by Judy Biss | Jul 6, 2013
Summer is a time to bask in the sunshine for many of Florida’s wildlife species.
Each of Florida’s seasons are characterized by a variety of amazing and beautiful wildlife activities. Below is a list of some notable native wildlife behaviors occurring in July and August around the state.
July
Birds
- Shorebird migration starts in mid-July, peaking in August.
- Swallow-tailed kites begin gathering as do purple martins and tree swallows in preparation for migrating south for the winter.
- Look out for nesting shorebirds, and keep your vehicles and dogs from disturbing them.
Reptiles
- Later this month, young alligators and crocodiles will begin to hatch.
Mammals
- Baby raccoons, foxes, armadillos, possums, and bobcats leave dens and begin following parents.
Plants
- Sea oats flower along the Atlantic and Gulf.
- Scrub morning glory and butterfly weed begin to bloom.
Of Special Historical Note:
August
Birds
- First flocks of blue-winged and green-winged teal arrive to winter on Florida lakes and wetlands.
- Yellow warbler migration begins.
Mammals
- Two-year old black bear cubs will wean from their mothers.
- Short-tailed shrews will begin a second round of breeding for the year.
Reptiles
- Young sea turtles are hatching so avoid marked sea turtle nests and turn off lights to reduce light pollution.
Sea turtle hatchlings are attracted to light sources on their dash to the ocean. Summer hatching means lights out for sea turtles! photo by L Avens 2003
Insects
- Thousands of great southern white butterflies can be seen migrating through coastal areas.
Invertebrates
- Corals along the Keys spawn at the full moon
More of these “happenings” for the calendar year can be found at the University of Florida’s Wildlife Extension Website: Wildlife Happenings.
Also at the Wildlife Extension website are a number of interesting resources to learn not only about our native wildlife, but our non-native/invasive wildlife as well. For example: can you distinguish between the invasive Cuban treefrog and our native species? The Cuban treefrog is well established in central and south Florida and has been documented in Bay and Leon Counties in north Florida. Be on the lookout for this alien treefrog!
Natural habitats invaded by Cuban Treefrogs include pine forests, hardwood hammocks, and swamps. In urban and suburban settings they are most commonly found on and around homes and buildings, and in gardens and landscape plants – Image by Dr. Steve A Johnson 2005.
On the flip side, did you know that our “own” American Bullfrog is invasive in other countries throughout the world? Also, current research is investigating the observations that mating calls of some non-native frogs may interfere with the dynamics of native frogs’ calling behavior. These and other up-to-date facts can be found in the UF/IFAS Invader Updater newsletter. The current issue has articles on the suckermouth catfish, Cuban treefrog, lampreys, and the recent record-sized python caught in south Florida.
Focusing back to our own unique native wildlife, you may find, as I did, this UF website of Frogs & Toads of Florida of interest to you. It has beautiful pictures of each species as well as an audio recording of its distinctive call. So, turn up the volume on your speakers and listen to a sampling of the chorus that serenades Floridians each night. Click Here to listen to the call of the Squirrel Treefrog.
by Bill Mahan | Apr 19, 2013
Horseshoe crabs spawning.
Credit: Bill Hall, Univ. Delaware Sea Grant
Horseshoe crabs spawning on a beach.
Credit: FL Fish & Wildlife Commission
The female is the larger of the two horseshoe crabs.
Credit: Fotosearch -Stock Photo
Spring is here and that can only mean one thing, horseshoe crabs! That’s right it’s horseshoe crab survey time!
Each spring the scientists with the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) look for volunteers to report horseshoe crab sightings around the state as part of their annual horseshoe crab survey.
So, if you would like to be part of the research team, all you need to do is get out and walk along the beach and let FWC researchers know when you see horseshoe crabs. Please see the information at the end of this article for submission information. The following is some background information on horseshoe crabs.
About Horseshoe Crabs
- The horseshoe crab is found on shores of the western Atlantic Ocean ranging from Maine to Mexico. Fossils of horseshoe crab ancestors show that these animals have been around for over 350 million years – before the age of dinosaurs. Therefore, it is no surprise that scientists typically refer to horseshoe crabs as “living fossils.”
- Interestingly, horseshoe crabs are not really crabs at all! As it turns out, they are more closely related to spiders and scorpions than they are to true crabs. This is because unlike true crabs, horseshoe crabs do not have antennae or jaws, and their legs are similar to those found on spiders.
