What Animal Ate my Mango?
August 7, 2009 by Merry
Filed under Animal Lovers
Welcome back!
Or, Possums, Raccoons and the Hazards of Tropical Fruit Trees in Florida!
We have a beautiful mango tree that so far has brought only one mango a year to fruition. This I pamper for several months, investing gallons of water and some of my best compost to help it grow and ripen. Last year, the mango disappeared while we were on a trip to Kansas City. But the year before, it ripened lusciously and we enjoyed it in fruit salads for two days.
This year, my single mango began to ripen while we were still at home, and I kept a careful eye on it. Critters love mangoes, and probably smell the beguiling fragrance for blocks. One morning I glanced out towards the tree and noticed a mysterious object on the ground, half green, half brilliant orange. Oh No! I walked slowly towards the tree’s drip line to confirm the tragic loss. But before I tossed the remains into the compost, I examined it carefully. A few scratch marks, some chewed off mango meat - not too bad! I brought it inside and sawed off the mangled part and sliced the rest into a glass bowl.
Possum or raccoon, I’ll never know. But I can’t blame that mysterious furry thief. It was delicious!
New Amphibians Discovered
May 8, 2009 by Merry
Filed under Animal Lovers
Madagascar is at the top of my list of countries to visit. This is because of the animal life, unique to this island country. All those amazing chameleons and lemurs - Wow! But now they’ve come across some new amphibians. I checked it out at the national geographic site and was amazed by this gorgeous frog. Can you imagine coming across a creature like this on a hike?
The photo I chose to go with this post is not a frog from Madagascar, but he’s still awfully appealing. I’ve been a big fan of all sorts of amphibians since girlhood. When I was just 10 years old, I collected frog eggs in jars, watching over them through the early spring when I let the baby froglets go.
Life on this planet is amazing.
Thoughts on the Frozen Baby Mammoth
May 1, 2009 by Merry
Filed under Animal Lovers
I read the most incredible article in this month’s National Geographic. It was the story of the two reindeer herders who came across a baby mammoth carcass in Siberia back in the spring of 2007. What was unusual about this find, as opposed to others, was how complete it was. One scientist exclaimed that he could even see the eyelashes!
I’d heard about the baby mammoth, but this was the first time I’d seen the photos. They really were remarkable; an actual glimpse into the past of our planet.
Now’s there’s talk of cloning a mammoth. I’m not so sure that’s a great idea. As much as I’d love to see a real, living mammoth, I strongly believe that they’ve had their day. I think it’s more to the point to save their living descendants, the African and Asian elephants of today.
Honey Bees in Spring
April 22, 2009 by Merry
Filed under Animal Lovers
Whenever I see a honeybee on a clover, I breathe a little sigh of relief. One of my relatives on the other side of Florida once mentioned to me that she planted a garden which never produced any squash. Anyone who’s ever planted zucchini knows the problem is not that you can’t get any vegetables from it. Pretty much the exact opposite is the case!
But my aunt, a real thinking octogenarian, traced it to the malathion spraying the state was doing to kill fruit flies a few years earlier. “I never saw any bees after that,” she told me.
I’ve planted a garden this year, but I’m holding my breath until the squash flowers present me with some baby zucchinis. I’ve got loads of cherry tomatoes, so I figure the bees must be around. If I lived in the country, I I’d have my own bee hives.
Hissing Cockroaches Make Oddball Pets
April 8, 2009 by Merry
Filed under Animal Lovers
Most people have heard of the hissing cockroach. There area people who swear by them as calm, good-natured pets. I have my own opinions on cockroaches of the American persuasion, but I know little about these creatures from Madagascar. Except, of course, that they hiss. Have you ever heard one?
They look about the same size as our euphemistically named “palmetto bugs” here in Florida. But that is one insect I will never feel fondly towards. The only other cockroach with which I have any familiarity with are the smaller, very sneaky brown bugs that inhabit certain dwellings in more northern climes.
Perhaps this is why, after 10 years of living in Florida, I still harbor such tender feelings toward northern California. I never once met up with a cockroach there.
A Very Old Octopus
March 28, 2009 by Merry
Filed under Animal Lovers
There’s a very recent report of fossil Octopi having been discovered in rock! This is terribly rare, since the death of an Octopus normally results in complete disintegration of the boneless body. This is an exciting find for the paleontology communities and animal geeks like me.
Before this discovery (in 95-million year old rocks found in Lebanon) scientists only had one other set of octopus fossils to study.The early octopus family tree consists of relatives with fleshy fins along their bodies, but these recently discovered fossils look just like their modern descendants. This makes sense since octopi are the superheroes of their environment, perfectly suited to living under extremely high water pressure and able to squeeze through openings no bigger than a quarter. (Even a 600 pound monster!) Why change such a great design?
Welcome the Praying Mantis!
March 19, 2009 by Merry
Filed under Animal Lovers
The praying mantis is the gardener’s friend. It’s a good thing we like them around, because they are formidable and scary enemies of just about every bug.
They can turn their heads 180% when they’re looking for their prey, where they spy them out with two giant compound eyes and three simple eyes for a little extra visual boost. It’s thought they can see as far as 60 feet away. Yikes!
Not only that, but after mating the males are in danger of actually being eaten by their beloved! This is a tough critter, and I’m glad we’re on the same side.
Pet Chickens
March 7, 2009 by Merry
Filed under Animal Lovers
I’ve heard a lot about pet chickens lately. I know quite a few veterinarians, some of whom treat poultry exclusively. Of course most of them are involved in farm animal care, but there is a growing culture of people raising chickens for not only their eggs, but as outdoor pets. Thus the increase in vets as pet chicken doctors. 
This amuses me. I’ve always thought chickens were funny animals, with their own little system of government. The “pecking order” is a real thing. You have to be at the top of the group to eat first, get the best roosting spot and so forth. If you notice one hen pecking another for no discernable reason, it could be a reminder of who the stronger bird is.
Even if you are a chicken eater, you’d probably agree that farm raised poultry should be allowed the freedom to be themselves, stretch their wings and legs and eat the diet that they were meant to. I’d venture to say that a happier chicken is a healthier chicken. Makes sense to me!
The Rattlesnake on the Porch
December 5, 2008 by Merry
Filed under Animal Lovers
My nephew lives in Arizona with his wife and 2 kids. They recently built a beautiful new house, but like so many rural areas of the country, there were animals who lived there first.
One evening they returned home and discovered a young rattlesnake curled up on their front step. I’m sure it was innocently enjoying the remainder of the day’s warmth captured in the concrete. After sending his wife and children inside through the garage, Chip attacked it with a shovel (yikes!) but fortunately for the rattlesnake his aim was off. He eventually called on his neighbor, a fireman, to handle the situation.
Since Chip has 2 young children, he now has to patrol the backyard before the kids go out to play. That’s something we never worried about back in Ohio!
Armadillo in the Bushes
November 28, 2008 by Merry
Filed under Animal Lovers
My husband and I went for a walk in the Lake Kissimmee Park this weekend. I heard a rustling in the palmetto bushes and made the correct assumption that an armadillo was responsible.
Of course I gloated when the little armored one stepped out into the light and stood up on his back legs, sniffing the air and trying to locate us. (He didn’t) He made us laugh, and we congratulated ourselves on spotting him and being patient enough for him to actually meander out where he could be seen.
I’ve made armadillo jewelry for years, even before I ever saw a live one. (No jokes, please) I happen to think they’re one of the most interesting mammals in the world, and we’re awfully lucky to have them in our country.
