people realize they aren’t comfortable feeding one animal to another (like a mouse to a snake). 

Want to meet Big Red?

Big Red lives inside the exhibit area in the SNC’s educational building. As one of our educational ambassadors, Big Red is often used for educational programs. Here you can get an up close look at many of our reptiles! 

Want to learn more about Big Red?

Contact our educational department at education@sawgrassnaturecenter.org to learn how to schedule an interactive program for you and your family. 

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Those of you that follow us on social media may already be familiar with Bumper and the reason he got his name. Bumper likes to bump shoes with the front of his shell. This is a territorial display that is meant to inform the keeper of the day that they are in his home and they are only welcome as long as there is food. 

Bumper is with the Sawgrass Nature Center because he is considered an exotic species. That means his species is not native to Florida. 

What is Bumper?

Greek Tortoise

The Greek tortoise is one of five of the Mediterranean species of tortoises. They can grow to an average size of 5-8 inches in length, making them one of the smaller species of tortoise. Even though they have an average lifespan of about 50 years, they have been recorded to live up to 125 years in captivity with proper care and treatment. 

Want to see Bumper?

Even though these guys are small in size, they require a pretty big habitat space to be kept happy and healthy. This includes lots of dirt and vegetation. That’s why if you come by the SNC to visit Bumper, you may have a hard time spotting him in such a large exhibit area. The best time to see Bumper is feeding time Tuesdays-Sundays around 11am-12pm. You might even get to see him do his famous “Bumper” display. 

Want an up-close look?

Contact the SNC’s education department about how to book an educational program for you and your family at education@sawgrassnaturecenter.org. 

Sinbad

A fan favorite at the Sawgrass Nature Center and Wildlife Hospital, is Sinbad, a yellow-naped amazon parrot. The main mission of the SNC is to rehabilitate and release native wildlife back into the wild, but sometimes we have to provide permanent residency to the animals that come our way. Sinbad is a great example of two of the usual three reasons. 

Previous Pet

In the wild, yellow-naped amazon parrots can live twenty to thirty years. In captivity, however, they can live sixty – eighty years. That means any potential pet owner of this gorgeous bird would have to plan for what is going to happen to their beloved parrot upon their death. Sinbad out lived two owners. The extended family of his owners reached out to the Sawgrass Nature Center for help and Sinbad became a permanent resident of the SNC.  Why can’t pets be returned back to the wild? Pet animals are usually captive bred and are totally dependent upon us for food, shelter, and water and may not be able to seek out these things for themselves. They most likely would not be able to survive on their own in the wild and may become easy prey to predators. This is why we should never just “let go of” an animal that we can no longer care for. 

Exotic Species

As their name implies, yellow naped amazon parrots are not from Florida. This means they did not originate from Florida and were brought to the area by human intervention. Unlike invasive species, this exotic species does not have an established breeding population in this region and is not causing any inherent harm to our environment. In fact, you are only likely to see this particular species of bird in a place like a zoo, living as a pet, or in a nature center. 

Because of the potential harm they can cause in our native ecosystem, it is illegal to release any exotic species into the wild.

Sanctuary Living

Sinbad, along with many other species, will spend the rest of his days being lovingly cared for by the dedicated staff at the Sawgrass Nature Center and Wildlife Hospital. He is provided a healthy and diverse diet of fruits, veggies, seeds, and nuts. One of his favorite things to do is serenade his caretakers in Spanish. He has also been known to give our Camp Director a scare or two by letting out a very good impression of a child screaming. 

Interested in meeting Sinbad? 

The Nature Center is open Tuesdays to Fridays 9am-5pm and Saturdays and Sundays 10am-3pm. To enter, a five-dollar donation for adults and a three-dollar donation for kids is greatly appreciated. 

Tomorrow an incredible natural phenomenon known as the super blood moon lunar eclipse will take place at 5:45AM EST. “In the United States, the total eclipse will begin at 7:11 a.m. ET and end at 7:26 a.m. ET, but will be partially visible from 5:45 a.m. ET to 8:52 a.m. ET,” (https://www.cnn.com/2021/05/25/world/may-full-moon-lunar-eclipse-scn/index.html). A lunar eclipse is described as an event where the Earth’s shadow blocks the sun’s light that reflects off the moon. 

Celestial events like a lunar eclipse have long caught the attention of humans throughout history. There are also many myths and legends about the full moon affecting human behavior. Whether it’s just a really cool event to watch, or something more, what is the connection between the moon and us? 

