Real Wildlife at WDW?

[Sharonofwindham]

Have you ever seen any wildlife at WDW that you didn't expect to see?
I've heard they employ a gator wrangler for the occasional alligator that strolls onto the property. I remember reading in the guide we received at FW check-in if we ever saw a gator, and I think it said cotton-mouths and another type of poisonous snake, to contact a CM immediately . We were always looking in the creeks of Ft. Wilderness when we stayed there in hopes of getting a glimps of(little)one. The armedillos were a real treat for us yankees as well. Saw my first one, then many, at Ft. Wilderness . And those adorable bunnies that run wild in FTW! So cute, yet I wonder if Disney has had a problem with them procreating and taking over the resort .

[boilerbabe]

When we went to Disney in May '09, it absolutely poured and I mean poured on us the entire time we were there. One of the days we were there, we were seeking dryness in the Poly lobby on the second floor. A rather large snake had started to slither up one of the palm trees that was right by the window. I think they need to hire snake wrangler b/c there were several cast members with a box and one of the grabber things they use to pick up trash, trying to get the snake in the box! It just kept going farther and farther up the tree!!! It was rather entertaining! There was so much rain when we were there things were flooding (we were staying at the Poly) and all around the grounds they had signs up telling you to stay out of the standing water b/c they did not know what was in it!

We enjoy the little camelions, tree frogs, bunnies and squirrels at WDW!

[Soarin08]

Let's see...

1. In 1998, when we stayed at Coronado, a gator actually was living on the grounds. It wasn't large yet so it was simply watched by animal control. I heard later on it was finally- and carefully- moved once it got too big.

2. Bunnies abound! Saw a baby one that was no bigger than something that could snuggle in the palm of my hand in the queue at SSE, and then another was in the UK tonight, and of course these dumb*sses kept scaring it by taking flash photos of it.

3. Snake on the porch at the Fort one night... we told the guests it was a rat snake to keep them from freaking out, but in reality, it was a copperhead. I could tell by the markings and head shape. It was maybe two feet long at most, but still...

4. Armadillo on the porch at the Fort... my coworker screamed and I thought it was a snake, when it was just an armadillo who had wandered up and was curious. It didn't bother us in the least and left after a bit.

And a squirrel ran over my foot the other day when we were in the UK pavilion and had sat down to have dinner at the chippie... then it scurried under my friend's dress.

[Len90]

And a squirrel ran over my foot the other day when we were in the UK pavilion and had sat down to have dinner at the chippie... then it scurried under my friend's dress.

Some very interesting stories I personally think this one could make for a great story.

We have seen a ton of deer on property. In fact we had run in front of our bus on one of the darker backroads in 2006 when we were going from WL to DTD.

[MadEye]

Deer are all over the place as are armadillos. I almost hit a fox with my car that ran from backstage MK (behind the train station in the former MTTF) across the street to another, bigger wooded area in 09. I've also seen alligators (yes alligators, plural!) swimming in the Rivers of America in MK. I can only imagine what comes out at night when there is not as much vehicle traffic around property...

[Sleepy90]

We have seen:
A Snake at Fort Wilderness when we were wandering on quiet paths, no idea what it was but we gave it a wide berth.

Deer, Armadillo's and Turkeys at various parts of the property.

Lots of little Gecko's and bunnies at Port Orleans.

A gator in the water by Splash Mountain not big though.

Finally an Otter on the trip last year at Port Orleans.

[Amy]

F1gment spotted some deer in a field while we were on the monorail the past trip. I don't believe we have ever seen an Armadillo though ~ that would be cool! I know a friend of ours that lives in Florida sees them all the time.

[ericpabear]

Snakes. Can't remember how many over the years. In the pool at our room, on the side walks, in the lazy river, crossing the path while in line at the water parks......We tried calling the desk, they said they called animal control, who never arrived. Deer at a distance and rabbits everywhere. (Once I reported Bambi was dead on the side of the road, to the buss driver).

Ducks and other fowl, begging for food as you sit outside any of the quick service areas.

Beware of the seagulls at EPCOT. They have no fear. They swoop down and steal food right off your tray.
My family and I were carrying our trays, look'n for shade, when I heard a girl scream from behind me. I turned to see a girl being attacked from the air as she walk with her tray with her family. At the very second I turned my head, my wife was yell'n and wave'n in the air. We too were under attack. They didn't get anything from us.

