White Oak Conservation

01/02/2023

After a weekend of celebrations we are all a little tired… even this girl. Happy Monday, everyone!

01/01/2023

Here's wishing all of you a year filled with love and joy...

12/31/2022

On this last day of 2022, we wish all of you a great New Year's Eve. Have fun, be safe and we will see you next year.
Photo: Sydney Schubert-Roumbanis, White Oak Animal Care Specialist

12/28/2022

Did you know that the stripes on a Grevy’s zebra are thought to have a few functions? One of the more intriguing theories is that the close high-contrast colors confuse biting flies and deters them from landing on the zebra. Not that there are any biting flies here at the moment because of the cold temperatures, but the zebras will be ready when it warms up!

12/27/2022

"You know it's cold when... alligators freeze over!" Check out this fascinating article on how the iconic reptile of the southeast deals with the temps we've been having, and add brumation to your vocabulary!

You know it's cold when.... alligators freeze over! ❄️🐊❄️

When our coastal areas ice over with rapidly cooling air, American alligators have a cold-weather survival tactic used in swamps and still waters to continue to maintain access to fresh air and stay alive.

The cold-blooded species goes into a hibernation-like state called brumation during winter that allows an alligator to slow its heart rate and metabolism. During brumation, alligators still move around in response to temperature and light changes. Most alligators brumate in muddy burrows, with air spaces, dug out of the side of river and pond banks—where the soil provides insulation from the cold. But some gators stay in open water and can survive water temperatures as cool as 40 degrees. When they sense the rapidly cooling surface water, the alligators instinctively lift their snouts right before the surface of the water freezes over! ‘Frozen’ in place, the alligator’s body remains in the relative warmer water, while it can continue to breath until the surface thaws out!

📷Photo credit: George Howard, The Swamp Park

12/25/2022

12/24/2022

Here at White Oak we have our very own Santa Trackers… Happy Caturday/Christmas Eve, everyone!

12/23/2022

This is great news! And just off our coast. They are a little late for the Right Whale Festival, but that's okay. Welcome to warmer waters little ones.

12/21/2022

Happy ...

The winter solstice occurs today, December 21, 2022 at 4:48 p.m. EST for the Northern Hemisphere. It marks the shortest day of the year with the least amount of sunlight. This natural phenomenon is caused by the northern half of the Earth being tilted as far away from the sun as it can be on its axis, allowing less light to reach the Northern Hemisphere.

The has been an important occurrence for cultures around the world for thousands of years. The darkness of winter and return of sunlight has influenced yearlong calendars as well as winter customs, rituals, and storytelling. Cultures also created solar markers, structures, symbols, and communities to align with the sunlight of the solstices. Cultural heritage connected to the winter solstice can be found in many national parks today.

Learn more at: https://www.nps.gov/subjects/naturalphenomena/winter-solstice.htm

Image: Winter sunrise over mountains and forest terrain at Denali National Park and Preserve.

12/20/2022

Here at White Oak, we are big fans of little birds. Especially a tiny endangered species called the Florida grasshopper sparrow. We are doing our best to keep these feathered friends safe while contributing to their conservation through breeding and release. Would you or someone you know like to join in our effort? If you know someone with a passion for birds and for conservation, we have the perfect internship available. We are currently taking applications for our Grasshopper Sparrow Internship. It's a great opportunity to work with some talented and dedicated people and learn more about what it takes to conserve one of the most endangered species in Florida. Plus, you get to hang out with some tried and true bird nerds. What could be better? https://bit.ly/grasshoppersparrowinternship2023

12/19/2022

How do you get a white rhino up in the morning? You don’t.

12/18/2022

“Every sunrise is an invitation to brighten someone’s day…”
-Jhiess Krieg