|
 White-tail
Deer:
Deer live in a variety of habitats which include brush, wetland,
hardwood forest and meadow and are likely
to be seen in the
park in the early morning. Deer eat leaves, twigs, nuts and
acorns and
have a stomach with four parts to help it digest these things.
Male deer grow antlers for the fall season (the mating
season) every year and shed these a few months later. Deer communicate
with each other through tail signals, noises and odors- they
have highly developed sight, smell and hearing. These animals
were very important in our country’s history – they
were used for food and clothing by the Native Americans and
the early settlers.
back
to top
Red-tailed
Hawk:
This hawk is often seen or heard (a screech-like call) throughout
the park. They are birds of prey and live at the edge of forests
where there are open areas for hunting. They eat mice, rabbits
and snakes and have long strong toes and talons (claws for
catching and killing their prey). Red-Tailed Hawks have eyesight
about 8 times better than humans and were once used in the
sport of falconry. Their special role in nature is keeping
the rodent population under control.
back
to top
 Monarch
Butterflies:
This insect can be seen feeding on flowering plants in the
park throughout the summer. In fall they migrate south and
can be seen flying over the trees in their journey. Some were
recorded as flying more than 2000 miles from Canada to Mexico.
The monarchs lay their eggs on milkweed plants- a toxic plant.
When their young hatch they feed off this plant and so become
toxic to predators. The bright colors of this butterfly warn
other animals of their toxicity.
back
to top
 Cottontail
Rabbits:
These mammals are nocturnal (night time animals) and can be
seen in the park in
early morning and late evening. They eat lots of plant material
and are often found near forest edges. Rabbits
can have up to
10 babies in
1 litter and are the most widely hunted game animal in the
US. They are also a prominent prey animal for
large predatory mammals and birds. Their only defenses are
speed and hearing.
back
to top
 Black
Rat Snake:
This snake is a non- venomous constrictor and will prey on
rodents and other small animals. Adults can be 5-6 feet long
and are often encountered by humans because of their prominence
throughout North America and the variety of habitats they
live in. Young black rat snakes look very different from the
adults- they are patterned gray, black and white.
back to top
 Eastern
Chipmunk:
Chipmunks are small mammals that can be seen throughout the
park. They especially prefer areas where the ground is covered
with dense plants – this helps them hide easily.The chipmunk’s
home is a burrow beneath the ground; this is where they spend
most of their time. Chipmunks carry several nuts at a time
in their cheek pouches and bring these back to store in their
burrows.
back
to top
 Painted
Turtle:
This is the most widespread turtle in North America. They
hibernate at the bottom of ponds and shallow lakes through
the winter but can be seen basking in the sun in warmer weather.
The turtles sit on half submerged logs near the water’s
edge. They are often seen in small groups on the log. They
consume aquatic insects and a variety of plants.
 Tiger
Swallowtail:
This is the most popular swallowtail, one of the largest butterflies
in North America and Georgia’s state butterfly. They
can be found feeding from flowering plants around the park-
most brightly colored flat-faced flowers are attractive to
them. There is both a yellow and blue phase of the female
butterfly, which can be seen.
back
to top
 American
Toad:
This toad is plentiful throughout the park- in the summer
the tiny young toads are found along many of the park’s
trails- often in the paths. Toads prefer to live in areas
where insects and moisture are abundant. These toads do have
warts in the spots on their skin and these secrete a toxin,
which will make many predators sick if a toad is eaten.
back to top
Great
Blue Heron:
This wading bird is commonly seen near park lakes. They live
in marshy areas nearby rivers and lakes where they feed on
fish. The birds usually live in a colony with others, especially
during breeding season. They hold their neck in an S shape
and their legs trail behind them as they fly.
back
to top
 Grey
Squirrel:
This is likely the most common mammal viewed in the park woods.
They live in our hardwood forests where they can find plenty
of nuts to feed on. Squirrels’ teeth grow on and on throughout
their life and gnawing on nuts helps to keep them worn down.
