Photos / Sounds

What

True Whelks and Allies (Superfamily Buccinoidea)

Observer

fanning_k_902

Date

March 22, 2020 01:16 PM EDT
Sea Grapes - Photo (c) 俊億 李, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA)
moran_s_009's ID: Sea Grapes (Caulerpa racemosa)
Added on April 11, 2020
Maverick

Photos / Sounds

What

Monarch (Danaus plexippus)

Observer

iovino_c_009

Date

February 1, 2020 09:17 PM EST

Description

This is the caterpillar of a monarch butterfly. It had yellow, black, and white stripes all over it’s body. In the third picture, the head of this caterpillar was on the left where the antennae was placated, thorax in the middle, and abdomen on the right where there was actually poop from the insect. It was about 2 inches and was found eating the milkweed plant which is poisonous to most animals. According to The National Wildlife Federation, “...monarchs have evolved immunity to these toxins. As they feed, monarch caterpillars store up the toxins in their body, making them taste bad, which in turn deters their predators.” This monarch caterpillar was found on milkweed in a dry field. An article by the Florida Gardener stated that, “Monarchs can be found in open areas in all regions of Florida year-round... they do not migrate out of the state during the winter.” Monarchs are protostomes because they are invertebrates which means that their blastopore becomes the mouth. They are part of the Ecdysozoa clade since they go through complete metamorphosis and molt. The larval stage of the monarch, seen in these pictures, are a caterpillar that forms a chrysalis and turns into a butterfly.
https://www.nwf.org/Educational-Resources/Wildlife-Guide/Invertebrates/Monarch-Butterfly
http://www.floridagardener.com/critters/Insect_Pests/Milkweedcat.htm

Monarch - Photo (c) fam-esquivel, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)
moran_s_009's ID: Monarch (Danaus plexippus)
Added on April 11, 2020
Supporting

Photos / Sounds

What

Barred Owl (Strix varia)

Observer

doshi_k_009

Date

March 19, 2020 04:08 PM EDT

Description

This Barred Owl was observed sitting on a branch of a tree growing from a swamp that formed along the lake near the boardwalk at lettuce lake park. This owl observed was approximately sixteen to nineteen inches in length; Barred Owls are typically 16.9 to 19.7 inches in length [1]. This Barred owl was overall white and brown in color; the front body of the owl was white with consistent brown markings overall, while the feathers and back body was brown with consistent white markings or barred patterns overall. Also, the Barred owl's beak was light yellow in color. The habitat in which this barred owl was observed comprises of forested area with lakes, which is typical to the common habitat in which barred owls are found which are mature forests near water and wooded swamps [1&2]. The barred patterns observed overall on the body are defining features for this species of owl, hence the name "Barred Owl" [1].
The geographic distribution of this species suggests that it is commonly found in Florida and Southern and Eastern states of North America across all seasons [2].

References-
[1] Barred Owl Identification, All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology. https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Barred_Owl/id (accessed Mar 31, 2020).
[2] Barred Owl. https://www.audubon.org/field-guide/bird/barred-owl (accessed Mar 31, 2020).

Barred Owl - Photo (c) anonymous, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA)
moran_s_009's ID: Barred Owl (Strix varia)
Added on April 11, 2020
Supporting

Photos / Sounds

What

Brown Anole (Anolis sagrei)

Observer

allen_s_009

Date

April 1, 2020 01:18 PM EDT

Description

Webbed feet with 5 fingers. Long tail that curls at the end. scales, eyes on side of head, ectothermy

Resources:

http://reptile-database.reptarium.cz/species?genus=Anolis&species=sagrei

https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Norops_sagrei/

Brown Anole - Photo (c) Jill Bazeley, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)
moran_s_009's ID: Brown Anole (Anolis sagrei)
Added on April 11, 2020
Supporting

Stats

  • 4