Florida's More Exotic Wildlife

As we have traveled up and down Florida's coast we have been privileged to encounter some rather exotic wildlife.

Florida Manatees

The Florida manatee, Florida’s state marine mammal, is a large aquatic relative of the elephant. They are grayish brown in color and have thick, wrinkled skin on which there is often a growth of algae. Their front flippers help them steer, or sometimes crawl, through shallow water. They also have powerful, flat tails that help propel them through the water. Despite their small eyes and lack of outer ears, manatees are thought to see and hear quite well. Well known for their gentle, slow-moving nature, they normally rest and feed often.  They are herbivores, with a diet consisting mostly of sea grasses and freshwater vegetation. Manatees communicate by squealing under water to demonstrate fear, stress or excitement. Although there is no precise census of Florida manatees, today’s population is estimated at approximately 5,000 individuals.

Manatee near our dock in Key Largo

Various human activities threaten manatee populations. Fishing nets and lines can cause injuries to manatees that can lead to serious infections. Some manatee deaths are the result of collisions with boats and boat propellers. Additionally, coastal development affect manatee habitats, both positively and negatively. Manatees tend to gather in the warm water outflows of power plants and springs during cold weather.  In accordance with the Endangered Species Preservation Act of 1966, an act of Congress designed to list endangered animal species and offer them limited protection, the manatee became one of 78 original species listed as being threatened with extinction. As such, it is a violation to harass, harm, pursue, hunt, shoot, wound, kill, capture, or collect these animals.

Due to Florida's prominence in the exotic pet trade, iguanas imported as pets have escaped or been released, and are now established in South Florida. South and Central Florida's subtropical climate allows these large herbivorous lizards to survive, reproduce, and become part of the Florida environment. 

Iguanas Basking in Trees

Three large members of the iguana family have become established here. These are the common green iguana, the Mexican spiny-tailed iguanas and black spiny-tailed iguana. Large male spiny-tailed iguanas are often misidentified as alligators by startled homeowners because of reduced dorsal spines and dark color. We often see iguanas basking in the sun along rocky shores, in trees, on docks and by bridges.

Iguana next to Sea Wall

Iguanas can cause damage by eating valuable landscape plants, shrubs, and trees, as well as orchids and many other flowers. They can also dig burrows next to seawalls and foundations, increasing the chance of erosion and eventual collapse. Special permits are unnecessary for trapping iguanas on private property in Florida, however, they must be trapped humanely. Only snares and live traps are legal. It is illegal to relocate iguanas, because, as a non-native species, they cannot be released into the wild.  Therefore, if captured, iguanas must be destroyed humanely. It is illegal to shoot iguanas in Florida,  

Oops, this is a 'Geico', not an Iguana!

We hope you don't have any encounters with 'dangerous' exotic animals wherever you are! Wishing you fair winds and gentle seas. Jay and Peggy