Southeastern Beer Camper (Redneckius Carcampalot) - Species Profile 

Revised 3-4-01

Distribution:
The common southeastern beer camper can be found all over Georgia in varying numbers.  Most often, larger concentrations are seen in the northern mountainous areas of the state.  The winters find the beer camper mostly dormant, with only a few stray males to be seen on a given day.  However, after the long winter they come out of hibernation in large numbers.  Spotters of beer campers have long known that an ideal time to spot the perfect beer camper is Memorial Day weekend.     Though it does exhibit some migratory patterns, the beer camper is largely a sedentary creature, as evidenced by the large fat deposit carried by most males.

Habitat: 
The beer camper once only found in trailer parks has adapted to increased urbanization of Georgia.  It can now be spotted at many public campgrounds, wilderness areas, recreational areas, and even along Forest Service dirt roads.  Nearly any flat surface that will support a 5 room 22 man tent is viable habitat for this creature. 

Nesting:
The beer camper is a resourceful creature and has been compared by many to the beaver for its engineering abilities.  A beer camper nest is easily recognizable by it's extraordinarily large tent accompanied by an intricate network or tarps suspended carefully from the canopy overhead.    One will also notice large stacks of lumber which it uses throughout the day to build its characteristically massive fires.  This lumber may be brought by the beer camper itself, but will likely be made of freshly chopped timber from areas adjacent to the nest.  Other indications of beer camper activity include:  large numbers of coolers in the vicinity of the nest site, 6 or more lanterns nailed to nearby trees, and the presence of lounge chairs.  The beer camper is a social creature and tends to nest in groups of 4 or more, but smaller groups have been reported.  The male is easily recognizable by it's long mane.  Called a mullet, this feature is used to attract female beer campers for breeding.  Both sexes have poor hygiene and sport several chipped teeth from opening beer bottles. 

Behavior:
Having no natural predators, the beer camper finds enjoyment in lying about its nest for most of the day tending its nesting fire.  The fire holds no practical purpose, but rather serves to enhance the beer campers nesting experience by consuming incredible amounts of wood unnecessarily.  The diet of a beer camper as its name suggests, is primarily composed of cheap beer that it carries into its nest by the case.  Some beer campers have been reported as consuming more than 5 cases in a 12 hour period.  This level of alcohol consumption is unique in the animal kingdom and is done to enhance the beer camper's nesting experience as well as to make other beer campers more interesting.  Nocturnally, the beer campers activities are far from subtle.  It will build its nest fire larger and use lanterns to illuminate everything within a hundred feet of its nest.  Researchers believe that this strange behavior is instinctual and is left over from a behavior set that helped it elude predators such as law enforcement officers and bears.  Loud mating calls reminiscent of wounded owls emanate from the nest and are returned by neighboring beer camp nests.  It is believed that this call and response, often intermingled with profanity, is used to reinforce territorial boundaries.  The following day the nest is often abandoned littered with trash and scarred by fire.  

Status:
This species, while fascinating in its behavior, is prolific and has proven destructive in large numbers.  It is listed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as a nuisance throughout its range. USFWS has no pending recovery plans.