At MGM, we were walking to the Tower Of Terror. My wife, walking only three steps behind me, let out a yell. I stopped and turned to see what had happened. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw what I thought was a palm leaf falling right in front of me. I heard it hit the ground, and my foot with a splat. That's no leaf I thought to myself. I looked at my foot and there was the BIGGEST bird poop I had ever saw. It covered my shoe. My wife had seen it falling at me, as if in slow motion. She knew it was gonna ruin my day. She could'nt speak, just yell. That yell saved my from a direct hit to the head. Dang bird was sooo big, it looked like a palm leaf.

[Amy]

....At MGM, we were walking to the Tower Of Terror. My wife, walking only three steps behind me, let out a yell. I stopped and turned to see what had happened. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw what I thought was a palm leaf falling right in front of me. I heard it hit the ground, and my foot with a splat. That's no leaf I thought to myself. I looked at my foot and there was the BIGGEST bird poop I had ever saw. It covered my shoe. My wife had seen it falling at me, as if in slow motion. She knew it was gonna ruin my day. She could'nt speak, just yell. That yell saved my from a direct hit to the head. Dang bird was sooo big, it looked like a palm leaf.

I'm sure it wasn't funny at the time, but what a great story to be able to tell!

[mindflipper]

Not seen much at Disney parks, but I did see a large rat over at IoA. It was well behaved, which is better than can be said for the woman the rat had approached from behind. Was that woman a screamer....

[Sharonofwindham]

Let's see...

1. In 1998, when we stayed at Coronado, a gator actually was living on the grounds. It wasn't large yet so it was simply watched by animal control. I heard later on it was finally- and carefully- moved once it got too big.

2. Bunnies abound! Saw a baby one that was no bigger than something that could snuggle in the palm of my hand in the queue at SSE, and then another was in the UK tonight, and of course these dumb*sses kept scaring it by taking flash photos of it.

3. Snake on the porch at the Fort one night... we told the guests it was a rat snake to keep them from freaking out, but in reality, it was a copperhead. I could tell by the markings and head shape. It was maybe two feet long at most, but still...

4. Armadillo on the porch at the Fort... my coworker screamed and I thought it was a snake, when it was just an armadillo who had wandered up and was curious. It didn't bother us in the least and left after a bit.
We stayed in a tent in FW once so your seeing a copperhead on the porch gives me the shivers. I think they are amazing and they have my respect, but yikes, so close . Saw lots of armadillos, LOVE 'EM! Very fasinating for someone who lives so far to the north. Thanks for sharing your sightings .
And a squirrel ran over my foot the other day when we were in the UK pavilion and had sat down to have dinner at the chippie... then it scurried under my friend's dress.

[Sharonofwindham]

Deer are all over the place as are armadillos. I almost hit a fox with my car that ran from backstage MK (behind the train station in the former MTTF) across the street to another, bigger wooded area in 09. I've also seen alligators (yes alligators, plural!) swimming in the Rivers of America in MK. I can only imagine what comes out at night when there is not as much vehicle traffic around property...

Amazing! I have got to keep my eyes peeled next visit . As long as no one feeds them I wouldn't think the gators would be a problem. Just add to the magic if you ask me . Thanks for sharing!

[Sharonofwindham]

F1gment spotted some deer in a field while we were on the monorail the past trip. I don't believe we have ever seen an Armadillo though ~ that would be cool! I know a friend of ours that lives in Florida sees them all the time.

I forgot about the deer! Returning to FW at night, the bus driver would stop occasionally so we could get a good look at them. If you're ever in FW at night your likely to see armadillos. You can get fairly close to them, and if you get a little to close for their liking, they calmly and slowly move a little further away, never running or seeming nervous. I suppose if they were real scared they would just roll up in a little ball for protection. So cute

[Sharonofwindham]

Not seen much at Disney parks, but I did see a large rat over at IoA. It was well behaved, which is better than can be said for the woman the rat had approached from behind. Was that woman a screamer....

I bet that rat found a new hangout

[Sharonofwindham]

....At MGM, we were walking to the Tower Of Terror. My wife, walking only three steps behind me, let out a yell. I stopped and turned to see what had happened. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw what I thought was a palm leaf falling right in front of me. I heard it hit the ground, and my foot with a splat. That's no leaf I thought to myself. I looked at my foot and there was the BIGGEST bird poop I had ever saw. It covered my shoe. My wife had seen it falling at me, as if in slow motion. She knew it was gonna ruin my day. She could'nt speak, just yell. That yell saved my from a direct hit to the head. Dang bird was sooo big, it looked like a palm leaf.

I'm sure it wasn't funny at the time, but what a great story to be able to tell!

Eeoow ! Wonder what kind of a bird. Egret? Pelican? Disney vulture ? The vultures that used to swarm the former Discovery Island, and now seem to have taken over the hippo exhibit @ AK, HUGE!