---

Skunk, Tough Guy

The skunk is the tough guy

of the American woods.

Black and white fur is a

warning well-understood.

A skunk can spray about ten feet.

You can smell it for miles

driving down the street.

Intimidated by his stinky spray,

when he stomps and hisses,

even bears back away!

Except great horned owls,

skunks have little to fear.

Skunks eat ‘most anything

and live ‘most anywhere.

Insects, salamanders, moles

…their diet varies;

for desert, skunks love

sweet, juicy berries.

Immune to snake venom,

They eat rattlesnake meat.

With fur to protect them,

bees and wasps are a treat.

If you ever crowd a skunk,

don’t be surprised

if this tough guy sprays you,

and you’re ostracized.

Soap and tomato juice

won’t make ammends;

you’ll be kept at a distance

by all of your friends.

You’ll have time for your

smart phone, TV, and tunes.

No need to worry…

You’ll smell better soon!

Reprinted from Hanging Out with Wild Animals III

an environmentally-themed book series for ages eight to twelve

---

Copyright© 2019 by Cheryl Batavia

---

White Pelican Island

Everywhere in Florida

you see brown pelicans…

They are frequently-observed,

year-round residents .

The more reclusive white pelicans

appear in fall and winter

at White Pelican Island and other

secluded Florida locations!

During the winter season,

white pelicans migrate from

Louisiana to their second home,

White Pelican Island

in the Gasparilla Sound.

Why do white pelicans migrate to

Florida, brown pelican territority?

Maybe, like human”snowbirds,”

they just like the warmer weather!

---

Copyright© 2020 by Cheryl Batavia

---

Caterpillar in a Hurry

While munching his vegetables,

While munching his vegetables,

is a caterpillar in a hurry

to be a butterfly?

Is he in a rush to drink

nectar from flowers

and give grown-up life a try?

Maybe he just wants to open

his brand new wings…and fly!

---

---

Butterflies & Flowers

What’s more beautiful,

butterflies or the flowers

that give them nectar?

Reprinted from Hanging Out with Wild Animals,

environmentally-themed book series for ages eight to twelve

---

Copyright© 2019 by Cheryl Batavia

---

Burmese Python Owner Speaks

Cute little python,

she swallowed a mouse.

She swallowed a mouse

’cause she lives at my house.

Hungry python,

She swallowed a rat.

She swallowed a rat

and grew long and fat.

Exotic python,

never does any harm.

I walk along South Beach

with her hugging my arm.

Growing girl python,

she swallowed a rabbit.

She swallowed a rabbit

’cause it’s her new habit.

Big strong python,

she squeezes too tight.

I’ll let her go free

in the Everglades tonight.

Twenty-six-foot python

she swallowed a gator.

She swallowed a gator

and got hungrier later.

200-pound python,

she swallowed a deer.

She swallowed a deer

when it came too near.

Monster python,

She swallowed a car.

No, not a car–

I wouldn’t go that far.

But mama python

and her hundreds of babies

are causing extinction

of native species.

I’ll be very careful

choosing my next pet,

and never, ever

abandon it!

Reprinted from Hanging Out with Wild Animals II,

an environmentally-themed book series for ages eight to twelve

---

Copyright© 20018 by Cheryl Batavia

The Burmese Python is an invasive species in the Florida Everglades that is decimating native animals such as alligators, deer, rabbits, and tropical birds. Every year, a hunt is conducted to try to eradicate them. One snake that was killed had consumed two deer–a doe and her fawn. The size of this animal and what it devours is not exaggerated in the poem, though I really think it does not have a taste for cars! Having a Burmese python as a pet is no longer legal in Florida.