Grove Life Summer 2019

Furry Friend or Fearful Foe? by Heather Dupree

O ur community is full of wildlife friends of fur and feather. Recently we have seen an influx of some specific fur friends and some of you have asked, “Is this creature a friend or foe?” Well, let’s dig in and review some facts about these little guys who also call Boca Grove home. Some of you may have seen the

Our neighborhood foxes are friendly, but you should not feed them as it is illegal to do so in the state of Florida. Some residents may be concerned about pets being outdoors when foxes are around. With a few exceptions, the precautions you should take are the very same things that are appropriate to do for your pets even if foxes were not present. Feed your pets indoors, not out where foxes can get to their food. If you have small pets (smaller than the foxes), it is suggested to not leave them unattended outdoors or on a screened in patio as an extra safety precaution. If you happen to spot one of these playful critters, consider yourself lucky because it is a wonderful sight to see them frolic in our backyard. Let’s move on to bats! There are 13 species of bats that live in Florida and they are the only mammal that flies instead of glides. Bats are not rodents, they are in a mammal order all of their own, the Chiroptera, which means “hand-wing”. Florida bats are insectivores. They eat moths, flies, dragonflies, beetles, wasps, ants, mosquitoes and more. The best part is that bats can eat their bodyweight in insects each night. That is good news during the summer when mosquitoes are at the highest concentration. Bats who live in Florida make their home wherever they can find good shelter. They may prefer caves, but as that is not common in Florida, they will find shelter in buildings, bridges, tree cavities, undersides of branches and palm fronds, in Spanish moss, on utility poles and in sheds or houses. They may seek shelter in the corner barrel tiles of our community rooves, especially now during mating season, however they are pro- tected and cannot be relocated until after August 15. If they have found a home on your property during this period, just think of them as a friendly bug eater. At first sight you may think the foxes and bats making Boca Grove home are foes but they should actually be considered our friends, especially as they pose no danger and eradicate the rodents, iguanas and mosquitoes that are not wanted among us.

family of Gray Foxes in our Community. Florida has two types of foxes, the Gray and Red Fox. Gray Foxes have black hair along the middle of their backs and their tail is tipped in black, while their faces, sides, back and tail are gray. The under parts are white, and the sides of the neck and underside of the tail are rusty-yellow in color. Gray Foxes are able to climb trees and are the only North American members of the dog family who can do so.

Foxes are typically nocturnal; however, they can be seen feeding at dawn, dusk or during the day. The mainstay of a fox’s diet is mice, rats and rabbits, but will also include small birds, reptiles (like iguanas), amphibians, fish, fruits, berries, and insects to supplement their diet. Foxes help maintain a balance in the rodent and rabbit population, as well as our abundance of iguanas. The only time a fox would become aggressive towards people is if it is injured or sick.

Mission To deliver a boutique lifestyle set in an oasis of uncompromising beauty with facilities and activities that encourage healthy mind, body experiences, a strong sense of community and lasting friendships.

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