Where the Wild Things Are

The wildlife of FL is certainly different from the midwest. It's been fun getting to know all the common wild things around us. Most prevalent (besides the "palmetto bugs", but we won't get into that) are the small lizards that dart around everywhere. They shoot across the sidewalk, cling to the sides of the house and climb up the lanai screen. The Florida variety of lizards aren't the push-ups Southwest lizards; they're smaller and lower to the ground, often with sleek brown racing stripes.

We've also spotted several egrets (close cousin to the regret, of course) fishing in the pond in our backyard. Egrets are enormous white birds with long orange beaks, and they look quite regal standing by the edge of the water.

Chiggers are common in the South, as my parents can vouch (they live on the big rock known as Arkansas). Warning: Don't click on the link if you're squimish about bug/human relations. You really can avoid chiggers if you never, ever go off of paved surfaces.

We haven't seen any alligators yet, although I am warily keeping an eye out when I walk Bandit. I don't want them emerging from the many large pools of water that surround our house and munching on our ankles.

For more info about the wildlife of Florida, go to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission's website. Or read one of Carl Hiaasen's books.

~mc