- Currently, horseshoe crabs are being harvested commercially for three purposes in the United States: bait (conch & eel fisheries); marine life (aquarium trade, research, etc.); and biomedical (for blood).
- Compared to other states, especially along the Atlantic coast, Florida does not have a large horseshoe crab fishery. The primary harvest in Florida is for marine life.
- Horseshoe crabs are ecologically important. During certain times of the year, horseshoe crabs lay billions of eggs on beaches. These eggs are an important food source for migrating birds and the marine wildlife.
- Horseshoe crabs are also directly important to humans because research on their compound eyes has lead to a better understanding of the human visual system.
- In addition, horseshoe crab blood is widely used by the biomedical industry. Special cells in their blood (which by the way is blue) are used to test for bacterial contamination in our blood supplies and in the production of many commercial drugs. A horseshoe crab’s blood contains hemocyanin, a copper – based molecule that gives it a blue color.
- Finally, the material that makes up their exoskeleton (chiton) is used to make contact lenses, skin creams, and hair sprays.
The blood of the horseshoe crab is blue because it is copper-based.
Credit: FL Fish & Wildlife Commission
Horseshoe Crab Anatomy
- The tail of the horseshoe crab is often thought to be a weapon by many people. However, the horseshoe crab is actually harmless and the tail is used to dig through sand and to turn the crab upright if it is accidentally turned over.
- The first pair of legs can be used to distinguish between males and females. Males use their specialized front legs, called claspers, to hold on to the female during spawning.
Project Objectives and Goals
Currently, horseshoe crabs are being over-harvested in some states. The management plan issued by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission requires that all Atlantic coastal states must identify horseshoe crab spawning beaches.
With your help! – FWC’s goal is to identify horseshoe crab spawning beaches around Florida.
How can you help?
FWC is asking the public to report sightings of horseshoe crab activities. The information that the researchers would like to collect from you is the following:
- Date and time of your sighting.
- Location of your sighting.
- Whether or not horseshoe crabs were spawning.
- A rough estimate of the number of horseshoe crabs seen.
Spawning behavior of horseshoe crabs is best observed within three-days before and after a full or new moon on sandy beaches with low wave action.
If you want to be more involved, you can contact the FWC researchers about collecting data on abundance of male and female horseshoe crabs, and on sizes of individuals. You can contact FWC using any of the following methods:
Go to MyFWC.com/Contact and click on the “Submit a Horseshoe Crab Survey” link, then “Florida Horseshoe Crab Spawning Beach Survey,” or go directly to http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/horseshoe_crab
- You can also report findings via email at horseshoe@MyFWC.com
- Or call toll-free at 1-866-252-9326
If you have any questions please let me know. Enjoy your beach walks and “crab” watching.
(Bill Mahan is a FL Sea Grant Agent and Director of the Franklin UF-IFAS Extension Program. Contact him at (850) 653-9337, 697-2112 x 360; via e-mail at bmahan@ufl.edu; or Facebook http://www.facebook.com/UFIFASFranklinExtension
by Brooke Saari | Mar 5, 2013
National Invasive Species Awareness Week: March 3rd – March 8th
March 5th: Wild Hogs (Sus scrofa) & Water Hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes):
Wild boar Photo Credit: Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission
Wild Hogs: Wild Hogs, also called Feral Hogs, are not native to the United States. Wild hogs are highly adaptable and can find suitable habitat easily. They are very prolific. Females have multiple litters of 3-8 piglets per year. Wild hogs are opportunistic omnivores that feed by rooting and grazing. The impact of wild hogs on the environment is soil erosion, decreased water quality, spread of other invasive plants, damage to agricultural crops, and damage to native plants and animals. Wild hogs pose a health risk to humans because they can carry numerous diseases and parasites. Human hunting is the most significant cause of mortality in wild hogs, although hunting alone will not eradicate hogs from a given habitat. The most effective way to remove wild hogs from a location is a combination of trapping and shooting. For more information on Wild Hogs, go to: http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/uw322
For more information contact the author Jennifer Bearden, Agriculture Extension Agent, 850-689-5850.
