Gopher Tortoise
Roseate Spoonbill
Known as the State Tortoise, this
ancient reptile has ancestors that
date back to over 60 million years
ago. The gopher tortoise is not only
at high risk for endangerment, but it is also considered a
keystone species. This means many other animals
depend on it for survival. It has elephantine hind legs
and shovel like front legs acclimated for digging
burrows. These holes in the ground serve as a source of
protection and for laying eggs. Several other animals
will utilize the hideaway as well (i.e. mice, rabbits,
indigo snakes, etc.). It prefers sandhill type
environments, and eats primarily grasses and fruits.
In quite the unique class of wading
birds, the Roseate Spoonbill’s beak
separates it from most others in its
category. Since it is actually shaped
like a spoon, the bill aids in hunting
shallow waters ecosystems for insects,
frogs, crustaceans, and small fish. It will stealthily walk
through low waters and sweep its sensitive bill from side
to side, sifting for its prey. This bird was once hunted to
the point of extinction because of its distinct pink
plumage. Hunting is now strictly prohibited, and this
species has rebounded nicely to a species of least
concern. Habitat loss is now its largest threat, as it
prefers to nest in low scrubs or trees (i.e. mangroves).
Loggerhead Sea Turtle
The State Saltwater Reptile is the
most common type of sea turtle, but it
is still considered a threatened species.
It is not a very fast swimmer, but it
does have terrific stamina. Weighing at around 250 lbs.,
its powerful jaws are designed for efficiency when it
skims the ocean floor searching for crab, clams, or any
heavily armored crustaceans. They come up to shore to
lay their eggs (100-150) at night. Unfortunately, eggs
often fall victim to hungry predators such as coyotes or
raccoons. It is estimated that only 1 in 1,000 make it to
adulthood, because they are on their own from day 1!
Manatee
Listed as an endangered species,
the State Marine mammal – also
considered the “sea cow” – is an
extremely large (usually 9ft, 8001200 lbs.) herbivore that primarily
eats sea grasses. It spends half the
day sleeping and the other half grazing, consuming up to
10% its body weight daily. In the colder months, it tends
to swim up rivers into warmer, shallower waters. They
are thought to be very intelligent creatures, but their
numbers continue to decline (most recently due to red
tide and cold weather effects). However, human activity
(particularly boating collisions) attributes to most
injuries and death. They swim between 3-5 mph, so
please run engines on idle in no wake manatee zones.
COLLIER-SEMINOLE
STATE PARK
An Interpretive Guide to Native,
Charismatic Wildlife
Experience the Everglades
Swallow-tailed Kite
Quite the unforgettable sight, this raptor
soars gracefully through the air in search
of its prey. They are considered migratory
birds (spending their winters in South
America and summers in Florida).
Preferred nesting habitats include tall
cypress or pine trees where they will weave small sticks
together with Spanish moss. Habitat destruction will
often force them to nest in fragile Australian Pines, and
wind often causes its nest to fall. The Swallow-tailed
Kite rarely flaps its wings while flying, and almost
continuously rotates its tail (sometimes to 90 degrees) in
order to balance through the air or make sudden changes
in direction when it spots its prey (i.e. insects, lizards,
frogs, snakes, etc.).
Please remember to NEVER feed wildlife and
ALWAYS observe from a distance!
COLLIER-SEMINOLE STATE PARK
20200 Tamiami Trail East
Naples, FL 34114
(239) 394-3397
Big Cypress Fox Squirrel
The Big Cypress Fox Squirrel is a distinct
terrestrial mammal that is endemic to south
Florida – particularly south of the
Caloosahatchee River extending east through
the southern portion of Dade County.
American Alligator
Black Bear
Coyote
Endemic to the southeastern
U.S., this reptile can grow up
to 15 feet in length. It prefers
freshwater wetland habitats,
but will occasionally be seen
in brackish waters. This carnivorous creature feasts on
fish, frogs, snakes, turtles, birds, mammals, etc., but it is
rarely a threat to humans (as long as we keep our
distance). Once, hunted for its hide and on the brink of
extinction in the 1970s, it has since been recovered to a
species of least concern status and dubbed the Official
State Reptile of Florida in 1987. It is commonly
mistaken for its larger relative – the crocodile.
