It’s Easy to See Beautiful Animals All Across Florida

Alligators, iguanas, and geckos, oh my! Don’t be scared off by tall tails of big, scary alligators hanging out in your neighbor’s pool. From spring rivers to untamed ranches to the Everglades, Florida is home to many beautiful types of wildlife.

Whether you’re here for a short time or a long time, you’re guaranteed to experience a variety of animals when you visit the Sunshine State.

Land Animals in Florida

Let’s start at the top. The largest mammal in Florida is the Florida black bear. As intimidating as that sounds, don’t worry, the only thing these big guys eat are plants! Like many other species of bear, the Florida black bear keeps close to its mother bear while maturing. Once males reach adulthood they strike out on their own.

florida panther wildlife corridor south everglades — *Photo courtesy of Joshua Torres*

Just like the cattle that made Floridians the first American cowboys, wild hogs were introduced by Spanish settlers in the 1600s. Since then, these massive creatures (which can weigh more than 200 pounds) have spread out from the Panhandle down to the southern tip of the peninsula.

This wouldn’t be a rundown of all the animals you can see in Florida if it didn’t include the state animal! Florida panthers, also known as cougars, are extremely rare in the wild. Most cougars can be found in southern Florida but their population has greatly decreased because of human development. These slick animals can move silently in a forest and run up to 35 miles per hour.

Sea Creatures in Florida

Taking a trip to the beach is always a blast in Florida, but it's even better if you can see some beautiful wildlife. While enjoying a picnic on the beach, you can see dolphins, manatees and jellyfish.

Despite its name, the world’s largest fish is the Whale Shark. While rare, these 30 foot creatures can be spotted in southern Florida from Jupiter down to Key Largo. Their diet consists of plankton, baitfish and other small sea creatures.

manatee underwater marine life florida — *Photo courtesy of NOAA*

Manatees, or sea cows as many Floridians call them, have recently joined the list for endangered species. Manatees are closely related to elephants and are gentle giants. Their quiet disposition makes them a prime target for boaters looking to make trouble. As such, they are a protected species. In the winter, if you head to a fresh water spring for a day trip you might get to see the manatees migrating—the colder the day, the better!

When diving around the reefs of Florida there will be a ton of creatures you will encounter, the largest will be the Goliath Grouper. They are often compared to a mini car and can be anywhere from 4-8 feet in size. The most likely places to spot the grouper will be in a deep shipwreck in Key Largo or Fort Lauderdale.

Birds in the Skies Above Florida

When daydreaming and cloud watching, there are a variety of birds that might come across your vision, each unique and beautiful. It takes a skilled eye to recognize the different species of birds, but here’s a starter guide for burgeoning ornithologists.

alligator florida st. augustine zoo zoological park university wildlife — *Photo courtesy of St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park*

The Great Egret is a large white bird with a wingspan anywhere from four to five feet long. These birds are calm unless disturbed. Watch out for mating season when they become fluffy-tailed and fancy.

Another colorful bird is the Painted Bunting. Despite the loud feathers, this bird is quite shy. If you’re looking to attract one to your bird feeder, try filling it with millet—their favorite snack.

If you hear a sharp laugh during a nature walk, it might not be because you just told a funny joke. The Laughing Gull can be found all throughout North and South America. Their name comes from, you guessed it, their laugh-like call. These birds tend to stay near water where they can hunt and nest in cliffs.

Get Up Close with Florida Wildlife

Now that we have some background on the beautiful animals in Florida, let's go over the fun activities where you can spot and even interact with animals.

The Florida Teaching Zoo in Bushnell, Florida teaches the public about the care of endangered rare animals. Unlike other zoos, the teaching zoo gives a personal experience giving the audience more education and understanding about our wildlife friends.

If you're visiting Fernandina Beach for a weekend and looking for a fun new activity to try out, head over to one of the scuba diving shops to learn how to dive and meet some underwater wildlife at the same time.

The St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park has something for every age. Thrill seekers can enjoy zip lining through the farm all year long and hopheads can sample new beers during “Brew at the Zoo” in October. The farm has a variety of animals (not just gators) and plenty of shows where you can learn about Florida wildlife and unique creatures from Africa and Madagascar!

Fuel Up with Timoti’s Seafood Shak

Be sure to grab shrimp tacos, lobster rolls, and other tasty treats from Timoti’s Seafood Shak to enjoy on your next wildlife adventure!

The Incredible Wildlife That Calls Florida Home