We've heard your questions in our #AskTheExpert blog and on social media. So, we're back again and eager to answer them!
Let's get started...
Caroline on Twitter asked, How can you tell the difference between a crocodile and an alligator?
Here at Wild Florida, we are home to dozens of American Alligators, but you won’t find any crocodiles here. Although both are reptiles, there are three major differences between these big guys. Alligators prefer fresh water, while crocodiles tend to live in brackish or salt water. Alligators have a wider, U-shaped snout, while crocodiles have more of a pointy, V-shaped snout. Lastly, their smiles say it all! Alligators' upper jaws are wider than their lower jaws, and because of this, the teeth in the lower jaw are hidden when their mouth closes. Crocodiles are said to always look like they’re smiling due to their upper and lower jaws being the same width. This causes the fourth tooth on each side of the lower jaw to show when the mouth is closed. Want to see an alligator up close and personal? You can spot alligators in four different places other than out on Lake Cypress at here Wild Florida!
Michelle on Google+ asked, Do the airboats disrupt or hurt the wildlife in the Everglades?
You are not the first to ask this, Michelle; in fact, many of our guests ask questions about the airboats daily! Although they are very loud, the airboats are safe around the wildlife. Airboats have no in-water propellers, which is why they’re so noisy. In fact, most alligators and birds aren’t bothered by the noise and come pretty close to the airboats while on an airboat tour at Wild Florida.
Mark on Facebook asked, What is one of the slowest moving land animals?
Their names say it all… the sloth! Sharing a name with one of the seven deadly sins, the term “sloth” refers to laziness or sluggishness. The slowest moving mammal in the world is the three-toed sloth, although here at Wild Florida, our little guys are two-toed sloths. These cuties rarely move, but when they do it’s only about 2 meters (6.5 ft.) per minute! They spend nearly all their time hanging from branches and sleeping up to 20 hours each day! They move so slow that even algae are able to grow on the outer layer of their skin. If you want to know more about the sloths here at Wild Florida, read our blog: Sloth life.
We hope to hear more of your questions and see you here at Wild Florida soon!
If you have a Wild Florida or animal-related question you'd like to see answered in our next #AskTheExpert blog post, just leave it in the comments below or get with us on Facebook, Google+, or Twitter.
