Pets/Wildlife

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.

This armadillo was out for an evening stroll in the front yard of Sharon Thompson’s home in Wesley Chapel. Armadillo means ‘little armored one’ in Spanish. Armadillos prefer warm, moist climates, and thrive in forested areas and grasslands. Because they must dig for their food and shelter, they gravitate toward areas with loose, porous soil. These animals use their strong claws to dig several burrows in which to live and seek refuge from extreme weather or predators. An armadillo burrow is about 7 inches to 8 inches wide, and up to 15 feet deep.

Bassett hound Peanut joined the Gleaton family in Dade City, last November. She loves to climb, pose, and play outside with her brother Percy (a Boxer mix) and sister Penny (a Corgi). Peanut is 8 months old.

Jackie Reyes was in her yard in Land O’ Lakes cleaning up her banana tree, when she found this spotted oleander caterpillar moth on one of the leaves. Reyes said she has never seen anything like it. The moth’s coloration and resemblance to a wasp may help it escape hungry predators.