Fascinating Florida Animals

brown anoles are an invasive species that, when introduced to Florida from the Caribbean in the 1970s, bred so successfully that they overtook green anole populations in their native habitat near the ground. But in one of the fastest examples of evolution ever, the green anoles quickly adapted, evolving larger toe pads equipped for better climbing, moving their habitat to the treetops. So while you may only see brown anoles on the ground, there's a good chance that the green anole population is thriving right over your head!

Unlike most lizards, anoles can change color. Whether to camouflage, display to mates, or show dominance, anoles are always changing color. These lizards live in deserts, rainforests,

The Heron

There are 64 species of the Heron, and most of them have long legs, long pointed beaks, and long necks. These birds like aquatic systems and normally live in tropical regions. They feed mostly on aquatic creatures but sometimes also on frogs, insects, etc. Their predators are foxes, raccoons, and minks. These birds are active both in the day and the night, making them diurnal. The heron’s wingspan, at 6.6 feet long, is two times their body size. Another interesting thing about the heron is that it has a “S” shaped beak. In the wild they can live up to 15 years.

The Raccoon

Because of their ringed tails and masked markings around the eyes, raccoons are known as bandits. Like bandits, they are extremely good at getting what they want and you can see them very often sneaking into garbage cans to get some food. When they are not stealing, they like eating insects, mollusks, and other invertebrates. Once they find food, raccoons have the tendency to examine it, take the unwanted pieces off, and when water is available they even wash it. They are also really skilled at manipulating objects, swimming, and climbing. They are extremely smart! Raccoons can face predation from cougars, bobcats, and even humans! Another fun fact about these animals is that president Calvin Coolidge actually had a pet raccoon during his presidency! No wonder this animal was a presidential

The Ibis

There are 28 species of Ibis living around the world, the tallest standing at three feet high. The ones that live near us have bald heads and faces and a very long neck. They are normally light pink or orange because the things they eat contain these pigments in them. Their patches of naked skin, normally pink, turn dark red during breeding. If you want to differentiate a male from a female, it shouldn't be too difficult: the females are much smaller than the males. These birds normally live in tropical climates with high rainfall, so it's no wonder we see them in our backyards everyday! Animals such as cats, foxes, and snakes, and other birds prey on the ibis. These birds eat just about anything. Their primary method of hunting is using their long beaks to search through sand to catch things like crabs, shrimp, insect larvae, and even small fish. A fun fact about this bird is that it is actually born with a straight bill and then grows into its curved one. The bird is also considered sacred in Africa and is appreciated in most parts of the world because it eliminates pest insects from farms and gardens. These birds can live as long as 15 years.

Black Racer

These diurnal snakes are really good swimmers and climbers, which is why you sometimes see them in your pool. They are not venomous, but touching them is still discouraged. Unlike their name suggests, these species of snake are not all black. They can be dark blue, dark green, or gray. Another misconception about them is that they are constrictors; they are not. Instead, they simply hold their prey tightly and then swallow it whole. Since they cannot protect themselves with venom or constrictor methods, they wiggle their tails against dry leaves to make the sound of a rattlesnake to scare off predators. They can cruise at four miles per hour to either run away from predators or to find prey. Baby snakes eat lizards, frogs, insects, and small rodents, and adults eat all of those plus eggs, birds,

Osprey

These birds live and nest near the water, with a diet mostly composed of fish. They have two front talons and two back ones, so their feet almost resemble rapor feet. This interesting foot structure together with their curved talons help them hold onto fish. With their six foot wingspan, they fly above the water, trying to spot fish with their keen eyes. In the 1960s, the Ospreys' population was in severe danger due to an insecticide known as DDT that infected their food. But after DDT was banned in 1972, these unique birds made a dramatic comeback, and can be commonly seen at riverside locations in Florida today. There are four subspecies of this bird and all of them are diurnal. Ospreys can be eaten by raccoons and crocodiles. These birds are solitary and keep the same mate for life. Females lay two to four eggs per clutch, and the oldest chick has the largest chance of surviving, since it steals food from the younger ones. Ospreys can start flying at as young as seven weeks old, and can normally live for seven to ten years, but there have been reports of these birds living for up to 25!