This hefty amphibian, with its warty skin and voracious appetite, has become a significant player in Florida’s complex ecological tapestry. Love them or loathe them, the story of the Cane Toad is as fascinating as it is controversial. Join me as we delve into the world of the Cane Toad, exploring its origins, impact, and […]
Flora & Fauna
- Air Potato (Dioscorea bulbifera)
- Alligator (Alligator mississippiensis)
- Alligator or Fire Flag (Thalia geniculata)
- American Avocet (Recurvirostra americana)
- American Beautyberry (Callicarpa americana)
- American Coot (Fulica americana)
- American Crocodile (Crocodylus acutus)
- American Oystercatchers (Haematopus palliatus)
- American Robin (Turdus migratorius)
- American white ibis (Eudocimus albus)
- American White Pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos)
- Anhinga (Anhinga anhinga)
- Apple Snail (Pomacea canaliculata)
- Arrowhead (Sagittaria latifolia)
- Bald Cypress (Taxodium distichum)
- Ballmoss (Tillandsia recurvata)
- Barred Owl (Strix varia)
- Bella Moth (Utetheisa ornatrix)
- Belted Kingfisher (Megaceryle alcyon)
- Black Racer (Coluber constrictor)
- Black Skimmer (Rynchops niger)
- Black Vulture (Coragyps atratus)
- Black-bellied whistling duck (Dendrocygna autumnalis)
- Blue Crab (Callinectes sapidus)
- Bobcat (Lynx rufus)
- Brazilian pepper (Schinus terebinthifolia)
- Brown Anole (Anolis sagrei)
- Brown Pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis)
- Buckeye Butterfly (Junonia coenia)
- Burrowing Owl (Athene cunicularia)
- Buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis)
- Cabbage Palm (Sabal palmetto)
- Caesar Weed (Urena lobata)
- Cane Toad (Rhinella marina)
- Cardinal Airplant (Tillandsia fasciculata)
- Carolina Wren (Thryothorus ludovicianus)
- Cattle (Bos taurus)
- Cattle Egret (Bubulcus ibis)
- Cogon Grass (Imperata cylindrica)
- Common bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus)
- Common Snook (Centropomus undecimalis)
- Corn Snake or Rat Snake (Pantherophis guttatus)
- Cucumberleaf Sunflower (Helianthus debilis)
- Dogfennel (Eupatorium capillifolium)
- Double-crested Cormorant (Phalacrocorax auritus)
- Eastern Lubber Grasshopper (Romalea guttata)
- Eastern Meadowlark (Sturnella magna)
- Feral Pig (Sus scrofa)
- Fetterbush (Lyonia lucida)
- Firefly (Lampyridae)
- Five-lined Skink (Plestiodon fasciatus)
- Florida Butterfly Orchid (Encyclia tampensis)
- Florida Cooter (Pseudemys concinna floridana)
- Florida Harvester Ant (Pogonomyrmex badius)
- Florida panther (P. c. couguar)
- Florida Scrub Jay (Aphelocoma coerulescens)
- Florida softshell turtle (Apalone ferox)
- Giant Katydid (Stilpnochlora couloniana)
- Giant Leather Fern (Acrostichum danaeifolium)
- Giant Swallowtail Butterfly (Papilio cresphontes)
- Golden Polypody Fern (Phlebodium aureum)
- Goldenrod (Solidago)
- Gopher Tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus)
- Gray Squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis)
- Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias)
- Great Egret (Ardea alba)
- Great Southern White Butterfly (Ascia monuste)
- Green Anole (Anolis carolinensis)
- Green Iguana (Iguana iguana)
- Greenbrier (Smilax)
- Gulf Coast Tick (Amblyomma maculatum)
- Gulf Fritillary Butterfly (Agraulis vanillae)
- Indigo Snake (Drymarchon couperi)
- Julia Butterfly (Dryas iulia)
- Katydid (Tettigoniidae)
- Laughing Gull (Leucophaeus atricilla)
- Laurel Oak (Quercus laurifolia)
- Lightning Whelk (Sinistrofulgur perversum)
- Limpkin (Aramus guarauna)
- Loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta)
- Longleaf Pine (Pinus palustris)
- Love Bug (Plecia nearctica)
- Magnificent Frigatebird (Fregata magnificens)
- Mangrove Buckeye (Junonia genoveva)
- Mangrove Tree Crab (Aratus pisonii)
- Marsh Rabbit (Sylvilagus palustris)
- Mexican Prickly Poppy (Argemone mexicana)
- Narrow-leaved Blue-eyed Grass (Sisyrinchium angustifolium)
- Needham’s Skimmer (Libellula needhami)
- Nine-banded Armadillo (Dasypus novemcinctus)
- Northern Bobwhite (Colinus virginianus)
- Northern Harrier (Circus hudsonius)
- Nuttall’s thistle (Cirsium nuttallii)
- Oak Toad (Anaxyrus quercicus)
- Orange Milkwort (Polygala lutea)
- Osprey (Pandion haliaetus)
- Painted bunting (Passerina ciris)
- Palm Warbler (Setophaga palmarum)
- Pickerel Weed (Pontederia cordata)
- Pileated Woodpecker (Dryocopus pileatus)
- Pine Lily (Lilium catesbaei)
- Pond Cypress (Taxodium ascendens)
- Pop Ash (Fraxinus caroliniana)
- Prickly Pear (Opuntia)
- Primrose Willow (Ludwigia)
- Purple Thistle (Asteraceae (Compositae))
- Raccoon (Procyon lotor)
