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! 

A keystone species is an animal that is responsible for creating an ecosystem for many other animals. Great examples of this in Florida include the American Alligator and the Gopher Tortoise. But how do they do this?

American Alligators

American Alligators have an excellent sense of smell. In the hot Florida Summers, gators use their sense of smell to sniff out water underground. They then create what is referred to as a “gator hole.” These gator holes are used for alligator nests, but they also become a home for fish, amphibians, birds, and other reptiles. 

Gopher Tortoises

Gopher tortoises are an endangered species that is native to Florida. They are just as vital to our natural Florida ecosystems as the American Alligators because they also have an important role to play in establishing ecosystems. Gopher tortoises are burrowers and they dig very extensive underground burrows as a home for themselves. This shelter also becomes a home for snakes, bugs, bunnies, and plenty of other important Florida wildlife. 

Want to learn more?

Come visit the Sawgrass Nature Center in Coral Springs, Florida to get an up-close look at our alligator and gopher tortoise exhibits. These incredible animals are vital to our environment and need our protection. 

Want to get an up-close look?

Contact our education department at education@sawgrassnaturecenter.org to learn more about tours, private programs, and other educational opportunities at the Sawgrass Nature Center! 

What is a fish?

Like all animals in the Animal Kingdom, a fish is a multicellular living organism that lacks chlorophyll or a rigid cell wall. But what makes a fish different from every other animal in the animal kingdom? Fish have some unique traits unlike any other animal in the animal kingdom. 

Scales

Fish are not the only animals in the Animal Kingdom to have scales, but theirs are pretty different from something like a reptile. Whereas reptile scales are made out of keratin, fish scales are closer to teeth. They are made out of enamel and dentine, similar to human teeth. They can also come in different shapes, placoid, cycloid, ganoid, and ctenoid. 

Egg Laying

Remember in our previous blog that reptiles lay eggs on land. Fish, however, usually lay eggs in the water. Some fish lay their eggs inside their own bodies and release their babies when they hatch into the water. 

Gills to Breathe

Fish are found in the water, but like all animals, they need some form of oxygen. They don’t have blowholes like the dolphin from class Mammalia. Instead, they have gills. These open ridges of tissue on the sides of their body allow oxygen to diffuse through the gills and into their tissue straight from the water. 

Where do fish live? 

Fish can live in freshwater, saltwater, or something in between known as brackish water. One of the busiest fish environments is our coral reefs. Coral reefs are responsible for the largest amount of biodiversity in the world (terrestrial and aquatic). They harbor around 25% of the world’s fish species. This means they are vital to keeping our oceans alive and healthy. 

How can I help keep my ocean safe? 

Reduce your plastics. This is one of the easiest at-home ways to contribute to keeping our oceans safe. Billions of pieces of plastic enter our oceans each year. They wound coral reefs, strangle fish, and much more. Another easy way is to stay educated and share that education with friends and family. The more people that know and care about the importance of our environment, the easier it will be to fix it. 

A reptile is an Animal from Kingdom Animalia and like all Animals, it is a multicellular organism that lacks cell walls and chlorophyll. But what makes reptiles different from other animals? For starters, they are cold-blooded. 

Cold-blooded

Being cold-blooded or ectothermic means reptiles rely on their environment to dictate their internal body temperature. Humans are mammals, so we have built-in bodily functions that help regulate our temperature. If we are hot, we sweat and this condensation helps to cool our bodies. If we are cold, we shiver and the friction of that movement helps to warm us up. Reptiles cannot do these things. If a reptile is cold, it will need to bask in the sunlight to keep it warm. If a reptile is hot, it will need to find shade or submerge its body in water to cool down. 

Lay Eggs on Ground

But reptiles aren’t the only animals that are cold-blooded (check out our fish blog). What else makes them so unique? Reptiles are egg layers and unlike a lot of egg layers, they make their nests on the ground. Even if a reptile lives in the water for most of its life, like a sea turtle, it will still come ashore to lay its nest. The temperature of the eggs in the ground also helps decide whether the baby inside is male or female. For sea turtles, colder eggs that are closer to the bottom of the nest are typically male. Warmer eggs that are closer to the top of the nest are typically female. 

Scales

Reptiles also have scales. Alligators, snakes, and lizards have scales all over their skin! Turtles have scales on their shells called scutes. Their scales are made of keratin which is a pretty tough material that protects them from the hard ground they sometimes live on. It also helps to keep moisture inside, which is important for hydration. 

Want to learn more about reptiles?

Contact our education department at education@sawgrassnaturecenter.org to learn about tours, private programs, and more educational opportunities with the Sawgrass Nature Center! 

What is a Mammal? 

When it comes to the Animal Kingdom, there are so many different things to see and learn about! One of the most familiar classes (see our last blog post) of animals is Class Mammalia or mammals. But just what makes a mammal a mammal?

Shared Traits

Organisms on planet earth are classified through a chain of more and more specific groups based on their shared traits. For example, all animals are multicellular organisms that lack chlorophyll and a rigid cell wall. As mammals, we all share the traits of being warm-blooded, having live birth, having mammary glands, and having hair. 

What do mammals look like?

Mammals look like a lot of different things! Humans are mammals. So are dogs and cats. Did you know that animals in the ocean can be mammals too? Manatees, dolphins, and whales are all examples of mammals that live in the ocean. Learn more about whales and dolphins at this awesome site https://us.whales.org/do-whales-and-dolphin-have-hair/

What mammals can I see at the SNC?

The Sawgrass Nature Center and Wildlife Hospital has dedicated the past twenty-six years to wildlife rehabilitation and environmental education. We specialize in native, Florida wildlife and due to our location against the Everglades, we see a lot of it. Sometimes we can’t always release the animals we take in due to permanent injuries or exotic species status. These animals are provided a permanent sanctuary at the SNC where visitors can come and learn about their importance to the environment. 

Historically, the SNC has hosted a plethora of mammals including raccoons, opossums, squirrels, and even prairie dogs. If you are interested in learning about the animals we have here at the SNC stop by Tuesdays-Fridays 9 am-5 pm or Saturdays and Sundays 10 am-3 pm. 

Want a private animal encounter?

Contact our education department at education@sawgrassnaturecenter.org to learn more about scheduling an educational animal encounter for your group today! 

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.