Spinning Tales About Claws, Hooves, and Nails

What determined which creatures now display claws, hooves, or nails?  Evolution!  It provided for specific needs.  Originally, some creatures had claws, and their descendants still prevail with claws.  Meanwhile, species desperate to run from predators emerged from claws to hooves.  Primates progressed by developing grasping hands and feet tipped with nails.  These three appendages contain keratin, a key structural protein.

Red-tailed Hawk Talons

Many wild beings are equipped with claws—birds, reptiles, and mammals.  Comparable to nails, claws protect the digits.  Similar to hair, claws grow, cease, and restart.  For birds, claws furnish holdfasts.   Talons (sharp claws) enable raptors—like eagles, hawks, and owls—to prey.  Reptiles, such as alligators, may utilize claws to uproot vegetation.  Though



snakes are clawless, boas and pythons, primitive reptiles, exhibit remnants of hind limbs with spurs (claw-like projections) on the sides of their waste openings.  These spurs are employed for reproduction.  As for mammals, Florida black bears flaunt hefty, curved claws which facilitate climbing while chasing humans up trees, after reportedly sprinting up to 35 miles per hour.  And they are fearless!  A black bear, accustomed to roaming and feeding in Seminole County neighborhoods, was captured and killed in January, 2015.  Its record weight:  740 pounds.  By the way, remember when bear claws were pursued for ornaments?  Nowadays, bear claws are relished as pastries!  Finally, what about lobster or scorpion claws?  They are actually pincers (chelae). 

Mole Claws for Digging

Squirrel Claws for Climbing

Hooves (or hoofs) are enlarged, weight-bearing toenails.  Mammals equipped with hooves are classified as ungulates.  Most even-toed ungulates, such as deer and pigs, have two main hooves on each foot—together identified as a cloven hoof.  Two smaller hooves, dewclaws (false hooves), are situated slightly up the leg of most cloven-hoofed animals.  Larger dewclaws, as in deer, contact the ground for jumping.  Variation occurs in some species—equids, such as horses, have just one hoof on each foot.  Hooves grow continuously.  Wild ungulates trim them by sufficient ground contact.  On the other hand, domesticated horses are not as active and generally require maintenance—akin to human toenails needing a pedicure.  One can imagine soaking those huge hooves prior to trimming!

Regrettably, natural habitats are shrinking.  Animals commonly explore yards for nourishment.  Homeowners may detect hoof prints molded in upturned sod or under stripped hibiscus trees, including a few more tunnels clawed by the armadillos.  Still, these wild ones must survive!

-  photos by Brett Pigon

Spinning Tales About Eggs

Various creatures reproduce by laying eggs.  They are oviparous species including birds, reptiles, fish, amphibians, insects, arachnids, mollusks, and a few mammals (monotremes)—the duck-billed platypus and four species of spiny anteaters.

A bird egg is commonplace and often distinguishable by pigmentation, shape, location, markings, gloss, and size.  Composed of calcium carbonate, it may be white, or, if laid by a passerine (perching bird), it is usually colored.  Customarily, an egg is oval and somewhat pinched at one end from compression inside the mother—thus, it safely rolls in a circle when discharged.  Moreover, a cliff-nesting bird produces a highly-conical egg to avoid rolling off.  Interestingly, a bird that lays a spherical egg often builds a deep nest to inhibit the egg from rolling out.  Shells vary:  a duck egg is oily and waterproof; a group nester differentiates its egg by markings; a cavity nester does not need camouflage and usually produces a white egg; color or spotting provides camouflage, and spotting supposedly strengthens a thin, calcium-deficient shell.  Most captivating is the glossy, iridescent, colorful great tinamou egg (Central and South America).  The reflective shell might even protect the embryo from radiation.  One such egg (different species) was found in Darwin’s belongings.  And as for the smallest and the biggest bird egg…the bee hummingbird egg weighs about 0.2 ounces, and the ostrich egg exceeds 3 pounds.

 

Sandhill Crane with egg - photo Charlie Corbeil

Pesticides endanger an egg.  For example, the bald eagle, our national symbol, ingested fish contaminated with DDT which thinned the eggshell and depleted the population.  In her 1961 book, Silent Spring, Rachel Carson exposed this hazard.  Fortunately, the eagle rebounded.

How does a bird embryo survive?  It feeds on the yolk, and pores in the shell allow it to breathe.  Incubation is vital—sitting on the egg to maintain temperature and periodic turning of the egg for crucial development.  To emerge, the chick pecks out of the hard shell with its egg tooth—pipping.  Always a wonder to behold!

Yet, a bird egg might not produce a hatchling.  For instance, an unfertilized chicken egg is generally used for human consumption.  Also, a single pet female parakeet may lay and needlessly brood a clutch of unfertilized eggs (wind eggs). 

Besides birds, other intriguing creatures lay eggs.  The loggerhead turtle, familiar in Brevard County beaches, lays over 100 eggs at a time.  The queen honey bee may lay 1600 eggs daily during active seasons.  Recently, a Burmese python captured in the Florida Everglades carried 87 eggs.  Remarkably, a tenacious octopus spent 4.5 years brooding an estimated 160 eggs!  

