A Rare Hermit-Crab Rabbit

I have mentioned in a previous post how the Austin Science and Nature center features quite a few "non-exotic" species of animals. While many of the Center's residents can be commonly seen outside of a zoo context, the center chooses to present these creatures with great fanfare and in heavily fortified environments.

When I came across this over-weight rabbit I assumed it was another example of the center's tendency to celebrate the less unusual species of the animal world. Why, I wondered, was this harmless bunny in a cage that could house a pride of Lions? Why did the zoo-keepers surround Mr. Nibbles with more security than Alcatraz? And why the prop tree-trunk that, frankly, doesn't seem completely rabbit-appropriate anyway?

Then I realized that this was no common rabbit. This is a photo of a rare Hermit-Crab Rabbit. This rabbit hollows out tree trunks with its razor sharp incisors and then snugly fits its body into them, walking, literally, with its "house on its back." Like a hermit crab, its lower body is also a slimy worm-like tail that rarely sees the light of day. Pretty Cool!

Little Fatty

Here is a raccoon just totally lounging at the Austin Nature and Science Center. To tell the truth the center had a lot of pretty easy-to-find animals: A big cage of pet rabbits, these raccoons, some ducks in a cage... not the most exotic of species. A lot the animals were also pretty damned fat. Their bob cat was a lard ass and this li'l porker can hardly see over his own belly. All-in-all it seemed like a pretty sweet life for a raccoon, but he was too lazy to even get up and say hello.

Bored Fish

Because they can't all be as exciting as "Spider Eating the Hell out of a Butterfly."

A blog like this is kind of like a mix tape. Some pics are absolute winners, others are enough to tide you over. If they were all super dramatic you wouldn't appreciate it as much. So here are these fish....
These fish seemed kind of like a bored old married couple. They were very comfortable, but it seemed like a spark was missing from their lives. I recommend that they try new things to keep life fresh. Salsa classes, travel, maybe start drinking more heavily.

Texas Spiny Lizards

I want to give a shout out to all of you who are tuning in. Yesterday I had hits from all different parts of the world. Closer to home I've been getting some neat suggestions for places to look, including a spot where a family of foxes live. To show my gratitude I am going to post an especially kick-ass picture this Wednesday, the 4th of July. Do tune in.
Its Sunday and Im lazy. These are Texas Spiny Lizards. If they were ten thousand times bigger we would call them dinosaurs.

Captive Coyote

OK. This doesn't really count in terms of my quest to capture a wild coyote on film. Martha was an orphan raised by humans on a ranch. They moved to Houston where the neighbors didn't like her so she was donated to this Austin Nature Center. She was basically tame like a dog, and kept under extreme security. It was still cool to finally snap a coyote though. THANKS MARTHA!