For wildlife and nature lovers, Florida is home to some of the most fantastic diversity of animals and plants and the remarkable habitats and ecosystems that shelter them.
Florida is home to...
Many endangered or threatened species like the Florida panther...
...The tiny Floriday Key Deer...
...And the Colossal Florida Manatee...
...The only living barrier reef in the continental United States with an abundance of colorful fish, healthy corals, tiny invertebrates, lofty rays...
...Large concentrations of migrating birds in the winter...
...Our most famous legendary reptiles, the American Alligator...
...and the American Crocodile...
...The colorful flamingos which have become a symbol of Florida...
...Let's not forget the miles of coastline that are nesting grounds for our sea turtles...
Needless to say, wildlife fans, bird watchers, photographers, shell collectors, outdoor lovers... will be in their element.
Encountering wildlife is as easy as opening the door to our back porch, or a stroll around the block...
Of course, some encounters might be quite unexpected! Like this Florida black bear meandering around my friend's neighborhood in Ft. Myers...
We enjoy getting out there to enjoy all the treasures literally in our backyard every time we get a chance.
Whether it is a kayak outing to the mangroves, a snorkel at the reefs, a stroll on our favorite boardwalks and trails, padleboarding around the canals, or boating in the bay... there is much to do and see and always a surprise.
In the process, we have learned and are still learning, about the many species and habitats and the challenges they might be facing.
These pages are our attempt at capturing and sharing what we love and enjoy about all things nature and wildlife in Florida. It is a simple guide with plenty of pictures of what you can expect to see, when and where based on our experiences and observations.
We try to keep descriptions brief and simple, nothing too technical or involved and when appropriate we will provide further links for more in-depth information. Our kids like to pitch in and contribute to these pages, making it a handy Florida wildlife guide for children as well.
A good starting point for wildlife viewers are our National, State and County Parks, which are jam-packed of opportunities and activities to enjoy the outdoors and nature.
Here's ourGuide to our Top Picks for State and National Parks in South Florida.
Get your binoculars and sunscreen out and enjoy!
Life in the Florida Mangroves
Our mangrove forests often unappreciated, are not only instrumental in protecting our shores from the elements but also provide shelter to an incredible amount of wildlife.
A trip to the wilderness along most of the southern coast of the State is full of surprises, on land, on the air, on the water, and under the water, thanks to this unique habitat and the variety of life it supports.
We give you a brief introduction to this beautiful and crucial ecosystem and the importance of its conservation, including:
- What are Mangroves? About the Mangrove Plant
- Why are Mangroves Important?
- About the Mangrove Food Web
- What kind of wildlife does the mangrove habitat shelter?
- Where and how can we enjoy the Mangrove forests and their wildlife?
Life in the Coral Reefs
I still remember the first time I saw the magical world of the coral reefs through a mask, I was dazzled by the incredible colors and the abundance of fish in such an array of patterns and shapes, truly an incredible sight.
Now, years later, it is still the same feeling of delight, wonder, anticipation... what will we run into this time?
Coming soon...
- What are Corals, are they plants or animals?
- Kinds of Corals found in the Florida Keys
- Guide to Coral Reef Animals
- Guide to Coral Reef Fish
- Guide to Reef Plants
- Exploring our Coral Reefs: Scuba Diving and Snorkeling
Our Sea Turtles and Nesting Beaches
Beautiful and graceful Sea Turtles are often seen on our coastal waters. It is quite a thrill to encounter one of these charming creatures during a dive or snorkel.
They spend their entire lives in the ocean, with the only exception being when females come out to our shores to lay their eggs.
All species of sea turtles in Florida are either endangered or threatened, let's learn more about them and their conservation:
- Types of Sea Turtles found in Florida
- Life of a Sea Turtle, some interesting Sea Turtle Facts
- How Sea Turtles Nest
- Our endangered Sea Turtles: Threats to Sea Turtles and ways you can help
- Where and when to see Sea Turtles, Turtle Awareness Programs, Turtle Walks
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