Pets/Wildlife

Jen McConnell snapped this photo of a red rat snake, also known as a red corn snake, at her home in Lake Padgett East in Land O’ Lakes. These snakes are found throughout Florida in virtually every terrestrial habitat from forests to agricultural lands and suburban neighborhoods. The diet of the red rat snake primarily consists of small mammals, lizards, birds and bird eggs. This species kills its prey by constriction, as they have no toxic venom or fangs.

Izabella, left, and Olivia are on squirrel patrol. Olivia joined the household in 2022 after another family pet passed away and she has blended in seamlessly. Izabella and Olivia live with Carol Scharfeld in Lutz.

Rebecca Cullen, of Land O’ Lakes, captured this beautiful portrait of a buck in the Grand Oaks community.

Mr. Pepe is an 18-year-old Quaker parrot. He has an incredible vocabulary and greets his owner, Judith DelValle, in the mornings with, ‘Good morning, Judi. How are you today? Did you sleep good?’ Mr. Pepe has lived with Judith since he was 4 weeks old. They reside in Wesley Chapel; Judith adores Mr. Pepe and cannot imagine her life without him. They occasionally converse throughout the day.

Joel Jackson captured the image of this limpkin at Lettuce Lake Conservation Park, a 240-acre park in Northeast Hillsborough County. Jackson last year was honored to have the nature center at Lettuce Lake Park renamed the Joel E. Jackson Nature Center for his conservation efforts over the last 50 years. These leggy birds seem to limp as they walk across uneven wetland surfaces — hence the name, limpkins.

Violet is a 4-month-old Basset hound; her nickname is ‘Loop.’ She is a fun, shy, loving, happy-go-lucky pup. She loves to play with her brother, Rusty, a beagle/whippet mix. Violet lives in Zephyrhills with her owner, Joseph Yingling.

John Oddo lives in San Antonio and enjoys taking photos of the wildlife in his area, as is evident in this incredible snapshot of a reflection of a gator in a pond. Oddo lives in the Tampa Bay Golf & Country Club community.

Milo, a Shih Tzu, came from a sweet elderly lady who was no longer able to take care of him. Kaitlyn Walrath, of Lutz, said Milo has blessed her home for two years now and brings her joy and companionship. Milo loves spreading Christmas cheer in his many themed outfits and loves walking the neighborhood scoping out the decorations.

Even Kathy and John Draper’s little boy, Quiche, loves the magic of the holidays! Quiche lives with the Drapers in Land O’ Lakes.

This dragonfly appears to be smiling at Meagan Rathman-Urena as it sits on a fence post at her home in Lutz.