Fort Myers & Sanibel/Lee County Traveler's Guide 2008 - (Page 34) ®® T H E N AT U R A L W O R L D F A U N A urry, scaly, leathery, chalky – members of the kingdom Animalia sport exteriors of all kinds in The Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel. Some live in forests, some prefer grassy prairies and others find the water’s edge their perfect playground. All prefer to be FAW N O V E R observed from afar, so stick to the boardwalks, trails and waterways to catch a glimpse of native fauna in its natural habitat. Early morning and late in the day finds animals foraging for food and seeking shelter. More information about the natural f the wildlife world can be found after some entries here i.e. (see p123), and additional listings appear beginning on page 88 and at www.fortmyers-sanibel.com. ® Florida whitetail deer Tops out at three-and-a-half feet in height and can be seen east of Interstate 75. ® American alligator Despite their depiction in cartoons and as mascots, alligators are black, not shades of green. ® Bottlenose dolphin Bay waters, Pine Island Sound and Charlotte Harbor almost guarantee a sighting of these mammals. ® Zebra longwing butterfly Elegant and graceful, as well as striking, and can be seen throughout the area. ® Horseshoe crab Horseshoe crabs live in mud flats and young find protection in mangrove “nurseries.” ® Mangrove tree crab Coexisting with the mangroves they scurry on, these crustaceans help break down nutrients. (see p55) urtle? Tortoise? What’s the difference? Turtles are aquatic animals and tortoises are terrestrial. Box, snapping and alligator turtles live in freshwater habitats, while five species of turtle prefer Florida’s saltwater environments: loggerhead are the most prevalent, followed by the green, leatherback, hawksbill and Kemp’s ridley. Shape plays an important role in identifying these hard-shelled reptiles: a low streamlined shell and powerful front limbs distinguish the water-dwellers. The gopher Gopher tortoise tortoise likes to burrow in sandy, upland environments. PAGE 34 yertle? T http://www.fortmyers-sanibel.com
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