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Hike Bike Paddle Camp Florida with authors Sandra Friend and John Keatley as your guides

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Ding Darling little blue heron

Wildlife Articles

Articles about Florida’s wildlife

Florida Wildlife

From toothsome alligators to scampering lizards, you will see wildlife while enjoying Florida’s outdoors. Here are photos and descriptions of some of the creatures you may encounter along our trails.

Wood Stork

wood stork nest Jacksonville Zoo

Bird Identification      ( Species ID )      

The only true stork native to North America, the wood stork can have a wingspan of over five feet. Once highly threatened due to habitat loss in its nesting areas, it’s made a spectacular comeback

The Future of Florida’s Key Deer

Key Deer

August 21, 2019    Sandra Friend

A public meeting by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service on August 22, 2019 is the first step in informing the public of the potential of Key deer being removed from the Endangered Species List.

Identifying Florida Species

water striders

Use our photos and descriptions to help you identify Florida birds, plants, trees, wildlife, and more

Insects in Florida

Black widow spider (© ondreicka - stock.adobe.com)

In Florida, insects thrive. Here are photos and descriptions to help you identify insects and spiders in Florida.

Identifying Birds in Florida

Many species of birds browsing mud flats

Identification of common and unusual bird species seen in Florida

Black-crowned Night Heron

Black-crowned night heron Jacksonville Zoo

Bird Identification      ( Florida Species )      

Found along coastlines and freshwater wetlands, the Black-crowned Night-Heron is an elusive species

Bear season in Florida

Bears opening trash can

February 23, 2019    Sandra Friend

As Florida black bears become active in late winter and spring, the chances of a bear encounter go up significantly if you leave food unsecured outdoors – whether in your campsite or at home.

Florida’s bear problems will not be solved by hunting

Bears

April 10, 2015    Sandra Friend

FWC is proposing opening hunting of Florida black bears this October. Hunting WILL NOT solve the public safety problems with bears in Florida. Here’s our take on the issue.

Tegus establish a foothold in Florida

Tegu in Florida

July 31, 2014    Sandra Friend

It’s big. It’s colorful. And it’s the newest non-native species to establish breeding populations in Florida. Meet the black and white tegu.

Step softly! Sea turtles nesting!

Loggerhead turtle nesting (FWC photo)

May 28, 2014    Sandra Friend

Early summer is sea turtle nesting season in Florida, where precautions should be taken on the beaches and near shore to avoid disturbing these gentle giants.

Do not feed the bears

Bear in a trash can (Florida Fish & Wildlife)

April 23, 2014    Sandra Friend

“A fed bear is a dead bear,” says Florida Fish & Wildlife. It’s time to make homeowners responsible for keeping trash and food out of reach when they live in bear territory.

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