Pets/Wildlife

Lillian Cucuzza, of Land O’ Lakes, has been taking advantage of the pandemic to snap some photos in her neighborhood and surrounding areas — wherever possible. Cucuzza’s neighbors have had a blue bird nesting box for the past 10 years, and this is the first year there were blue birds and babies.

Coco is a Yorkie that loves to travel. She spent three months on a cross-country adventure that included 22 states, 11 national parks, six national monuments, countless roadside attractions, hotels and campgrounds. Coco rides in between the front seats of her owner’s motorhome, in her bed. She is always ready for a road trip (and is probably planning another one) and loves the car rides. Coco lives with her proud owner, George Capaz, in Wesley Chapel.

Sharon Thompson noticed this moth on the outside of her lanai screen, at her home in Country Walk, in Wesley Chapel. Its common name is rustic sphinx, a moth in the Sphingidae family. These moths are called hawkmoths and the caterpillars are often referred to as hornworms, due to the horn-shaped protuberance found on the insect’s posterior end.

Jersey is an 8-year-old golden chow mix. He will sit for his treats and food. Jersey is a great walker and loves to stroll around the community, and then lay in front of the garage when he gets back, to relax. His favorite thing is to go for a ride in the car with his head out the window. Jersey was rescued from the kennel and he is the best fur baby ever, according to Phyllis Ferretti and family, with whom Jersey lives, in Land O’ Lakes.

This green anole (Anolis Carolinensis) sat on an orchid leaf on the back porch of Bruce Jones’ home in Dade City. This native anole can change its color when angry, frightened or during temperature stress. An invasive species of anole, the Cuban brown anole, is driving the native green anole out.

Chloe and Luna are best friends and sisters through adoption. They love short walks and long stroller rides with mom. Their favorite treats are munchkins or puppuchinos from Dunkin’ Donuts. Chloe and Luna live the good life with the Cabral family in Land O’ Lakes.

Dana Rine, of Lutz, snapped this red-shouldered hawk that spent a good 10 minutes surveying the ground and trees around him for an afternoon snack.

Three-year-old Snickers, the miniature donkey (left), and 25-year-old Mini-Man, the miniature mule, are special because they love to hang out in their front yard reading their favorite books…when they aren’t busy munching on grass. They live with their librarian mother, Lori Brightwell, on 5 acres in Wesley Chapel, along with two rescue Labrador retrievers.

Nicole Magazu took this photo of a mallard duck with her ducklings at the pond behind her house. The mama duck was very protective of her little ones. When a little blue heron, ibis or any other bird walked by, mama would chase the birds away. Nicole and her husband, Frank, live in Land O’ Lakes, and say it’s very relaxing to watch the ducks swim in the pond.

Taz is 12-years young, and loves going on walks and opening presents, especially on Christmas. Taz was adopted from the Land O’ Lakes animal shelter at 7 weeks old. Taz is loved by her owners, Trinna and Ty Van Nostrand, of Land O’ Lakes.