Bordered by the Gulf of Mexico to the west, and the Atlantic Ocean to the east is the tourism mecca and the populous state of Florida. It boasts a tropical climate rich in vegetation and is ground zero for diverse birding and wildlife viewing. It is a place few regions can match.
Many of the endemic animals that call Florida home are either threatened or endangered, making it more important to appreciate the roles they play in the ecosystem and find ways to support their existence. When you visit the Gulf Coast of Florida, you’ll have the opportunity to do just this – to see and hopefully support wild animals in their natural habitat. These can be unique and educational experiences that you won’t find anywhere else in the United States.
If you’re interested in watching animals in their habitat, while supporting conservation, then a trip to the Gulf Coast of Florida is a must. Not only will you get to see some amazing wildlife, but when thinking about the tours you choose, you can enable profits to support their survival for generations to come.
In this article, we’ll tell you about some of the animals you may observe while vacationing on the Gulf Coast of Florida.
Which Animals can you encounter in Florida?
Some of the animals that you might see when you visit the Gulf Coast of Florida include alligators, manatees, turtles, dolphins, and birds. The area is also home to a number of endangered species, such as the Florida panther and the manatee.
When you are birding or wildlife viewing in Florida, it is important to be aware of the dangers posed by wild animals. Alligators and snakes are common in the state and can pose a threat to humans.
Alligators in the Gulf of Florida
The American alligator is one of the most common animals you will see in Florida. Alligators are usually found in freshwater environments, such as lakes, rivers, and swamps. They can also be found in brackish water, which is a mix of fresh and salt water.
If you’re looking to catch an eyeful of alligators while visiting Destin or Miramar Beach, we have the perfect place for your viewing pleasure. It’s called Gator Beach, and it isn’t located on one of those beautiful coastlines where sand is forever beneath foot! Instead, head out towards Fudpucker’s Restaurant, which calls itself “The World’s Greatest Alligator Park” with over 100 different types available at any given time, including many breeds not found anywhere else in North America.
Turtles in Florida
There are six species of turtles found in Florida, all of which are on the verge of extinction.
The Loggerhead turtle is a species that lives in Florida and spends almost its entire life underwater. This means they swim thousands of nautical miles every single year!
Nesting season is from May to October with more than 60 thousand nests created in just six months on Florida’s beaches alone (90%!), you’ll be hard-pressed not to find yourself captivated by this phenomenon!
Because of this, in a number of areas, it is illegal to turn on glaring lights near the shore, as it might mislead the turtles coming towards the ocean. There has even been a turtle hospital set up to care for sick or injured animals and help with sea turtle conservation efforts.
Dolphins in the Gulf of Florida
Did you know that there are over 80 species of dolphins? The Gulf of Mexico is home to five of these, and they can often be seen swimming close to the shore.
Dolphins are very social creatures and live in groups called pods. These pods can be as small as just a few dolphins.
Or, they can be huge! The largest pod ever recorded had more than 1,000 dolphins in it!
The popularity of these beautiful animals is evidenced by the name of the football team “Miami Dolphins.” The bottlenose dolphin and the common dolphin are the most numerous species in Florida, with around 40 different species worldwide.
Endangered Species of Florida:
Florida Panther
Photo by Priscilla Du Preez on Unsplash
Florida Panthers are an endangered species and are the only wild population of the cougar or mountain lion, in eastern North America.
The Florida panther is a large felid, or member of the cat family, that once roamed throughout the southeastern United States. Today, however, its range has been reduced to just a small portion of its former territory. As few as 120 to 230 adult and subadult Florida panthers remain in the wild today.
The primary threat to the survival of the Florida panther is habitat loss. As the human population in Florida continues to grow, development increasingly encroaches on wild areas, destroying panther habitats.
Other threats to the Florida panther include vehicle collisions, disease, and inbreeding.
Manatees
Photo Credit: Ryan McClellan/Oceanic Society
If you think about it, manatees are actually one of the most harmless and peaceful animals in Florida. They don’t even bite! and are an important part of the wildlife in Florida.
Manatees are gentle giants and are often referred to as “sea cows” because of their grazing habits. These animals are vegetarians and eat mostly underwater grasses. The Florida manatee is a large, aquatic mammal that inhabits the coastal waters of the southeastern United States.
While manatees are not currently endangered globally, they are considered to be vulnerable to extinction due to their slow reproductive rate and to human-related causes, such as collisions with boats and loss of habitat. As of 2018, there are an estimated 6,620 manatees living in the wild.
You can help the conservation of these animals by being mindful of your impact on the environment and taking steps to reduce your footprint when traveling. For example, staying in vacation rentals instead of hotels can help reduce your impact on the planet.
There are a lot of amazing creatures waiting to be discovered when you’re ready to go wild in Florida! The next time you go to the Emerald Coast to soak up some sun and stay in Destin, look through Beach Reunion’s vacation rentals in Destin, as they are situated conveniently, and will ensure that you see all of the fantastic wildlife blooming and thriving around you.
