Wheeler Wildlife Refuge Association - WWRA

The Black Swallowtail Butterfly is our Wildlife of the Week. The Black Swallowtail is one of the most recognizable and widespread butterflies in North America, frequently found in fields, meadows, gardens, and open spaces from southern Canada down through most of the eastern and central United States.

The adult butterfly has a wingspan of roughly 3 to 4 inches. Its velvety black wings feature two rows of bright yellow spots along the edges, though these spots are noticeably larger and more vibrant on males than on females.

To spot a Black Swallowtail in the field, look for these distinctive features:

The "swallow tail": Elongated, tail-like extensions on the hindwings that mimic the look of a swallow's tail feathers.
Iridescent Blue: A prominent band of powdery blue scaling sits between the rows of yellow spots on the hindwings, which is much more pronounced on the females.

The orange eyespot: A distinct orange spot containing a black centered pupil is located on the inner edge of the hindwing near the tail, serving to confuse predators.

Females lay small, round yellow eggs singly on the leaves of host plants, including Queen Anne's lace and water hemlock, as well as garden favorites like parsley, dill, fennel, and celery. As the larvae grow, they transform from small, bird-dropping mimics into striking green caterpillars striped with black bands and dotted with bright yellow spots.

They produce two to three broods a year. The final generation of the season spends the winter safe inside a chrysalis—which can be green or wood-brown to match its surroundings—before emerging as a butterfly the following spring.

Fun Fact: When threatened, the caterpillar deploys a bright orange, glandular organ from behind its head called an osmeterium. This organ emits a strong, foul-smelling odor to deter predators like birds and ants.

(Photo by Tom Ress)

Welcome to our 2026 Youth Conservation Corps team at Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge. Despite being together for only two days, this outstanding group has accomplished a great deal, including beaver dam removal, pressure washing the Visitor Center, and mowing. Their dedication and strong work ethic are evident, and we look forward to a successful summer.

There are still a few ducks around the Observation Building.

Our Wildlife of the Week is the Anhinga. Often called the "Snakebird" or "Water Turkey," the anhinga is one of the most fascinating characters of the wetlands.

If you’ve ever walked past a southern swamp or lake and seen a dark, prehistoric-looking bird swimming with its entire body submerged—leaving only a long, slender neck and head snaking above the water—you’ve met the anhinga.

They are opportunistic carnivores, meaning they aren’t terribly picky as long as it swims and fits down their throat. While small to medium-sized fish (like sunfish and catfish) make up the vast majority of their diet, their underwater stalking skills allow them to catch a surprising variety of wetland creatures including crayfish, large water bugs, frogs, tadpoles, and newts. They have even been known to target small water snakes and baby alligators!

Because they lack the standard waterproofing of other waterbirds, they tend to hunt in shallower, calmer waters where they can easily manage their depth and spot movement.

They are a classic fixture of the Southeast. They live year-round along the Gulf Coast, throughout all of Florida, and up the Atlantic coast into the Carolinas. During the summer breeding season, they expand their territory further inland, moving up major river valleys into places like Mississippi, Alabama, Arkansas, and western Tennessee.

FUN FACT: Most waterbirds, like ducks, have special oil glands to waterproof their feathers. This traps air, helping them float. The anhinga is different: its feathers are not waterproof. This allows it to stalk fish underwater with zero floating resistance, moving like a silent, feathered submarine. Because they lack waterproof feathers, anhingas get completely waterlogged and heavy after a swim. To fix this, you will almost always see them perched on a branch or log near the water’s edge, spreading their large wings wide in a dramatic, statue-like pose. They are using the sun to dry out their wings and regulate their body temperature before their next hunt.

Anhingas are uncommon visitors to the refuge, we are somewhat out of their natural range. Nevertheless, they do show up here occasionally and there are two anhingas that are currently being spotted in Blackwell Swamp. (Anhinga photos by Tom Ress)

Our Wildlife of the Week is the Common Snapping Turtle because today is World Turtle Day.

The common snapping turtle (Chelydra serpentina) is a large freshwater turtle known for its aggressive behavior and distinctive appearance. They are known for a combative disposition when out of the water, with powerful, beak-like jaws, and a highly mobile head and neck. In water, it is likely to flee and hide underwater in sediment.

They have a rugged, muscular build with a ridged carapace (upper shell) that varies in color from tan to brown and black. The carapace length in adulthood may be nearly 20 in, and they can weigh up to 35 pounds.

They are found in a variety of freshwater environments including rivers, ponds, and wetlands and prefer areas with sandy soil for nesting and aquatic vegetation for cover. They are often seen on the refuge near the Tennessee River, in Dinsmore Slough, Blackwell Swamp and anywhere there is sufficient water for them to feed and hide.

They are omnivorous, feeding on aquatic plants, fish, amphibians, and small mammals.

Mating season is April through November, with their peak laying season in June and July. The female can hold s***m for several seasons, using it as necessary. Females travel over land to find sandy soil in which to lay their eggs, often some distance from the water. After digging a hole, the female typically deposits 25 to 80 eggs each year, guiding them into the nest with her hind feet and covering them with sand for incubation and protection.
They can live for several decades, with some individuals reaching over 40 years.

A common misconception exists that common snapping turtles may be safely picked up by the tail with no harm to the animal; in fact, this has a high chance of injuring the turtle, especially the tail itself and the vertebral column.

Common Snapping Turtle photos taken in White Springs. (Photos by Tom Ress)

Today is World Turtle Day!

Today, we are hitting the brakes on our fast-paced lives to celebrate some of the oldest, coolest, and most resilient creatures on Earth.

From the tiny box turtles in your backyard to the majestic sea turtles gliding through our oceans, these shell-dwelling wonders have been holding it down for over 200 million years. But today, they need our help.

How You Can Shell-ebrate:

Give 'em a brake: Keep an eye out for turtles crossing the road. (Always move them in the direction they were already heading!)

Ditch the plastic: Reduce single-use plastics to keep our oceans safe for sea turtles.

Spread the word: Share your favorite turtle facts or photos using .

Let’s make sure these ancient mariners and land-lubbers stick around for millions of years to come. Shell yeah!

NEW SEASONAL WATERFOWL SANCTUARY: We’re pleased to share that Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge in Decatur, Alabama will be creating a 335-acre waterfowl sanctuary starting November 15, 2026 through February 28, 2027. This seasonal sanctuary is designed to give wintering waterfowl a peaceful, protected space during one of the most important times of the year. By reducing human disturbance, we’re helping these birds thrive and making your visits even more rewarding for photography, wildlife viewing, and nature appreciation. While a one-mile stretch of road through the Buckeye-Thorsen Arm Unit between HGH Road and JTT Road will be seasonally closed to all public entry, bikers and hikers still have access around the north side of the impoundment, including 20 miles of roads and trails in the surrounding area and 70 miles throughout Wheeler NWR.

More information about the new waterfowl sanctuary will be forthcoming in the 2026-2027 Wheeler NWR Hunting Regulations & Permit, our general regulations brochure, and on the Wheeler NWR website. (All of these documents we anticipate being updated and available by late July).

If you have any questions, we’re happy to help. Just email us at [email protected]. We appreciate your support and look forward to making your experience better!