![\"Alligator\"](\"http:\/\/www.littlecote.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/11\/DSCN0619-e1290706302575.jpg\" "\\"Alligator\\"")
<\/a>We learned that the sex of an alligator is determined by the heat of the nest. Over 92 degrees and they will be male, less than 86 degrees and they will be female. Somewhere between the 2 and you will get a mixed litter! A female will lay around 60 eggs but only about 12 will ever make it to adulthood.<\/p>\n
After the swamp we were into more open land. The slide show had taught us how the land has to be burned in different seasons to allow the eco system to flourish. It thins back the plants that grow too strong and allows the sun to hit the land and let new plants grow. We saw areas that had been burned in May and the re-growth was amazing. We learned that if animals get stuck during a burn they would concentrate only on survival so a snake will not eat a rabbit if trapped together. When they escape they each go their separate ways (never to speak of the incident again!)<\/p>\n
We saw lots of birds: kestrels, buzzards and a woodpecker. We also learned that Spanish moss that hangs on the trees is not good. It will harm the tree by taking the light and nutrients. It is also filled with mites and yet apparently the first model T Ford had it used as stuffing in the seats \u2013 YUK!<\/p>\n
We also saw a few deer bounding around but sadly never got to see the rare Florida Panther. Apparently, only a few have spotted it. It is orangey brown in colour and not black like most believe all panthers are. A black big cat we were told is a mutated leopard with merged spots!!<\/p>\n
The ranch also catches and pens Hogs. Apparently these are bad as they destroy the land; 2 hogs can destroy 1 acre of land in just 1 night. We saw where this had happened and it was a hollow with nothing growing. The hogs dig for bloodroot (a food source akin with chocolate to me) with their tusks and the bacteria and acid from them is what ruins the land and prevents any re-growth of foliage.<\/p>\n
We got off the truck at one point for a walk around a boardwalk (an area where Allen (pay attention from earlier) loved to visit). As we walked across Paul spotted the mother of all spider\u2019s webs \u2013 I did NOT want to meet it\u2019s owner and could only imagine the size of what had spun something that size. It made me shudder. After a few mins Paul then thought something had dropped on his head. At that point I decided nature was not for me and much prefer the Florida mall \ud83d\ude42<\/p>\n
We boarded the truck after about 10 mins and headed back to the ranch. The trip had been about an hour and a half and definitely worth it. The air is about the freshest in Florida in were told due to the open ecological land so we felt it had done us the world of good too.<\/p>\n
So, as you can see (well, read) I paid attention and took a lot in for you all to enjoy \ud83d\ude09<\/p>\n
After the safari we took a brief moment to feed the fat pony at the petting zoo. Thankfully a sink was provided, as he was a messy eater!<\/p>\n
We left Forever Florida at about half 3 and headed home. We came home a different route following the sat nav but it took no less time. We got home about 4:45 after a quick stop for gas.<\/p>\n
We were both starving as we had only had breakfast so decided we would head out for dinner early and go to Longhorn. Before we went Paul wanted to download The Apprentice for us to watch when we got back. We called ahead to Longhorn but were told there was no wait so when we arrived we were seated straight away. We had timed it well though as within minutes there were queues of people and the place was full. We both had the 7oz fillet and Paul explained meticulously how he wanted it cooked. Michael, our waiter, was keen to get it right and apparently had 2 Managers go and cook it! Paul gave it the thumbs up to everyone\u2019s relief \ud83d\ude42<\/p>\n
The food there is always good and we really enjoyed it (clearing our plates) and we washed it down with root beer.<\/p>\n
When we got home Apprentice had downloaded so we settled in with a brew. We both want to kill Stuart and felt the losing team were way better than both him and Laura (who is a whingy selfish mare) \u2013 those 2 HAVE to go soon.<\/p>\n
That\u2019s about it then\u2026enjoy your Thanks Giving and be back here the same time tomorrow \ud83d\ude09<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Happy Thanks Giving Everybody Yep, it\u2019s the 3rd Thursday in November which for US citizens means turkey and trimmings at home with the family. It also means that tomorrow is black Friday\u2026..THE best shopping day of the year. Some stores are advertising opening times of 4am this year \u2013 that\u2019s just ridiculous. We won\u2019t be … <\/p>\n