If you’re a student at UCF you are pretty familiar with the wildlife here. Of course, by wildlife I mean the squirrels, cranes, deer, cats, and the occasional turtle crossing the road. I don’t know if you’ve ever taken the time to stop and look around, but the animals around here can get pretty intersting, but what’s even more interesting is our reaction to them.
Humans V.S. Squirrels
The squirrels here at UCF are quite the celebrities. Everyone on campus knows them and either fears them or wants to play with them. They even have their own twitter page! I for one find them to be super creepy and I stop in my tracks when I see them. Those squirrels stare into your soul if you make eye contact with them…and they aren’t afraid of you. I give props to you brave souls who get close enough to feed them and try to play with them.
Humans V.S. Cranes
These things are huge and they are dumb as a doornail! What is the deal with these giant birds? They will literally walk right in front of your car with not a care in the world. They aren’t afraid of humans and have no problem making loud noises right in your face. They are practically the size of humans but I will admit it is fun to test how close you can get to them before they freak out and run away.
Humans V.S. Deer
Who knew we had deer at UCF?! Everyone thinks deer are such cute docile little creatures…but they’re not. They will run out in front of your car and they always travel in packs, so if you hit one you hit them all. If you’re ever near the UCF Arboretum you can get a nice up close look of them… until the only view you can see is the dirt road in front of you because they’re chasing you out of their home. That’s right, these animals aren’t afraid to chase you…and they will. I’ve seen it happen people. Although, the little baby deer are just too cute and they look so clumsy when they walk.
Humans V.S. Tortoise
There aren’t many tortoises around UCF but when there are, they make sure to inconveniently be rolled up in their shell right in front of your car. I’ve had to move at least three of them from the road just this past semester, although they’re really adorable when they’re not stopping traffic. I mean come on, have you ever seen them try to eat something? Adorable!
Humans V.S. Cats
There are always random cats roaming around campus. Whose are these and why are they here?! Someone had to have let them free. They don’t really do much except for sit under shaded areas but you better believe if one of those black cats is about to cross me I’m running the other way.