Florida is home to nearly 700 vertebrate and more than 30,000 invertebrate animal species. At the same time, 21.3 million people take up residence and 100 million tourists visit the state each year, making human-animal interaction inevitable.   

Sometimes, these interactions make headlines. Here are four Florida animals who have made the news this month. 

Eastern Indigo Snake 

eastern indigo snake
Wikimedia Commons photo

Fifteen eastern indigo snakes were released into Apalachicola Bluffs and Ravines Preserve, west of Tallahassee last month as part of an effort to return North America’s longest native snake back to the region. Eastern indigos can grow up to 8 feet long and because they are considered top predators, they help restore balance to the ecosystem. 

Historically, the eastern indigo snake was found throughout southern Georgia, Alabama, eastern Mississippi and Florida in the now rare southern longleaf pine forests. Today, their range is much more restricted, and only 5% of the longleaf pine ecosystem remains globally. Due to habitat loss and fragmentation, the eastern indigo is listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. 

“This year’s annual release is part of a 10-year commitment to the species’ recovery and continues a focus on the establishment of healthy ecosystems through collaborative land, water and wildlife conservation efforts,” reads a Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission news release. 

Similar releases were conducted in 2017 and 2018. The next snake release is set for summer 2020. 

To learn more about the eastern indigo snake, visit: Eastern Indigo Snake Species Status

To learn more about longleaf pine forests, visit: The Long Road to Recovery for the Longleaf Pine

Whale Sharks

Whale sharks have recently been spotted off Florida’s coast near Fort de Soto and Naples. Ryan Winters was spearfishing with his friends when he saw the gigantic fish about 30 miles off the coast. He caught the entire Fort de Soto encounter on his GoPro.  

“We cut the engine and made sure he got a good distance away before we jumped in the water,” Winters told ABC Action News.

Being the largest fish in the sea, whale sharks can grow to more than 40 feet long, but are considered to be harmless to humans and have been found to interact gently with divers, wildlife officials say. According to the FWC, sightings this close to the coast of Florida are rare. 

whale shark code of conduct
When swimming with whale sharks, be sure to keep your distance. Do not attempt to ride, touch, or agitate the shark with camera flashes or loud noises. Boaters should stay clear of them to avoid injury with their props. Infographic by www.floridagofishing.com (Click the image for more information)

If you are so lucky to encounter a whale shark, here are some things to know about your new friend: 

  1. Whale sharks have throats the size of a quarter, even though their mouth can be as large as 5 feet in diameter. 
  2. Their diet is made up of tiny plankton, so you are most definitely not on their menu!
  3. Whale sharks migrate thousands of miles each year in search of food. They typically feast on plankton and the eggs of tuna.
  4. They have more than 3,000 teeth! (But scientists don’t know why).
  5. No two whale sharks have the same dot patterns, similar to the stripes on a zebra!

Whale shark sightings can be reported to Bob Hueter, senior scientist and director of the Center for Shark Research at Mote Marine Laboratory, by calling 941-388-1827.

Please have the  following information ready when you call: 

  • Number of whale sharks spotted
  • Date, time, location
  • Exact GPS coordinates, if possible

Black Bears

We all know that Florida can be a little wild, but there is nothing quite like fuzzy visitors in the shape of two black bears. In June, the Polk County Sheriff’s office received reports of two separate black bear sightings in just 48 hours.

This is because it’s black bear mating season, and bears are traveling further to find their mate. When encountering a black bear, it’s important to know how to separate fact from fiction. Here are our favorite black bear myths and misconceptions provided by the FWC

Myth #1: Feeding black bears that wander into your yard helps the bears.

The feeding of bears, raccoons and foxes is illegal in Florida. Bears are opportunistic feeders and will remember where to find easy food and return to the location. If they continue to gain access to human provided foods (e.g., garbage, pet food, bird seed) they can be become food conditioned and habituated. 

Myth #2: Relocating black bears is the best and easiest way to deal with a conflict bear.

FWC has found that relocating bears is not an effective strategy to reduce human-bear conflicts. In a recent study, almost 70% of relocated bears left the area where they were moved. Bears often leave the new areas because most places where bears can be moved already have resident bear populations, which can make it difficult for the relocated bear to remain. 

Myth #3: It’s best to run away or climb a tree to escape a black bear.

Black bears have curved toenails, making them great climbers. They will commonly climb trees or send their cubs up a tree to escape a perceived danger. 

Myth #4: When a black bear stands on its hind legs, it is a sign of aggression.

When a black bear stands on its hind legs, it is trying to get a better view and/or smell of its surroundings. This stance is not aggressive in nature, nor is it an effective running gait.

To report a black bear sightings, and help FWC improve its knowledge of bear distribution in Florida, visit: https://public.myfwc.com/fwri/blackbear/ 

Leatherback Turtles

A 578-pound leatherback turtle researchers named Sydney Tuttle made history on Juno Beach last month as the first nesting leatherback to have its weight recorded in a U.S. based scientific study. 

The study, conducted by the Loggerhead Marinelife Center and a California-based sea turtle conservation nonprofit Upwell, recorded the weights of six nesting leatherbacks over nine nights in May. Justin Perrault, the director of research at Loggerhead, said the team also collected blood samples and performed ultrasounds to analyze body shapes. 

This research conducted on Juno beach is a part of a larger study by Upwell wildlife veterinarian Heather Harris to record population differences of leatherbacks in the Pacific and Atlantic oceans. Harris said the Pacific leatherbacks are declining in numbers while Atlantic leatherbacks are fairly stable. 

The goal of the study is to help conservationists better understand the effects of toxins on leatherbacks and how the turtles interact with their habitats. The weights recorded will provide a baseline to compare to in future studies, Perrault said. 

Similar studies have been conducted in Indonesia, French Guiana, and Trinidad and Tobago. 

Wondering what you can do to help sea turtle conservation? 

  1. Carry reusable water bottles and shopping bags. This will also eliminate the possibility of trash being mistaken as sea turtle food.
  2. Participate in coastal clean-ups and reduce plastic use to keep our beaches and ocean clean. 
  3. Keep nesting beaches dark and safe for sea turtles. This means redirecting lights visible from the beach and not disturb nesting turtles, nests, or hatchlings. 

Learn more ways to save sea turtles from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration: What Can You Do to Save Sea Turtles?

To learn more about how red tide impacts sea turtles, visit: Science on Tap: Sea Turtles and Red Tide