Deer are one of the most common animals in the United States. North America is home to about 35 million of these critters, and several states claim the deer as their representative animal. Most Americans have probably seen a deer up close. Backyard deer sightings aren’t uncommon for many people, especially those who live on the East Coast.
What is uncommon is seeing a deer trapped inside an Old Navy store. On February 15, this strange sight is exactly what several shoppers in Greenville, South Carolina, witnessed. According to local news outlet WYFF 4, a troubled deer was seen frantically trying to escape from an Old Navy at Greenville’s Cherrydale Point Plaza.
See the deer make its escape in the video below. As a warning for all animal lovers out there, this video does contain images of an injured animal in distress.
Note: The featured image is a stock photo used to illustrate the story.
Animals can be strange. Strange animal activities range from zoo animals escaping their enclosures to wild critters messing with trail cameras. Sometimes, you’ll even see stories about a moose or coyote chasing skiers. With all of these weird stories in the world, it can be hard for a cute critter to stand out. But one talented ostrich from Ohio’s Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Gardens has beat the odds with an eye-catching dance.
Footage from earlier this month shows one of the zoo’s ostriches twirling around in its habitat and delighting onlookers. As the zoo said on February 10, this large flightless bird gracefully performed some spectacular spins, dancing “like no one’s watching.” Watch this talented ostrich for yourself in the video below.
What is your favorite animal? Is it the adorable penguin? The furry and ferocious bear? The kingly lion? Or, are you partial to the speedy cheetah?
If you’re an animal enthusiast curious to learn more about cheetahs, join us on a mission to answer some of the most commonly asked questions about these critters. This round-up of cheetah facts explores everything from their diets and lifespans to their habitats and running speeds. It’s a must-read for cheetah fans. So, what are you waiting for? Let’s dive into these six questions and answers about the one-and-only cheetah.
Wyoming’s serene and snowy hills call to snowboarders and skiers all over the United States. During a typical day on the slopes, visitors can expect to encounter fields of white, massive evergreen trees, and plenty of other tourists enjoying the winter weather. What you probably aren’t expecting to see is a giant moose chasing you downhill.
On Sunday, February 4, a giant moose is exactly what skiers at Teton Village, Wyoming’s Jackson Hole Mountain Resort encountered. As the video below shows, people skiing down the slopes that day saw a moose galloping after them. Skier Kenneth William Rynearson called out to his friends and told them to ski faster to avoid the animal.
St. Augustine’s annual 3K Raptor Run is short, flat, family-friendly, and oh-so-Floridian. Each year, entry fees raise money for conservation organizations. This year’s recipient is the nearby Audubon Center for Birds of Prey, which works to save Florida’s raptors. The race starts and finishes at the St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park. This year, the race falls on March 10 and begins at 8 a.m. Runners and walkers are both welcome. The route winds through the flat and attractive residential neighborhood surrounding the alligator farm.
All race participants will receive post-race refreshments, a T-shirt, and a medal. The Raptor Run’s unique medal depicts a fierce alligator/raptor hybrid with big teeth and long talons. What’s better than that? Plus, every adult who stays and buys a ticket for the alligator farm gets a free child’s admission.
Photo courtesy of St. Augustine Alligator Farm
The first Raptor Run in 2020 partnered with the Avian Research Conservation Institute to celebrate swallow-tailed kites. These graceful raptors have white bodies and deeply forked black tails. Other years, race funds have supported conservation of the large, nonvenomous Eastern indigo snake. Native to the southeastern U.S., these thick snakes look glossy black, until sunlight reveals their iridescent purple highlights.
Photo courtesy of St. Augustine Alligator Farm
Stay for the Alligator Farm
After the Raptor Run, stay to visit the alligator farm. While the focus is firmly on crocodilians, you’ll also see African birds like Cape Griffon vultures, hooded vultures, and Marabou storks. Don’t miss the Madagascar lemurs, sloths, and Maximo, a saltwater crocodile that measures more than 15 feet long.
Maximo, up-close! / Photo by Teresa Bergen
Usually, I’m leery of zoos and feel bad about seeing confined animals. But I felt better after talking to Scott Brown, the Crocodile Crossing zip line and ropes course manager. Yes, you can zipline over crocodilians. This also overrode my zoo qualms. Because how often in life do you get that opportunity?
Photo by Teresa Bergen
It was super fun to fly over gator lagoons and be up in the treetops with roseate spoonbills. Of course, building such a course was even more exciting.
Brown described the process of constructing a zip course inside crocodilian enclosures. “You’ve got to be able to go up with a ladder. And you have to build platforms on the trees off the ladders. Then you’re free hanging from the trees with straps and climbing gear.”
Yikes! All under the watchful eyes of dozens of crocs. “It was more curiosity than anything,” Brown said of being watched by all those reptiles.
Photo by Teresa Bergen
Other active things to do in Saint Augustine
If you visit St. Augustine for the Raptor Race, you’ll also find lots of other fun, active outdoor things to do. I stayed at the Holiday Inn Express Vilano Beach, which is three blocks from a long, pretty beach — perfect for catching the sunrise or going for a run. Tourists love the views from the distinctive black and white striped St. Augustine Lighthouse. Some locals buy annual passes and use the lighthouse’s 219 steps as a running gym.
Try running up these spiral stairs! / Photo by Teresa Bergen
If you want to rest your legs, join a kayaking tour. St. Augustine Eco Tours offers many on-water adventures, including kayaking by the city’s over 400-year-old downtown. Earth Kinship takes you out in the swampy Florida wilderness, where you’ll kayak amongst gators and snakes.
Kayakers paddle by Castillo de San Marcos, a Spanish fort in downtown St. Augustine. / Photo by Teresa Bergen
Come for the Raptor Run and stay for a glimpse of some Florida wildlife.
Photo courtesy of St. Augustine Alligator Farm
Disclaimer: While this article was not sponsored, Outdoors Wire did visit Saint Augustine during a press trip withFlorida’s Historic Coast. As always, Outdoors Wire operates independently, and this doesn’t influence our coverage.
Who is the world’s fastest runner? The answer depends on a few factors. First, let’s clarify. Are we talking about the world’s fastest human? If so, the runner you’re looking for is Usain Bolt, the Jamaican Olympian who set the world record for fastest 100-meter sprint in 2009. As Encyclopædia Britannica explains, Belgian scientists who measured Bolt’s speed found that he was able to run at 27.33 miles per hour.
But outside of humans, which creatures can run the fastest? Find out with this list of the world’s fastest animals. Discover the planet’s quickest critters and see how their top speeds stack up against humans. Plus, learn about even more cool animals here.
