One of our favorite features about Charlotte Nature Museum is the outdoor deck and Paw Paw Nature Trail. Often we hear the screech of red-shouldered hawks or catch a glimpse of barred owls perched in the branches peering down at us.
These two species of raptor prefer the same moist woodland habitat and eat similar foods. Red-shouldered and barred owls eat small mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and insects. The term, ‘raptor’, is associated with powerful feet used to catch prey, great vision, a hooked beak and a meat-eater.
These birds can be found across our state soaring high in the sky, diving after prey, or perched on tree branches, telephone wires, light posts and even stop signs. Many raptor species have similar markings making identifying them by sight a... Keep reading.
During the past several days, I have received several questions about silver to gray colored small snakes with dark brown blotches in backyards, garages or in the driveway. The snakes in question are juvenile black rat snakes. Juvenile black rat snakes have a distinctly different color pattern than the mostly black adult and are non venomous.
The black rat snake is commonly found in Mecklenburg County and has adapted well to the urban habitat. Like all snakes, the black rat snake is valuable to the environment because they prey on ‘pests’ and help maintain balance in the ecosystem.
Young black rat snakes when threatened will rise up, assume a coiled position and rattle its tail to scare off potential predators. This defense behavior and their unique markings often... Keep reading.
While enjoying a walk on the Paw Paw Nature Trail my eye was drawn to an elaborate web of silk with a distinct zigzag in the middle. Before me was an impressive Black and Yellow Argiope (Argiope aurantia), a type of orb weaver. The spider’s cephalothorax (small front body part) had distinct silver hairs and its abdomen (large back section) was oval to egg shaped with distinctive black and yellow markings. The spider’s body was approximately .5 inches in length, with long legs that have black and red bands. Upon further observation, I noticed that each leg of the spider had three claws on the ends, which is characteristic of the family.
As you enjoy time outdoors, whether it is taking a walk, sitting on the porch or strolling on the Paw Paw Nature Trail, take a moment and... Keep reading.
Categories
Top Contributors
