Chapter 13: The Empty Interior

While the Empty Interior may be empty to us regarding population, it supports a diversified, growing, and sometimes controversial wildlife population. This region contains species such as the bison, the North American elk, the pronghorn antelope, the white-tailed deer and wild turkeys. While Mobile does not contain most of these species, it does support a diverse wildlife population also. In fact, Alabama ranks fourth in the nation for its biological diversity. There are more than 800 species of vertebrate animals and 3,400 plant species in the state. Alabama's terrain makes it an ideal site for wintering fowl who seek the warmth of the southern climate. Its southern swamplands give refuge to the alligator, and its forested region and bayous are home to a varied array of wildlife. Beaver colonies are prevalent in the swamplands and ducks, geese and other water fowl winter in the area. Alligators can be found in some southern swampland regions. Animals that can be found throughout Alabama include deer, foxes, minks, bobcats, opossums, rabbits, raccoons, squirrels, skunks and wild turkeys. Freshwater fish include bass, buffalo fish, crappie, catfish, shad and garfish. Along the coast there are crabs, shrimp, oysters, mackerel, red snapper, tarpon, drumfish, flounder and mullet. Alabama has 93 native reptiles, which include the alligator, 12 lizards, 31 turtles and 48 snakes. The state has 73 native amphibians, which include 43 species of salamanders and 30 species of frogs. The exotic greenhouse frog can be found in Mobile and Baldwin counties within the state. There is more mussel diversity in Alabama than any other state, and there are 83 species of crayfish, also more than any other state. Alabama has aquatic snails, yet land snails are rare. Alabama has 62 native mammals and over 300 species of fish, and some 420 species of birds.

Greenhouse Frog

USS Alabama

With a name like the Empty Interior, it is surprising to learn that it generates a lot of money each year in tourism…until you realize that Las Vegas is located in this region! Mobile, while not quite a destination hotspot like Vegas, does have many fun and beautiful tourist attractions. One of the most memorable sites any visitor remembers about Mobile is the USS Alabama battleship. Alabama was commissioned in 1942 and served in World War II in the Atlantic and Pacific theaters. She was decommissioned in 1947 and assigned to the reserve duty. She was retired in 1962. In 1964, Alabama was taken to Mobile Bay and opened as a museum ship the following year. The ship was added to the National Historic Landmark registry in 1986. Visitors are allowed to view the inside of the main gun turrets and anti-aircraft guns. The powder magazine was opened to the public through some holes that were cut, and stairs put in. The bunk of Major League Baseball Hall of Famer Bob Feller is marked for those touring. Feller served on Alabama for several years during World War II. In recent years, Alabama has been occasionally used as a hurricane shelter. During Hurricane Katrina, Alabama suffered damage which resulted in an eight-degree list to port, and shifting at her permanent anchorage. (The families of 18 museum employees were aboard during Katrina.) In addition, the Aircraft Pavilion was severely damaged, with three of the exhibited aircraft destroyed. At the end of 2005, damage estimates were in excess of four million dollars. The park reopened 9 January 2006, with the ship having a three-degree list (which was still being corrected). The battleship, submarine, and Aircraft Pavilion are all open. My favorite tourist attraction, and a place my mother and I went to every Spring Break, is Bellingrath Gardens. Bellingrath Gardens and Home was the creation of Mr. and Mrs. Walter Bellingrath. The Gardens first opened to the public in 1932 while a national garden club meeting was taking place in Mobile. Mr. Bellingrath placed an ad in the Mobile paper, announcing that anyone who would like to see the spring garden could do so free of charge. After an overwhelming response, the couple decided to keep the gardens open year-round, beginning in 1934. Throughout the year, this 65 acre Garden Estate is in full bloom with camellias in the winter, azaleas in the spring, roses in the summer, chrysanthemums in autumn and Magic Christmas in Lights during the holiday season.