|
Bottlenose Dolphin
(Tursiops truncatus)
Bottlenose Dolphins are active and agile, often leaping clear of the surface. Overall, the species is abundant and widely distributed. However, major die-offs of these dolphins along the Gulf Coast have been linked to viral outbreaks and acute exposure to toxins. There is speculation that heavy burdens of pollutants in the dolphins' bodies have weakened their immune systems.
(Photo by Priscilla Goodwin) |
| |
| |
Bottlenose Dolphin
(Tursiops truncatus)
Bottlenose Dolphins are often attracted to fishing operations and learn to feed behind shrimp trawlers. Taking discards and injured or disoriented escapees.
(Photo by Marlene Cashen) |
| |
Bottlenose Dolphin
(Tursiops truncatus)
Mating and calving primarily occur from February through May. Females give birth to a single calf only once every 2--3 years, after a 12- month gestation period. Newborn calves are about 3 feet long at birth, weigh 20-30 pounds, and nurse up to 2.5 years following birth.
(photo by Kathy Hicks) |
| |
Nutria
(Myocaster coypus)
A South American native introduced into the United States for fur farming and weed control. It occupies fresh and brackish wetlands in southern Alabama, and is known to cause damage to crops, drainage systems, and natural plant communities.
(Photo by Marlene Cashen)
|
| |
Nine-banded Armadillo
(Dasypus novemcinctus)
Diet consists primarily of insects and invertebrates, but fruits, mushrooms, eggs, and small vertebrates are also consumed.
(photo by Marlene Cashen)
|
| |
 Nine-banded Armadillo
(Dasypus novemcinctus)
This is the only North American mammal armored with heavy, bony plates. A single fertilized egg divides into four identical quadruplets, born in March, each weighing three ounces. Armadillo embryos are often used in experiments requiring identical animals.
(Photo by Cheryl McKinley) |
| |
| |
 West Indian Manatee
(Trichechus manatus)
West Indian Manatees are unusual among marine mammals in that they move freely between fresh and salt water. Their range in the United States is confined largely to peninsular Florida and the coast of Georgia, but a few records are known from the Northern Gulf of Mexico around the mouth of the Rio Grande. The USFWS has classified the species as endangered.
(Photo by Bill Summerour 09/11/03) |
| |
 West Indian Manatee
(Trichechus manatus)
A West Indian Manatee was seen in Fish River on December 13, 1992. Four adults were observed on the eastern shore of Mobile Bay on August 31, 2001. Eleven adults were photographed in the Mobile Tensaw River Delta on September 11, 2003.
(Photo by Keith Gauldin - 09/11/03)
|
| |
 Raccoon
(Procyon lotor)
Photo by John Borom Raccoons are common along estuarine beaches and marshes. Their omnivorous diet includes crayfish, crabs, snails, mussels, clams and oysters, as well as small fishes. |
| |
 |
Common Raccoon
( Procyon lotor )
photo by Marlene Cashen
Breeding occurs December -June with a peak February-March; gestation about 65 days; litter size twoto five. |
|
| |
Swamp Rabbit
(Sylvilagus aquaticus)
All rabbits will take to water when pursued, but this excellent swimmer will swim simply to get about. To elude predators, it may remain submerged except for its nose.
|
