Animals of the Way

 From my blog at Witches and Pagan's Pagan Square:

"Animals who stay to help you after delivering their message are known as “Animals of the Way.” They will travel with you for a part of your life’s journey. Although these animals are not life-long companions, they may stay with you for years. Once they are no longer needed, “Animals of the Way” will leave. As with “Message Animals,” you need to accept them. Of course, find out about who they are and how they live. Enter into conversations with them, and ask how they can help you.

Sometimes you can ask a particular animal for help for temporary aid. But first, figure out whether the animal can work with you. Some animals are better equipped to help with particular problems. For example, Ferret is preferable to Sloth in increasing your physical energy. Moreover, animals that you have a relations with will be more disposed to helping you. Before asking a “strange” animal for assistance, do something to honor them first.

For example, I was grieving over the loss of a family member, and had asked the Manatees to comfort me. Since I assisted in various conservation efforts for manatees, They were more than happy to help. These friendly vegetarians know loss, for They have grieved over their fellow Manatees killed by motor boats. Soft and peaceful, the Manatees were all encompassing in giving their love to me. Through them, I was healed."

READ THE REST AT : Animal Wisdom: Animals of the Way

AMERICAN ALLIGATOR: Maternal Protection

ALLIGATORIDAE

            Placed in a separate group from true Crocodiles, Alligators and Caimans do not tolerate salt water.  They prefer to live in freshwater.  Unlike Crocodiles, Alligatoridae eat leaves and fruit as well as fish and meat.  Caimans do not have a bony septum between their nostrils like Alligators.  They also have longer and sharper teeth.

AMERICAN ALLIGATOR:  Maternal Protection

Greatly feared because of Her size and teeth, American Alligator is a shy animal. She prefers to live in her “gator hole” or mucking around the swamp. The chance of being killed by an Alligator is less than being struck by lightening.   When encountering

a nearby human, She usually will walk or swim away.

American Alligator is a keystone species. She creates “alligator holes”--mud hollows in swampy areas. This provides other animals with water, food, and homes. Moreover, Alligator is the largest predator in her area, controlling overpopulation of Deer and other animals. Even Her abandoned nest is used by other animals.

When American Alligator young are being threatened, Mother American Alligator will attack the intruder. People who are familiar with swamps will warn: never come between a Mother ‘Gator’ and her nest. When Baby American Alligator is threatened, He gives a high-pitched croak. Mother Alligator will immediately appear and save Her baby.

Learn the meaning of Motherhood from the American Alligator. She has much to teach in the raising and protecting of children. Mother American Alligator protects her Young while they are incubating in their nest and later when they are growing.

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Science Notes:

1.       The difference between Alligator and Crocodile is the snout and the jaw. Alligators have broad snouts, and their teeth in their upper jaw overlap their lower jaw’s teeth. 

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CROCODILIANS : Meaningful Communications

Alligators, Crocodiles, and Gharials are the largest living reptiles on earth. They form the last living direct link with the Age of Dinosaurs. Living relics of prehistorical times, Crocodilians are the only surviving members of the same family as the Dinosaurs.  They are also the closest living relative to Birds. 

The Crocodilia order is split into three major subfamilies–Crocodile, Alligatoridae (Alligators and Caimans), and Gharial (Gavial). The seven Alligator species live in the Americas except for Chinese Alligator.  Meanwhile, Gharials live in Asia. The fourteen true crocodile species are found in the tropics.  They range from the Estuarine (Saltwater) Crocodile, who swims in the open ocean to the rare Cuban Crocodile found in only two swamps of Cuba. 

Well-suited for their lives in the water, these aquatic hunters have webbed feet and muscular tails.  Their ankles swivel to allow their legs to be almost under their bodies.  (This lets Them to walk like Mammals.)  Unlike other Reptiles, Crocodilians can gallop or do a “high walk” (similar to Mammals).

What set Crocodilians apart from other Reptiles are their complex social lives.  They speak to their young, inform others of their territories, or buzz to attract mates.  How much each one shows of their body above the water conveys their social status.  Moreover living in groups, adult Crocodilians understand everyone’s head slapping and bellowing.

What unnerves people about Crocodilians is their loud calling.  Like Lions, Crocodiles will roar to tell others of trespassing on their territory.  Little ones call to their mothers, who come for them.  Alligators have breeding chorus “contests” between males and females.  Meanwhile, Male Gharials buzz to warn off their rivals and to attract Female Gharials.

Crocodilians are effective communicators.  Underwater discussions are conducted with jaw and head slaps.  Also, Crocodilians send chemicals messages using smell to each other.  During spring nights, Alligators gather for “dances” (their form of group courtship). Using a variety of methods, Crocodilians make Themselves understood by others.  We can learn from these Reptiles how to communicate meaningfully with others, using all the means at our disposal. Just do not frighten people with your bellowing.

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