Pets/Wildlife

Jessica Eile Keith, of Darby, snapped this photo of two Southern black racers in a hoya plant. Both racers and rat snakes are beneficial to humans, as they eat large amounts of mice, rats and other rodents. The snakes are non-venomous and will only bite if they feel threatened. Black racers are helpful to have in a field, farm or backyard.

Fred and Jolene are Bengals, and bring smiles to their owners’ faces and laughter to the family every day. Both felines love to play fetch and love to chase milk rings around the house. Fred and Jolene live with their proud owners, Alan and Kris Fischer, in Lutz.

Cathy Vitone spied this honeybee at her Ligustrum shrubbery in her front yard in Land O’ Lakes. Honeybees are important pollinators for flowers, fruits, and vegetables. There are three types of honeybees: Workers forage for food (pollen and nectar from flowers); the Queen regulates the hive’s activities by producing a chemical to guide the behavior of other bees; and Drones live in the hive during the spring and summer. All honeybees are social and cooperative insects. 

Musette and Jacques are Bichon Frises are sweet and loving, enjoy walks, and food and treats. Both dogs are happy that they moved from Minnesota to Florida three years ago. Musette and Jacques live with Janet Luick in Land O’ Lakes.

Bonnie Caston, of Zephyrhills, sent in this photo of American Kestrels in her backyard. She said the pair has been mating and she is excited to see the babies in the near future. According to the Audubon Society, these kestrels inhabit any kind of open or semi-open space, from forest clearings to farmland to desert, wherever they can find adequate prey and some raised perches. During the breeding season, they may be limited to habitats that also provide appropriate nesting sites.

Cooper and Charlotte enjoy long walks, chasing balls and playing with each other. They are great company for each other and they love cuddling with their human ‘golden’ mama. Cooper and Charlotte live with Dar Keppel in Land O’ Lakes.

Sue Dow snapped this group of pelicans at Zephyr Park. Unlike the brown pelican, which is found year-round in Florida, and non-breeding white pelican juveniles, healthy adult white pelicans are winter visitors to the state. And did you know that a group of these birds can be known collectively as a brief, a pod, a pouch, a scoop and a squadron?

Lonna Vizzari has a menagerie of beloved pets at her home in Lutz. Here, Mittens shows Dust how to drink out of the sink, and Blaze tells Shadow and Honeybear what they can and can’t do in the house. Vizzari said her pets are very attentive.

 

John Oddo spotted this belted kingfisher at the Tampa Bay Golf & Country Club in San Antonio. The belted kingfisher often is first noticed by its wild, rattling call as it flies overhead. It can be seen perched high or hovering, then plunging headfirst into the water to grab a fish. These birds sometimes come into backyards that contain ponds or goldfish pools.

Loki came into his owners’ lives as a baby, five years ago. Although he looks like a chihuahua, he is a taco terrier (chihuahua and fox terrier mix). Loki takes his job protecting his family very seriously. He loves car rides and visiting outdoor dog-friendly restaurants. Loki lives in Land O’ Lakes with his mom and dad, Lainey and Jeff Steward.