Fauna of the USA

During my trip I've had the privilege of seeing an interesting and diverse range of local wildlife, some of which have even been alive. Yes, I'm talking about road kill.

Almost as soon as the trip began we started seeing evidence of the local inhabitants. The most populous observations in the early days were of the ubiquitous rabbit, a simple creature which has still not evolved the ability to combine fear with running away. Being small, the remains of their unfortunate collisions tend to be messy, with the signature single ear and badly directed hind leg the giveaway as to their species.

The other favourite on the trip was the slightly brighter, but sadly slower skunk. Skunk roadkill is usually smelt before its seen. Often a skunk is able to make it almost to the verge before it meets its rubbery maker. As they're larger than rabbits they tend to be flat at one end and disappointed at the other. Until recently I was unaware of the smell of skunk. I now yearn for those happy days.

The third in the triumvirate of populous road victims is the deer. Deer have developed the ability to combine fear with running very quickly. All they need now is the wit to move in the direction away from traffic, not towards. Deer also smell very badly and due to their size attract another occasional victim of the road, the turkey vulture. More of them later. One of the other problems with a deer is that due to their size they are often injured in a non-fatal way. This is tremendously sad. Yesterday the guys witnessed a deer hit. By the time I passed poor Bambi was looking at me forlornly as cycled alongside. I only wish I could have speeded its passing in some way.

The saddest victim was a raccoon, we see a few on the road, but I finally witnessed a live one to day so that was nice. Anyway, the sad raccoon was alongside the road with its little paw cupped over its now unseeing eye as if to shield itself from the horror that had just become it. Sad. Having said that they're supposed to be nasty little buggers, something like a lively, stroppy, small badger.

To complete the list I have also seen a snake (very flat), a few misadventureous coyotes, some greedy Vultures, who, gorged on deer were clearly unable to reach takeoff speed before the inevitable truck arrival and today, the first of what I expect to be many armadillo. (I did for one myself in Oklahoma a few years ago).

Other than that I suppose there have been a few non specific sightings (beyond recognition).

Apparently we can expect frogs, turtles and a few other exotics once we get to Louisiana.

Bye for now.