Possum on the half shell

CANAVERAL NATIONAL SEASHORE, FL - - In the South, Possum on the half shell is one of the names a dead armadillo lying on its back is called. The armadillo above certainly doesn't meet that criteria. Good thing these animals are darn near blind or I would have scared this hungry fellow. They aren't fast; they cross roads at will and when they get scared - - like when a car passes over top of them - - they jump straight up. Oops! Another one bites the dust.
What started out as an expedition to look for birds on the eastern side of Mosquito Lagoon ended about 3 miles after we entered the Canaveral National Seashore gate. The area we wanted to go to is closed for Wednesday's launch of the space shuttle. We should have known after last weeks trip farther south gave us plenty of info on closed areas.
The word 'armadillo' is Spanish for "Little Armored One." It's quite easy to see the armor shell which makes up their outer covering in the U.S. version of the species - - the nine-banded model. Armadillos are native to the Americas. There are smaller ones and one - - the Giant Armadillo - - which weighs in at up to 66 pounds.
If you are interested, Google 'Armadillo Online!' to get the (long) site address for plenty of info.