Great Blue Heron Another beautiful animal found in the New River Basin is the Great Blue Heron. Herons are long legged and occupy wetland, coastal, or river areas. The great blue heron is the largest species of heron in North America. On average, great blue herons are about four feet tall. These birds have tremendous wing spans that averages about five and a half feet, and can go up to seven feet. Great blue herons have dark grey bodies, brown necks, pale white cheeks and throat, and blue streaks on their heads and wings. Their grey bodies give off a bluish tint in different lights.
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Red Fox Many animals call the New River Basin home. One of these animals is known as the Red Fox. The red fox is a member of the canine family. Though most red foxes do in fact have a reddish brown hue, it is also not uncommon for them to be silver, white, or even grey. They have elongated heads to go along with elongated bodies with shorter legs. They are also identified by their short but bushy tails. Red foxes usually hunt under the cover of darkness. They are opportunistic hunters and will kill and eat anything the size of a rabbit or smaller.
Hellbender |
Snapping Turtle |
The amphibian known as the Hellbender also finds its home here. The Hellbender goes by meany names such as "snot otter" or "Demon dog". All of the common names describe some aspect, either fact or fiction, about the hellbender. The hellbender is truly a giant; they can grow to over two feet long. Hellbenders, with their wrinkled, greenish brown and slimy skin, are not pretty to look at, and they are still trying the live down the myth that they possess a venomous bite and are wanton killers of game fish.
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The Snapping Turtle also comes to live in this River Basin. They prefer slow moving deep water areas, where they can hide camouflaged at the river bottom. The next time you visit one of the small ponds or wetlands of the New River, the relatively quiet Bluestone, or infrequent tame pools of the Gauley, you might just spot one of these magnificent animals basking in the rays of the sun. Common Snapping turtles stalk their food with guile and patience. They are nocturnal hunters who spend most of their time underwater. They are not aggressive in the water. Usually they will cover themselves in the muddy river bottom and wait for their prey to come close enough, and then snap; dinner is served.
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