Finding endangered animals in Florida
Homosassa Springs State Park
Best for spotting: The West Indian Manatee & The Florida Panther
Located in Homosassa in the Northeast District of Florida, this wildlife park has a more natural flavour than some of the other ‘themed' wildlife parks in the state. It's famous for the endangered West Indian Manatees which can be seen all year round from an underwater observatory in the park's main spring. These large, grey underwater mammals (also called Sea Cows) have a friendly appearance and can reach up to four metres long in size, but are surprisingly graceful swimmers. The park is also home to the Florida Panther and is one of the few parks where you can see these Floridian endangered species and others, like the Whooping Crane and Red Wolf, up close.
More information: www.homosassasprings.org
Everglades National Park
Best for spotting: The Florida Panther, The West Indian Manatee, The Snail Kite, The Cape Sable Seaside Sparrow, The Red Cockaded Woodpecker, The Wood Stork, The Eastern Indigo Snake
A World Heritage Site, the Everglades National Park in the South of the state is the largest subtropical wilderness in the United States and is home to many of Florida's endangered species, plus many more. The park's dry season (December to April) is the best time to spot wildlife, which also includes the famous Florida Panther. With fewer than 100 estimated to live in South Florida, they are a rare sight! Endangered birds here include the large bald-headed Wood Stork and the Snail Kite, a medium sized raptor with a characteristic curved bill. Smaller birds to spot are the Cape Sable Seaside Sparrow and the Red-cockaded Woodpecker, characterised by its black &
white back and black cap & nape. (A read streak is only visible very occasionally in males.) And finally, the black, non-venomous Eastern Indigo Snake is the longest native snake of the United States, reaching lengths of almost nine feet.
More information: www.nps.gov/ever
Everglades Alligator Farm
Best for spotting: The American Alligator
The Everglades Alligator Farm, located just outside the Everglades National Park, is the oldest commercial alligator farm in Florida and a great place to spot some fine examples! Florida currently has over 1.5 alligators in the wild, after their population boomed in the 60s when commercial farming of the reptiles became legal to preserve the then endangered species. In contrast to the large number of alligators, the American Crocodile (just 600 remaining) is still endangered and also lives in the park's crocodile pond. Crocs differ from gators in that they are lighter in colour and have a narrower, triangular-shaped snout. Apart from catching a glimpse of the rare reptile, visitors can also enjoy alligator shows and feeding sessions during their visit.
More information: www.everglades.com
Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge
Best for spotting: The West Indian Manatee, The Wood Stork, The Florida Scrub Jay, The Roseate Tern, The Green Turtle, The Kemps Ridley Turtle, The Atlantic Hawksbill Turtle, The Leatherback Turtle
This wildlife refuge is made up of coastal dunes, saltwater estuaries & marshes, freshwater impoundments, scrub, pine flatwoods and hardwood hammocks and is home to more than 1,500 species of plants and animals. The park is perfect for spotting the endangered Florida Scrub Jay, a bird exclusively found in the
state and boasting bright blue feathers. Other birds to spot are the pale Roseate Tern with its flexible tail streamers and the previously mentioned Wood Stork. West Indian Manatees can also be seen here from the Manatee viewing platform, while a largely undeveloped stretch of coast is home to one of the most important sea turtle nesting sites in the United States, with four endangered species of sea turtles nesting there.
More information: www.fws.gov/merrittisland
