Pets/Wildlife

Randi Grainger is a photographer/videographer who enjoys taking little odd photos of wildlife, nature and whatnot, around the house. Grainger spotted this yellow rat snake on his property off Old Pasco Road, in Wesley Chapel. Adult rat snakes primarily eat mice, rats, squirrels and birds, as well as bird eggs. They are a common predator on wood duck eggs. Juvenile rat snakes eat small frogs, lizards and small rodents. These snakes are largely nonvenomous.

Poppy is a 2-year-old Boston puggle. She is known for her crazy amount of energy and she lights up any room she runs into. Poppy loves all toys, especially the kind she can destroy in under a minute! She loves car rides and enjoys long walks with her owners. Poppy likes to have a ton of fun at the local dog parks, too. Poppy’s lucky parents are Jesse and Kathryn Routier, of Wesley Chapel.

Rachel Marietta took this striking photo of an anhinga near her home in Wesley Chapel, around Oak Creek. The word anhinga comes from the Brazilian Tupi language and means ‘devil bird’ or ‘snake bird.’ The anhinga, sometimes called darter, American darter, water turkey or snake bird, is a water bird of the warmer parts of the Americas.

This is Opte’mus Prime, formerly known as Grimm. Opte’mus was adopted from the Tampa Bay Humane Society 2 1/2 years ago. He is 6 years old and is a mix of many breeds. He loves his naps in comfy places under the covers (of course), as well as long walks and car rides. Recently, he learned to garden. Opte’mus has excellent skills as a digger. Also, he stays on watch to secure the garden’s perimeter from lizards. He keeps his family company when they need it the most, in his own special way. Opte’mus is a good boy, and lives with Paula Jeffferson and family in Zephyrhills.

This yellow-rumped warbler visited Karen Whitenton’s yard in Willow Bend, in Lutz. Whitenton said she sees a variety of warblers this time of year, but this particular one may have just been passing through, as it only made an appearance once.

Nemo is a 5-year-old American Eskimo. He is full of love for his family, is gentle with kids, and is always alert to protect his family. Nemo lives in Wesley Chapel with his owner, Carmen Pinilla.

This wee tree frog was hidden safely in a curled leaf on Joanne Dionne’s plantain plant in her yard, in Dade City.

Alexis Jayne was adopted at 7 months old from the Humane Society of Pinellas. Over the past four years, she has grown into a beautiful princess and leaps in circles to greet you. Alexis Jayne loves to run and play with her puppy friends, Buddy and Rose, or just hang out on the coach and snuggle up for a good movie. Alexis Jayne’s proud owner is Rachel Beyer of Wesley Chapel.

Theresa Sierra, of Lake Thomas, one recent morning was graced with the presence of this wood stork. The wood stork is a long-legged wading bird, whose height ranges from 33 inches to 44 inches. Its wing span can range from 59 inches to 65 inches. Wood storks are social birds who typically forage in groups and nest in colonies. When building a nest, both males and females collect sticks and form the nest in a tree, using greenery for the center. While clumsy and heavy-footed in water, wood storks fly like raptors effortlessly in the sky, despite their size.

Symone is a 15-year-old chihuahua that was rescued from a house that had 60 dogs living in cages. Symone now is living the good life! When you ask ‘Want a cookie?’ she starts hopping around like a kid. Symone loves her daddy and is a good, little baby. Symone lives in Land O’ Lakes with Sharon Chmielewski.