The Four Weirdest Wild Animals In Alabama May Surprise You
Now let’s see what Alabama has in store for me as we discuss the weirdest wildest animals that call Alabama home.
These are my top 4…and they will not disappoint you.
The word alligator can send chills up your spine, now add the word alligator to a snapping turtle and you have a scary creature. Now there is an urban legend associated with alligator snapping turtles, and I am not sure if it would work. They say if you get bit by one of these turtles, the only way it will let go is if it hears thunder. That is the reason many Alabamians call them the thunder turtle. Now this fresh water turtle is the largest in the world. These turtles can weigh up to 175 pounds.
Jellyfish, now we know that when swimming in the ocean we need to be careful, but swimming in a lake?
Yes, Alabama is home to freshwater jellyfish. I know that doesn’t sound correct, but it’s true. Now these fresh water jellyfish have the ability to sting us, but since they are under 1 inch in size, the sting is not felt by us.
Now the name is cute but the image is scary. The Coypu, which some call a rat or swamp beaver is considered exotic by ADCNR, the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. Now what could make this animal exotic? Could it be their long course hairs they use for protection, the chestnut brown color of their fur, or maybe those long scary front teeth that look like the can chew threw my ankle… either way if I see one I am bolting in the opposite direction. These critters were first brought to Alabama in the 1930’s by travelers from South America. Now what could be the reason that makes his animal odd. Well this animals can feed its young while swimming because the mammary glands are on her sides.
Ok this one made me cringe, let’s discuss an animal that is somewhat of a whole eco system in one. The Bryozoan. If you have spent any time on or in the waters of Alabama you may have come across this creature.
The description of this creature is a big blob. I know very scientific, big blob. Now outdooralabama.com considers this a moss animal. The size of these colonies are no bigger than a basketball. The colony is divided into sections and each section can have anywhere from 12 to 18 animals living in it. Like a floating city. The outside of these “blobs” are firm to the touch but inside the “blob” it’s like gelatinous and slimy.
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