February 24, 2024

This is the carcass of an Atlantic Horseshoe Crab

It was killed by a predator or something

Despite having eyes on it's carapace, shell and tail

It apparently never even saw it coming!

Location: Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge

Sources: https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/FA254

Photo and text © 2024 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

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April 27, 2023

I am a Florida Ivory Millipede

I have a noxious goo that I shed

From glands on most of my body

Except there are no glands right behind my head. 

Florida Scrub Jays know to decapitate my type

Carefully so they don't spoil their meal

They leave the rest of the body behind

It sounds like a very unpleasant ordeal!

(Note: Make sure you check out the article linked below, it's very interesting!)

Location: Tosohatchee Wildlife Management Area, Christmas

Sources: https://sora.unm.edu/sites/default/files/FFN%2047.4%20pages%20144-146.pdf

Photo and text © 2022 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

April 23, 2023

We are Carolina Burying Beetles

Burying a Southern Toad at dusk

We do this to provide for our larvae  and to

Prevent maggots from eating the toad before us.

Location: Tosohatchee Wildlife Management Area, Christmas

Sources: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/284495468_The_carrion_beetles_Coleoptera_Silphidae_of_Nebraska

Photo and text © 2022 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

September 12, 2021

I am a Florida Ivory Millipede

I'm slow moving and I do not bite

But I can secrete a drop of hydrogen cyanide

If you hurt me or give me a fright!

(Check out the article below. These are very beneficial critters! The article also does a great job of explaining the differences between millipedes and centipedes.)

Location: St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park, Fellsmere

Sources: http://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/sarasotaco/2020/06/24/millipedes-annoying-but-important/

Photo and text © 2021 Dee Fairbanks Simpson