Florida Mammals
This is a Common Coastal Bottled nose Dolphin. These dolphin lead social lives. They are often found in groups called Social groups or pods depending on what region they are found in and the porpoise (purpose) of the gathering. Dolphins and Porpoises are 2 different marine mammals and are NOT the same thing. Photo courtesy of www.Fairypodmother.com
The Florida Manatee, a subspecies of the west Indian Manatee. This manatee has propeller scaring from a boat speeding past. In some areas Manatees can be identified by their scars. Luckily this juvenile has yet to be struck.
White Tailed Deer, depicted here is a sub species that lives in the Florida keys called a Key Deer.
The Virginia Opossum. Is the only marsupial in north america and has more teeth than any other mammal, 50! Even with their prehensile tail they CAN NOT hang from it, as depicted in some movies and media.
Raccoons are a very common site in many urban and wild areas, being smart and resourceful they are very equipped to thrive in most any environment taking advantage of just about every opportunity then can to find food.
The Florida Panther is one of the most rare sites in North America and especially in SWFL. Due to changes in their habitat and habitat destruction these animal are having a very hard time surviving in our world right now.
Contrary to Belief there is no such thing in our world as a black panther. They do not have the genes in their DNA to turn them black.
Reptiles
In SWFL we have 5 sea turtle species visitisiting our shores. They are: The Hawksbill, The Kemp's Ridley, The Loggerhead, The Green, and the Leatherback.
Learn more about Seaturtles at https://turtletime.org/
The Cuban Brown Anole is a very common site in SWFL. Not native to the US they have made themselves quite at home. Out competing the native Green Anole in most every way.
The Gopher Tortoise is a Florida Icon. Being a protected species due to declining numbers and its importance in the ecosystems of North Amerca we are fighting to protect this Keystone species ( an animal other animals depend on). Over 300 animals in North America depend on the health and safety of this LAND tortoise. Please keep them on the land and DO NOT put them in the water.
Birds
There are many species of shore birds in and around the coasts in our world however none are called Sea Gulls. That is a general term for animals in the Gull family. Pictured here with the balck bills are Laughing Gulls, the birds with the orange bills are Royal Terns.
Some of the cutest birds you will see on our beaches are Plovers and the many species of Sandpipers.
The Magnificent Frigate Bird or Man-O-War. Is a migrating bird to US shores. They are able to stay in the air for over 52 days. You can identify them by their uniqu forked tail however sometimes they fly with it in one point. the Males have no white when adults but instead have a red air blatter on their throat to impress the ladys. Females have white patch on their chest when adults.
Osprey are one of the most common raptors in the world, and one of the best hunters in the world with around an 80% catch rate.
Shown here is an osprey carrying its prey. Notice how it is carrying the fish head first to cut down on wind resistance and be more aerodynamic while flying.
Out of the 8 species of Pelicans in our world Florida has 2 that will visit our shores. The Brown Pelican shown here that is in Florida year round, and the Migrating White Pelican shown Below.
The Brown pelican is the smallest species of pelican in the world but it still has a 5-6 foot wing span and can hold up to 3 gallons of water in its Gouler Pouch under its bill.
The American White Pelican is the 2nd largest species of pelican in the world. (the First being the Dalmatian Pelican of Africa with a wing span just under 12 feet) The White pelican's wingspan is about 9 feet. They migrate south from central us to warmer regions in the winter such as SWFL.
Beach Friends
The Fighting Conch is the state shell of Florida. It belongs to the Gastropod family because it is a snail. When ever you find a shell that is swirled it is made from a snail. Every shell you ever find was once a living creature.
Sand Dollars are some of the most beautiful and unique creatures on our planet. They clean our sand by pulling it through their digestive system taking off algae and other small organisms.
Be sure if you find one to add to your collection that is is WHITE or dead. not only will taking a live animal kill it but IT IS A $500 Dollar fine for taking living creatures from the beach.
The Common Florida Sea Star (NOT star fish, they are not a fish) is a very common site especially in the winter months around SWFL. If you are lucky enough to find one on the beach by the shore line be sure to help it out and toss it back into the water. Even if you take them home they WILL NOT become nice and pretty like the ones you can get from a store.
A Brittle Sea Star. This creature is a beautiful delicate member of the Echinoderm family.
The 9 Armed Sea Star, is one of the larger species found in gulf waters. Like some other echinoderms the sea stars are able to regenerate lost limbs if they are healthy enough to do so. and as long as the main body structure is not damaged to severely they can continue surviving.
The Coquina Clams are some beautiful bivalve mollusks that use their filter feeding ability to clean our water with every breath they take.