Sea urchins are found in all of Florida’s coastal waters, including the Atlantic Ocean, Florida Bay and the Gulf of Mexico. Sea urchins are echinoderms, and are part of the class Echinoidea. Habitat and Behavior Sea urchins are very versatile, and can be found in all of the world’s oceans. Sea urchins typically live on…
Manatees are some of the most beloved animals in Florida! They are super cute, and are always fun to see. Luckily, Florida is one of the best places to see manatees. Tips for Seeing Manatees in Florida Manatees usually spend their time in predictable places, for a variety of reasons. Manatees tend to be loyal…
Roseate Spoonbills (Ajaia ajaja) are one of the most beloved birds in Florida, and are an iconic symbol of Florida Bay! Birders and researchers from around the world visit Florida for the chance to see Roseate Spoonbills. Overview Roseate Spoonbills are members of the Ibis family. They hunt, forage and socialize together and often live…
Mangroves are an essential part of Florida’s natural environment. According to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Florida has an estimated 469,000 acres of mangrove forests throughout the state. This is a very good thing because mangroves are essential to Florida’s environmental health, and to the survival of the state. Where are mangroves located in…
Alligators in Florida represent the best of our beautiful natural environment. Alligators are essential to Florida’s ecosystem. They are apex predators and are usually at the top of their food chains and food webs. Alligators shape their environments both literally and metaphorically. Alligators are also important parts of Florida’s ecotourism economy. Visitors from around the…
Some visitors on some Florida beaches notice a bad smell, especially in the Florida Keys. It smells like sulfur, sewage, rotten eggs or natural gas. The smell can be overwhelming. The worst time tends to be in hot weather during hot summer months. Visitors often worry that there is sewer leak, or some other contaminate…
What are the Florida Everglades? The Everglades is a large region of subtropical wetland in Florida. The Everglades form an incredibly complex and fragile ecosystem. The Everglades ecosystem is very large, and covers more than two million acres. The Everglades begin in central Florida and descend to the southernmost parts of the Florida Peninsula. Millions…