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Georgia's Natural Wonder Animals
The Okefenokee Swamp is a true wildlife refuge.
The wildlife seen in the great swamp are in their natural surroundings.
These are the natural inhabitants, the original inhabitants - now
protected by law. Few places in America can offer as varied and
extensive wildlife as this southeastern swamp. Over 200 species
of birds have been identified by refuge personnel and visiting ornithologists.
There are over 40 species of mammals, more than 50 species of reptiles,
and 60 species of amphibians. The waters house an abundance of fish,
34 different kinds.
Black Bear
The bear is by far the most powerful animal in
the Okefenokee. At one time they were a menace to the small farmers
living near the swamp. They made repeated raids carrying off hogs,
small calves, or anything else they could find to eat. Organized
bear hunts were not for sport to the settlers but a necessity to
protect their livestock. The bear mates in the summer, and the cubs,
usually two, a male and a female, are born in the late winter. At
birth the cubs are blind, almost hairless, and weigh less than one
pound. The mother often sits with the cubs between her legs, blowing
her warm breath on them. They are one of the most helpless and dependent
animals at birth and in no way resemble the large and powerful animal
they later become. They grow 100 pounds a year for the first two
years, then 50 to 75 pounds the next couple of years. A full gown
bear will weigh around 300 pounds and stand over six feet tall on
his hind legs. In spite of their size, they are not slow and cumbersome,
but are capable of great speed. The bear is omnivorous, eating both
plants and meat. He eats plants, berries, nuts, roots, insects,
fish, eggs and small animals. The bear has even learned to find
the camouflaged turtle nest by raking its long claws over the disturbed
ground until it finds a deep soft spot. It is able to feast on the
eggs hidden from so many other swamp creatures.
White-Tail Deer
There are numerous deer in the Okefenokee today.
At one time their number was seriously depleted because of the "chase"
method of hunting used in the prairies. Today these quiet, shy,
and graceful creatures freely roam the swamp.
Otter
The otter is one of the most graceful of all animals
in the water. It swims with tremendous speed, as well as grace,
and with seemingly little effort. The otter grows to around four
to four and a half feet and weighs around fifteen to twenty pounds.
At one time they were hunted by dogs as well as trapped because
of their valuable furs.
Water Moccasin
Of the 27 species of snakes in the swamp, the
water moccasin is one of the largest and one of the few venomous
ones. The majority of snakes lay eggs, but the moccasin is one of
the few species that give birth to living young. It has large hollow
fangs which are connected to sacs of poison in its cheeks. When
biting its enemy, it squeezes the sacs to inject the poisonous venom,
and returns to its coiled position in approximately ONE-HALF SECOND.
Alligators
The American Alligator was at one time seriously
threatened and considered one of the endangered species. "Gator
Hunting" became popular and extremely profitable as reptile
shoes, handbags, and belts grew in popularity. The alligator was
seldom hunted for sport or game but strictly as a business. Two
hunters could kill as many as forty gators in an evening. The female
alligator builds a large nest, measuring five or six feet across
and two or three feet high, in an open area near the water. She
lays 30 to 60 eggs and covers them with leaves, muck, moss, and
other trash. She then splashes this down good with water and the
sun heats the damp vegetation and the eggs in the mound. It takes
from 60 to 90 days for the eggs to hatch, and the baby alligators
immediately start making a clucking sound. The mother hearing the
clucking, uncovers the newly hatched alligators. When hatched, the
young alligators are about six inches long. These young alligators
grow about one foot a year for the first six or seven years. Full
grown they may reach twelve to fifteen feet in length and weigh
700 pounds. The alligator is extremely fast, although he looks slow
and clumsy basking in the sunshine. He feeds on snakes, fish, small
animals, turtles, and even baby alligators.
Sandhill Crane
This is a large bird between four and five feet
in height. They are gray and have extremely long legs. The Sandhill
Crane keeps the same mate for life. They nest in fairly open places
where trees do not block their vision. They lay two eggs which take
about four weeks to hatch. The young cranes can fly fairly long
distances within two months because of their rapid growth. Many
Sandhill Cranes were killed in the early hunting days of the swamp.
Although they were hard to kill because of their extreme wariness
and good vision. When frightened or sensing danger a crane sounds
its alarm cry that can be heard for miles. Other cranes and animals
recognize the distress call of the Sandhill, take up the cry and
flee the area. They have been called the "watchmen of the swamp."
Osprey
At one time the osprey nest served as guide-post
to the local natives penetrating the unchartered interior. Osprey
are known to be territorial. A pair will build their nest usually
in a high tree near a prairie and this area for a couple of miles
in all directions will become their domain. No other osprey will
establish a nest in their territory. The osprey repair their nests
when necessary using the same nest year after year. The fact that
these nests are in high places, are large and easily seen, remain
for many years, and are several miles apart, make them useful landmarks
to the local natives.
Anhinga
Many a new-comer in the early days killed himself
a "water turkey", thinking he had a good meal. Anhingas,
or water turkeys, look a great deal like a wild turkey except that
it has webbed feet and is definitely not good to eat. This bird
can fly, swim on top of the water, or dive beneath the water, where
it can swim at great speed. It eats a great deal of fish which its
speed and keen vision help it secure. After diving beneath the water
it takes only a few minutes in the sunshine to sufficiently dry
out its feathers enough to fly again. On dark, cloudy days when
there is no sun it instinctively knows not to go beneath the water.
Other Swamp Birds include the Barred Owl, Great
Blue Heron, Prothonotary Warbler, Yellow Crowned Night Heron, Red-Billed
Woodpecker, Great Egret, White Ibis, and many more.
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