Animals across the Carolinas

[abttown]

Since pumpkin beer is already flowing, I thought I'd show off these spooky creatures hanging out in my back yard.  They're typically called yellow garden spiders, but my family always called them "writing" spiders due to the zig-zag design in their webs. Rumor was that if you saw your initials in the web, bad luck was coming your way.  I often see them around from August into October.  And even though they look wicked, they're not poisonous, so leave them be!

 

[KJHburg]

down by the sea in the low country.  An egret, a blue heron, an anhinga and a 7 footer. 

[XRZ.ME]

saw on McAlpine creek trail. The Seek app by iNaturalist identified it as mule deer and you should not expect to find it on east coast. Not sure if accurate.


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[KJHburg]

The official NC state horse the horses of the northern Currituck County beaches.  They are descendants of Spanish mustangs are considered pure breds.  In northern Currituck County NC beaches north of Corolla in the Carova Beach NC area.    They roam free in an 8000 acre area that does include some homes but also federal and state lands.  They are very protected do NOT feed and approach.  

Only reachable by 4 wheel drive and my ride was a Hummer today.  (and believe it or not @nicholas I saw a Rivian truck in the non road area driving on the beach)

https://www.ncpedia.org/symbols/horse#:~:text=In June 2010 the North,in Session Law 2010-6.

Our official horse is a royal Spanish Mustang! (take that SC) 

[KJHburg]

Here is a story about Corolla Wild Horse Fund and how they protect the wild horses (official state of NC horses) in Currituck County. 

https://www.outerbanksvoice.com/2022/11/27/dedicated-to-the-herd-mentality/

[KJHburg]

seen around Hilton Head.  the dog was playing fetch with its owner in a tidal creek.  That dog could swim great in a tidal creek with the tide coming in. 

[QCxpat]

Not the Carolinas, but a remarkable story about "Jonathan," the Tortoise, who won the longevity race

"Jonathan, a Seychelles giant tortoise, is celebrating his 190th birthday.   He is the longest-living land animal in the world.  He is believed to have been born around 1832."  "Jonathan is 48 inches long."

"He was five years old when Queen Victoria, Britain's second longest reigning monarch, took the throne, and he outlived both World Wars.  He is older than the first photograph and has lived through the administrations of 39 US Presidents." 

"On St. Helena Island (in the South Atlantic), Jonathan is something of a celebrity.  The elderly animal lives alongside three other giant tortoises – David, Emma and Fred.

"Though old age has left Jonathan blind and with no sense of smell, his hearing is excellent.   According to Guiness World Records, he responds well to the sound of his vet’s voice."

"Despite some of his senses now failing, Jonathan’s vet, Joe Hollins, told Guinness World Records that the animal still has plenty of energy – though this varies with the weather."

“On mild days, he will sunbathe – his long neck and legs stretched fully out of his shell to absorb heat and transfer it to his core,” Hollins said.

In colder weather, he prefers to “dig himself into leaf mold or grass clippings and remain there all day.”

Hollins added: “In spite of his age, Jonathan still has a good libido and is seen frequently to mate with Emma and sometimes Fred.”

"Jonathan has lived most of his life at the governor’s plantation house on St. Helena Island in the South Atlantic, according to the island’s website, which adds that Jonathan could arguably serve as a national symbol for the island.  Jonathan’s image even adorns the backside of a St. Helena 5 pence coin."  "Jonathan is also getting a series of commemorative stamps to mark his 190th birthday."

Links:  

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/dec/02/worlds-oldest-recorded-tortoise-prepares-for-190th-birthday-party

https://www.kktv.com/2022/12/03/jonathan-tortoise-worlds-oldest-land-animal-celebrating-190th-birthday

https://www.cnn.com/2022/12/03/world/seychelles-tortoise-st-helena-jonathan-190-birthday-intl-hnk/index.html

Edited December 4, 2022 by QCxpat

[KJHburg]

My guaranteed spot on the island for gator watching never fails.  Jarvis Creek Park HHI behind the Walmart LOL. 

 

[KJHburg]

Turtle rehabbed at Sea Life Aquarium in Concord to be released back into the ocean off Morehead City.  I think I saw this one last week in the big tank when I was there. 

https://www.wsoctv.com/news/local/sea-life-concord-release-sea-turtle-back-into-ocean/QGKYNGBUIZF5XHRG6PD65IC2VM/

[rancenc]

Mama bear and her cubs.  I actually did not know that bears had this many cubs at once.  I always thought one to two at a time.

https://www.wyff4.com/article/mama-bear-cubs-video-north-carolina-neighborhood/43645517

[KJHburg]

5 hours ago, rancenc said:

Mama bear and her cubs.  I actually did not know that bears had this many cubs at once.  I always thought one to two at a time.

https://www.wyff4.com/article/mama-bear-cubs-video-north-carolina-neighborhood/43645517

the only time I saw bears in the wild in NC was up on the Clingmans Dome Road in the Great Smoky National Park one morning and I saw a mama bear and 4 cubs like that.  It was spring when the road first opened for the season. 

[KJHburg]

My uninvited guest as my annual July 4 cookout. 

Eastern rat snake which is harmless to humans and great for my backyard to keep down rodents etc. 

https://www.ncwildlife.org/Portals/0/Learning/documents/Profiles/Reptile/Rat_Snake_Profile_2018.pdf

never seen a rat or mouse in my property except one dead one outside one time. 

 

Edited July 4 by KJHburg

[KJHburg]

Cypress Wetland Park in Port Royal SC home to many nesting birds it was like being in aviary but outside.  Love to see an anhinga drying its wings.  

[rancenc]

Profile on an important aquaculture industry in the state.

https://www.agriculture.com/trout-farming-in-north-carolina-7561696

[CarolinaCrown]

[grodney]

Check out this awesome beetle at our farm!  

 

Edited August 6 by grodney

[KJHburg]

BOLO ALRET   In Mecklenburg farm news:  a cow was spotted on I-485 and please steer clear of this bull with 2 foot longhorns on the loose in NW Charlotte.  

https://www.wsoctv.com/news/local/cmpd-searching-longhorn-bull-spotted-west-charlotte/ESQNJM7NGZG5XGG2Q6USSCLLGY/

I love it when country comes to town! 

here is the suspect mugshot 

Edited August 8 by KJHburg

[DMann]

must have been looking for a china shop!

[KJHburg]

The elk of the Oconaluftee meadow outside of Cherokee in the National Park. 

[KJHburg]

Deer feeding in a yard in suburban Charleston.  and a few chickens in same yard. 

[hinsp0]

Dog cat showdowns and a hive of European honeybees, all in the heart of southpark.

[KJHburg]

Hilton Head birds and animals before the Hurricane.   One alligator spotted in a small lake.  Deer caught in rising tides due to the full moon in the marsh.  

[KJHburg]

BOLO alert:  aggressive owl attacking people in Dilworth! 

https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/local/dilworth-myers-park/aggressive-owl-attack-dilworth-neighborhood/275-54af51a2-6565-47cf-ad59-43df96ffa9df

[KJHburg]

More deer in the marsh on Hilton Head Island.  The deer on the island are smaller than their mainland counterparts.  

[KJHburg]

The largest of the 3 state aquariums in NC this one at Fort Fisher south of Wilmington.  Home to Maverick the wounded Bald Eagle who still has spunk in him even if he can not fly he recently ruffed up a cardinal that got to close to him.  And he reportedly eats 4 rotisseire chickens per day.  Notice the divers in with the sharks.  Most of these creatures are found in NC or off the coast but a few are from further seas. 

North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher | Explore. Discover. Enjoy. (ncaquariums.com)