Move quietly through the outdoors, and you’ll be rewarded with wildlife sightings. From top-of-the-food chain creatures to tiny toads, here are examples of mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and more you may encounter in Florida.
Alligators
Alligators are the number one fear that folks new to Florida have about playing in the outdoors. Here’s how to handle yourself when you’re in alligator territory.
Florida Black Bear
Learn about the Florida black bear and how to handle yourself in bear habitat, whether you’re hiking, camping, or a homeowner in an area where bears are common
Florida cooter
The most common turtle you’ll see basking on logs along rivers and lakes, the Florida cooter is one of Florida’s largest freshwater turtles, up to a foot long or more.
Florida Panther
A subspecies of cougar, the Florida panther has been making a slow but steady comeback in their stronghold in Big Cypress and the Everglades, with sightings of individual cats reported by hikers throughout the state
Florida’s Venomous Snakes
Florida has six species of venomous snakes. Here is what they look like, and how to identify them when you are outdoors and encounter them in the woods