Spinning Tales about Tails

Why does an animal have a tail? Evidently, this appendage provides skills for survival and quality of life. A tail is primarily displayed in a vertebrate. However, an invertebrate, such as a snail or scorpion, projects a quasi tail.

Generally, the tail maintains balance; for example, a squirrel's tail helps it scurry up and down a tree. Moreover, the flying squirrel can handle its tail as a rudder, allowing a change of direction in mid-air.

Leaping Squirrel - photo Brett Pigon

The prehensile (able to grasp) tail of the opossum enables it to seize a tree branch. It also serves as a fifth limb-the female loops her tail to gather nesting material. This animal is often depicted hanging from a branch by its tail; in fact, only the young are light enough to dangle briefly. Another creature, the harvest mouse, uses its prehensile tail for balance to climb a stalk while feeding on the grain. And it can be stated that a snake has a prehensile tail-or prehensile body!

Warnings and defenses are issued by tails. The white-tailed deer alerts its own by flashing the white underside of its short, erect tail (a scut) while fleeing. Caution is issued by the rattlesnake's rattling organ at the end of the tail; this rattle is made from keratin-also found in fingernails, hooves, and horns. Some creatures defend with their tails: the scorpion projects venom, and the alligator delivers a powerful swing.

To fly, a bird's tail functions as a rudder. The tail spreads to increase the surface and get more lift. To change direction, the tail twists. To terminate flight, the tail turns downward and serves as a brake. Infrequently, damaged tail feathers might prevent flight; fortunately, they do grow back. A bird also uses its tail for perching or bracing against a tree-like the woodpecker. And how about the spectacular mating display of the fully-spread turkey tail?

A few more tales about tails.. .The lizard encourages a predator to grab its tail, then casts it off to escape; customarily, the tail grows back, and it is darker. The fox wraps itself with its bushy tail to keep warm. The fish navigates by swaying its tail from side to side. The beaver often utilizes its large, flat tail as a rudder for swimming, a prop for standing, and a storage place for essential winter fat.

Why does a human not have a tail? Indeed, an embryo has a tail which is absorbed by its growing body. In rare cases, tail-like structures appear at birth. Actually, a human has the remnant of a tail-the internal tailbone which lends support to the body when sitting! -

Tales About Florida's Predators

What animals are predators or prey? These roles are determined by dominance on the food chain. For example, in Florida, the white-tailed deer survives on vegetation, rather than prey. However, the alligator, the Burmese python, and the Florida panther periodically feast on this vulnerable animal. Moreover, the Florida black bear, bobcat, coyote, and wild pig eat the fawns. Getting to know these predators... The alligator, an apex predator, can overcome the panther and the wild pig. Presently, the alligator confronts its equal in the Everglades-the Burmese python. Both prey on each other.   American alligator - photo by Shaw Frederick The Burmese python is an invasive imported species and is not welcome. It is suspected of causing a decline in mammals. For example, a sixteen-foot python crushed and swallowed a fully intact, seventy-six pound deer. Alarmingly, this reptile is merging north-a twelve-foot python was recently captured in Port St. Lucie where local cats disappeared. The panther (cougar) helps to limit the amount of pigs and raccoons. Invariably, the panther is misidentified with the bobcat, but the long tail of the panther and the short tail of the bobcat differentiate these species. Furthermore, the panther is massive. The black bear may include small mammals, carrion, and seasonal berries in its diet.. If the need arises, it is cannibalistic. Its sense of smell spans one mile; therefore, garbage cans should be secured. Beware! This creature can run and climb a tree. It is the only bear species found in Florida. The bobcat ambushes with a chase or pounce. It may target small mammals, livestock, and domesticated cats and dogs. Occasionally, the adult bobcat male consumes kittens of its species. This feline dauntlessly strolls in backyards or on sidewalks, yet it is uncommon for it to stalk humans. The coyote often hunts in pairs. It is relentless and may persevere for hours to conquer its game, such as small mammals, livestock, and pets. When food is scarce, a coyote may pursue a jogger or a child. It is a member of the dog family and is capable of mating with a dog. This canine releases a distinctive howl which signals the gathering of the pack or delivers a territorial warning. The wild pig is bold in large herds. Often, stray dogs are at risk. It destroys crops and seemingly harrows manicured lawns. In 1540, this pig was introduced to Florida (near present­-day Tampa) by Hemando de Soto. Today, the immense number of this nuisance in Florida is second to Texas. Indeed, predation is not automatically detrimental. When it controls population in the wilds, it is convenient. However, because of ongoing land development, some apex predators are coerced to live near humans. Will the fittest survive? American alligator - photo Charlie Corbeil                                       Florida bobcat - photo Charlie Corbeil

Introduction

     Welcome!

Welcome to my blog, a series of articles featuring wildlife and local wildlife photographers.