Florida’s Fast and Furious: Tour De Turtles Speeds through the Florida Keys
The Florida Keys witnessed a spectacle like no other this past Saturday morning when the Sea Turtle Conservancy had their annual Tour De Turtles race. Now, I know what you’re thinking: “Tour de Turtles? Are they riding bycicles? Well, no. But it’s just as riveting.
According to WMBB, this year’s race featured 11 turtles. One standout participant was Marcia, a sea turtle suffering from positive buoyancy disorder. Poor Marcia couldn’t even dive for food properly. Poor little turtle!
But fear not, shell fans, because the Turtle Hospital swooped in to save the day. They rehabilitated Marcia and got her back on her flippers. And man, was she happy! Marcia was by far the star of the show.
Now, let’s talk about the race itself. The turtles were equipped with fancy satellite devices to track their movements. I can only imagine excited they must have felt being upgraded with the latest in reptile tech accessories. And get this, the race lasted a whopping three months! These turtles were in it for the long haul, swimming their little hearts out for so long.
And after all that swimming, the turtle with the highest total distance would be crowned the victor. It’s like the Olympics, but with a lot more flippers and shells instead of tracksuits. Can’t you just picture the turtle champions receiving tiny gold medals around their necks? It’s a sight to behold, my friends.
Seriously though, the Tour De Turtles and the remarkable work done by the Sea Turtle Conservancy is truly amazing. They’re not just racing for glory; they’re raising awareness and helping these magnificent creatures thrive.
Keep up with Tour De Turtles:
Want to keep up with the fast-paced action of the Tour De Turtles? Well, you’re in luck! Just head on over to tourdeturtles.org and get ready to dive into a sea of real-time turtle tracking. Witness the turtles’ incredible journeys, track their progress, and root for your favorite flippin’ contender.
These Are The 9 Most Dangerous Animals Lurking In The Florida Everglades
American Alligator
The American alligator can be seen in massive numbers. You’ll see at least 5-10 sunbathing on any given day, as you drive across Alligator Alley.
American Alligator in Everglades National Park
Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake
This snake is the one most venomous snakes in the state, and actually in the world. It is also known as the largest rattlesnake.
Eastern diamondback rattlesnake from Big Cypress National Preserve (adjacent to Everglades National Park), Florida
Florida Panther
The Florida Panther is a beautiful creature and is on the endangered species list. As you’ll see below, they stalk. These creatures are not seen too often.
Stalking behavior of Florida Panther in Florida. Lurking in bushes.
Brown Recluse Spider
A brown recluse spider is most common in warmer climates. It is one of the most poisonous spiders in the Everglades.
A macro shot of a Brown recluse spider
American Crocodile
Yes, crocodile. American crocodiles are found in Florida. It’s not an alligator.
American Crocodile swimming in water in South Florida, near Everglades National Park
Florida Black Bear
We see these furry guys walking around neighborhoods in Estero quite often. With new construction, they’re forced out of their habitats. But, they are not safe to approach. They will defend themselves.
Florida Black Bear in suburban neighborhood
Florida Cottonmouth
The cottonmouth can be confused with other water snakes. Take extreme caution. These snakes are venomous with a mortality rate of 17%.
Florida Cottonmouth or water moccasin snake, close up in the Everglades
Burmese Python
These snakes are commonly seen being hunted. Reason is, they’re becoming an extremely invasive species across the state. They are constrictors and are non venomous.
Burmese python or Python bivittatus snake swims in the water in a marsh in the Florida Everglades.
Alligator Snapping Turtle
Let’s just say this one looks the scariest to me! I never thought I would be scared of a turtle. They are much more aggressive on land than they are in the water.
Alligator snapping turtle.