In Florida, this common, powerful
mammal generally weighs between
125-250 pounds (females) and 250450 pounds (males) and found in
woodland habitats. Black bears have eye sight equal to
humans, very acute hearing, and a sense of smell greater
than a bloodhound (it can smell food over a mile away)!
It can reach speeds up to 30 mph and is also a very
excellent swimmer and climber. They tend to forage for
a great deal of their food (i.e. berries or plants), but are
also known to eat insects, fish, and other small
mammals. Being naturally scared of humans, it is a good
idea to secure any food to avoid them becoming a threat.
Similar in appearance to a small
German Sherpherd, this common
canine is nocturnal and very elusive in
nature. In fact, its population continues
to grow even considering recent
human encroachment. It can reach speeds of about 40
mph when hunting birds, snakes, and small mammals.
Howling is a natural behavior to communicate with
others in its pack or as a territorial trait. Much like
domesticated dogs, the coyote marks its territory with
urine and has a very developed sense of smell. It is not
generally considered a threat toward humans.
American Crocodile
Bobcat
Mostly located in tropical-type
environments in saline waters,
this reptile is very similar in
appearance and behavior to
the American Alligator. It gets
a bad reputation for being
aggressive because of its larger, closely related species
found in Australia and Africa. It is actually quiet in
nature, and (like the alligator) spends most of its day
basking in the sun to regulate body temperature. It can
be distinguished from the gator by its larger size, lighter
skin color, pointed snout, and the fourth tooth on both
sides of the lower jaw can be seen when the mouth is
closed. It is considered a threatened species in FL.
Listed as a species of least concern, the
bobcat is the most common wildcat in
North America. The distinguishing
features of this medium-sized feline
include tufted ears, a speckled coat, and a bobbed tail. It
can be found in a variety of habitats, commonly
ambushing birds and small mammals at speeds up to 30
mph. They are considered very good climbers,
swimmers, hunters, and stalkers. Being evasive in
nature, it is not generally a threat to humans unless it
learns to associate them with food. Their unnerving, earpiercing scream is used to ward off any predators.
A heavy-bodied venomous snake,
it can be distinguished through its
arrow-formed head, cat-like eyes,
and the diamond-shaped pattern
on its back. It generally hides
away in a variety of upland communities and ambushes
its prey (i.e. small rodents, frogs, birds, etc.). The
hemotoxic venom attacks the blood stream of its victim,
and if bitten medical treatment should be pursued
immediately. However, they will rarely inject venom
unless threatened. This snake will generally rattle its tail
and coil up when endangered to give a warning, but
watch your step if walking through overgrown areas.
Bottle-Nosed Dolphin
Florida Panther
Bald Eagle
The most common type of dolphin
- the Bottle-Nosed Dolphin – is the
State Saltwater Mammal. It is a
very curious and intelligent
mammal that will travel in groups
for great distances chasing schools of fish. They are
about 10 feet and 400-500 pounds on average. It has the
distinct ability to use echolocation – emitting a
vocalization that is then bounced (or echoed) back to
them from nearby objects. Likewise, they are considered
terrific hunters and can reach speeds of up to 30 mph.
Swimming with or feeding dolphins should not be
attempted. They can become territorial when feeding,
and could therefore become a threat.
The State Animal is a severely
endangered subspecies of the
puma. In 2013 it was estimated that
there were approximately 140-160
left in the wild. It can weigh
anywhere between 60 and 160 pounds, and can run up to
35 mph when hunting hares, mice, deer, boar, and
waterfowl. Hammocks, pine flatwoods, grasslands, and
swamps are its main habitats (which can range up to 200
sq. miles in southern Florida). Its biggest threats are
habitat loss, degradation, and fragmentation. Sightings
are extremely rare, but nonetheless please remember to
slow down when driving through panther zones!
The Official Bird of the U.S.A.
can be found throughout the
country. It preys primarily on
fish and small mammals, but it
is considered an opportunistic
carnivore. It can glide up to 40 mph, and can swoop
down on unsuspecting prey at speeds of 75-100 mph.
This majestic bird can build nests that can weigh up to a
ton! In Florida, it can usually be found in pine
flatwoods, open prairies, mangrove swamps, and several
other types of habitats with tall, scattered trees.
Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake