Category Archives: Uncategorized

By Amber Prinkey

Here at Sawgrass Nature Center, we see our share of non-native species. Some, like the Green Iguana, are considered invasive which means they are causing harm to our native species. In fact, Florida Fish and Wildlife (FWC) recently placed these reptiles on the “prohibited” list, meaning it is now illegal to breed, sell, or own them without a permit.

Green Iguana

 Others, like the Brown Basilisk, Northern Curly Tailed Lizard, and Giant Ameiva are smaller than iguanas but also don’t belong here. The Curly Tails were brought to Florida in the 1930s to control sugarcane pests but now may eat our native anoles.

Northern Curly tailed Lizard

Brown Basilisk

Giant Ameiva

You may wonder, how did all these non-native lizards get here? Although some animals were brought here by well-meaning farmers trying to control their field pests, FWC reports that many species end up here from the pet trade. But you can help! Before committing to a new pet, do your research to be sure you can take care of it. Also, never release unwanted pets into the wild. And since these wild lizards are already here, come check them out at our Nature Center! You may see them scrambling through our Orchid Garden which is where most of these photos were taken.

By Amber Prinkey

If you love birds like we do here at Sawgrass Nature Center (I know, we say that all the time but it’s true!) then maybe you’ve heard about “Big Days.” These are citizen science days for birders all over the world to report the birds they see which then helps scientists track which birds are moving and where. Cornell Lab began involving us normal folk (if birders can be called “normal” Ha ha!) just a few years ago in 2015 with the release of the app eBird, which allows you to enter data on the birds you’ve seen and look up which birds were seen in other places. Since its release, hundreds of thousands of birders from around the world have recorded more than a BILLION observations! The app is FREE, so go ahead and download it and get in on the fun. You will be amazed at the number and variety of birds all around you.
There are now two Big Days each year, one in May and one in October. This month’s happens this weekend, on October 9th. Gathering this information is so important in a time when birds are threatened by climate change, habitat destruction, and human intervention such as skyscrapers and other window collisions. The numbers are staggering, if you don’t believe me check out this article from U.S. Fish and Wildlife and also to see how you can help.

This Yellow-Crowned Night Heron showed up at Sawgrass Nature Center’s wetland area at an unusual time, according to eBird!

By Amber Prinkey

It’s probably not surprising that we love animals here at Sawgrass Nature Center and Wildlife Hospital! So when we saw that this Monday, October 4, is World Animal Day we decided to tell you some of our favorite Florida animals…. In riddles! Answers are at the bottom, but don’t peek!

1. Fish, berries, and honey are the foods that we like

And unless you bother a cub, we’re unlikely to strike

We’re very large so you should still leave us alone

And don’t leave food out or we’ll show up at your home!

2. Out all night, I’m foraging on your lawn

By the time the fawns finish it is nearly dawn

Prancing and jumping, I leap in the air

My cousins know Santa but not me, it’s not fair!

3.    Night-time hunters, quiet as can be.

Special fringed feathers mean no one can hear me

I am found all over, but I am hard to spot,

Especially by the mice before they are caught!

4. So cunning and cute but predators we are

One swipe of a furry foot would leave you with a scar

You may be seeing more of us as humans move closer to our home

But most are not dangerous and can be left free to roam

5. Crafty and clever are words to describe me

Black as the night and cawing from a tree

A group of my friends is known as a murder

How to tell us from ravens? Just ask an avid birder

Highlight the text below to see the answers!

1. Black Bears 2. White Tailed Deer 3. Owls 4. Foxes 5. Crows

Now that you’ve solved the riddles, come join us at a special celebration for World Animal Day on October 3rd! Watch our social media pages for more details or check out the World Animal Day website: https://www.worldanimalday.org.uk/events

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.

By Sadie Branson

As a teenager, school is always supposed to be a number one priority, but sometimes you wonder what happens when school is no longer the main focal point in your life. Where should I work? What do I want to do with my life? School is supposed to help prepare you for what comes next. However, a school’s classroom can only show you so much. How do I know if I am good with animals? Do I work well with people? In many ways, volunteering teaches you what school can’t. By venturing out into the real world, you learn not only about yourself and your strengths,  but you get a taste of what it’s like to work. You understand what is expected of you and what you can expect in return. Volunteering is an excellent step before finding a real job. You gain experience, knowledge and can hopefully find your passion. There are so many choices and paths for every unique individual to try out. I personally found out through volunteering that I love animals and nature. Therefore, I chose a job that fits both of my wants. But volunteering is not just for teens! Many people benefit from the experience volunteering gives because it’s just fun! Volunteering allows me to get outside, feel the satisfaction of learning how to work, and feel good about what I’m doing.

By Amber Prinkey

 Awareness days are a great way to bring attention to environmental concerns. So, we wanted to wish you a Happy International Day of Clean Air! This year’s theme is “Healthy Air, Healthy Planet” which emphasizes the health aspects of air pollution and is very relevant considering the current Covid-19 crisis.

Air quality affects us in many ways and even affects our wildlife. Birth defects, diseases, and lower reproductive rates have all been attributed to air pollution. Plants also suffer as air pollution has a negative effect on their growth.

How can we make a difference? Since emissions from our cars create air pollution we can drive less by carpooling, walking, or biking to our destination. Energy production also emits pollution so we can look for ways to reduce our energy use at home by adjusting our thermostat a degree or two, turning lights out when we leave the room, and unplugging electronics when not in use.

 Other upcoming “clean planet” events this month include International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer on September 16^th and National Clean-Up Day on September 18^th which focuses on keeping our outdoors clean. To find a clean up near you go to https://www.nationalcleanupday.org/

Sulfur butterflies enjoy the clean air and a sweet treat outside our Nature Center.

