#etng

[elithenatureguy]

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! Although it's not a turkey, this is a commonly eaten game bird called a Gamble Quail. A common bird in the American southwest, they are roughly the same size as doves. These birds feed on seeds and other plant parts. The males have a darker brown head and a clear white halo. These quails don't live in groups; they are monogamous and only travel with there mate. #quail #thanksgiving #etng

[elithenatureguy]

The saguaro cactus are a slow growing cactus found in the Sonoran Desert - located in Arizona, California, and Mexico. They can grow up 70 feet tall and be over 150 years old. The cactus pictured here is easily over 100 years old. Many birds dig out holes in the sides of these for nesting. The flower of the saguaro cactus is the state flower of Arizona, and appear April through June. Many animals feed on the nectar of these flowers including: doves, bees, and bats. The flowers turn into a red fruit at the end of June and are eaten by birds, and even tortoise if it is knocked off of the cactus. This iconic cactus of the southwest is not endangered, but due to its limited range it is protected by the government. Causing any harm to them is against the law. #ETNG #EliTheNatureGuy #Saguaro #Cactus #Arizona #SonoranDesert #🌵

[elithenatureguy]

Earlier today, someone sent me this picture on Facebook asking what kind of snake it is. What we have here is a Midland Brown Snake. They are fairly common and found state-wide and throughout this region. A full grown Midland grows to be about 9-13 inches long. Their main food is earthworms and slugs. Find me on Facebook by searching Eli the Nature Guy and let me know if you have any strange critters wondering around! #elithenatureguy #wildlife #etng #snake #nature

[elithenatureguy]

This is a Freckled Crayfish, a fresh water crayfish that lives in the Missouri Ozarks region. It is an endemic species to Missouri, which means it only lives in our state. Due It's limited range, the population is considerably limited, making this species a conservation concern. #elithenatureguy #etng #crayfish #endemic #mdcdiscovernature #freckledcrayfish #nature #wildlife

[elithenatureguy]

This little guy is a type of writing spider, sometimes called a yellow garden spider. They live throughout many parts of the Americas and even in Hawaii. It is called "writing spider" because of a distinct zig-zag pattern it makes in its web. Though pretty non-aggressive, if handled improperly, this spider will bite. They are slightly venomous and their bite is comparable to a bee sting. #etng #elithenatureguy #spider #wildlife #nature #gardenspider