Water Hyacinth: The water hyacinth is a floating non-native plant, which if left unchecked and allowed to grow to its maximum potential,
Water Hyacinth Photo Credit: Vic Ramey, UF
can weigh up to 200 tons per acre of water. Once it gets into rivers, it can choke out other vegetation and make navigation difficult if not impossible, because the plants will grow intertwined and form huge floating mats that can root on muddy surfaces. Water hyacinth is a wolf in sheep’s clothing—it is a highly ornamental plant. The plant will be several inches tall with showy lavender flowers and rounded, shiny, smooth leaves. These leaves are attached to spongy stalks that help keep the plants afloat. The prolific roots are dark and feathery. Although here in northwest Florida most of it dies back in the winter, it is able to regrow when the weather and water warm up. This weed can be controlled by physical removal, through biological control options—water hyacinth weevils will be useful in keeping the plant populations down—and by chemical means. For more information on hyacinth and other weed control in Florida ponds, please see the UF IFAS publication Weed Control in Florida Ponds. If you have any questions about identifying a pond weed, contact your friendly local county Extension agent.
For more information contact the author Libbie Johnson Agriculture Extension Agent, 850-475-5230.
by Brooke Saari | Mar 1, 2013
National Invasive Species Awareness Week
Invasive Species Awareness: How is Your Invader Knowledge?
Invasive species are non-native or exotic species that do not naturally occur in an area and cause economic or environmental harm or harm to human health. These invasive species have become the number one threat to biodiversity on protected lands. However, invasive species do not know boundaries and as a result public and private lands are affected as well as natural and man-made water bodies and associated watersheds. Northwest Florida is home to many unique habitats, including upland, wetland, and marine. These habitats, housing a variety of plants and animals, make this area considered as one of the top six biodiversity hotspots in the country. These invasive species threats can come in the form of both plants and animals, in Florida there are over 500 non-native fish and wildlife species and over 1180 non-native plant species that have been documented. Exotic species are able to outcompete many natives causing habitats to degrade, animals to leave, and can introduce diseases that can destroy economically important species. This is a worldwide issue that can be addressed on local levels. One of the most effective ways to control invasive species is by prevention, just by becoming invasive aware can help to control some of these issues.
So how aware are you? Recreationalists such as boaters, fishermen, pet owners, gardeners, hikers and travelers can be unknowing dispersers of invasive species. These everyday steps can help: By cleaning and draining your boat, gear and trailer between water bodies can stop the spread of species that may be hitchhiking on your equipment. If you are a pet owner and find yourself in a possession of a pet you no longer want or can care for, it is important not to release these into the wild. No pet, either native or exotic, should ever be released. This act can cause more harm than good, not only to your pet but to the other native wildlife. Follow the simple tips on Habitattitude to get tips on alternatives to releasing your pet. When out enjoying nature while biking, hiking, camping, birding, etc. take care to check where you are trekking, what might have attached to your clothing, making sure you do not end up being an unwitting disperser. Gardeners, even you can help especially when dealing with non-native plant dispersal. Not all non-native plants are bad but make sure that the plants you are putting in your garden are not harmful invaders that will make it into natural areas. Verify your plants by making sure they do not occur on the invasive plant list which can be found at http://www.fleppc.org/. There are many ways to get involved in the battle against invasive species. For more information about National Invasive Species Awareness Week (NISAW) please visit http://www.nisaw.org/, landowners can join your local Cooperative Invasive Species Management Areas (CISMA) group or for more info on local invasive species contact your UF/IFAS extension office. Look for the invasive species of the day posts on the Panhandle Outdoors Extension Newsletter blog throughout NISAW to increase your awareness of local invasive exotic species.
For more information, please contact Brooke Saari, Florida Sea Grant Marine Science Agent, Okaloosa/Walton County UF/IFAS Extension by phone 689-5850 or email bsaari@ufl.edu.
by Carrie Stevenson | Mar 1, 2013
Are you interested in exploring and discovering more about the waterways and wildlife around you? If so, Panhandle Outdoors LIVE may be right up your alley. In 2012, natural resources Extension Agents took over 200 people on trips from Perdido to Apalachicola, and this yearlong series of hiking, boating, and kayaking trips is back by popular demand with 9 new locations. Local experts will provide you with insight into the “real” Florida and take you to places unique to our corner of the world. We promise you’ll go home with a new appreciation for our Florida ecosystems!
The expedition schedule is as follows:
March 15: Aucilla River Sinks (Jefferson County)
March 28: The Great Florida Wildlife Trail (Calhoun County)
April 2: Pitcher Plants & Weeks Bay (Baldwin County, Alabama)
May 8: Coastal Dune Lakes (Walton County, Florida)
June 6: Yellow River & Boiling Creek (Santa Rosa County)
August 15: Saltwater Marshes of St. Andrews Bay (Bay County)
September 24: Apalachicola National Estuarine Research Reserve (Franklin County)
October 3: Blackwater River State Forest (Santa Rosa County)
November 15: Seagrasses & Manatees of Apalachee Bay (Wakulla County)
Each day starts at 
9:30 am central/10:30 am eastern and runs to 4:00 central/5:00 eastern. Please arrive at least 20 minutes early for each trip to ensure the events can start on time. Depending on location, moderate walking, hiking, swimming, and/or paddling may be involved. Lunch, park entry fees, and rentals will be provided for each participant (18 and up only) at a cost of $30.
