Critters of the Scrub
Pa says the scrub is teeming with life if you know how to look. Most folks ride through and see nothing just scrub brush and sand and ugly trees. But if you slow down, if you're quiet, if you pay attention, the scrub shows itself to you.
I've spent my whole life out here, and I'm still finding new critters I never seen before. Some are gentle. Some are dangerous. All of 'em belong here, same as me.
Here's the creatures I've crossed paths with. I've tried to draw 'em as best I can, but I ain't no artist like Fodder-wing. He can make an animal come alive on paper with just a few lines. Me, I just write about 'em.
-Jody
⭐ QUICK CRITTER REVIEWS ⭐
All the creatures of the scrub, rated by a boy who knows them.
GOPHER TORTOISE ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
"The Scrub's Best Citizen"
What's Good: Digs homes for 300+ other species. Patient. Ancient. Wise. Asks nothing, gives everything.
What's Bad: Holes everywhere, watch your ankles. Moves slow as molasses.
Best Moment: Sitting with one for an hour while it ignored me completely. Felt like I'd been accepted.
Jody Says: "If the scrub had a mayor, it'd be the gopher tortoise."
FLORIDA SCRUB JAY ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
"Bold as Brass"
What's Good: Lives ONLY in Florida! Plants oak forests by accident. Remembers faces. Bold, curious, full of personality.
What's Bad: Will steal your cornbread if you're not watching. Never shuts up.
Best Moment: One landed near me and just... stared. Like it was saying, "Alright, you can stay."
Jody Says: "They make you feel like you belong."
WHITETAIL DEER ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
"My Heart, Broke Open"
What's Good: Grace itself. The most beautiful thing in the scrub. Gentle eyes. Flag was my best friend.
What's Bad: They grow up. They change. They don't understand fences or cornfields or love that needs them to stay small.
Best Moment: 365 days with Flag. Every single one a gift.
Jody Says: "Loving something means being willing to let it go."
FLORIDA BLACK BEAR ⭐⭐⭐☆☆
"Respect from a distance"
What's Good: Powerful. Wild. Teaches you what real wilderness means. Smart as anything. Has his own reasons.
What's Bad: Killed our shoats. Three of 'em. Our winter meat. Hard to hate him, hard to forgive him.
Best Moment: Seeing Old Slewfoot once, from a distance. Felt small. Felt alive.
Jody Says: "He's just trying to live, same as us. That's the hard part."
DIAMONDBACK RATTLESNAKE ⭐⭐☆☆☆
"The One That Bit Pa"
What's Good: Honest. Warns you before striking. Part of the scrub's balance. Eats rodents.
What's Bad: The bite nearly killed Pa. Three days of fever, Ma crying at night, me thinking I'd lose him. I hate snakes.
Best Moment: None. I can't.
Jody Says: "Pa says they're more scared of us than we are of 'em. I'm not sure that makes me feel better."
WHOOPING CRANE ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
"The Dancers of the Marsh"
What's Good: Tall as a man. White with black tips. Dance when they court—bowing, leaping, wings spread. The prettiest thing you'll ever see.
What's Bad: Rare. Hard to find. You might never see them dance.
Best Moment: Watching a pair dance at dawn with Pa. He said they were courting. I didn't know what that meant, but it was beautiful.
Jody Says: "Fodder-wing says if you watch cranes dance, you'll have good luck. I hope he's right."