today
with
much controversy over cloning
how about creating a brand
new species? Well many unusual species have been
sighted or
created already.Forget the Loch Ness monster or Big Foot, we have
heard first hand reports of unusual creatures.
For example: A
wildlife
rehabilitator receives many phone
calls and questions
during
the year about orphaned and
injured wildlife. Often the true identity of the
species is simply a mispronunciation of the correct name but
occasionally the person
that is calling truly believes and insists
that the animal they are describing does in
fact exist.
Here are just a few heard by licensed wildlife rehabilitators around our country,
"And let's not forget all those "chimney sweeps" who get in trouble this time
of year." ( chimney swift )
"I have also received many calls for suspected
"Rabbied" animals"
or animals that have "The Rabbies".
(rabies or rabid)
"As long as we are at it, how about a "ruffled grouse"!!! (the state bird in
PA.)" ( Ruffed grouse)
"So the answer lies in the spelling or shall I
say-mis-spelling
Thanks to all that replied--that was my hunch after I did search for info on
the infamous garden snake and came up empty.(garter snake)
Similar to the infamous Cockle-Spaniards, dash-hounds, and German
sheepherders.
"I'm still checking my field guides to find a listing for "city bird" and
"those birds that fly around outside"....which is my personal favorite for
narrowing the ID field down."
"Of course the best one was still the lady who called and left messages
saying she had found a saguaro and was keeping it warm on a heating pad and
feeding it wet dog food. Now, a saguaro is a cactus so this was pretty
confusing until she called back and left another message saying: yes, it was
a saguro...you know, the state bird of Arizona!"
"Yes, I'm also hearing about those "garden snakes," "great blue herrings,"(
great blue heron)
and also orphaned baby "starlets." :)(starling) Guess we have a long way to go in
educating people on the names of animals."
"Kinda like the Great Blue "Herrings" we get in every year. You know, those
fish with feathers... "
"The only difference between a garter snake and a "garden" snake is the
people who don't know that the proper name is garter. :-) It isn't even
like woodchuck and groundhog being two names for the same creature. It is
simply that some people think the actual name is "garden".
If you have sighted an unusual animal and would like to make a report, feel free to contact FrMcAcorn@aol.com. We promise to laugh but will treat all reports confidentially !