Tarev, I can just see shining a light into the forest at night,
and all those big eyes glowing from the tarsiers.

Koala bears are so adorable. Every time I buy a stuffed animal for a
child, it is a koala bear.

Incredible photos everyone.

I'm guessing it was about 8 feet. This is the first time in 53 years I have seen one this close to the house and never in this canal system.

The koala is nicknamed Quigley..he is really adorable looking

Jippers Jay, I will have major water phobia if I see that swimming in a canal!

Btw, here is a video about the tarsier I found on youtube..interesting perspective..though I do pity the tarsiers in this location, must be having major sleep deprivation with so much curious onlookers around them. I guess the local govt there made it this way so that the people would not need to go further into the forest to look for these wee cute little primates:

http://youtu.be/V_vQ5F2Enoo

YIKES! OH My Goodness ... Jay, that is one big Gator, looks to be a 10 - 12 footer, and quite hefty too! I shudder to think of anyone swimming in canals or fresh water lakes here in Florida because there are gators in most waterways here. I've even heard of them being found in the brackish water (part salt/part fresh) water where the fresh water rivers flow into the Atlantic Ocean. We have sharks too and hear of shark bites every year (usually surfers) but at least with sharks you have to go out a little ways in the water to be bitten! Gator's are found in very shallow water and on land along the waterways! Many years ago my husband and friends used to waterski in lakes that were infested with gator's, and many people still do which is not too smart in my opinion! People here know to keep small children and pets away from area's with known gator populations. I've read of many a small pet being snatched from a backyard by a gator. One of our local t.v. news anchors has a labrador that was attacked by a gator in their backyard a few years ago but luckily the gator let go and the dog survived. I guess gators can travel some distances too, especially during mating season. I've always wondered about the fact that when there's new construction here in Florida, they dig those man made retention ponds for drainage and gators always find their way to those ponds and take up residence!

Two years ago I went to the Orlando airport with my best friend to pick up company she had coming in from California. One of lady had never been to Florida but had heard about all the alligators here and was asking about them. When we left the airport we were driving across a low bridge over a lake known to have the highest concentration of gators in Florida ... and you can see them in the water, sometimes a few, sometimes many gators! The lady really freaked out when she saw a few of them in the water and we confirmed that yes, those were alligators!

Are they protected? I would think that animal control wouldn't want them their in pond and rivers so close to peoples homes.

They do have an "Alligator Season" where some can legally hunt gartors: http://myfwc.com/wildlifehabit...

During mating season gator's will even try to attack a car. Scroll down this page for a photo from the news last May: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/43...

There are instances of "Nuisance Gator's" (usually they become a nuisance when humans feed them which is illegal but you know how some humans are.) If a gator becomes threatening in a neighborhood, animal control or Florida Fish & Wildlife is usually called in to trap and remove/relocate the particular gator: http://myfwc.com/wildlifehabit...

Gator's have a wide range: http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/uw230

I know this is a wildlife forum but I don't agree with trap and relocate. I actually don't agree with the relocate part. I wish they would simply destroy them. I know, I know people have moved intro animal territory. Allagator terratory. But if it is a danger to people it has to go. Permantly. Sorry, just my opinion.

You are entitled to an opinion, Rita. I don't know of anyone here who wants to attract alligators to their yard.

No, ugly creatures. Been around forever though. Ok for swamps and the everglads but really bad news for backyard ponds.

"Many years ago my husband and friends used to waterski in lakes that were infested with gator's, and many people still do..."



Scary!

Hello once more to all! Last night, my hubby mentioned to me about this largest rodent in the world..called a capybara. I have not seen one personally, and looking at info and pictures about it..oh my...I would not know how to react if I see one in real life Just to imagine having this in lieu of squirrels or gophers...yay..though I do not think they dig out stuff to eat..which is good right? Another day to learn a new thing!

Here is a link about it:
http://nationalzoo.si.edu/Anim...

The alligators and other critters were here long before humans and I blame humans for feeding the gators, bears etc. (which is illegal) and causes the animals to associate humans with food ... they lose fear of humans and then the humans quit feeding them and they are left to catch their own dinner which unfortunately sometimes ends up being small pets.

I can't imagine swimming or water skiing in water where gators are present ... Scary!!

tarev: Now that's the largest Rodent I've ever seen ... I don't like rodents and i don't think I'd want one that size in my garden.

I have seen capybara in fair side shows. They were advertise as giant Hong Kong Rats.

I have seen them before on TV. Seems like they hunt them for meat in South America. It really does not look like a rat to me. Too much leg and too blunt a nose. Not pointy like rats or mice.

I always thought they kind of look like large guinea pigs

Bunny pics in the grass from last Fall.

Rabbits are so cute!

They're adorable and so cute!