As we move into the Fall season, have you ever wondered what happens to the overripe fruit that falls from the trees? Or the dead leaves and branches that drift to the ground? Or wild animals that have passed away? Well, we have scavengers to thank for taking care of nature’s trash (and sometimes ours, too)! We have several scavengers that live here at Sawgrass Nature Center including opossums, raccoons, and vultures.

Opossums get a bad rap, but DID YOU KNOW…. that it is extremely rare for an opossum to carry rabies? That’s because their body temperature is lower than many other mammals. DID YOU ALSO KNOW that they eat up to 5,000 ticks (which can carry Lyme disease) per season? Thank you, opossums!

There are many myths about raccoons, but DID YOU KNOW…. that raccoons that are out during the day are not necessarily sick or dangerous? They may just be hungry and are often seen dipping their food in water? Although raccoons are clean animals (it’s true!), they are not actually washing their food but just manipulating it instead.

And vultures, those are some crazy critters! DID YOU KNOW…if they feel threatened, they will vomit up their food (remember that they mostly eat dead stuff) to scare other animals away? Wait, we were trying to convince you to LIKE scavengers…. so how about the fact that they cool themselves down by pooping on their legs? No, still gross? Just remember that fun fact the next time you think you are sweating too much ?

Interested in learning more fun facts about native Florida wildlife? Schedule a program for your group today! Email us at education@sawgrassnaturecenter.org.

A wild raccoon visits the dumpster at Sawgrass Nature Center…. And inspires this blog post!

We LOVE birds here at Sawgrass Nature Center which is why one of our Summer Jr. volunteers, Erin Willie, wanted to share this information with you:

Birds of the Everglades

Birds are spotted all over the world and play an important role in maintaining balance in the ecosystems they live in. The same goes for the Everglades and the home it gives to the birds that roam Florida. They help keep species of insects, crustaceans, mollusks, and fish from overpopulating our waterways.

Snail Kite

Snail kites have a very particular appetite. They feed almost exclusively on apple snails but have managed to start eating other non-native snails introduced to the Everglades. Their strong beaks allow them to break open the tough shells to get to the mollusk inside. They fly low over the water and use their acute eyesight to spot their prey and snatch them out of the shallows. It’s strict diet and the destruction of the Everglades has made the bird become an endangered species and protected under law. Its numbers are currently around 1,000 but have fluctuated greatly in the past from a low of 65 to a high of 3,000. Snail Kites are only native to Florida and the Everglades, making it very important to keep its species thriving.

Green Heron

Green Herons have tell-tale muddy green feathers, russet neck, and bright yellow legs and are  short and stocky compared to many other herons. Don’t be fooled by its small demeanor though! Their necks can extend to a larger length to assist in hunting and intimidating predators just like other herons. Special vertebrae located in their necks allow them to attack their prey with surprising force. Green Herons are an important predator in the Everglades, helping to keep invertebrates and fish at bay by preventing overpopulation.

Spoonbill

Just as the name implies, the beaks of these birds are flat and spoon-like in shape and are used to assist the animal in sifting through the mud and water for its next meal. Its goal is to find small fish, crustaceans, insects, and snails to eat. Some of these creatures, mainly the crustaceans, contain pigments called carotenoids that when eaten cause the feathers on spoonbills to turn vibrant pink. This means that chicks will remain brown and white until they eat enough to start changing color. 

Interested in seeing some of our native birds up close including a Green Heron named Goblin?

Come visit us during our normal business hours

Tuesday – Friday 9-5

Saturday – Sunday 10-3

We hope to see you soon!

Wally the Alligator! Wally is one of the animals that has been at the Sawgrass Nature Center the longest. Rescued as a baby from the streets of Coral Springs, Wally had lost all fear of humans. While this does not necessarily mean she is friendly, it does mean that she cannot be released back into the wild. 

Like most animals that become too used to humans, Wally is used to people feeding her. Not only would she be unable to fend for herself in the wild, but she would also have zero urge to hide from potentially dangerous human encounters. 

Humans are the number one cause of death for most animals in the Animal Kingdom. This is why it is for the best that we leave them alone and they know to run from us. 

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. 

As Summer comes to a close and the flies are hopefully dwindling in numbers, we are all getting excited about the shift in season here at the Nature Center. Fall brings with it cooler temperatures, the start of the new school year, and a new season of events in Coral Springs. 

Here at the SNC, we are preparing for birdwatching as migratory birds begin the flight down from the North to warmer climates for the winter. 

What are some animals we can see in the Fall? 

“Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Swainson’s Thrush, Bay-breasted Warbler, Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Black-throated Green Warbler, and many others” will make the journey to South Florida this Fall (https://www.10000birds.com/best-time-to-bird-south-florida-fall-migration.htm). 

Sea turtle nesting season will come to a close in October, meaning soon we will have little baby sea turtles making the journey from nest to open ocean on Florida beaches. 

Cedar waxwings will also come down to Florida for the warmer weather in the Winter. 

As temperatures slowly get to the infamous “Florida cold,” we will also see more reptiles journeying from deep sheltered waters to bask in the sun for warmth. The native American alligator, the invasive green iguana, and plenty of snakes will make themselves at home on our hot roads and sidewalks. 

What does Fall look like at the nature center? 

We will be as busy as ever with babies! Even though Spring has ended, there are animals that have babies year-round, meaning there are animals that need shelter and rescue year-round. We will be shifting away from baby birds and more towards baby mammals and reptiles. 

Our education department will be gearing up for camps for Thanksgiving and Winter Break. This means all new curriculum, animal encounters, and more for the new season of Camp Wild!

Want to participate in the SNC’s Fall?

Contact our education department at education@sawgrassnaturecenter.org to learn about private programming, camp, and other educational activities at the SNC!