wildlife

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Walton County Health Department urges residents to avoid contact with wild and stray animals

Rabies is preventable, but not curable Walton County health officials urge residents to avoid contact with wild and stray animals to protect themselves from the risk of rabies exposure.  In Florida, raccoons, bats foxes and unvaccinated cats are the animals most frequently diagnosed with rabies.  Other animals that are at high risk for rabies include skunks, otters, coyotes, bobcats, and stray or unvaccinated dogs and ferrets. “Rabies is a potentially fatal disease that can be prevented but not cured.  It...

Gopher tortoises move slowly through ‘spring training’ of grazing, burrow-digging

In Florida, it is illegal to harm gopher tortoises or their extensive burrows Like a baseball player stretching muscles and practicing skills during spring training, the gopher tortoise is emerging from winter dormancy and moving slowly and steadily through the landscape in search of greenery to eat and a new place to dig its burrow. Look for gopher tortoises’ distinctive domed brown shells and stumpy legs, as these land-dwellers make their way through Florida’s open canopy forests and sandy areas....

Master Naturalist Wetlands class starting in March

Module offered on Tuesdays Training includes ecosystem processes, identification of key plants and wildlife, and the role of humans in shaping Florida’s environment, interpretation skills, and environmental ethics.  The wetlands module will be taught March 20-May 15th, 2012 and courses will take place in Okaloosa and Walton Counties.  Registration closes March 13, 2012.  Cost is $225, which includes materials, instruction and three field trips.  Spots are limited so visit the course website to register www.masternaturalist.org click current course offerings, freshwater...