Click here for registration and contact information. Space is limited, so register early!
Enjoy exploring Northwest Florida during Panhandle Outdoor Live 2013
Necessary equipment and clothing will vary based on weather and location, but participants should bring sturdy shoes, drinking water, sunscreen, and a camera to each trip. Transportation to each location will be facilitated by carpooling, and some counties may be able to provide transportation.
by Rick O'Connor | Feb 7, 2013
The Timber Rattler, also known as the Canebrake Rattlesnake can grow to over 6 feet. Commonly found in damp woodland environments. Photo Courtesy of Molly O’Connor
The Southeast Partners in Amphibian and Reptile Conservation has dubbed 2013 as the “Year of the Snake”. There are many animals that strike fear in humans but little cause more than snakes. Interestingly kids seem to like them. It is when we become an adult that we do not. Why is that?
Snakes are very cryptic and stealthy hunters preferring the mode of hide-ambush. We encounter them along a trail only to be surprised and the “surprise” scares us to death! Many people do not like surprises and never want to experience that feeling again; so snakes become enemies.
The ole saying “the only good snake is a dead snake” is very true to many people. Many of us have encountered snakes and a few may have been bitten. Studies suggest that 95% of humans bitten by snakes are either trying to catch it, or kill it. So the lesson is clear… if you do not want to get bit, leave it alone.
Snakes in fact do very good things for us. They are one of the best “rodenticides” you will find. It is actually better to find a snake in your barn than a rat. Like spiders and bats, which consume thousands of unwanted insects, snakes should be appreciated for what they do for us and left to do it.
This diamondback has beautiful camouflage markings, helping it hide and ambush prey. Photo courtesy of Molly O’Connor.
A large snake like this almost invites the adventurous to chase and pick it up. This is not recommended since 95% of snake bites occur while trying to pick-up or kill a snake. Better to leave in place and give space. Photo courtesy of Alan Dennis.
Ray Ashton lists 66 species and subspecies of snakes in the state of Florida. Only 6 of these are venomous. 60 (91%) of Florida snakes belong to the Family Colubridae. All colubrid snakes in Florida are non-venomous. They can be distinguished from the others by their round pupils, narrow heads, and solid (non-hollow) teeth. There are five species of Florida snakes in the Family Viperidae. The “pit-vipers” have hollow hinged fangs through which they can inject venom. They possess elliptical pupils and have a “pit” between the eye and nostril that can detect infra-red heat. One species, the coral snake, is found in the Family Elapidae. Elapids are some of the most venomous snakes in the world and include such animals as the cobras and sea snakes. They differ from pit-vipers in that they have round pupils and small heads (not “diamond” shaped) and differ from colubrids in that they have straight hollow fangs for injecting venom.
Snakes do not chase people down; they are actually afraid of us and only bite in defense. All snakes warn before they bite. Some snakes will musk hoping you smell it and move away. Most snakes will shake their tails; often against dead leaves to make a rattling sound. Many will make themselves look larger by opening their mouth wide or by flattening out their head and/or body. They do not want to bite; they bite as a last resort.
Rick O’Connor shows non-venomous snake to kayakers on recent field trip. Photo courtesy of Carrie T. Stevenson.
To celebrate “THE YEAR OF THE SNAKE” we will be posting articles on different snakes found in Northwest Florida each month over the course of 2013. If you are interested in more information, contact Rick O’Connor at roc1@ufl.edu or call 850-475-5230. This month’s Snake Pictures are rattlesnakes!
References:
Ashton, R.E., P.S. Ashton. (1981). Handbook of Reptiles and Amphibians of Florida, Part One; the snakes. Windward Publishing. Miami FL. pp. 176.
Gibbons, W., M. Dorcas (2005). Snakes of the Southeast. University of Georgia Press. Athens GA. pp. 253.
The smallest of the rattlesnakes is the pygmy. It’s also the smallest venomous snake in Florida. Despite it’s size, it’s capable of holding it’s own when it feels threatened. Photo courtesy of Molly O’Connor
