Wheeler Wildlife Refuge Association - WWRA

There are still a few ducks around the Observation Building.

Our Wildlife of the Week is the Anhinga. Often called the "Snakebird" or "Water Turkey," the anhinga is one of the most fascinating characters of the wetlands.

If you’ve ever walked past a southern swamp or lake and seen a dark, prehistoric-looking bird swimming with its entire body submerged—leaving only a long, slender neck and head snaking above the water—you’ve met the anhinga.

They are opportunistic carnivores, meaning they aren’t terribly picky as long as it swims and fits down their throat. While small to medium-sized fish (like sunfish and catfish) make up the vast majority of their diet, their underwater stalking skills allow them to catch a surprising variety of wetland creatures including crayfish, large water bugs, frogs, tadpoles, and newts. They have even been known to target small water snakes and baby alligators!

Because they lack the standard waterproofing of other waterbirds, they tend to hunt in shallower, calmer waters where they can easily manage their depth and spot movement.

They are a classic fixture of the Southeast. They live year-round along the Gulf Coast, throughout all of Florida, and up the Atlantic coast into the Carolinas. During the summer breeding season, they expand their territory further inland, moving up major river valleys into places like Mississippi, Alabama, Arkansas, and western Tennessee.

FUN FACT: Most waterbirds, like ducks, have special oil glands to waterproof their feathers. This traps air, helping them float. The anhinga is different: its feathers are not waterproof. This allows it to stalk fish underwater with zero floating resistance, moving like a silent, feathered submarine. Because they lack waterproof feathers, anhingas get completely waterlogged and heavy after a swim. To fix this, you will almost always see them perched on a branch or log near the water’s edge, spreading their large wings wide in a dramatic, statue-like pose. They are using the sun to dry out their wings and regulate their body temperature before their next hunt.

Anhingas are uncommon visitors to the refuge, we are somewhat out of their natural range. Nevertheless, they do show up here occasionally and there are two anhingas that are currently being spotted in Blackwell Swamp. (Anhinga photos by Tom Ress)

Our Wildlife of the Week is the Common Snapping Turtle because today is World Turtle Day.

The common snapping turtle (Chelydra serpentina) is a large freshwater turtle known for its aggressive behavior and distinctive appearance. They are known for a combative disposition when out of the water, with powerful, beak-like jaws, and a highly mobile head and neck. In water, it is likely to flee and hide underwater in sediment.

They have a rugged, muscular build with a ridged carapace (upper shell) that varies in color from tan to brown and black. The carapace length in adulthood may be nearly 20 in, and they can weigh up to 35 pounds.

They are found in a variety of freshwater environments including rivers, ponds, and wetlands and prefer areas with sandy soil for nesting and aquatic vegetation for cover. They are often seen on the refuge near the Tennessee River, in Dinsmore Slough, Blackwell Swamp and anywhere there is sufficient water for them to feed and hide.

They are omnivorous, feeding on aquatic plants, fish, amphibians, and small mammals.

Mating season is April through November, with their peak laying season in June and July. The female can hold s***m for several seasons, using it as necessary. Females travel over land to find sandy soil in which to lay their eggs, often some distance from the water. After digging a hole, the female typically deposits 25 to 80 eggs each year, guiding them into the nest with her hind feet and covering them with sand for incubation and protection.
They can live for several decades, with some individuals reaching over 40 years.

A common misconception exists that common snapping turtles may be safely picked up by the tail with no harm to the animal; in fact, this has a high chance of injuring the turtle, especially the tail itself and the vertebral column.

Common Snapping Turtle photos taken in White Springs. (Photos by Tom Ress)