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Tag: The National Wildlife Federation

Florida Fauna & Flora – Resurrection Fern

 

Florida Fauna & Flora – Resurrection Fern

 

Resurrection ferns are found from Florida to New York and west into Texas. It is an epiphytic fern that grows on the surface of another plant or structure. This fern is an air plant; it does not steal nutrients or water from its host plant. It reproduces by spores that are housed in structures called sori located on the underside of its green fronds. In Florida, resurrection ferns often prefer to grow on oak trees.

 

Why the name resurrection fern? It may lose up to 75% of its water content during dry periods and shrivel into a grayish-brown clump of leaves. When exposed to water again, the fern regains its healthy green fronds and comes back to life as though it was never dead. It’s estimated that during times of extreme drought, some resurrection ferns may survive losing 97% of their water content. Most other plants can only survive losing 10% of their water content.

 

Fun Flora Fact: The resurrection fern is a space traveler. In 1997, it was taken into space on the Space Shuttle Discovery to study its resurrection in zero gravity.

 

Source: The National Wildlife Federation

 

Read the full August 2021 SECO News online.

Florida Fauna & Flora – Alligator Snapping Turtle

 

Florida Fauna & Flora – Alligator Snapping Turtle

 

Alligator snapping turtles look like a holdover from prehistoric times when dinosaurs roamed the earth. You can find this unique reptile throughout the southeastern United States and as far north as Iowa. It is the largest species of fresh-water turtle.

 

Alligator snapping turtles rarely venture onto land. Females lay eggs on the ground then quickly return underwater. This carnivore has a tongue with a bright-red piece of flesh that resembles a worm. The species lays on the bottom of a riverbed or lake with its mouth open to lure fish directly into its mouth. This turtle can hold its breath underwater for 40 to 50 minutes.

 

These turtles are giant – males may weigh up to 200 pounds. Alligator snapping turtles have no predators in the wild. They are not on the endangered species list, but their numbers are dwindling because humans like to trap them for their distinctive shells and meat. Many states have bans on killing these turtles.

 

Fun Fauna Fact: Prey has a hard time hiding from alligator snapping turtles. They can taste substances secreted by prey in the water that alerts them when a tasty meal is hiding nearby.

 

Source: The National Wildlife Federation

 

Read the full February 2021 SECO News online.