Tag Archives: Juvenile

Armadillo Quadruplets

July 19, 2022 Ellen Jennings 6 Comments

Referred to as pups, baby Nine-banded Armadillos almost always come in fours. The fertilized egg breaks into four identical zygotes, yielding quadruplets.

Juvenile Armadillo Quintuplets, Just off the boardwalk

No adult was to be seen supervising this quartet of constant movement. They nurse for two to three months then gradually venture off on their own.

Insects, larvae and other food found on or in the ground make up the Armadillo’s diet.

This fellow shows off his claw and snout, the tools used to maximize his grazing.

Francis Beidler Forest, SC
July 9, 2022

Reptiles

Juvenile Alligators

April 8, 2022 Ellen Jennings 7 Comments

Young Alligators often perch on their mother’s body, maybe for safety or in this case a good sun patch.

Juvenile Alligator on Mother's Back — Juvenile Alligator on Mother’s Back

Bulls Island is a barrier island off the coast of South Carolina made of a series of ancient sand dunes that run parallel to the long ocean side. Over time fresh water sloughs have formed between the dunes, home to many Alligators.

Juvenile Alligator on Mother's Back, Two Others on Bank — Juvenile Alligator on Mother’s Back, Two Others on Bank

A closer view of the two duck weed coated youngsters on the bank:

Another juvenile found his own dry spot, complete with dappled sun.

April 1, 2022

Animals

Twin Lambs and a Single

March 19, 2022 Ellen Jennings 8 Comments

Last year the first one lamb at Middleton Place was born April 7th so I was somewhat surprised when I stopped by on Monday, March 14th and was told “any day now.” I didn’t get back until Thursday, to find a single had been born on Tuesday and a set of twins arrived just that morning.

The twins were finishing up feeding when I got there and almost immediately collapsed into sleep.

The older one was more adventurous, spending some time under the shelter.

Then she checked out her new mates.

I look forward to photographing them as they grow, and hopefully in better light.

The twins having a look around.

Middleton Place BarnYard, Charleston, SC
March 17, 2022

Reptiles

Juvenile Alligator Blending In

November 17, 2021 Ellen Jennings 1 Comment

The stripes on a young Alligator provide camouflage in a variety of environments, and this youngster in the dark water littered with dried pine needles blended right in.

Working against him, and how I knew he was there before I saw movement, is that the little ones tend to chirp. I didn’t see mama, but I’m sure she wasn’t far off.

I had startled a Great Blue Heron on this bank as I approached. I’m sure the bird was keenly tuned into this being a possible lunch.

Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, SC
November 14, 2021

Reptiles

Juvenile Alligator Passing By Another

July 28, 2021 Ellen Jennings 3 Comments

It is common for female Alligators to have multiple age youngsters in her care, which may include some hatched from other nests as well as her own. These two from a pod that included three ages/sizes are a good example.

I stayed focused on the moving Alligator, wondering if there was going to be some action.

There was not; the moving Alligator just plopped down. In addition to seeing the size difference in their heads, you can see the smaller Alligator’s tail just under the larger one’s chin.

Reptiles

Sunning Juvenile Alligators

July 26, 2021 Ellen Jennings 3 Comments

Most of the water was let out of this pond earlier this summer leaving a narrow depression of water and a nice edge for young Alligators to enjoy the morning sun.

A few more were milling around in the water.

And a few more were in the reeds on a little raised island. I didn’t see the mother but know she wasn’t far off.

Based on the location and territorial habits of Alligators these are likely some of the youngsters I photographed last fall, seen here stacked up around their mother.