Rattlesnakes on Our Barrier Islands; Part 9 – Dusky Pygmy Rattlesnake
If you look at the more popular snake guides of Florida, they only list four species known to inhabit there; and the pygmy rattlesnake is not one of them. However, I continue to survey for snakes on the islands I am finding species not listed in the guides and the...
NISAW 2026 – Thrush Cowrie
National Invasive Species Awareness Week (NISAW) 2026 In our last video for this year, we will introduce to a new species that was first discovered in the panhandle during the summer of 2025 – the Thrush Cowrie. This small snail is from the Indo-Pacific and...
NISAW 2026 – Phragmites
All across the Florida panhandle one can encounter a tall, bamboo-like, plant that has taken over many shorelines. Sometimes called “common cane” it is most known by its genus name Phragmites. It can reach heights of 20 feet and can block water views for...
NISAW 2026 – Giant Salvinia
National Invasive Species Awareness Week (NISAW) 2026 Today we will learn about another relatively new species in the Florida panhandle – Giant Salvinia. This small floating aquatic plant has been a large problem in Texas and Louisiana and has recently invaded...
NISAW 2026 – Beach vitex
National Invasive Species Awareness Week (NISAW) 2026 Today we will learn about another relatively new species in the Florida panhandle – Giant Salvinia. This small floating aquatic plant has been a large problem in Texas and Louisiana and has recently invaded...
Rattlesnakes on Our Barrier Islands; Part 8 – Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake
This species is the one that causes the most concern for folks and enhances their fear of all snakes. The eastern diamondback rattlesnake (EDB) (Crotalus adamanteus) is the largest venomous snake in the U.S. Most today will only reach a length 5 feet but there are...
NISAW 2026 – Cuban treefrog
National Invasive Species Awareness Week (NISAW) 2026 Each year near the end of February across the country communities are observing NISAW. Each year UF IFAS Extension provides some form of invasive species education to local communities during this week. ...
Blowout Tides
Every season living on the Gulf Coast reveals its surprises and interesting natural phenomena. Recently, my social media feed was ‘flooded” with photos of extreme low tides in local bays, bayous, and even the Gulf. The water was so low in some places that people could...
Rattlesnakes on Our Barrier Islands; Part 7 – Habitats
Rattlesnakes are only found in the new world. Species exist in North, South, and Central America. In the U.S. and Canada there are 30 known species. Most prefer high dry habitats, but many can be found on high ridges near, or within wetlands, and we know some will...
Aquaculture in the Southern United States: Part 6 – Tennessee and Texas
This article concludes our Southern aquaculture state profile series by highlighting two very different, but equally instructive, states: Tennessee & Texas. While Texas represents one of the most diverse and economically powerful aquaculture sectors in the region,...