In October, staff from DNR’s Freshwater Biodiversity Program searched 12 miles of the Ochlockonee River south of Thomasville last month for Ochlockonee moccasinshells, endangered mussels not seen in Georgia’s stretch of the river for over 35 years.
The mussels actually were thought extinct until a small population was discovered in 2014 on the Middle Ochlockonee in Florida.
Washboard mussel from the Ochlockonee (Katy Lusk/DNR)
The survey this fall didn’t turn up any Ochlockonee moccasinshells. But staff did find promising habitat for reintroducing the species, plus other mussels – including massive washboards – and a toothy surprise: hatchling alligators.
Aquatic biologist Matthew Rowe and wildlife technician Zach Schumber had left their canoe to check a hard-to-reach part of the river and were kneeling about 20 feet apart, running their hands over the river bottom looking for mussels, when they heard a “chirp.” The two looked at each other and eased up to scan the bank. There was a pod of juvenile gators between them.
Thankfully, mom wasn’t home. Rowe and Schumber quietly took a few photographs and moved downstream.
For a similar close encounter, see the October 2022 issue of DNR’s Georgia Wild enewsletter. (And if you’d like to subscribe to the enews, it’s easy and free.)