Scientifically speaking, the moon has a gravitational pull on the Earth’s oceans. The moon’s pull is what is responsible for creating the tides. The tide is essentially the rising and lowering of the ocean against the shore. The change in period between higher and lower local ocean levels is referred to as high and low tide. As the moon circles the Earth, it’s gravitational pull gets greater and weaker in the areas it moves closer to or further from. The greater the pull, the higher the tide, and vice-versa. 

Find your local high and low tide here: https://tidesandcurrents.noaa.gov/map/index.html?region=Florida/ 

In nature, many animal species have oriented themselves to respond to high and low tide. For example, sea turtles will come up to shore during a high tide to lay their eggs. Since other animal species have developed behavior that responds to certain aspects of the moon, it isn’t too crazy to believe that at some point down the evolutionary line, humans may have done something similar. However, there aren’t too many studies to prove this. 

While many studies have been done on how the Full Moon can affect sleep cycles in humans (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25266502/), this might be better chalked up to the slow adaptation to artificial light in the 21st century. And while there are many who believe that hospitals, emergency rooms, and even classrooms get crazier than usual on the day of a full moon, there isn’t much to prove that either. A better question to ask might be, is the superstition around the full moon becoming a self-fulfilling prophecy? Let us know what you think! 

Every year thousands of young animals are found by people. Most of these wild animals do not need to be rescued. Humans are always a young wild animal’s last hope for survival; never its best hope. A young animal should be removed from the wild only after you have received direct advice from a Wildlife Rehabber. 

Is the animal an orphan? 

An “orphan” is a young animal that is unable to care for itself and whose parents cannot be found or are known to be dead. It is natural for all young animals to explore the world alone once they leave the nest. If you have found a healthy young animal that is able to walk and is fully furred or feathered, it probably does not need your help. Its parents are usually nearby, even if they are not visible to you. Observe the young animal from a distance for some time before calling for help. 

Is the animal injured or weak?

If the young animal appears weak or injured, you should call a wildlife rehabilitator or nature center for further guidance on assessing the situation. If an animal has been attacked by a cat or dog, assume there is an injury even if it is not visible. 

Should I intervene?

The best way to determine if an animal is in need of your help is to contact a wildlife center BEFORE you intervene. Most times, people that believe they are rescuing baby wild animals are advised to place them back where they found them so their parents can do their jobs. Remember, parent animals will not go for their young while you are around, so don’t panic if you can’t see the mom. 

Questions about an animal you think is in need of help? Contact the Sawgrass Nature Center and Wildlife Hospital at 954-752-9453.

For those of you that know us, you know that the Sawgrass Nature Center and Wildlife Hospital is dedicated to rehabilitating and releasing native Florida wildlife. Or, in other words, nursing in-need wildlife back to health, so that they have a second chance at life in the wild. Sometimes we get animals that cannot be released back into the wild. Whether it’s because they have a permanent injury that keeps them from properly defending themselves in the wild or because they are considered an exotic/invasive species (not naturally from Florida) we legally are not allowed to release it. These animals, instead, are provided a permanent home in our Wildlife Sanctuary. 

This brings us to the second part of the SNC’s mission. The animals we provide permanent sanctuary to become educational ambassadors for their species. Their role is to provide the public with education on why their species is important and what their species niche (job) is in the environment. 

In order to make sure we are giving our permanent residents the best care possible, we need to make sure they have the best habitats possible. For a non-profit that runs almost entirely on donations, this can sometimes be hard to do. This year though, thanks to an incredible grant opportunity from The Batchelor Foundation, the SNC is able to reconstruct newer, better habitats for some of our residents. 

Please be sure to keep an eye out for construction during visiting hours. The areas will be marked off with yellow caution tape. Please do not let children climb over this. 

We hope you guys are as excited about the improvements happening around the SNC as we are! 

On April 10th and 11th, 2021, the Sawgrass Nature Center and Wildlife Hospital held its fifth annual Orchid Festival. This massive event is one of the best ways the SNC can fundraise for the hundreds of animals we take in every year.  What is Orchid Fest? Other than a fundraising event, Orchid Festival is an opportunity for vendors of beautiful, rare, and exotic orchid species to come together and sell their unique product on SNC property. Included amongst these vendors are art vendors, supply vendors, and educators! 

Guests are welcome to walk around the SNC’s unique exhibit area while perusing their favorite flower vendors. Guests that visit the SNC booth are treated to educational blurbs about our animals, mission, and staff. 

It is a great event that provides an opportunity for the Coral Springs and surrounding communities to come together and explore a new world of floral and faunal wonders.