WELCOME TO SOUTHWEST FLORIDA
MEET YOUR NEIGHBORS GET TO KNOW SOME OF OUR LOCAL NATIVES
BY CONSERVANCY OF SOUTHWEST FLORIDA
T
he Sunshine State is teeming with terrestrial, aquatic, and avian wildlife. More than 130 native species are threatened or endangered—and many make their home in Southwest Florida. Whether they’re outgoing or shy, get to know a few of your neighbors’ “cool factors.”
occasionally seagrass and algae status: Threatened in Florida, endangered in other parts of the world Cool factor: Mature sea turtles return to
the beaches where they hatched to lay their eggs.
FLORIDA PANTHER LOGGERHEAD SEA TURTLE
scientific name:
scientific name:
adult
Caretta caretta 3 feet weight: 250 to 300 pounds lifespan: More than 50 years habitat: Temperate and tropical regions of the ocean diet: Fish, crustaceans, jellyfish, and adult size:
Puma concolor coryi size: 7 to 8 feet from the nose to tail
weight:
Up to 9-plus pounds, averaging about 5 pounds habitat: Upland forests, hardwood hammocks, Florida scrub diet: Small mammals, reptiles, amphibians status: Threatened Cool factor: This snake eats its prey live,
and hunts and consumes other snakes, including venomous ones. It is also the longest native snake in North America.
tip weight:
ROSEATE SPOONBILL
lifespan:
scientific name:
100 to 160 pounds 12 to 15 years habitat: Confined to Southwest Florida’s pinelands, hardwood hammocks, and mixed swamp forests diet: Deer, wild hogs, raccoons, armadillos, snakes, alligators status: Endangered, with an estimated 120 to 230 panthers in Florida, making them one of the rarest and most endangered mammals in the world Cool factor: Panthers are strong swimmers.
They have a keen sense of smell and a 130-degree field of vision.
Platalea ajaja 2.5 to 3.5 feet, with a wingspan of 4.5 to 5 feet weight: Up to 4 pounds habitat: Shallow wetlands, marshes, bays, or swamps diet: Small fish, insects, small aquatic crustaceans status: Threatened, protected by the U.S. Migratory Bird Treaty Act Cool factor: Shortly after hatching, adult size:
spoonbill chick bills gradually flatten and develop into their iconic flared shape after a few weeks’ time.
EASTERN INDIGO SNAKE scientific name: adult size:
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S O U T H W E ST F LO R I DA R E LO C AT I O N G U I D E
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Drymarchon couperi 6 to 8 feet long
– SPRING
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SUMMER 2022
4/13/22 9:37 AM
