Crunchy on the outside...

[spandit]

...soft on the inside! Armadillo!

On holibobs in Florida at the moment & the other evening we were driving down a fairly major road when I saw some little animals grazing on the grass verge. I assumed they were rabbits as had that same hunched appearance but was delighted to see they were armadillos - don't think I've ever seen one before.

No pictures, sadly, just wonderful to see some nature in a generally artificial environment (although Disney does a pretty good job of making it all look real)

 

[Goatboy]

Cool, an interesting animal the.armadillo. Loved watching them at a wildlife park I used to visit.
Hope you enjoy the rest of your holiday.

Sent via smoke-signal from a woodland in Scotland.

 

[mountainm]

...soft on the inside! Armadillo!

On holibobs in Florida at the moment & the other evening we were driving down a fairly major road when I saw some little animals grazing on the grass verge. I assumed they were rabbits as had that same hunched appearance but was delighted to see they were armadillos - don't think I've ever seen one before.

No pictures, sadly, just wonderful to see some nature in a generally artificial environment (although Disney does a pretty good job of making it all look real)

It's great when you see a non UK indigenous critter abroad -make you really feel like you've travelled. We got very close to a spiny echidna in Tasmania - such a great experience.

 

[woodsorrel]

I am always thrilled to see animals I've never seen before. In one case, this led to an amazing discovery.

Many years ago, I took a trip to see the rain forests of Costa Rica. One of the big thrills for me was seeing parrots. I had a great time watching the colorful exotic (to me) birds.

I arrived home (in suburban southern California) and returned to my routine. One afternoon, while dozing on the couch of my apartment I heard... parrots! In my semi-conscious state I assumed I was dreaming. Or maybe I was losing my mind!

But no, I definitely heard parrots! I scrambled outside to see a flock of bright green birds roosting high in the trees above. I couldn't believe my eyes! It was surreal to see not one but dozens of exotic animals outside my doorstep.

Long time residents confirmed my siting. Nobody knows for sure how the parrots came to live in my area. The widely accepted story is that they were set free for their survival when a large pet store burned down in 1959 or 1969 (versions vary).

I would never have recognized their calls if I hadn't seen these "exotic" creatures in Costa Rica.

- Woodsorrel

 

[mountainm]

I am always thrilled to see animals I've never seen before. In one case, this led to an amazing discovery.

Many years ago, I took a trip to see the rain forests of Costa Rica. One of the big thrills for me was seeing parrots. I had a great time watching the colorful exotic (to me) birds.

I arrived home (in suburban southern California) and returned to my routine. One afternoon, while dozing on the couch of my apartment I heard... parrots! In my semi-conscious state I assumed I was dreaming. Or maybe I was losing my mind!

But no, I definitely heard parrots! I scrambled outside to see a flock of bright green birds roosting high in the trees above. I couldn't believe my eyes! It was surreal to see not one but dozens of exotic animals outside my doorstep.

Long time residents confirmed my siting. Nobody knows for sure how the parrots came to live in my area. The widely accepted story is that they were set free for their survival when a large pet store burned down in 1959 or 1969 (versions vary).

I would never have recognized their calls if I hadn't seen these "exotic" creatures in Costa Rica.

- Woodsorrel

There's a colony of parakeets living in London. Very strange the first time you see them. We also have Wallabies in a couple of places too.

 

[Mesquite]

No pictures, sadly, just wonderful to see some nature in a generally artificial environment (although Disney does a pretty good job of making it all look real)

When I took the family to Florida one of the things we did was to have a morning on an airboat in the swamps south Orlando. We saw loads of alligators and other wildlife and the airboat captain was a right character as well. It was one of the highlights of our trip for me

 

[woodsorrel]

There's a colony of parakeets living in London. Very strange the first time you see them. We also have Wallabies in a couple of places too.

Wallabies?!! As in the Australian marsupial? Living wild in London? Wow!

- Woodsorrel

 

[mountainm]

Not in London. In Derbyshire and maybe in Scotland too iirc.

 

[Robbi]

there are flocks of quite literally thousands of green parakeets in Surrey.

 

[Goatboy]

Not in London. In Derbyshire and maybe in Scotland too iirc.

Yup there's wallabies living in two locations in Scotland. Very odd to see when out and about.

Sent via smoke-signal from a woodland in Scotland.

 

[bilmo-p5]

Crunchy on the outside ...

... thought you must have been further North.

 

[spandit]

When I took the family to Florida one of the things we did was to have a morning on an airboat in the swamps south Orlando. We saw loads of alligators and other wildlife and the airboat captain was a right character as well. It was one of the highlights of our trip for me

That sounds awesome. Unfortunately we only had a week & with the price of Disney tickets we wanted to make it all count! Magical for our 5-year old daughter, for a big ol' cynic like me, I was quite emotional at times when witnessing the dedication of the cast members.

Now waiting at the airport to come home again

 

[spandit]

When I took the family to Florida one of the things we did was to have a morning on an airboat in the swamps south Orlando. We saw loads of alligators and other wildlife and the airboat captain was a right character as well. It was one of the highlights of our trip for me

That sounds awesome. Unfortunately we only had a week & with the price of Disney tickets we wanted to make it all count! Magical for our 5-year old daughter, for a big ol' cynic like me, I was quite emotional at times when witnessing the dedication of the cast members.

Now waiting at the airport to come home again

 

[Macaroon]

... thought you must have been further North.

Nice one!..

 

[santaman2000]

It's great when you see a non UK indigenous critter abroad -make you really feel like you've travelled. We got very close to a spiny echidna in Tasmania - such a great experience.

Armadillos aren't truly indigenous east of the Mississippi River though; they didn't migrate this far east until after the river had been bridged in the later 1800s.

They are fascinating critters none-the-less. Did you know they're the only animal other than humans that can get Leprosy?

 

[santaman2000]

...soft on the inside! Armadillo!....

I love the title. When an armadillo is spotted as road kill it's usually referred to as "on the half shell."

 

[bearbait]

So used to seeing Canada Geese in the UK that I was somewhat taken aback the first time I saw them in...errr...Canada.

 

[spandit]

I love the title. When an armadillo is spotted as road kill it's usually referred to as "on the half shell."

It was a reference to a Dime bar advert some years ago

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=bqeGxMgVOHI

 

[santaman2000]

It was a reference to a Dime bar advert some years ago

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=bqeGxMgVOHI

LOL. I like that!