May 31, 2020

Location: Maritime Hammock Sanctuary, Melbourne Beach

I'm an exotic Cuban Tree Frog
I prey on native lizards, frogs, and small snakes
I was accidentally introduced into Florida
It's theorized I stowed away in shipping crates.

Sources: University of Florida IFAS Extension - The Cuban Treefrog (Osteopilus septentrionalis) in Florida

Photo and text © 2020 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

May 30, 2020

Location: Maritime Hammock Sanctuary, Melbourne Beach

I am a Southeastern Five-lined Skink
I'm an adult male so you don't see the lines
The lines fade as I get older
And my face gets red over time.

Sources: University of Georgia Savannah River Ecology Laboratory - Southeastern Five-lined Skink (Eumeces [Plestiodon] inexpectatus)

Photo and text © 2020 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

May 29, 2020

Location: Maritime Hammock Sanctuary, Melbourne Beach

I am known as an Ovenbird
That doesn't mean that I taste good when baked
My name refers only to the shape of my nest -
Please don't ever make that mistake!

Sources: Cornell Lab All About Birds - Ovenbird

Photo and text © 2020 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

May 28, 2020

Location: Maritime Hammock Sanctuary, Melbourne Beach

This is known as Resurrection Fern
It is a non-flowering perennial
It can grow to be about 8 inches high
It's an epiphyte with roots that are aerial.

Sources: North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Tool Box - Pleopeltis polypodioides

Photo and text © 2020 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

May 27, 2020

Location: Maritime Hammock Sanctuary, Melbourne Beach

I'm an exotic Brown Anole
Because of my toes I'm good at running and jumping
My life span is only about 18 months but
I spend 10 to 12 of that breeding and humping.

Sources: Smithsonian Marine Station at Fort Pierce Indian River Lagoon Species Inventory - Anolis sagrei

Photo and text © 2020 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

May 26, 2020

Location: Maritime Hammock Sanctuary, Melbourne Beach

I am known as a Gopher Tortoise
I'm the only tortoise found east of the Mississippi
I love basking in the sun and herbaceous plants
Thats my nature, I'm not just a hippie.

Sources: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission - Gopher Tortoise

Photo and text © 2020 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

May 25, 2020

Location: Fellsmere, my house

I am a female Spinybacked Orbweaver
My mate looks much different from me
He's much smaller with a gray abdomen
This is sexual dimorphism that's easy to see.

Sources: UF | IFAS Featured Creatures Spinybacked Orbweaver

Photo and text © 2020 Dee Fairbanks Simpson