10 Amazing Florida Animals You May Not Know Much About

Florida Is Wilder Than You Think

When people imagine Florida, beaches, palm trees and theme parks often come to mind.

But Florida is also home to an extraordinary variety of wildlife.

Our forests, springs, rivers, wetlands and coastal environments support animals ranging from tiny tree frogs to enormous alligators.

Here are ten fascinating examples.

1. American Alligator

One of Florida's most famous residents is also incredibly important to wetland ecosystems.

Alligators create depressions known as alligator holes, which can retain water during dry periods and provide habitat for other wildlife.

2. Florida Panther

The Florida panther is one of America's rarest mammals and an iconic symbol of Florida conservation.

These elusive cats primarily inhabit areas of South Florida.

3. Gopher Tortoise

The gopher tortoise is an incredible ecosystem engineer.

Its burrows can provide shelter for hundreds of other species over time, making protection of gopher tortoise habitat important for far more than the tortoise itself.

4. West Indian Manatee

Florida's gentle aquatic giants spend much of their lives eating aquatic vegetation and traveling through rivers, springs and coastal waterways.

5. American Crocodile

Yes, Florida has both alligators and crocodiles.

Florida is one of the few places where American alligators and American crocodiles occur in the same broader region.

6. Roseate Spoonbill

With brilliant pink feathers and a distinctive spoon-shaped bill, this Florida wading bird can sometimes be mistaken for a flamingo from a distance.

7. Florida Softshell Turtle

The Florida softshell looks quite different from the hard-shelled turtles many people recognize.

Its flattened body and long, snorkel-like nose make it especially well adapted to aquatic environments.

8. River Otter

Playful and remarkably agile in the water, North American river otters can be found in freshwater environments throughout Florida.

9. Bobcat

Florida's bobcats are secretive predators found in a surprising variety of habitats—even relatively close to developed areas.

10. Great Blue Heron

Standing several feet tall, the great blue heron is one of Florida's most recognizable wading birds.

Watch one hunting and you'll quickly discover how patient a predator can be.

Discover Florida Wildlife in Ocala

Future Florida-focused experiences at the Ocala Zoological Park & Aquarium are intended to help visitors discover the remarkable wildlife living practically in our own backyard.

Because sometimes the most amazing wildlife isn't halfway around the world.

It's right here at home, at the Ocala Zoological Park & Aquarium