- Railroad Vine (Ipomoea pes-caprae)
- Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes)
- Red Imported Fire Ants (Solenopsis invicta)
- Red Maple (Acer rubrum)
- Red Shouldered Hawk (Buteo lineatus)
- Red-bellied Woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus)
- Reddish Egret (Egretta rufescens)
- Resurrection Fern (Pleopeltis polypodioides)
- River Otter (Lontra canadensis)
- Rosary Pea (Abrus precatorius)
- Roseate Spoonbill (Platalea ajaja)
- Rough Horsetail (Equisetum hyemale)
- Ruddy Turnstone (Arenaria interpres)
- Sandhill Crane (Grus canadensis)
- Sandwich Tern (Thalasseus sandvicensis)
- Savanna Iris (Iris savannarum)
- Saw Palmetto (Serenoa repens)
- Sea Grape (Coccoloba uvifera)
- Sea Oats (Uniola paniculata)
- Sensitive Pea (Chamaecrista)
- Shoestring Fern (Vittaria)
- Slash Pine (Pinus elliottii)
- Snowy Egret (Egretta thula)
- Southern leopard frog (Lithobates sphenocephalus)
- Southern Live Oak (Quercus virginiana)
- Southern Needleleaf (Tillandsia setacea)
- Southern Wax Myrtle (Myrica cerifera)
- Spanish Moss (Tillandsia usneoides)
- Spiny-backed Orb-Weaver (Gasteracantha cancriformis)
- Star Jasmine (Jasminum multiflorum)
- Starrush Whitetop (Rhynchospora colorata)
- Streaked Rattlepod (Crotalaria pallida)
- Sundew (Drosera)
- Swallow-tailed Kite (Elanoides forficatus)
- Swamp Hibiscus/Rosemallow (Hibiscus grandiflorus)
- Sword Fern (Nephrolepis exaltata)
- Tickseed (Coreopsis)
- Turkey Oak (Quercus laevis)
- Virginia Iris (Iris virginica)
- Virginia Opossum (Didelphis virginiana)
- Water Hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes)
- West Indian Manatee (Trichechus manatus)
- White Mangrove (Laguncularia racemosa)
- White Peacock Butterfly (Anartia jatrophae)
- White Tailed Deer (Odocoileus virginianus)
- Wild Coffee (Psychotria)
- Wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo)
- Willet (Tringa semipalmata)
- Wood Storks (Mycteria americana)
- Zebra Longwing Butterfly (Heliconius charithonia)
- Zebra Swallowtail Butterfly (Protographium marcellus)
Corn Snake or Rat Snake (Pantherophis guttatus)
With its striking patterns and vibrant colors, this non-venomous snake is a marvel of nature and an integral part of Florida’s ecosystems. From its fascinating behavior to its critical role in controlling rodent populations, the Corn Snake is a true testament to the beauty and complexity of the natural world. A Striking Appearance The Corn […]
Florida softshell turtle (Apalone ferox)
\ This unique and often misunderstood reptile, with its distinctive leathery shell and snorkel-like snout, is an emblem of the freshwater ecosystems of Florida. From its peculiar physical traits to its fascinating behavior and crucial ecological role, the Florida Softshell Turtle is a testament to nature’s creativity and adaptability. A Unique Appearance The Florida Softshell […]
Florida Scrub Jay (Aphelocoma coerulescens)
Amidst the sun-drenched sands and whispering palmettos of Florida’s scrublands, there exists a creature of extraordinary charisma and ecological significance—the Florida Scrub Jay (Aphelocoma coerulescens). As the state’s only endemic bird species, the Scrub Jay’s story is one of adaptation, resilience, and the delicate balance of nature. Join me on a journey through the scrublands, […]
Red Shouldered Hawk (Buteo lineatus)
Red Imported Fire Ants (Solenopsis invicta)
Howdy folks! Gather ’round as your friendly neighborhood Florida naturalist spins a yarn about one of our most notorious residents: the red imported fire ant, or Solenopsis invicta for those who prefer scientific lingo. Now, these fiery little fellas might not be the most welcome critters in the Sunshine State, but there’s no denying their […]
Longleaf Pine (Pinus palustris)
Sundew (Drosera)
Roseate Spoonbill (Platalea ajaja)
Resurrection Fern (Pleopeltis polypodioides)
This remarkable fern, known for its ability to seemingly come back to life after appearing desiccated and dead, is a true marvel of the plant world. Its unique characteristics and survival strategies make it an enchanting subject of study, offering insights into the resilience and adaptability of nature. A Miraculous Transformation The Resurrection Fern gets […]
Alligator (Alligator mississippiensis)
This formidable reptile, with its prehistoric appearance and commanding presence, has long been a symbol of the swamps, marshes, and rivers of the southeastern United States. From its impressive physical attributes to its critical role in the ecosystem, the American Alligator is a testament to the resilience and majesty of nature. A Prehistoric Predator The […]