In the winter their large nests of leaves and twigs are easy
to spot high in the trees. Many historic journals have noted
large migrations of squirrels - thousands traveling together
to the south. In the eighteen hundreds forests were more continuous
though throughout the east and would have provided a migratory
corridor.
back
to top
 Mallard
Duck:
These are seen near the park’s lakes, ponds and rivers.
They are a common game bird throughout North America and are
the ancestors of all domestic ducks. Mallards are dabbling
ducks- they feed in the upper waters of lakes instead of diving
for food. The female bird is not colorful like the male in
the picture rather she is dull brown so she may hide easily
while sitting on her nest.
back
to top
 Grey
Fox:
This is the smallest member of the dog family and is found
in habitats similar to those within the park. They eat mice,
moles, bird’s eggs and rabbits. Foxes are swift runners
and have excellent smell, hearing and sight. Red foxes also
live within the park- they are more common on the mountain
outcrops.
back
to top
 Box
Turtle:
In the park these turtles are often found crossing the roads
in wooded areas, or deep in the woodlands near shallow water.
They have the ability to completely close up their shell for
protection. Box turtles, like other reptiles will hibernate
in cold weather by burrowing in the soil. This turtle can
live up to 30-40 years- some live up to 100 years!
back
to top
Wild
Turkey:
Turkeys are sometimes seen in the park in our mature forests
and near forest edges. They feed on nuts and seeds in the
fall and winter and greens and insects in the summer. The
bare skin that is seen on their head is used in dominance
demonstrations between males and to attract females. Georgia
is second only to Texas in the number of turkeys found in
the state. They too, like deer, were once an important part
of the diet of Native Americans and early settlers.
back
to top
 Late
Winter:: Trout Lily:
This plant is found throughout park woods in late winter.
It grows in shady areas in deciduous forests. The markings
on the trout lily leaf are similar to markings found on the
brook trout. Native Americans knew to fish for trout at the
time they saw the trout lily come up in the forest.
back
to top
Spring::
Red Moss (Elf –Orphine): and Sandwort:
  These
two plants are abundant on the mountain and outcrops in early
spring. They often grow in the same shallow depression communities
and bloom at the same time. The Red Moss is not a moss at
all, but a succulent plant which prefers the sunlight and
warmth of the exposed granite.
back
to top
 Poolsprite
and Quillwort:
These are the endangered aquatic plants which grow within
the vernal pools at the top of the mountain. They are only
found within the protected area at the top but can be viewed
in mid-late April by looking over the fence.
back
to top
Summer
Flowers::
 Prickly
Pear Cactus:
This plant is found throughout North American Deserts and
is probably also found throughout the park because of the
arid rocky environment of the mountain and granite outcrops.
The large green parts of this plant are modified branches
and stems and function in water storage and photosynthesis.
The cactus spines are modified leaves. Both the fruits and
the green pads are edible and cooked and eaten as a vegetable.
back
to top
Yucca:
This is another desert plant that is found on the slopes of
the mountain and on outcrops. The long bell shaped flowers
form in the spring. It is also called soaptree yucca because
Native Americans used the material in roots and trunk as a
soap substance. They also used the leaves for weaving baskets.
back
to top
Dayflower:
The flower of this plant opens only once, in the morning,
and then closes and liquefies during the heat of the day.
Its young stems and leaves are used as an herb in foreign
countries and Dayflower seeds are eaten by Quail, Doves and
other songbirds. Dayflower blooms from late spring until frost.
back
to top
Late
Summer flowers:: Confederate Daisy:
This is also called “Stone Mountain Yellow Daisy”
because it is only found within a 60-mile radius of Stone
Mountain. It was first discovered as a new species in 1846
and every fall beginning in August the mountain is scattered
with yellow from this flower, which grows on the granite outcrops
in shallow soil. In the photo it is shown with another common
outcrop flower, Blazing Star.
back to top
|
